In Chicago, Michael's POV
I was sitting in my room when I could hear Andrew burst through the door and run up the stairs. Without even knocking, he came in and looked like he was out of breath.
"Andy, what's wrong?"
"Have.you.checked.your.mail?"
I shook my head. Normally I wouldn't check it until I was leaving the house to go to work. I hadn't left yet and was actually getting ready when he had come in.
"No, why?"
He shoved an opened envelope into my hands and then took a seat on my bed. I sat down across from him on an old chair and opened the letter.
~*~*Dear Andrew,
I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but its happened again. Katelin, or as a bunch of us here call her Whisper since she doesn't say much, has retreated into that shell of hers. She had been doing fine all week until she met up with someone we never thought we'd see again, Francis Sullivan. Only difference is that he now goes by the name Jack Kelly. He's taller and he features are slightly different but as soon as he found out that Katelin was here, his attitude returned. Now he's more assertive and has more people to follow him. I must say though, he's gotten several black eyes and a bloody nose. Bloody nose courtesy of Katelin and black eyes courtesy to our new friends, Dodger and Kid Blink.
I'll fill you in on them if you come down and help. The guys are really worried and so am I. It's been four days and she hasn't come out of the house. We need your help. Send letter as soon as you can.
~*~*Brina (a.k.a. Chatterbox)
I gripped the letter in my hand and looked to Andrew.
"We've got to go and help."
"Mike, I know we're friends and I would hurt anyone who'd hurt Katie, but what about work? We can't just leave."
"Andy, we work for our parents. When they find out that we need to go to New York to help out Katie, they'll understand. Heck, they'll even pay our fare there."
"What about Alison and Maggie? We can't tell them that we're going off to help a girl."
"You are such a pessimist. Alison and Maggie have known Katie and Brina all their lives. They know that the two of them, especially Katie is important to us."
"But I had a date with Maggie coming up."
I put my fingers to my forehead and took a deep breath in. Andrew is my friend but sometimes I can't believe that we had lasted as friend for this long.
"Why not bring them with us? Maybe with the help for some more girls, we can figure out what to do."
I saw his eyes perk up. He and Maggie had been hanging out all week and he finally decided to ask her out.
"I'll write a response to them. You go and ask our parents and the girls if they want to come."
Andrew left my room in a run again. I swear that kid doesn't walk anywhere. I turned around in the chair and sat looking at my desk. I pulled a sheet of paper out of its place and started to write the letter. The sooner we got there the better. Katelin needed help and we were the people to give it.
~*~*Kid Blink's POV
Sitting at the Newsies' regular table at Tibby's, I realized that it's been a week since we sent letters to Michael and Andrew and yesterday we got word that they would be there as soon as possible. I was sitting there reading over the letter that the boys had sent to us jointly, waiting for my dinner to be served.
~*~*Dear Brina,
From the sounds in your letter, Katelin has retreated into that shell of hers like she did when she was younger and had just learned to talk. We're going to get on the earliest train we can and see if we can help out with the problem. Whatever you do, make sure she stays away from Francis. We don't know if he'll try the tricks he did when he was 12 but we don't want to risk anything.
Say hello to your parents for us and we'll see you soon.
~*~*Michael and Andrew
The postmark on the envelope read two days ago so they should be here in the next couple of days. Specs came out from the kitchen with my water and a sandwich when Dodger ran in. Specs gave a smile and waited for a hug or kiss but she didn't give him those.
"Wese jist got woid from da train yards in Chicago. Michael n' Andrew should be 'ere today. Dey got on da train yesterday night so if we 'urry, we'll meet deir train. I'se gotta git Race though, so I'se see youse two in 10mins."
At that she left, leaving a sorrowful Specs. I got up from my seat and patted him on the back.
"Don't worry. She'll come around. She's just really worried about Whisper."
"But she didn't even say good-bye. Maybe the two of us just aren't made to be?"
