I threw myself into selling with Spot trying to wipe all that had been
going on away by throwing myself into my work. Spot wisely kept silent and
allowed me to wear myself out. Eventually we made our way back and I was
greeted at the door of the bunkroom by a small body hurling itself into my
legs. Luckily Spot was directly behind me and caught me before I fell to
the floor, though my arm banged painfully into the doorframe.
"Cameo, I'm sorry I didn't want to tell them, really I didn't, why did you make me tell them." The little body cried his face buried in my stomach, I could feel the tears that were starting to soak my shirt. Through all he had been through Mimic had not cried, the only time I had seen tears streak his little face had been that first night we had spent together. Though the first time he saw me after I had been brought back from Ox's clutches I understand he had cried himself to sleep next to me on the bed and had refused to leave his spot until I woke up.
"Mimic, it's alright, I have a feeling that they would have found out anyway." I told him gently brushing his strawberry curls away from his face and tilting it up to look at me. " You need a hair cut small fry."
"What do ya mean they would have found out anyway?" I heard Blinks voice and glanced up in shock.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as Mush and Crutchy moved next to him.
"Did ya think we would stay in Manhattan after they accused you? Anyone that knew ya would know ya ain't a thief." Mush said offering me a smile. "Besides they're already whisperin about us bein in on it."
"They've know you for how long?" I cried in frustration.
"They've all gotta look after themselves. We're brothers, but it only goes so deep, when money and survival's involved we're dead in the water." Crutchy said sagely. I rolled my eyes and started pacing. The Brooklyn boys eyed me with worry.
"What kinda trouble we gonna get in now?" I heard one mutter, I cuffed him along side the head as I passed him. Spot gave him a look as he started to jump up.
"I hope she's a good lay Spot cause so far she's brought ya more trouble than any normal dame is worth." Another too far out of my reach sneered irritated at my abuse of his friend.
"What did ya say Oak?" Spot hissed.
"Nothin." He murmured, "It's just, I don't know about the other boys, but I'm sick of getting into trouble cause of her. She's bad luck, trouble follows her where ever she goes."
"This has nothing to do with Brooklyn." I told them before Spot could jump at him. "I'm not asking for Brooklyn's help on this one, I will find the truth those that wish to help, I won't argue with them, but none of you are being drafted for this."
Spot glowered at the boy who cowered beneath his glare, I could see Spot wavering between teaching him a lesson and letting him go. There was one thing Spot knew though despite how infamous his temper could be and it was how to pick his battles. This was not the time for a brawl and his boys would think him granting the boy his mercy if he put it the right way. He'd still have to scare the piss out of the boy though and with Spot's icy glare intimidating men would never be a problem.
"Ya lucky I gotta bigger fish to fry." Spot snapped turning his attention to Crutchy. "Whatta ya doin here, I thought I made it clear ya were banned from Brooklyn."
"Where else was I gonna go Spot?" Crutchy asked, "An if Briar's gotta be exiled here again I ain't gonna leave her in ya incapable hands."
"Whatta mean incapable?" Spot fumed, I put a hand on his shoulder.
"You lay a finger on him and I'll never forgive you Spot." I hissed in his ear.
"I mean the last time ya ended up with her she came back nearly dead and she's just gotten beyond bein broken." Crutchy replied coolly.
"That wasn't Spot's fault, that was my fault." I told him "Back off Crutchy, you're baiting him and I'm not going to be able to stop him if he chooses to attack."
I knew that if I could get Crutchy to back down I wouldn't have to try to hold Spot back, and no one would loose face. I gave Crutchy a pleading look and he shut his mouth. From behind Spot I mouthed a thank you to him.
"If ya weren't so close to Cameo, I'd soak ya right now, but seein as I'm in a merciful mood today...."he paused to glare at the boy who had earlier inspired his wrath. "I'll let it go, I'll let ya stay here, but stay out of my way."
Crutchy nodded and I hid a smile of satisfaction, if any of the boys saw that smile it would undermine Spot's authority.
"I'll be on the roof." I sighed leaving Spot to his moment. Blink and the rest followed me up.
