The days moved by swiftly each blending into each other. I won't go into
the boring details of the next few weeks, but I will say that I didn't see
Spot or Glimmer. It seemed as if Spot had taken my suggestion and decided
to stay on his own side of the fence, unfortunately it seemed Glimmer had
to as well. Skittery disappeared for days at a time, to Brooklyn I found
out from the boys who honestly gossiped more than the popular girls in high
school. I was relived in a way, I was not constantly looking out for the
next verbal battle, but at the same time I missed it. Crazy as it seems I
almost seemed to enjoy fighting with Spot, he was the first guy in years
that could match me wit for wit. There was also a void left, one that I
couldn't fill and that I didn't understand.
I had taken only Mimic selling that day, Blink and Mush had gone to their usual spot. I went searching for a better-untapped spot. We did pretty well together, we rendezvoused at Tibby's for lunch and I told the boys of my new find. I returned with Mimic that afternoon and just as dusk was starting to fall I was interrupted by a newsie I didn't recognize.
"You Cameo?" he asked in a gruff voice, his demeanor, attitude, and accent marked him as one of Spot's boys. He continued at my brief nod. " Glimmer sent me, she there's somthin goin on and she needs ya help."
"What's going on?" I asked curiously.
"I can't talk about it here, there's problems in Brooklyn that's all I can tell you." The boy told me softly looking around as if he were worried he had been over heard. My first thought was that something had happened to Spot. I didn't think and I had to fight not to panic, I turned to grab Mimic's hand, when I turned back around the boy had disappeared. My worry over rode the little voice that was nagging at the back of my head and I started in the direction of Brooklyn. Darkness had taken hold of the sky as I dragged Mimic behind me stopping only long enough to give him the roll I had snagged from lunch just incase his ever hungry stomach started complaining. That particular night was dark, it was a new moon so only the street lamp illuminated our way and I was lost. I had only been to the Brooklyn Lodging House one time and unfortunately my memory on how to get there was a little faulty. Footsteps echoed behind me matching mine, I turned to look behind me, but saw nothing. Shrugging off the hair that was rising on the back of my neck I started quickened my pace making the turn I needed to, listening as the footsteps echoed again. I felt like one of the heroine's in a horror movie, I scolded myself and tried to ignore it. The chuckling that followed made my blood run cold.
Mimic looked at me with wide eyes and I scooped him up throwing him over my shoulder as I gave into the temptation to run, never looking back at the pursuers I knew were there. Their feet pounded on the cobblestones telling me by the sound that they were gaining. I ran as fast as I could, turning around the corner I found myself in a dead end alley way, swiftly turning I found two hulking shadows already closing in. I set Mimic on his feet and pushed him behind me.
"What do you want?" I cried, my mind was going a million miles a minute. One side berating me for acting like one of the stupid ninnies in a horror movie and the other trying to figure out how to get past the men who were illuminated from behind by the street lamp. I crouched as they came closer realizing I only had one chance for survival.
"Mimic." I whispered squeezing his arm reassuringly. "I'm going to distract him and I want you to run past. Go find help."
I glanced back at his pale frightened face and I prayed he would be able to dodge past. I knew if I could get him out of here at least he would be safe even if he couldn't find help in time. I let them close in before swinging at one of them. The other laughed and caught my by the arm, his partner just laughed his attention on me. Mimic sprinted for the opening of the alley, the man that held me tried to grab him as he went past, but Mimic was too swift.
"Damn it." The man I attacked cried seeing the little shape disappear around the corner.
"Ya gonna go after him?"
"Na, what's the need, he ain't gonna find anyone near enough here to help. Only the Brooklyn Lodgin House is near and the way this one's been treatin Spot I don't think he's gonna raise a finger."
I knew Glimmer would and I hoped one of them would be able to help me as I dangled helplessly from the ground. I kicked out trying to catch someone in the shins and managed a good hit to the stomach of the man who was not holding me.