"Specs. Don't be talkin' like that. If she were in that much of a rush, of course she wouldn't have time to say good-bye. Now the one month anniversary is comin' up right?"
He nodded.
"Well get that present of hers and you and I will plan a spectacular night for the two of you. It will help to calm her down and relax about Whisper. Chatterbox, Spot, Michael, Andrew, the others and I will keep an eye out for her while you whisk Dodger off her firm place."
Specs smiled at the thought of wowing Dodger, which didn't happen all that often. He finished up his shift and 5mins later; we were off to the train yards, hoping to meet some people that could help Whisper come out of her shell.
Once we got to the station, we could see Chatterbox, Dodger, Fastdancer and Racetrack standing off together.
"Hey guys, where's Spot?"
"He's just making sure the train is on time."
I gave everyone a hug hello and nudged Specs to go talk to Dodger. You would have thought he was going to ask her out he was shaking so bad. As Specs and Dodger went off, Spot came back from the ticket booth and told us that the train would arrive in an hour or so. It had been delayed at the border. Race, Spot and I went to get everyone a drink and the girls went and found us some benches.
"Have you noticed how the girls are really excited to meet these two guys?"
"Ever since we got word that they were coming, they've been bugging Chatter with questions about them. You'd think we weren't alive."
I laughed at the worry on the guy's faces.
"I don't think you have to worry. Remember, Chatter said that the two of them were only interested in helping Whisper out. It's not like they are going to steal Ice and Fast away from you two."
Realizing how stupid they had been, they paid for the drinks and went to wait with the others. Specs and Dodger weren't back yet. We talked a little about how we were going to get the boys to see Whisper and looking at my watch, I saw that the hour was almost up. I could hear the chug of the train in the distance and still there was no sign of Specs or Dodger.
"Guys, has anyone seen Glasses and Fighter?"
They all laughed. Those were our nicknames for them when they weren't around.
"No, last time I saw them was when Specs was taking Dodge aside. Maybe we should go find them."
Chatterbox said she and Spot would wait for the train to arrive and if we weren't back by the time the guys showed up, they'd meet us at the front. Fast and Race started for the waiting rooms while I started to circulate around the building. I saw the train slowly coming to a stop and heard a steam of air blow out.
"Dodger! Specs! Where are you?"
I continued around the building and didn't see anyone but soon fell on my face. Pushing myself up from the ground, I saw a foot sticking out from one of the bushes.
"What the?"
I pushed them aside to see a fairly beaten up Specs.
"Oh my. I've got to get the others."
I ran off to the platform to find Chatter giving two guys giant hugs. I pushed my way through everyone and stopped beside her.
"Oh Kid. I want to introduce you to four really good friends of mine. This is Andrew or Andy, Michael or Mike, Alison or Allie and Maggie or Mags."
One by one each shook my hand and while they did, Chatter looked around to see if Specs and Dodger were around. She caught sight of Race and Fast coming back though.
"So did anyone find Glasses and Fighter?"
Realization of why I had come back hit me.
"I found one of them. Specs has been beaten up bad."
Before anyone could say a word, I led everyone to where I had found Specs. He was still there, but now more awake. Spot and I put each of his arms around our shoulders and lifted him to his feet.
"Specs, what happened? Where's Dodger?"
"Can we get back to Midtown to patch him up first? He looks like he's going to pass out again." Fast said.
"We can take him to my place. It's easier and closer than Midtown."
Everyone agreed and rather than walking, we called a carriage. There were more luggages then planned so the carriage would be a lot easier. We loaded the bags, helped Specs into the carriage and were on our way back to Chatter's house. None of us really said anything; we were more occupied with keeping Specs awake. We soon arrived at the house and rather than all of us carrying him in, Spot and I looked after him and the others got the bags.
Chatter mad sure the door was opened and when Samantha and Mrs. Monroe saw that we had an injured person, they made room on the couch. Samantha then left and grabbed some bandages and water. Though we wanted to help, Samantha and Chatter's mom ushered everyone out of the room. Rather than standing around, we took the bags to the guest rooms. Since there were only two, the guys were going to stay in one while the girls in the other.