"What are we gonna do Cameo?" Mush asked me his soft brown eyes looking to me for an answer.
"Wait, what else can we do Mush? I was set up there is no doubt in my mind, but I can't think of anyone left that would go to all this trouble. Eventually the truth will come out, there are only so many girls that would do this. Though if we take into account that it could have been a girl paid by another person to do this......"
"Na," Crutchy broke in, " Can't be it has to be one of the people you've met and ain't none of them have the money to waste on bribin someone to set ya up."
"So that leaves one of the girls I know." I sighed.
"I ain't sayin it ain't the girl of someone that wanted to get ya." Crutchy said suddenly. "They just don't have the money to pay someone."
I nodded and stared off into space, so that left pretty well anyone. We said no more all of us thinking, all of us scrambling to think of what in the hell was going on. Why would someone want to frame me? Most of my enemies were dead, killed in the whole Ox affair. Any that had touched me had one by one had turned up dead, though by whose hand I did not know, I knew that Spot had taken out Ox, but I knew that the others he would have had help. I shuddered to think that they could and would kill so swiftly. They seemed so normal most of the time and most of the time you would think they couldn't hurt a fly, but then you saw that look on their faces. Even Mush, sweet, even tempered Mush I had seen pulled off a guy before he could actually kill him.
They all had their angles. Mush hid behind his sweetness even giving off an air of being slow sometimes, but it was an act. He was sweet, he was kind, but when it came to fight those muscles were not for show. He was just as aggressive as the others, he just lulled them into complacency by his usual demeanor. Blink was openly hostile when he needed to be, joking and teasing those that he knew well, but he had a temper that we all knew that when that glower came to his face we all better stay out of his way. Even Crutchy harmless sweet Crutchy could stand on his leg if he needed, his crutch made those that might attack him believe he was unable to protect himself, but he could stand and swing that crutch with a deadly accuracy that was frightening. I had heard that before the strike he had been to trusting and had relied on his seeming helplessness to protect him from those that would hurt him. Unfortunately the Delancy brothers had not been apposed to attacking a cripple.
I shivered involuntarily and warm arms wrapped around me pulling me against a strong chest.
"Hi." I said simply and softly knowing immediately who it was.
"Hiya." He said in return "Ya doin okay."
"I'm fine, just angry." I replied, Mush, Blink, and Crutchy were looking at Spot and I with looks I had seen Spot give Skittery. I tried not to laugh as Spot shifted uncomfortably and tightened his hold too stubborn to drop his arms. He recognized that look as well and I knew he was not relishing the idea of being in the hot seat himself.
"Well we need to be returnin to the poker game." Blink said after shooting Spot a warning look.
"Yeah, I hear a winnin hand callin my name." Mush added as the three boys stood only Mimic was left. I watched as they started down the ladder, smiling at Crutchy who shot one last glower in our direction before his head disappeared. We watched as a few seconds later as Mush poked his head back up and gestured to Mimic who gave him a look that said he had no idea what Mush wanted. I almost laughed as Mush hopped onto the roof and forcibly picked up Mimic and started back downstairs the kid's frustrated cries following him all the way inside.
We sat there for a few moments staring at the stars. At least that is what I was doing as I could not see Spot's face.
"So Briar, how about ya tell me about yaself." He whispered almost as if he were afraid to ask. " I know ya as a person, I've seen ya tested, I know what kinda person ya is, but I don't know the rest about ya."
"What do you want to know." I asked guardedly my body stiffening as his word sunk in, I didn't want to lie to him. I knew I might have to as I clutched the necklace that had brought me here.
"Where ya born, where ya grew up, what ya parents are like." He said softly. "Hell I don't even know when ya birthday is or ya middle name."
"April 25 and Rose." I replied smiling at him. " I was born in Denver, Colorado. My mother was my world, the greatest, finest person I ever knew, she died a few years ago, horrible accident."
"My mama was the same, a wonderful woman, I wish Gabriel could remember her." He said sadly. " I loved her so much, my pa, well we never knew him. He was a sailor, married mama and shipped out the next day leaving her pregnant. He came back one time, I was too young to remember it really. He got drunk roughed mamma up and left her pregnant again. Never saw the bastard again, thank God."