"I think she needs a lesson in how a woman should act instead of actin like a man." The man who held me said and I cursed the fact that their attention was fully on me again. Fear was twisting my heart as I struggled; I knew how men tried to put women in their place here in this time. His slobbering kiss on my neck as he pushed me into the wall made me feel queasy. Still I tried to fight back, but it was useless I had had the element of surprise with Ox other wise I would never have taken the chance. Here they were the attackers, there senses were alert, their adrenaline pumping and they had all the marbles. My shirt tore down the front, button's popping in all directions clicking on the ground as they fell. I closed my eyes and tried to will myself from my body, my hand instinctively went to my throat only to find my neck as I had removed the gypsies amulet irritated at my inability to send myself back.
"Whatta we got here?" the voice that I loved to hate rang off the walls of the buildings that created the ally. I felt the men tensing in recognition. I had never been so happy to hear Spot's voice as I was at that moment. I looked to the alley's entryway to see Spot was alone my heart sank. I had heard rumors about Spot and had a glimpse of him fighting that night at the party, but I wasn't sure he could take both of these men at once.
"Nothin that concerns you." The man that held me pulled his hat down low to block his features as if you could tell in the darkness.
"I think it does concern me, an I think ya should let her go." Spot's voice had always had a dangerous tone; it was part and parcel to why I was so interested I was sure. I had always been attracted if not annoyed by strong, arrogant men. His voice was deadly enough to send a shiver down my spine.
"Turn around Conlon, there's no reason for ya to get hurt over this little tramp."
His attention was on Spot so I raised my hands, which were hanging loosely at my sides and clapped my hands hard over his ears, my foot stomping on the most sensitive part of his foot all in one motion. Spot took the opening I gave him and swung into action. I hit the wall to my left hard, nearly knocking the breath from my body. My head cracked against the stone with enough force to send a trickle of something warm and wet into my eye, I had no doubt it was blood. I saw splotches of color, blinking I tried to see where my attackers were.
I moved quickly to my feet when my vision cleared, a piece of a broken crate held in my hand like a club ready to jump to Spot's defense if he needed it. Spot was out numbered wailing on them both. They may not have been too smart, but they weren't stupid and I knew they were going to wear him out if at all possible and then take him down. He had to expend twice as much energy to keep the jackals at bay. I smacked one of the men in the head as he passed by me breaking the board with a satisfying cracking sound.
"Spot your cane." I cried as the man staggered for a moment. He threw the cane it's gold top winking in the dim light from the near by street lamp and I deftly caught it twirling it as I did as if it were a quarter staff. I thanked my lucky stars I had learned to fight with a sword and a quarterstaff as I blocked my attackers flying fist with one movement and slammed the gold tip into his face with a gratifying crunch. I heard his exclamation as he grabbed for his nose, I whirled the other end into his stomach and for good measure got a golf swing to his groin. He fell to the ground as Spot made quick work of my other assailant.
"If I were you, I'd get out of Brooklyn now." Spot hissed holding the man I had given him the opportunity to focus on, holding him by the hair. Spot shoved him forward releasing him and I was sure he was smirking as he rounded on me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me from the alley, I looked back to see them both still sitting in the same position. Shouts rang out as Spot dragged me away quickly, a few of Spots best newsies were making their way to us.
"Any problems boss?" One asked as he looked from me to Spot.
"There are a couple of goons back there, make sure they find their way out of Brooklyn. The newsie that had spoken nodded and they started off in the direction Spot had pointed too. I was nearly bowled over as Mimic threw himself at me, Spot grabbed my elbow to steady me. Glimmer was not far behind him a worried look of her own on her face.
"Are ya alright Cameo?" he cried his little face looking worriedly up at me. Gently he touched the wound on my forehead making me wince and take a sharp breath.
"I'm fine Mimic, I'll be better if you let me stand and get some place safe, where I can sit." I replied.
"Glimmer take the kid back to the LH." Spot said in a tight voice. Glimmer looked from me to him a warning look on her face. Spot gave her a look that clearly said march, so after a moment of staring each other down she nodded and did as she was told leaving me alone wit him.
"Spot if you're going to start berating me please save it for later." I sighed raising a hand in submission. " I'm not in any shape to argue."
"What are ya doin in Brooklyn Cameo?" he asked me glaring for all he was worth. He took off his over shirt and handed it to me. I realize that my shirt was hanging open revealing my camisole that he was trying not to look at. I let out an exasperated sigh and changed shirts buttoning his up as I glared at him. I was covered for crying out loud, it wasn't as if I was running around naked though Spot looked at me as if I had been.