When everyone was settled, we gathered in the boy's room to discuss on what to do.
"Has Katie come out of her room yet?"
Chatter shook her head.
"Her room is the attic and she hasn't come out. Samantha, mom and I leave food for her at meals, but we never see her. Seeing Francis really scared the life out of her."
I looked at Andrew.
"How badly did you guys torment her?"
"Actually we didn't do much tormenting. With Francis being the leader and all, he did most of the damage. Her speech impediment was the easiest thing to get her with. Has Brina told you the story behind her speech?"
All of us shook our heads.
"Both her parents died when she was young. Up until she was 9, she didn't say a word. Her mother died when she was 8 and knew that the ones who would look after her were her father and the Monroe's. Well a month later, Francis moved away and after a while, Brina and Katie befriended us. With our help, she secretly learned how to talk. She would stutter, but we thought that could eventually be cleared up. The day she finally decided to say her first words to her father, he died of a heart attack."
Michael took over.
"At first she was to live with her Aunt Ursula, but she didn't really care for Katie. She teased her like Francis did. Mr. Monroe couldn't stand it anymore and so he went to her and said that he'd take Katie in. Since that day, Brina and Katie have been inseparable and so were the four of us up until oh, two weeks ago."
Spot piped up.
"When she's yelling though, she doesn't stutter, why?"
"I think that's because she's just so mad that she doesn't care who is in front of her. The 5 of us," pointing to himself, Andrew, Maggie, Alison and Chatter, "have seen this happen several times."
Just then a knock came at the door. We all turned to see Mrs. Monroe standing there.
"Specs is cleaned up and though both Sam and I told him to rest, he wants to see all of you."
Before someone could say Pulitzer, we were up and down to see Specs. In the room, we saw that he was now propped up on the couch. His face was bandaged a little and his wrist had an ice pack on it. We took seats around him.
~*~*Specs POV~*~*
I looked out at my friends and was glad they had found me.
"So Specs, are you alright?"
"A little sore, but the ice feels good."
"What happened? And where's Dodger?"
My eyes opened wide at the last question.
"You mean she didn't get you? She's not here?"
"No. We only found you. What happened Specs?"
~*~*Flashback to earlier that day~*~*
At the advice of Kid, I asked Dodger if we could go for a walk. Taking her hand, we started to walk around the station's grounds.
"Man, I'se 'ope dat dose friends of Chatta's and Whispa's can 'elp. I'se 'ate seein' or not seein' Whispa so depressed."
"Dodger, I know your worried, but don't worry. We'll figure out something to do."
We stopped along the side of the building and I turned to look at her. She really stood out against the light colours of the brick. Dark hair, dark clothes, you'd think she was some kind of evil person in the colours. But I knew that inside her was a shining light that gave everyone joys.
"'Ey, 'ow bout wese go git some coffee. I'se thirsty."
I laughed. I knew it wouldn't have been long before she wanted that blasted drink of hers. I pulled her in for a hug and as my arms closed around her, I could feel her stiffen.
"Sky?"
Before I could turn and look at when she was looking at, she pushed me aside.
"What do youse two want?"
"Oh, we thought we'd have a little fun. None of your other friends are around to help."
"I'se don't need 'elp. I'se can do dis on me own."
I looked to see Morris and Oscar.
"Dodge, don't."
"Specs stay outta dis. I'se can 'andle dem."
At that, I saw Morris lash out and try to strike her but she ducked and spun, sticking her leg out and catching him by surprise. Once she was up, she saw that Oscar had out his brass knuckles.
"Oh boy what a treat. Weapon time."
From her pocket, a small dagger came out. I was shocked to see this. I had never seen her with a weapon before.
"Bring it on Grouch."