"My mother and my father were very much in love, I can remember them kissing in the kitchen on Sunday mornings as I read the paper, I remember them so happy together." I sighed. "After she died, Dad and I didn't get along. He never really understood me like she did. There was this... I don't know bond between us that he could never be a part of. In so many ways he didn't know me, for months I don't think we even talked. We ignored each other, then eventually we started to fight and never stopped until I left home."
"There's too many of us that grows up in an unwelcome home." Spot responded. I nodded and continued to look at the sky. "Too many of us that ain't never gonna amount to nothin."
"You won't end up like that." I told him. " You can't end up like that, I can't see you ending up as a nothing. The great thing about America is you can work your way to being successful. You can and will do great things."
"Ya sound like my mama." He said and I could feel him turn his head to look away. "It don't always work like that."
"Then you have to make it work like that." I replied vehemently. "You can do it if you believe you can do it. Look at the strike all of you did it because you thought you could."
"So tell me Brair Fitzgerald what do ya plan on doin in ya life?" Spot asked me changing the subject.
"I don' t know.' I sighed sheepishly, " I never planned on being here."
"So if ya had such a normal upbringin at first why ya so different?"
"Because I'm from the future." I said in a teasing tone, hoping my tone would not break, that he wouldn't look into my eyes and see the truth. " I grew up in an age where women are allowed much more freedom."
I heard him laugh and relaxed against him a little allowing myself to chuckle too.
"I don't know Spot I just am." I finished thankful he had taken it for the joke I had said it as, that it really never was. While he hadn't caught on that moment as I said previously, the truth has a way of worming it's way out. He disappeared downstairs to leaving me on the roof to my musings telling me on his way down to meet him in his room. As I wondered down the fire escape I pondered what I would do, what I could do. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, I couldn't be a newsie forever, I would have to find another job eventually. My hand grasped my necklace, I could go home, it was an option, but I didn't think I could. My mind turned to Spot and I stopped outside his room, peeking in before I entered. I smiled thinking that if things kept going as well as they had I may have to throw the necklace from the Brooklyn Bridge and never look back. He was not in his room, I shook my head and turned for mine, Glimmer was in Manhattan tonight she would be returning home in a few days. I smiled again at finding him in my room, but the smile died as I saw his posture. He was leaning against the wall near the window his head was in his hands, his elbows propped up on his knees, next to him set on the blankets was a little book with a floral print cover, I gasped as I realized it was my little creative journal. The book I had written everything I couldn't tell him in. I had left it under my pillow, now it lay on the bed opened and spread flat halfway through. He had been reading it; I cursed myself as I remembered my earlier words, now he knew. He knew I had not been joking that it was the truth. Slowly I opened the window and entered, what else could I do? I had to face him, I had to make him believe, I felt the necklaces pendant heat as I hadn't felt it do in a while.
"Ya believe it don't you?" he asked quietly not even looking up. "Ya really believe ya from the future."
I opened my mouth to tell him the truth, but as his head came up and those beautiful eyes looked at me pleading with me to tell him I didn't I caved.
"It was the idea's for a story Spot." I lied, I hated the words that came to my lips, but looking into his eyes I had also found that though he cared he would think I was absolutely looney.
"Don't lie to me Briar." He cried suddenly springing up and slamming his fist into the wall in a rage. " Don't you dare lie to me, I can see it in ya eyes, you do. Ya believe it, ya absolutely crazy ain't ya. You lied when ya told us ya hadn't escaped from the crazy house."
"Even if I was crazy, it doesn't matter, remember?" I cried. " I'm not violent, therefore what does it matter if I have strange ideas."
"Because this ends everythin Briar, don't ya understand, I can't be involved with a crazy person." Spot snapped " I can't risk lovin ya. I ain't gonna get married and have crazy kids."
Tears filled my eyes as his words sank in. He would give all we had worked for away because he had found the truth.
"I think you should leave." I said quietly, my tone deadly. "Leave now."