"One of your newsies told me that Glimmer sent him, that there was some problem here in Brooklyn and she needed me." I told him starting in the direction Glimmer had taken.
"That ain't possible, I was sellin with her all day." Spot told me in disbelief. I felt the anger that always seemed so close to the surface when he was near and whirled on him.
"Call my a liar, I don't care." I snapped. "But if you ask Mimic he will say the same thing."
"So instead of thinking about it you go charging off into Brooklyn, an area you know less than Manhattan, which ya don't know very well either at night?" Spot demanded his own irritation raising a few notches.
"I wasn't thinking, I was too worried about you..r sister to care." I spat hoping I had covered up my blunder. I felt the color fill my cheeks, I had been worried about Glimmer, but the idea of Spot in trouble had made me forget all reason. What was wrong with me? I thought back on my options and wished I ignored the words of the newsie. His expression softened and he shook his head.
"That was pretty stupid of you Cameo." He chided me. I ignored him and started up the steps of the Lodging House just thankful we had reached it. " I can't believe ya brought Mimic along with ya. I thought ya had more sense in ya head than that."
"Well, I'm not perfect." I muttered, just as angry with myself for Mimics involvement. I realized now that we were both safe, just how much trouble he could have been in. Spot chuckled as he moved past me and led the way into Brooklyn's common room.
"Clear out." Spot commanded to the few Brooklyn boys that were here and there, they did as they were told swiftly leaving only Spot, Glimmer, Mimic and I in the room. Glimmer pushed me down in a seat and gently as she could she began to clean the cut just above my right eye. I winced as she wiped at it, Spot watched me closely as she did it.
"Ya lucky I was just up the street when Mimic came barreling into me on his way to the LH." Spot said softly.
"Do you have to keep rubbing it in?" I asked irritably. "I know I screwed up, thank you for pointing it out."
"Spot," an urgent voice called out, just before one of the boys came barreling into the common room a sickened expression on his face.
"What?" Spot snapped coming to his feet swiftly.
"It's Quill." The boy said the sorrow and fear in his voice almost palatable.
"What about him?"
I wracked my brain trying to remember why that name was so familiar. Finally my mind produced a picture of a small boy of about nine or ten, a picture of the boy I had attacked Ox to save. I remembered a small boy who looked at me as if I was a hero.
"He's dead, beaten to death." The boys voice was soft and sad. I gave a strangled gasp, tears forming in my eyes. Anger surged through me. The bruises had barely faded and the kid had kicked the bucket anyway.
"The letters OX was carved into his shoulder." Another boy said as Glimmer stopped cleaning the cut, which was hardly a scrap once we had cleaned away the blood; unfortunately head wounds bleed like the devil.
"Damn!" was all Spot said, it was all he could say as the pain flashed through his eyes. I knew he was angry with himself, I could see Glimmer lean against the table behind her tears streaking down her cheeks. Skittery stepped up to her and put an arm around her shoulder, I wondered where he had come from. He must have been here to visit again.
"Show me where he is." Spot's voice was soft, but held a hard edge to it. " I want you to stay here." He said to me as he followed two of his boys to the door.
" You're stayin here tonight." Glimmer told me her voice just as stubborn as her brothers. I knew that taking charge of me was giving her a little bit of control over the situation and I let her lead me to the stairs. "Let's get ya upstairs, ya look ready to fall over."
"I feel ready to fall over." I whispered wiping at the corners of my eyes to keep the tears at bay. Glimmer led me up the stairs and to a room a little bigger than my own, I saw her dress folded neatly on the shelves that had been built in to the wall. She took one of the nightgowns from the shelf and handed it to me.
"Thank you." My voice was emotionless as I took it from her.
"You can sleep here tonight." Glimmer told me. "I'll sleep in Spot's room."
I nodded unable to pull myself from thoughts of tonight to argue that I really should be going back to Manhattan. I changed and crawled into bed, finding scrapes and bruises I hadn't felt until now. A little while later I heard the door creak open and Mimic curled up with me.
"Mimic?" I whispered.
"What?" he whispered back.