At that he lunged at her, fist outright, looking as if it was going to hit her. All she did was stand there. Once he was close enough to punch, she sidestepped him and with her knife, slashed at his leg. He fell to the ground, clutching his leg. His brother got up and went to him, helped him up and they started off.
"That'll teach dem."
"Dodger one of these days."
BAM! I hadn't realized, but some large guy had come up behind me and slammed me in the back of the head. I fell to the ground clutching the spot he had hit me.
"Git lost ya big brute. Leave me boyfriend alone."
At that she lunged at him, dagger outstretched. While she dealt with him, another guy came at me. I tried to fight him off but soon I blacked out.
~*~*End of Flashback~*~*~
"That's all I remember. I was sure Dodger would be able to get the guys but I guess not. Did you find a dagger nearby?"
"Nope." Kid said. "I ended up finding you when I went searching for you. I fell over your foot and then got the others."
"Well we've got to find Dodger. She may be tough, but the size of the guy was bigger than Weasel."
I noticed the look on everyone's faces.
"Specs, did you recognize the guys by any chance?"
"None at all."
All of us sat there pondering when I heard a little creak in the floorboards. No one else noticed. I turned my eyes up to see Whisper behind the doorframe. It had been a week, maybe a little more since any of us had last seen her. One would think she'd be frail looking, but she wasn't. I was about to say something to everyone else, but before I could, she scampered back up the stairs.
"Listen guys, I'm getting a bit tired. How about we all just take a rest? Chatter do you mind if I spend the night?"
None of us had realized what time it was. Fast and Race had to got back to Midtown and Spot had to go to Brooklyn. We said our good-byes and one by one everyone left the room. The boys went up to their room and the girls to their rooms. Before Chatter left, she dimmed the lights and closed the drapes.
I laid on the couch, trying to figure out what to do about my missing girlfriend. I heard the hall clock chime midnight and realized I must have been thinking for at least 3 hours.
"What am I going to do?"
Creek. I turned to the noise. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness and but all I saw was a small form standing in the doorway.
"Who's there?"
"J.just me."
I smiled to hear that it was Whisper. She came the rest of the way.
"Are you okay Whisper? We haven't seen you in almost 2 weeks."
"I'm fine."
I smiled to see that she wasn't scared. She sat on the edge of the couch and took a look at my wrist.
"Are you okay?"
"A little sore, but I'll be fine. I'm worried about Dodger though. I thought she had been the one to tell the others about me. I find out she wasn't and is now missing."
I looked at her and saw that she was looking around the room as if expecting someone to pop out of the shadows.
"I saw her."
I felt my eyes bulge out and my heartbeat quicken.
"What? When, where, how?"
"I was st.standing in my room and s.saw her b.being carried by a guy. Th.they looked like th.they were going to M.Medda's."
I started to get up from my place on the couch.
"Well we've got to go wake everyone and tell them this. We need to go get Dodger." Surprisingly for her size and shape, Whisper has a lot of strength.
"Sleep. Do not want to be fall.falling asleep tomorrow."
I looked at her and saw a determined look mixed with caring eyes. A combination you rarely saw in tough Newsie girls. I could see why Kid Blink had fallen for her. Though she didn't say much, she charmed everyone and made he or she feel like they had someone that cared about them.
"Fine. I'll go to sleep. But could you stay down here until I fall asleep?"
She didn't answer me at first. She looked back at the staircase, the decision milling around in her mind. Whisper looked back at me and with a small nod she whispered,
"Ok."
Whisper pulled up a chair and while I got comfortable, she curled up on the chair. As I closed my eyes, my only thoughts were of getting my girlfriend back and paying revenge.
A/N: Hey all. I was debating whether or not to write the next part, but decided not to. My computer has been acting all weird like lately so I want to get this chapter up ASAP. Disclaimer, I don't own Newsies, Fast or Chatter. She actually belongs to Ice Renegade. I hope you all like this and if you have any comments or suggestions, let me know. Until later, HAUSTA!
