Chapter 2: Getting Away He exploded at me, and he was fuming I stared to cry. I'd never seen him so angry before. "How could you do this? You can hurt yourself out there on the streets or you could get lost! Why won't you listen to me? What would I do without you? Do you care about anybody besides yourself? You're a selfish little bit-" "What? What were you saying?" I asked cutting him off on purpose. He stood there dazed at what he was about to say. Tears were streaming down my face. "I.. I didn't mean that." He stammered. "Oh Skittery I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" I yelled as loud as I could coughing on my words from crying so hard. "You don't mean that!" he said "Yes, I do I hate you I hate you. You're horrible and I hate you!" "Stop it! Shut up!" I really felt like I hated him. He was the only person who I have ever loved, but I was so tried of him. I couldn't stand him always telling me what I could and couldn't do. He's a bastard and I hate him. "Please, I sorry," he said, "I love you." "I uhh. uhh." I didn't know what to say. I was starting to feel bad about hating him. He always did this got me so mad and then apologize. I wasn't going to forgive him this time. I was going to do something about it. "I can't believe you! I hate you! You can't control me!" I yelled and ran out of the lodging house. He was running after me. I knew he would. I didn't know how I was going to get away from him. He could out run me with a broken leg. It's not that I was really slow, but I wasn't very strong. I was constantly getting sick ever since I was little, and on top of that Skittery was the fastest in all of New York or so I thought. Suddenly I felt myself being picked up off the ground. I was moving so fast I couldn't see where I was going. Then I started to get scared. I didn't feel angry anymore. I wanted Skittery. Why did I decide to runaway? Skittery is probably right anyways. In fact I know he's right. You never know what strangers can do to you. It seemed like we had been running for an hour then suddenly I was drop onto the ground, hard. I hit me elbow on a piece of glass, and now blooding a trickling down my arm. I suddenly realized I was in a dark alley. I remember Skittery telling me never to go into dark alleys, even with some one I know. I was starting to cry again. I didn't know where I was, but I was pretty sure I wasn't in Manhattan anymore. "He's gone. Don't ya worrys ya self," said a boy who I just realized was sitting right next to me. "Who... who are ya?" I asked now absolutely terrified. "What's it madda I saved ya. Now ain't ya gunna thank me?" Before I had a chance to say anything he was on top of me ripping off my shirt. I screamed at the top of my lungs, even though I was pretty sure no one could hear me. Within seconds I could hear footsteps coming towards us. Skittery I thought. He was here to save me! "Get your filthy hands off 'er!" yelled a voice too strong and bold to be Skittery's. The guy on top of me practically bolted off me. He started running down the alley, but the kid who had come to save me jumped on top of him and started punching him in the face. Blood was pouring from his nose and mouth. I had never seen so much blood in my entire life and my stomach started to turn. I had to look away to keep form throwing up. My hero must have heard me gasp, because he got off the other kid and apologize that I had to see that. He gave the kid one last kick in the side and stared to walk away. I couldn't speak. I just wanted to get out of the alley. "Hey," I whispered finally finding my voice,"thank you." He turned around and looked into my eyes. "Ya know ya shouldn't hang out with dat kinda fella id dis kinda place," he said starting to walk away again. "Wait," I said, "who are ya? Where am I?" He paused. His eyes looked sadly into mine. "The names Rage. I'se da leader of da Midtown newsies. I guess you can see how I'se got me nickname," he said smiling. "And you'se in Midtown if ya didn't figure that out by yaself." "My names Drizz," I said getting to my feet. "Where ya going?" I asked as he started to walk away again. "Do ya gots a job?" he asked instead of answering my question. "I'se a newsies.in Manhattan," I replied "Then why ya here?" he asked "Well, my brudder doesn't want me ta be a newsies, but I'se am anyway. He always yells at me when he sees me selling, and we fight, and he always says-" "Did ya run away?" he asked cutting me off. I nodded. "Come on," he said grabbing my hand. He walked me out of the alley and onto the street getting a few suspicious looks. I was starting to miss Skittery less and less as we walked down the street together.

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