Chapter 2: Tomorrow Starts Today
As soon as Jonathan had left the room, I went through Daddy's office. He had to have something in here for me. I searched for an hour and found nothing. Finally, I went back to the giant chair I had been sitting in. That's when I remembered the letter Jonathan had given me. I sat down, and started to read it.
Dear Daphne,
If you're reading this, then I must be gone. My last will and testament is with our lawyer. I left everything to you, since your brother left…
*Brother!? I have a brother?!* I slumped down in my chair. *My father is dead and I have a brother. Why didn't he tell me?*
I had to get away from the house. I ran up to my room, and grabbed my life savings, three dollars and ninety seven cents. Then I ran out of the house, shutting the door behind me. The only thing I could think of was to find Dawn. The only problem was I didn't know where she was.
That night I stayed in an alley; hidden in the shadows, praying that no one would walk past. No one did. I must have fallen asleep, because the sunlight hit my face too quickly. It took me a second to remember where I was. When I did, I groaned.
I exited the alley, and walked right into a couple of teenagers. They were too busy staring into each others eyes to realize that I'd bumped into them. The guy was talking to the girl; I couldn't tell what he was saying though, because his Swedish accent was too thick.
"Excuse me ma'am," I said to the female, hoping that I'd be able too understand her.
"Yes?" she answered. I sighed in relief, no accent.
"Do you know where I can find a newsies lodging house?" I asked.
"There's one right down the road, honey," she answered with a smile. I thanked her, and nodded to the guy with her. Then I took off in the direction she had pointed out to me.
Just as I got to the steps of the lodging house, however, a teenaged boy stopped me. I looked him over; he was tall, with red hair which was sticking out from under a cap.
"That lodging house is full," he simply said, taking a hold of my arm.
"Full? Where am I supposed to stay?" I thought out loud.
"I'll take you to a place, Angel." Then he started walking down the street. I followed, as he still had my arm, wondering why a complete stranger would call me "Angel." I also wondered why I'd follow a complete stranger. It took me a minute to realize I had nothing else I could do.
We walked for a long time; finally he stopped in front of a large building. There was a sign that read "Van Wyck Lodging House."
"You can stay here." The mysterious boy said. I turned towards him to say thank you, but he was gone.
Sighing, I walked up the steps, and opened the door. There was a woman at a desk. Talking to her was a girl. The girl turned and looked at me.
"Hi! I'm Dragonfly. Welcome to the Van Wyck Lodging House. What's your name?" I thought for a second.
"Soaker."