I was sitting in my room when I could hear Andrew burst through the door and run up the stairs. Without even knocking, he came in and looked like he was out of breath.
"Andy, what's wrong?"
"Have.you.checked.your.mail?"
I shook my head. Normally I wouldn't check it until I was leaving the house to go to work. I hadn't left yet and was actually getting ready when he had come in.
"No, why?"
He shoved an opened envelope into my hands and then took a seat on my bed. I sat down across from him on an old chair and opened the letter.
~*~*Dear Andrew,
I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but its happened again. Katelin, or as a bunch of us here call her Whisper since she doesn't say much, has retreated into that shell of hers. She had been doing fine all week until she met up with someone we never thought we'd see again, Francis Sullivan. Only difference is that he now goes by the name Jack Kelly. He's taller and he features are slightly different but as soon as he found out that Katelin was here, his attitude returned. Now he's more assertive and has more people to follow him. I must say though, he's gotten several black eyes and a bloody nose. Bloody nose courtesy of Katelin and black eyes courtesy to our new friends, Dodger and Kid Blink.
I'll fill you in on them if you come down and help. The guys are really worried and so am I. It's been four days and she hasn't come out of the house. We need your help. Send letter as soon as you can.
~*~*Brina (a.k.a. Chatterbox)
I gripped the letter in my hand and looked to Andrew.
"We've got to go and help."
"Mike, I know we're friends and I would hurt anyone who'd hurt Katie, but what about work? We can't just leave."
"Andy, we work for our parents. When they find out that we need to go to New York to help out Katie, they'll understand. Heck, they'll even pay our fare there."
"What about Alison and Maggie? We can't tell them that we're going off to help a girl."
"You are such a pessimist. Alison and Maggie have known Katie and Brina all their lives. They know that the two of them, especially Katie is important to us."
"But I had a date with Maggie coming up."
I put my fingers to my forehead and took a deep breath in. Andrew is my friend but sometimes I can't believe that we had lasted as friend for this long.
"Why not bring them with us? Maybe with the help for some more girls, we can figure out what to do."
I saw his eyes perk up. He and Maggie had been hanging out all week and he finally decided to ask her out.
"I'll write a response to them. You go and ask our parents and the girls if they want to come."
Andrew left my room in a run again. I swear that kid doesn't walk anywhere. I turned around in the chair and sat looking at my desk. I pulled a sheet of paper out of its place and started to write the letter. The sooner we got there the better. Katelin needed help and we were the people to give it.
~*~*Kid Blink's POV
Sitting at the Newsies' regular table at Tibby's, I realized that it's been a week since we sent letters to Michael and Andrew and yesterday we got word that they would be there as soon as possible. I was sitting there reading over the letter that the boys had sent to us jointly, waiting for my dinner to be served.
~*~*Dear Brina,
From the sounds in your letter, Katelin has retreated into that shell of hers like she did when she was younger and had just learned to talk. We're going to get on the earliest train we can and see if we can help out with the problem. Whatever you do, make sure she stays away from Francis. We don't know if he'll try the tricks he did when he was 12 but we don't want to risk anything.
Say hello to your parents for us and we'll see you soon.
~*~*Michael and Andrew
The postmark on the envelope read two days ago so they should be here in the next couple of days. Specs came out from the kitchen with my water and a sandwich when Dodger ran in. Specs gave a smile and waited for a hug or kiss but she didn't give him those.
"Wese jist got woid from da train yards in Chicago. Michael n' Andrew should be 'ere today. Dey got on da train yesterday night so if we 'urry, we'll meet deir train. I'se gotta git Race though, so I'se see youse two in 10mins."
At that she left, leaving a sorrowful Specs. I got up from my seat and patted him on the back.
"Don't worry. She'll come around. She's just really worried about Whisper."
"But she didn't even say good-bye. Maybe the two of us just aren't made to be?"