"I'm sorry." I sighed; his answer was to give me a hug. He laid back his fingers twirling my hair around them until he fell asleep. I finally fell into a dreamless slumber too emotionally and physically exhausted to stay awake. My last thought as I drifted off was that I seemed to spend an awful lot of time exhausted whenever I was around Spot.
I woke probably a few hours later to voices just outside my window. Silently I made my way to the window and from the light of the bunkroom next door I could see Glimmer and Spot sitting side by side on the fire escape.
"I should have been there Gabrielle." He whispered to her. I was startled as he said what must have been her real name. I had never asked and she had never told me.
" Ya can't be every where at once." Glimmer responded patting his leg.
"I'm the leader, I have to look out for everyone." He replied the naked pain in his voice making me want to comfort him.
"Ya the leader and ya can't take care of everyone." She sighed and changed the subject. I could tell she was worried and wanted to get his mind off of it. "What are ya gonna do with Cameo?"
"We're gonna have to keep her here, Bri." He looked out at the city. "He left a calling card and the next person he's gonna probably go after is her. I ain't gonna let her go back to Manhattan, Jackie-boy could take care of her, but not like I can. He doesn't have the reputation I do."
"Ya reputation alone could keep her safe." Glimmer agreed. "Ya gonna be okay with that?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No." she admitted. " Ya really like this girl don't ya?"
"Why would I like her? She gets under my skin." Spot grumbled, Glimmer gave him a look that told him she didn't buy it. "Don't ya have anythin better to talk about, ya'd think she turned ya into a girl."
"I am a girl." Glimmer said in mock anger cuffing him in the back of the head.
"Yeah, but she's got ya actin like it." He teased as he cuffed her back and let his arm fall to her shoulders in a gesture of brotherly affection. They both fell silent staring out at the night I could tell they were both fighting internal battles, battles both were trying to be strong enough to fight on their own.
"What if I can't protect her too?" Spot asked after a moment the uncertainty in his voice shocking me. This was the infallible Spot Conlon, smart-ass, arrogant leader of Brooklyn who had an answer for everything. He was human though I reminded myself, not infallible, he was however very self-assured, or so I had thought. " I don't know what I would do if somethin bad happened to her while she's under me care, maybe Manhattan can protect her better."
"Don' t you dare second guess yaself." Glimmer admonished. " Ya'll do just fine, come on let's get some sleep before we gotta get up."
"I'll be in, in a minute." Spot told her, she looked back at her brother for a moment then she brushed his cheek affectionately.
"I have faith in ya Spot, I'll always have faith."
"I'm glad one of us does." Spot muttered. I watched him as Glimmer went inside; he took a drag off his cigarette and stared at the stars. "Ma, I hope ya watchin over us. I think we really need a guardian angel right now."
I lay back down feeling bad for eavesdropping, Mimic lay sprawled and I pulled the blanket up over us. I mulled over this new side of Spot, the side I had never pictured was there. This Spot seemed human, not emotionless and ruthless. It was all of their conversation I had the energy to contemplate made a mental note to rethink things in the morning as I let my heavy lids close and sleep over take me.
Falco: She is a big girl, she says she's glad you noticed! Spot and Cameo are starting to be pushed together just like I promised. What no waffles last time? (pouts) Glad you liked that last chapter.
Cards: A vice for every card, and I'll take an update on World Pizza when ever you can! Thanks!
Fearless: I read your story, I reviewed, I'll leave it at that because you already know I liked it. I am very glad you have liked both of my stories. I do much better with IM's than with e-mail is your IM at Yahoo or AIM? I loved your review. Thank you!
Arlene: It is better to have a late review than not have one at all. He he he, thank you, I am really flattered. I am very glad you have liked this story so far. I have, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who is amused by it.
Chelci: Okay you twisted my arm, a little Glimmer/Spot emotional moment, I'm not sure that is exactly what you were looking for, but hey I tried! Hope you enjoyed it!
JP: I miss you! (sniffle, sniffle) I'll write you an e-mail soon if I don't talk to you sooner. I left you speechless? (gasps) He he, well I'm glad you like it! I can't wait for more of your story.
Ali: Wow, what a compliment. I liked my story, but I never dreamed it would have that effect on anyone, are you sure you don't just have newsies on the brain anyway? Thank you very much for that awesome review... I'm flattered really I am. (trys to get head through the door and fails) See what you did? You created a monster.
