*Chapter 20*
"Oh, you don't have to leave the guys..." Bottle Cap objected, feeling a little guilty for causing such a disruption since she arrived.
"It ain't a big deal. I got some business wit' Spot, anyway." He shrugged, raking his fingers through his hair. "Da boys can take care of demselves."
"An' goils." Silver and Chipper reminded him in unison. Jack chuckled, kissing Chipper's forehead.
"An' goils." He nodded. Bottle Cap smiled as she followed Jack out of the bunkroom.
"Your leaving?" Tipsy asked from Davey's arms. Bottle Cap couldn't bare to look in her eyes. She only passed a gentle smile and quick nod.
"See ya round, Caps." Dragonfly frowned. Bottle Cap couldn't believe she was getting such a sorrowful goodbye.
"Latah..." Illusion started but was stopped by Silver.
"Gawd, ladies." She laughed, "She ain't dyin'! She'll be back. She hasta sell wit' me tamorrah." She winked at Caps who giggled.
"I don't know about that, Silver." Katie cocked her head, "But I will be back." She stated matter-of-factly, locking her gaze on Spin, who looked away. With that, the two figures vanished from the room, leaving only the faint patter of their footsteps trailing down the stairs and out the door.
*
"Silvah, ya wanna grab a bite?" Some one interruted Silver Fists deep thoughts as she laid on her bunk, staring aimlessly at the ceiling. She jumped with surprise, almost falling right out of the top bunk.
"Blink! Don't do dat ta me!" Silver sat up and looked at Kid Blink's smiling face.
"Sowry, didn't mean ta scare ya...honest." He assured her.
"It's gettin' dawk awready, why you wanna eat?" She questioned, studying her lovely rings as she spoke.
"I'se always hungry." he shrugged, "I thought it might be nice ta have some company." Silver allowed herself to smile.
"I'm in." She hopped down from her bunk and walked with Blink down the stairs and out the door.
*
"Spot, da Cowboy's heah...escortin' a real beauty." Lash, a tall boy with dark features, informed the leader. Spot looked up from his poker game.
"What are ya waitin' for? Let 'em in." He looked annoyed. Lash left his side, a stern and frightening look on his already darkened face. Obviously, he and Spot weren't on the best of terms at that moment, seeing how Spot had just pocketed half of his earnings from that day.
Jack entered the crowded, dimly lit room and caught sight of Spot. He turned to make sure Bottle Cap was still behind him before heading over.
"Look boys, da doll's back." A boy whispered, causing several others to chuckle rudely. Bottle Cap shot a dangerous glare, that she didn't know she possessed, at the group and they silenced immediately.
"Jacky-boy, you assumin' responsibilities of me goil?" Spot stood and spit-shook with his friend.
"She's ya goil?" A boy spoke up in surprise, "We'se thought you was wit' dat oddah dame." Spot shot a chilling glare at him.
"Shuttup." He smirked, "I ain't gotta goil, lame-ass." The boy looked confused but didn't question further.
"Caps decided ta give Spin time." Jack shrugged, "Didn't want 'er walkin' heah alone since it's awready gettin' dawk."
"What?" Spot played shocked, "Bottle Cap Conlon ain't up ta stayin' in Manhattan wit' her evil twin?"
"She isn't evil." Bottle Cap rolled her eyes, "I didn't want her to think I was trying to take her territory..."
"An' ya could." He interrupted. Bottle Cap shook her head with a smile.
"You guys are so...related." She laughed, referring to Spot and Spin. Jack snickered as well, knowing it was true how they both acted so evil toward each other.
"You think dat's funny, Jacky-boy?" Spot smirked at him.
"Naw, not in da least." He decided, "Oh, Spot...Race wanted me ta tell ya dat you owe 'im three bucks. An' he could definitely use it right now."
"Yeah." Bottle Cap giggled, "He stole money from Dragonfly and lost it at the races." Jack elbowed her. "What?"
"Hey Spot, can I tawk to ya real quick in private?" He gestured toward the door. Spot followed him, leaving Bottle Cap with his boys. She pulled up a chair beside Dibs at the table, wishing she actually knew how to play.
"You in?" Dibs asked with a cute smile playing across his lips, melting the girl's insides. Lash looked at her, waiting for a reply before he began to deal a new hand.
"No money." She decided to use as an excuse instead of admitting she couldn't play poker to save her life.
"So," Silver asked after Blink had secured a hotdog, "What do ya t'ink 'bout Caps?" She ventured, dying to know if he like her.
"Caps?" Blink repeated, "She's somethin'." He shook his head with a smile.
"Somethin'? Gee, dat narrows it down." Silver Fists laughed.
"Well, foist she's awl up in Spin's face an' now she runs off ta Brooklyn ta give Spin time? I think deah's somethin' else goin' on dat's she's runnin' from awl da sudden." He shrugged.
"Really?" Silver mused, never once thinking of the possibility that Katie's fake past would be chasing her here. It was highly possible, but why wouldn't BC just tell her?
"Yeah...I saw some man followin' 'er earliah taday." He told Silver Fists, "But da guy bugged off when he saw she was wit' you...an' headin' towards da lodgin' house. It's bettah dat she left."
"Oh my gawd, Blink!" She exclaimed angrily, "Why da hell didn't ya let somebody know?"
"I did." He assured her, "I tol' Cowboy."