"Specs. Don't be talkin' like that. If she were in that much of a rush, of course she wouldn't have time to say good-bye. Now the one month anniversary is comin' up right?"
He nodded.
"Well get that present of hers and you and I will plan a spectacular night for the two of you. It will help to calm her down and relax about Whisper. Chatterbox, Spot, Michael, Andrew, the others and I will keep an eye out for her while you whisk Dodger off her firm place."
Specs smiled at the thought of wowing Dodger, which didn't happen all that often. He finished up his shift and 5mins later; we were off to the train yards, hoping to meet some people that could help Whisper come out of her shell.
Once we got to the station, we could see Chatterbox, Dodger, Fastdancer and Racetrack standing off together.
"Hey guys, where's Spot?"
"He's just making sure the train is on time."
I gave everyone a hug hello and nudged Specs to go talk to Dodger. You would have thought he was going to ask her out he was shaking so bad. As Specs and Dodger went off, Spot came back from the ticket booth and told us that the train would arrive in an hour or so. It had been delayed at the border. Race, Spot and I went to get everyone a drink and the girls went and found us some benches.
"Have you noticed how the girls are really excited to meet these two guys?"
"Ever since we got word that they were coming, they've been bugging Chatter with questions about them. You'd think we weren't alive."
I laughed at the worry on the guy's faces.
"I don't think you have to worry. Remember, Chatter said that the two of them were only interested in helping Whisper out. It's not like they are going to steal Ice and Fast away from you two."
Realizing how stupid they had been, they paid for the drinks and went to wait with the others. Specs and Dodger weren't back yet. We talked a little about how we were going to get the boys to see Whisper and looking at my watch, I saw that the hour was almost up. I could hear the chug of the train in the distance and still there was no sign of Specs or Dodger.
"Guys, has anyone seen Glasses and Fighter?"
They all laughed. Those were our nicknames for them when they weren't around.
"No, last time I saw them was when Specs was taking Dodge aside. Maybe we should go find them."
Chatterbox said she and Spot would wait for the train to arrive and if we weren't back by the time the guys showed up, they'd meet us at the front. Fast and Race started for the waiting rooms while I started to circulate around the building. I saw the train slowly coming to a stop and heard a steam of air blow out.
"Dodger! Specs! Where are you?"
I continued around the building and didn't see anyone but soon fell on my face. Pushing myself up from the ground, I saw a foot sticking out from one of the bushes.
"What the?"
I pushed them aside to see a fairly beaten up Specs.
"Oh my. I've got to get the others."
I ran off to the platform to find Chatter giving two guys giant hugs. I pushed my way through everyone and stopped beside her.
"Oh Kid. I want to introduce you to four really good friends of mine. This is Andrew or Andy, Michael or Mike, Alison or Allie and Maggie or Mags."
One by one each shook my hand and while they did, Chatter looked around to see if Specs and Dodger were around. She caught sight of Race and Fast coming back though.
"So did anyone find Glasses and Fighter?"
Realization of why I had come back hit me.
"I found one of them. Specs has been beaten up bad."
Before anyone could say a word, I led everyone to where I had found Specs. He was still there, but now more awake. Spot and I put each of his arms around our shoulders and lifted him to his feet.
"Specs, what happened? Where's Dodger?"
"Can we get back to Midtown to patch him up first? He looks like he's going to pass out again." Fast said.
"We can take him to my place. It's easier and closer than Midtown."
Everyone agreed and rather than walking, we called a carriage. There were more luggages then planned so the carriage would be a lot easier. We loaded the bags, helped Specs into the carriage and were on our way back to Chatter's house. None of us really said anything; we were more occupied with keeping Specs awake. We soon arrived at the house and rather than all of us carrying him in, Spot and I looked after him and the others got the bags.
Chatter mad sure the door was opened and when Samantha and Mrs. Monroe saw that we had an injured person, they made room on the couch. Samantha then left and grabbed some bandages and water. Though we wanted to help, Samantha and Chatter's mom ushered everyone out of the room. Rather than standing around, we took the bags to the guest rooms. Since there were only two, the guys were going to stay in one while the girls in the other.