Dreamer: The chapters.. are ...(smacks head and writes a few more words as the muses keep whispering.. At least I think those are muses.) coming. Sorry, late night. I'm doing a jig for joy to Scotland the Brave as I write my thank yous for this review.
I had taken only Mimic selling that day, Blink and Mush had gone to their usual spot. I went searching for a better-untapped spot. We did pretty well together, we rendezvoused at Tibby's for lunch and I told the boys of my new find. I returned with Mimic that afternoon and just as dusk was starting to fall I was interrupted by a newsie I didn't recognize.
"You Cameo?" he asked in a gruff voice, his demeanor, attitude, and accent marked him as one of Spot's boys. He continued at my brief nod. " Glimmer sent me, she there's somthin goin on and she needs ya help."
"What's going on?" I asked curiously.
"I can't talk about it here, there's problems in Brooklyn that's all I can tell you." The boy told me softly looking around as if he were worried he had been over heard. My first thought was that something had happened to Spot. I didn't think and I had to fight not to panic, I turned to grab Mimic's hand, when I turned back around the boy had disappeared. My worry over rode the little voice that was nagging at the back of my head and I started in the direction of Brooklyn. Darkness had taken hold of the sky as I dragged Mimic behind me stopping only long enough to give him the roll I had snagged from lunch just incase his ever hungry stomach started complaining. That particular night was dark, it was a new moon so only the street lamp illuminated our way and I was lost. I had only been to the Brooklyn Lodging House one time and unfortunately my memory on how to get there was a little faulty. Footsteps echoed behind me matching mine, I turned to look behind me, but saw nothing. Shrugging off the hair that was rising on the back of my neck I started quickened my pace making the turn I needed to, listening as the footsteps echoed again. I felt like one of the heroine's in a horror movie, I scolded myself and tried to ignore it. The chuckling that followed made my blood run cold.
Mimic looked at me with wide eyes and I scooped him up throwing him over my shoulder as I gave into the temptation to run, never looking back at the pursuers I knew were there. Their feet pounded on the cobblestones telling me by the sound that they were gaining. I ran as fast as I could, turning around the corner I found myself in a dead end alley way, swiftly turning I found two hulking shadows already closing in. I set Mimic on his feet and pushed him behind me.
"What do you want?" I cried, my mind was going a million miles a minute. One side berating me for acting like one of the stupid ninnies in a horror movie and the other trying to figure out how to get past the men who were illuminated from behind by the street lamp. I crouched as they came closer realizing I only had one chance for survival.
"Mimic." I whispered squeezing his arm reassuringly. "I'm going to distract him and I want you to run past. Go find help."
I glanced back at his pale frightened face and I prayed he would be able to dodge past. I knew if I could get him out of here at least he would be safe even if he couldn't find help in time. I let them close in before swinging at one of them. The other laughed and caught my by the arm, his partner just laughed his attention on me. Mimic sprinted for the opening of the alley, the man that held me tried to grab him as he went past, but Mimic was too swift.
"Damn it." The man I attacked cried seeing the little shape disappear around the corner.
"Ya gonna go after him?"
"Na, what's the need, he ain't gonna find anyone near enough here to help. Only the Brooklyn Lodgin House is near and the way this one's been treatin Spot I don't think he's gonna raise a finger."
I knew Glimmer would and I hoped one of them would be able to help me as I dangled helplessly from the ground. I kicked out trying to catch someone in the shins and managed a good hit to the stomach of the man who was not holding me.
"I think she needs a lesson in how a woman should act instead of actin like a man." The man who held me said and I cursed the fact that their attention was fully on me again. Fear was twisting my heart as I struggled; I knew how men tried to put women in their place here in this time. His slobbering kiss on my neck as he pushed me into the wall made me feel queasy. Still I tried to fight back, but it was useless I had had the element of surprise with Ox other wise I would never have taken the chance. Here they were the attackers, there senses were alert, their adrenaline pumping and they had all the marbles. My shirt tore down the front, button's popping in all directions clicking on the ground as they fell. I closed my eyes and tried to will myself from my body, my hand instinctively went to my throat only to find my neck as I had removed the gypsies amulet irritated at my inability to send myself back.
