Chapter 16: All Talk No Action

We went back to the Lodging House and Kloppman said that we didn't need to pay tonight, so that we could use the money to go to Tibby's to celebrate. I wasn't really tired, but I told Race I was so I couldn't stay long.

We walked into Tibby's as Spot was going past it on his way to Brooklyn.

"Wait, Spot…" I said, catching up to him. He turned to look at me. "Um…why not stay? And ya know…celebrate…?" I asked him. He shook his head no and walked on. I must have looked confused because Race ran up to me and touched me arm. "What's up?" he asked.

"Um, just tell Ponine that I'm sorry I couldn't stay…I'm gonna go to Brooklyn."

"Not alone your not…" He warned me. "No, not alone…I'll be right behind Spot." I assured him. "Besides, I need time to think, and I have to talk to him, its really important." He looked cautious but after a minute kissed me and told me that if I wanted to go I had to hurry to catch up with Spot. I smiled, kissed him back, and ran ahead.

I walked behind him slowly until he stopped a few yards in front of the Lodging House, so I had stopped too. "What do you want Storm?" He asked, not turning around to look at me.

"I need to talk to you…" my voice trailed off. He walked inside and I did the same. I got a few greetings but followed Spot up to his own room. "Sit." He ordered me. I sighed.

"You'd think you'd be happier to see me…" I mumbled. "Listen," He ordered, "I have to tell you something, you'll hate me, and I'm sorry, I really am sorry, I didn't want to cover for him!" I looked at him flabbergasted.

"What is it?" I asked him, standing up. "I know who did it…" He mumbled quietly. "Huh?" I asked.

"He.Killed.Them.Denton…" He said through clenched teeth. I gasped. I knew what he meant. "It was him…?" I asked him "Why?!" I yelled, not really mad yet because I was still in a state of shock. He looked taken aback.

"I didn't want too, but he made me cover for him since I saw it!" he defended. I screamed at him. "YOU JACKASS!" I punched him in the stomach before running out of the Lodging House and headed back to Manhattan.

---Meanwhile at Tibby's—

"You were amazing Ponine! I was watching from the balcony." Denton told Ponine, handing her a drink. Tibby's was filled with Manhattan newsies who were congratulating her, and Itey, who was standing beside her. He handed her a single red rose he had pulled out from behind him. She blushed and smelled the rose.

"Its beautiful," Ponine whispered to Itey before kissing him on the cheek. Ponine quickly looked around. "Where's Stormy?" She asked.

"Oh, uh, she said she had some business with Spot and was gonna stay in Brooklyn, she said ta tell ya congratulations." "Oh…" Ponine said slightly disappointed.

"Where is HE?" I screamed, running inside Tibby's. I saw Denton and flung myself at him. Everyone was startled so no pone really reacted, but by the time they did Denton had a bloody nose.

"Whoa, whoa…"Race said, lifting me off Denton, he needed the help of Jack and Blink. "I'LL MURDER YOU!" I screamed at him. He scrambled to his feet, glared at me, and fled out of Tibby's. Tears started flowing from my eyes as I tore myself away from the boys and fell to my knees. Race sat beside me.

"What's wrong, tell us what happened…" He cooed. "Denton murdered her family…" Spot said from the door of Tibby's.

"LETS SOAK HIM!" Jack yelled, throwing his fists in the air. Race had walked me back to the Lodging House where Ponine, Sphinx, Chewy and I sat while our guys went after Denton.

"Its ok, its ok, their gonna find him and bring him back here so ya can soak him…" Chewy said, trying to convince me everything was ok.

"I'll be on the roof." I said, needing time to think.

I hadn't realized how late it had gotten when the boys were already back. I heard footsteps coming out onto the roof, and, not wanting to talk to anyone, headed for the fire escape.

"Where ya goin?" I heard Race ask. I stopped in my tracks. "Slowly Insane…" I told him. Smiling slightly. He smiled back but it soon faded when I asked him about Denton. "No luck…" He said, taking my hand and sitting next to me. I looked down, that wasn't the news I had wanted to hear.

"Its ok hun, Listen, whats your favorite food? We'll order it at Tibby's in the Morning." He said, in a failed attempt to make me happier.

"Green Eggs and Ham." I said sarcastically. *Even tho that book wasn't out yet…ya know. Lol.*

He held me close and after awhile we went back inside. I paused at the window to look at all the couples. Chewy and Crutchy were lying on the bottom bunk, where Crutchy's arm was across Chewy's stomach. Above them was Sphinx and Blink, who had gotten back together. I looked to my right and saw Ponine and Itey, who had fallen asleep holding each other.

I followed Race back to our Bunk, after awhile of tossing and turning I had fallen asleep, reluctantly welcoming the nightmares to come.