When everyone was settled, we gathered in the boy's room to discuss on what to do.
"Has Katie come out of her room yet?"
Chatter shook her head.
"Her room is the attic and she hasn't come out. Samantha, mom and I leave food for her at meals, but we never see her. Seeing Francis really scared the life out of her."
I looked at Andrew.
"How badly did you guys torment her?"
"Actually we didn't do much tormenting. With Francis being the leader and all, he did most of the damage. Her speech impediment was the easiest thing to get her with. Has Brina told you the story behind her speech?"
All of us shook our heads.
"Both her parents died when she was young. Up until she was 9, she didn't say a word. Her mother died when she was 8 and knew that the ones who would look after her were her father and the Monroe's. Well a month later, Francis moved away and after a while, Brina and Katie befriended us. With our help, she secretly learned how to talk. She would stutter, but we thought that could eventually be cleared up. The day she finally decided to say her first words to her father, he died of a heart attack."
Michael took over.
"At first she was to live with her Aunt Ursula, but she didn't really care for Katie. She teased her like Francis did. Mr. Monroe couldn't stand it anymore and so he went to her and said that he'd take Katie in. Since that day, Brina and Katie have been inseparable and so were the four of us up until oh, two weeks ago."
Spot piped up.
"When she's yelling though, she doesn't stutter, why?"
"I think that's because she's just so mad that she doesn't care who is in front of her. The 5 of us," pointing to himself, Andrew, Maggie, Alison and Chatter, "have seen this happen several times."
Just then a knock came at the door. We all turned to see Mrs. Monroe standing there.
"Specs is cleaned up and though both Sam and I told him to rest, he wants to see all of you."
Before someone could say Pulitzer, we were up and down to see Specs. In the room, we saw that he was now propped up on the couch. His face was bandaged a little and his wrist had an ice pack on it. We took seats around him.
~*~*Specs POV~*~*
I looked out at my friends and was glad they had found me.
"So Specs, are you alright?"
"A little sore, but the ice feels good."
"What happened? And where's Dodger?"
My eyes opened wide at the last question.
"You mean she didn't get you? She's not here?"
"No. We only found you. What happened Specs?"
~*~*Flashback to earlier that day~*~*
At the advice of Kid, I asked Dodger if we could go for a walk. Taking her hand, we started to walk around the station's grounds.
"Man, I'se 'ope dat dose friends of Chatta's and Whispa's can 'elp. I'se 'ate seein' or not seein' Whispa so depressed."
"Dodger, I know your worried, but don't worry. We'll figure out something to do."
We stopped along the side of the building and I turned to look at her. She really stood out against the light colours of the brick. Dark hair, dark clothes, you'd think she was some kind of evil person in the colours. But I knew that inside her was a shining light that gave everyone joys.
"'Ey, 'ow bout wese go git some coffee. I'se thirsty."
I laughed. I knew it wouldn't have been long before she wanted that blasted drink of hers. I pulled her in for a hug and as my arms closed around her, I could feel her stiffen.
"Sky?"
Before I could turn and look at when she was looking at, she pushed me aside.
"What do youse two want?"
"Oh, we thought we'd have a little fun. None of your other friends are around to help."
"I'se don't need 'elp. I'se can do dis on me own."
I looked to see Morris and Oscar.
"Dodge, don't."
"Specs stay outta dis. I'se can 'andle dem."
At that, I saw Morris lash out and try to strike her but she ducked and spun, sticking her leg out and catching him by surprise. Once she was up, she saw that Oscar had out his brass knuckles.
"Oh boy what a treat. Weapon time."
From her pocket, a small dagger came out. I was shocked to see this. I had never seen her with a weapon before.
"Bring it on Grouch."