"Whatta we got here?" the voice that I loved to hate rang off the walls of the buildings that created the ally. I felt the men tensing in recognition. I had never been so happy to hear Spot's voice as I was at that moment. I looked to the alley's entryway to see Spot was alone my heart sank. I had heard rumors about Spot and had a glimpse of him fighting that night at the party, but I wasn't sure he could take both of these men at once.
"Nothin that concerns you." The man that held me pulled his hat down low to block his features as if you could tell in the darkness.
"I think it does concern me, an I think ya should let her go." Spot's voice had always had a dangerous tone; it was part and parcel to why I was so interested I was sure. I had always been attracted if not annoyed by strong, arrogant men. His voice was deadly enough to send a shiver down my spine.
"Turn around Conlon, there's no reason for ya to get hurt over this little tramp."
His attention was on Spot so I raised my hands, which were hanging loosely at my sides and clapped my hands hard over his ears, my foot stomping on the most sensitive part of his foot all in one motion. Spot took the opening I gave him and swung into action. I hit the wall to my left hard, nearly knocking the breath from my body. My head cracked against the stone with enough force to send a trickle of something warm and wet into my eye, I had no doubt it was blood. I saw splotches of color, blinking I tried to see where my attackers were.
I moved quickly to my feet when my vision cleared, a piece of a broken crate held in my hand like a club ready to jump to Spot's defense if he needed it. Spot was out numbered wailing on them both. They may not have been too smart, but they weren't stupid and I knew they were going to wear him out if at all possible and then take him down. He had to expend twice as much energy to keep the jackals at bay. I smacked one of the men in the head as he passed by me breaking the board with a satisfying cracking sound.
"Spot your cane." I cried as the man staggered for a moment. He threw the cane it's gold top winking in the dim light from the near by street lamp and I deftly caught it twirling it as I did as if it were a quarter staff. I thanked my lucky stars I had learned to fight with a sword and a quarterstaff as I blocked my attackers flying fist with one movement and slammed the gold tip into his face with a gratifying crunch. I heard his exclamation as he grabbed for his nose, I whirled the other end into his stomach and for good measure got a golf swing to his groin. He fell to the ground as Spot made quick work of my other assailant.
"If I were you, I'd get out of Brooklyn now." Spot hissed holding the man I had given him the opportunity to focus on, holding him by the hair. Spot shoved him forward releasing him and I was sure he was smirking as he rounded on me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me from the alley, I looked back to see them both still sitting in the same position. Shouts rang out as Spot dragged me away quickly, a few of Spots best newsies were making their way to us.
"Any problems boss?" One asked as he looked from me to Spot.
"There are a couple of goons back there, make sure they find their way out of Brooklyn. The newsie that had spoken nodded and they started off in the direction Spot had pointed too. I was nearly bowled over as Mimic threw himself at me, Spot grabbed my elbow to steady me. Glimmer was not far behind him a worried look of her own on her face.
"Are ya alright Cameo?" he cried his little face looking worriedly up at me. Gently he touched the wound on my forehead making me wince and take a sharp breath.
"I'm fine Mimic, I'll be better if you let me stand and get some place safe, where I can sit." I replied.
"Glimmer take the kid back to the LH." Spot said in a tight voice. Glimmer looked from me to him a warning look on her face. Spot gave her a look that clearly said march, so after a moment of staring each other down she nodded and did as she was told leaving me alone wit him.
"Spot if you're going to start berating me please save it for later." I sighed raising a hand in submission. " I'm not in any shape to argue."
"What are ya doin in Brooklyn Cameo?" he asked me glaring for all he was worth. He took off his over shirt and handed it to me. I realize that my shirt was hanging open revealing my camisole that he was trying not to look at. I let out an exasperated sigh and changed shirts buttoning his up as I glared at him. I was covered for crying out loud, it wasn't as if I was running around naked though Spot looked at me as if I had been.
"One of your newsies told me that Glimmer sent him, that there was some problem here in Brooklyn and she needed me." I told him starting in the direction Glimmer had taken.
"That ain't possible, I was sellin with her all day." Spot told me in disbelief. I felt the anger that always seemed so close to the surface when he was near and whirled on him.