He slammed out of the room; I could see the pain and anger fighting in his eyes. For a moment he had reached for me and I turned from him. The pain that was ripping through me was beyond what I had felt at my mother's death; beyond what I had felt the first time he had left. Tears poured down my cheeks I couldn't even sob all I could do was sit on my bed and stare at the wall while tears flowed in waterfalls down my face. The shirt I wore I found was his and I ripped it from my body and pulled another fr
Finally I felt cold, my entire emotions dead as I looked down. The shirt I wore I found was his and I ripped it from my body and pulled another from my shelf. I stood and started into the bunkroom heading for the washroom, buttoning my shirt crooked as I went, my hair in snarls.
"Looks like Spot had his fill before she pissed him off." I heard a snide voice crack. I ignored it, Spot had disappeared, Mush, Blink, and Crutchy were nowhere to be seen. One gangly boy approached me as I splashed my face with cold water.
"So now Spots done with ya ready for a new sugar daddy?" he asked. I tried to pretend he was not there, I could feel my mind teetering on the verge of loosing it. "Come on baby, let me show ya what a real man is, I can teach ya to be a real woman."
As he grabbed my arm and whirled me around shoving his face into mine with a leering expression, I felt it snap. I heard Ox's harsh voice as he told me what he was going to do before he did it. I heard the laughter, the leering faces, I felt the boy in real life back me into the wall, his mouth coming down hard on mine. Brooklyn had been left alone with me, the boys who did not like me, who wanted nothing more that to teach me my place. Yet it was not the Brooklyn Lodging House I saw, it was the damp, cold, squalid little room that had been my prison and my hell for only a matter of days. I fought back as I hadn't' had the will to do before. My knee connected with his groin and I was on top of him wailing punches into his face before he could react. He tried to fend me off, but I kept coming leaving the weaker boy unable to do anything. I heard the cries, but I did not heed them, I kept attacking my attacker tears rolling down my cheeks as I did. I felt them try to pull me away, but I bit and kick and tore at flesh just long enough to land another few punches on the unconscious boy beneath me.
"Briar." I heard a soft boyish voice say. I looked up through my rage and saw Mimic, he placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "Stop."
I dropped my hands tears flowing down my face sobs trying to tear free, but making only little animal like whimpers in the back of my throat. He looked at me tearfully, then I saw his eyes widen and felt an incredible splitting pain in the back of my head.
"NO." I heard Mimic cry.
"We had to Mimic, she almost killed him." I heard another fading voice say. " She may have killed him."
I didn't mean to, I tried to cry as I lay there the lights going dim. Spot looked down at me and I saw the fear in his face, I knew I had made a fatal error. I had been not been violent in my craziness until now. I closed my eyes and prayed that the blow to the back of my head would kill me. I prayed I would never open my eyes again as the pain in my heart was more than I could bear. I welcomed the darkness that enveloped me. It was not as I wanted it though. I woke instead to the darkness of early dawn in my room. My head pounding worse than any migraine I had ever had.
"We can't keep her here, I don't know if she will attack again. Tomorrow morning we're going to have to take her to the Insane Asylum." Jack's voice floated through the door.
"She's not dangerous." Mush's voice was insistent. " He tried to kiss her, hell he might have raped her had she not lost it on him. After all she's been through of course she's gonna to loose it."
"We can't take that chance." I heard a new voice say, one I had not heard in a while. It was a feminine voice, soft and sweet. I knew at that moment who had planned the missing money, the satisfaction at getting rid of me was too easy to recognize. One word filled my mind and it all came together.
Sarah, it had been her, she had framed me. Mimic's words whispered to me as I remembered one night only days ago he had made a confession, that the night he had been taken he thought he had seen Sarah, that Specs had gone after her to take her back home fearful of the fact she had been left alone in that part of town. I had brushed it off never thinking that she could have really been there, that she had been the bait for them to get to Mimic.
I knew then that she had planned it all; at every turn she was looking for another way to be rid of me. I had never pegged her for the intelligence to pull it off. I knew it would do no good to tell them. That they would never believe me, they would have me locked away.