At that he lunged at her, fist outright, looking as if it was going to hit her. All she did was stand there. Once he was close enough to punch, she sidestepped him and with her knife, slashed at his leg. He fell to the ground, clutching his leg. His brother got up and went to him, helped him up and they started off.
"That'll teach dem."
"Dodger one of these days."
BAM! I hadn't realized, but some large guy had come up behind me and slammed me in the back of the head. I fell to the ground clutching the spot he had hit me.
"Git lost ya big brute. Leave me boyfriend alone."
At that she lunged at him, dagger outstretched. While she dealt with him, another guy came at me. I tried to fight him off but soon I blacked out.
~*~*End of Flashback~*~*~
"That's all I remember. I was sure Dodger would be able to get the guys but I guess not. Did you find a dagger nearby?"
"Nope." Kid said. "I ended up finding you when I went searching for you. I fell over your foot and then got the others."
"Well we've got to find Dodger. She may be tough, but the size of the guy was bigger than Weasel."
I noticed the look on everyone's faces.
"Specs, did you recognize the guys by any chance?"
"None at all."
All of us sat there pondering when I heard a little creak in the floorboards. No one else noticed. I turned my eyes up to see Whisper behind the doorframe. It had been a week, maybe a little more since any of us had last seen her. One would think she'd be frail looking, but she wasn't. I was about to say something to everyone else, but before I could, she scampered back up the stairs.
"Listen guys, I'm getting a bit tired. How about we all just take a rest? Chatter do you mind if I spend the night?"
None of us had realized what time it was. Fast and Race had to got back to Midtown and Spot had to go to Brooklyn. We said our good-byes and one by one everyone left the room. The boys went up to their room and the girls to their rooms. Before Chatter left, she dimmed the lights and closed the drapes.
I laid on the couch, trying to figure out what to do about my missing girlfriend. I heard the hall clock chime midnight and realized I must have been thinking for at least 3 hours.
"What am I going to do?"
Creek. I turned to the noise. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness and but all I saw was a small form standing in the doorway.
"Who's there?"
"J.just me."
I smiled to hear that it was Whisper. She came the rest of the way.
"Are you okay Whisper? We haven't seen you in almost 2 weeks."
"I'm fine."
I smiled to see that she wasn't scared. She sat on the edge of the couch and took a look at my wrist.
"Are you okay?"
"A little sore, but I'll be fine. I'm worried about Dodger though. I thought she had been the one to tell the others about me. I find out she wasn't and is now missing."
I looked at her and saw that she was looking around the room as if expecting someone to pop out of the shadows.
"I saw her."
I felt my eyes bulge out and my heartbeat quicken.
"What? When, where, how?"
"I was st.standing in my room and s.saw her b.being carried by a guy. Th.they looked like th.they were going to M.Medda's."
I started to get up from my place on the couch.
"Well we've got to go wake everyone and tell them this. We need to go get Dodger." Surprisingly for her size and shape, Whisper has a lot of strength.
"Sleep. Do not want to be fall.falling asleep tomorrow."
I looked at her and saw a determined look mixed with caring eyes. A combination you rarely saw in tough Newsie girls. I could see why Kid Blink had fallen for her. Though she didn't say much, she charmed everyone and made he or she feel like they had someone that cared about them.
"Fine. I'll go to sleep. But could you stay down here until I fall asleep?"
She didn't answer me at first. She looked back at the staircase, the decision milling around in her mind. Whisper looked back at me and with a small nod she whispered,
"Ok."
Whisper pulled up a chair and while I got comfortable, she curled up on the chair. As I closed my eyes, my only thoughts were of getting my girlfriend back and paying revenge.
A/N: Hey all. I was debating whether or not to write the next part, but decided not to. My computer has been acting all weird like lately so I want to get this chapter up ASAP. Disclaimer, I don't own Newsies, Fast or Chatter. She actually belongs to Ice Renegade. I hope you all like this and if you have any comments or suggestions, let me know. Until later, HAUSTA!