"Call my a liar, I don't care." I snapped. "But if you ask Mimic he will say the same thing."
"So instead of thinking about it you go charging off into Brooklyn, an area you know less than Manhattan, which ya don't know very well either at night?" Spot demanded his own irritation raising a few notches.
"I wasn't thinking, I was too worried about you..r sister to care." I spat hoping I had covered up my blunder. I felt the color fill my cheeks, I had been worried about Glimmer, but the idea of Spot in trouble had made me forget all reason. What was wrong with me? I thought back on my options and wished I ignored the words of the newsie. His expression softened and he shook his head.
"That was pretty stupid of you Cameo." He chided me. I ignored him and started up the steps of the Lodging House just thankful we had reached it. " I can't believe ya brought Mimic along with ya. I thought ya had more sense in ya head than that."
"Well, I'm not perfect." I muttered, just as angry with myself for Mimics involvement. I realized now that we were both safe, just how much trouble he could have been in. Spot chuckled as he moved past me and led the way into Brooklyn's common room.
"Clear out." Spot commanded to the few Brooklyn boys that were here and there, they did as they were told swiftly leaving only Spot, Glimmer, Mimic and I in the room. Glimmer pushed me down in a seat and gently as she could she began to clean the cut just above my right eye. I winced as she wiped at it, Spot watched me closely as she did it.
"Ya lucky I was just up the street when Mimic came barreling into me on his way to the LH." Spot said softly.
"Do you have to keep rubbing it in?" I asked irritably. "I know I screwed up, thank you for pointing it out."
"Spot," an urgent voice called out, just before one of the boys came barreling into the common room a sickened expression on his face.
"What?" Spot snapped coming to his feet swiftly.
"It's Quill." The boy said the sorrow and fear in his voice almost palatable.
"What about him?"
I wracked my brain trying to remember why that name was so familiar. Finally my mind produced a picture of a small boy of about nine or ten, a picture of the boy I had attacked Ox to save. I remembered a small boy who looked at me as if I was a hero.
"He's dead, beaten to death." The boys voice was soft and sad. I gave a strangled gasp, tears forming in my eyes. Anger surged through me. The bruises had barely faded and the kid had kicked the bucket anyway.
"The letters OX was carved into his shoulder." Another boy said as Glimmer stopped cleaning the cut, which was hardly a scrap once we had cleaned away the blood; unfortunately head wounds bleed like the devil.
"Damn!" was all Spot said, it was all he could say as the pain flashed through his eyes. I knew he was angry with himself, I could see Glimmer lean against the table behind her tears streaking down her cheeks. Skittery stepped up to her and put an arm around her shoulder, I wondered where he had come from. He must have been here to visit again.
"Show me where he is." Spot's voice was soft, but held a hard edge to it. " I want you to stay here." He said to me as he followed two of his boys to the door.
" You're stayin here tonight." Glimmer told me her voice just as stubborn as her brothers. I knew that taking charge of me was giving her a little bit of control over the situation and I let her lead me to the stairs. "Let's get ya upstairs, ya look ready to fall over."
"I feel ready to fall over." I whispered wiping at the corners of my eyes to keep the tears at bay. Glimmer led me up the stairs and to a room a little bigger than my own, I saw her dress folded neatly on the shelves that had been built in to the wall. She took one of the nightgowns from the shelf and handed it to me.
"Thank you." My voice was emotionless as I took it from her.
"You can sleep here tonight." Glimmer told me. "I'll sleep in Spot's room."
I nodded unable to pull myself from thoughts of tonight to argue that I really should be going back to Manhattan. I changed and crawled into bed, finding scrapes and bruises I hadn't felt until now. A little while later I heard the door creak open and Mimic curled up with me.
"Mimic?" I whispered.
"What?" he whispered back.
"I'm sorry." I sighed; his answer was to give me a hug. He laid back his fingers twirling my hair around them until he fell asleep. I finally fell into a dreamless slumber too emotionally and physically exhausted to stay awake. My last thought as I drifted off was that I seemed to spend an awful lot of time exhausted whenever I was around Spot.
I woke probably a few hours later to voices just outside my window. Silently I made my way to the window and from the light of the bunkroom next door I could see Glimmer and Spot sitting side by side on the fire escape.
"I should have been there Gabrielle." He whispered to her. I was startled as he said what must have been her real name. I had never asked and she had never told me.
" Ya can't be every where at once." Glimmer responded patting his leg.
"I'm the leader, I have to look out for everyone." He replied the naked pain in his voice making me want to comfort him.
"Ya the leader and ya can't take care of everyone." She sighed and changed the subject. I could tell she was worried and wanted to get his mind off of it. "What are ya gonna do with Cameo?"
"We're gonna have to keep her here, Bri." He looked out at the city. "He left a calling card and the next person he's gonna probably go after is her. I ain't gonna let her go back to Manhattan, Jackie-boy could take care of her, but not like I can. He doesn't have the reputation I do."
"Ya reputation alone could keep her safe." Glimmer agreed. "Ya gonna be okay with that?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No." she admitted. " Ya really like this girl don't ya?"
"Why would I like her? She gets under my skin." Spot grumbled, Glimmer gave him a look that told him she didn't buy it. "Don't ya have anythin better to talk about, ya'd think she turned ya into a girl."
"I am a girl." Glimmer said in mock anger cuffing him in the back of the head.
"Yeah, but she's got ya actin like it." He teased as he cuffed her back and let his arm fall to her shoulders in a gesture of brotherly affection. They both fell silent staring out at the night I could tell they were both fighting internal battles, battles both were trying to be strong enough to fight on their own.
"What if I can't protect her too?" Spot asked after a moment the uncertainty in his voice shocking me. This was the infallible Spot Conlon, smart-ass, arrogant leader of Brooklyn who had an answer for everything. He was human though I reminded myself, not infallible, he was however very self-assured, or so I had thought. " I don't know what I would do if somethin bad happened to her while she's under me care, maybe Manhattan can protect her better."
"Don' t you dare second guess yaself." Glimmer admonished. " Ya'll do just fine, come on let's get some sleep before we gotta get up."
"I'll be in, in a minute." Spot told her, she looked back at her brother for a moment then she brushed his cheek affectionately.
"I have faith in ya Spot, I'll always have faith."
"I'm glad one of us does." Spot muttered. I watched him as Glimmer went inside; he took a drag off his cigarette and stared at the stars. "Ma, I hope ya watchin over us. I think we really need a guardian angel right now."
I lay back down feeling bad for eavesdropping, Mimic lay sprawled and I pulled the blanket up over us. I mulled over this new side of Spot, the side I had never pictured was there. This Spot seemed human, not emotionless and ruthless. It was all of their conversation I had the energy to contemplate made a mental note to rethink things in the morning as I let my heavy lids close and sleep over take me.
Falco: She is a big girl, she says she's glad you noticed! Spot and Cameo are starting to be pushed together just like I promised. What no waffles last time? (pouts) Glad you liked that last chapter.
Cards: A vice for every card, and I'll take an update on World Pizza when ever you can! Thanks!
Fearless: I read your story, I reviewed, I'll leave it at that because you already know I liked it. I am very glad you have liked both of my stories. I do much better with IM's than with e-mail is your IM at Yahoo or AIM? I loved your review. Thank you!
Arlene: It is better to have a late review than not have one at all. He he he, thank you, I am really flattered. I am very glad you have liked this story so far. I have, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who is amused by it.
Chelci: Okay you twisted my arm, a little Glimmer/Spot emotional moment, I'm not sure that is exactly what you were looking for, but hey I tried! Hope you enjoyed it!
JP: I miss you! (sniffle, sniffle) I'll write you an e-mail soon if I don't talk to you sooner. I left you speechless? (gasps) He he, well I'm glad you like it! I can't wait for more of your story.
Ali: Wow, what a compliment. I liked my story, but I never dreamed it would have that effect on anyone, are you sure you don't just have newsies on the brain anyway? Thank you very much for that awesome review... I'm flattered really I am. (trys to get head through the door and fails) See what you did? You created a monster.
Dreamer: The chapters.. are ...(smacks head and writes a few more words as the muses keep whispering.. At least I think those are muses.) coming. Sorry, late night. I'm doing a jig for joy to Scotland the Brave as I write my thank yous for this review.