My mind flew to my history class years before and filled my mind with the things they did. The attempts at sterilization, the lobotomies, the horrible experiments. I would die before I went there, for going there would be a death sentence more horrible than any I could imagine. I closed my eyes hoping for the pain to subside, my hand closing over my amulet. I felt the relief flow through me, I had a way out. I crawled over to my little shelf and pulled my chemise from the stack of clothes. It had turned from cream to gray in the months since I had come here. I left my camisole on and my pantaloons and pulled over my head. Then I sat and waited, waiting for my opening to leave as my window was guarded and the door locked. The amulet burned hotly, I had some things to say before I left and one woman to deal with. Then and only then would I be free to go, as I needed to. I lay back and rested my head letting my eyes close. I would bide my time, for there was nothing left for me here.
Rumor: Well I hoped it was an enjoyable ride, it has me exhausted. Ready to crawl to bed and lay down. AHHHH! Well the shit has truly hit the fan now.
Rhap: Hmmmm circus clown and mime huh? Hmmmmm.
Angel: Have you reviewed before? I've forgotten and I'm too lazy to go look. (if not does the new reviewer dance.) Thank you I've tried not to make Spot the ususal sap, he's not, he's one tuff hummer! Smiles sweetly at the muses and blows them kisses.
Chelci: The muses are still in a meeting, trying to figure out where they want to go. All I know is this story has to be finished because it will have to be a sequel to Hourglass. Hmmm maybe some sweet tarts will move them along a little I'll try it! Glad you liked the chapter. I love Mimic too. I want one all to myself!
Fearless: Damn another person who thinks about my story in class, and gets weird looks. He he he. I guess we need to start a Cameo club for those that are odd. I guess I'll have to be president since sometimes I can be odder than Cam. Hope to talk to you soon!
Raider: Not Lucky...Oh no, but it will all come together hold on. Okay. More soon!
Hotshot: Jack and Snitch want me to tell you they are placing a complaint about your attack of them. I'm laughing and telling them to buck up and deal with it! Good guess dahling!
Fyre Eye: NO don't soak me here you go! Here you go!
Galaxy: Whoah it's okay there, you're going to mad at me for this chapter aren't you?
JP: Boards to come later! Hey I bought some sweet tart harts last night yummy. This chapter was brought to you by o.j. animal crackers and sweet tart harts. Here ya go! It says Hug Me! He he he. I hope to chat soon!
Falco: Did you review last time? I am soooooo sorry.! Cameo is threatening to beat me up. AHHH really I'm sorry. Yeah Jack's becoming more of a Jackass too! He's not too happy with me right now.
Shortie: Hmmm Cameo a Mary Sue. Hmm never thought about it much. Acutally I've gotten a lot of people that have told me she's not. Hmmmmm thinking I guess in a way she is. A flawed and humorous Mary Sue. DAMN I was going for the non Mary Sue approach. Oh well, it's too late to change it now. Hope you enjoy it anyway. I want a Mimic too! I love him! Here's your other chapter. Enjoy thanks for the honesty!
Skittles: hi honey, hey where's the review on my other story? I though you were going to read it! Yes more of my Spot hope you like it!
Dreamer: E-mail me and let me know what I can do to help! I'd love to!
Ali: Honey remember I love you! Really I do! Don't get all upset please, it will get better, it has to get better! I promise, just hold onto the bar of the roller coaster seat and hang on tight.
"Cameo, I'm sorry I didn't want to tell them, really I didn't, why did you make me tell them." The little body cried his face buried in my stomach, I could feel the tears that were starting to soak my shirt. Through all he had been through Mimic had not cried, the only time I had seen tears streak his little face had been that first night we had spent together. Though the first time he saw me after I had been brought back from Ox's clutches I understand he had cried himself to sleep next to me on the bed and had refused to leave his spot until I woke up.
"Mimic, it's alright, I have a feeling that they would have found out anyway." I told him gently brushing his strawberry curls away from his face and tilting it up to look at me. " You need a hair cut small fry."
"What do ya mean they would have found out anyway?" I heard Blinks voice and glanced up in shock.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as Mush and Crutchy moved next to him.
"Did ya think we would stay in Manhattan after they accused you? Anyone that knew ya would know ya ain't a thief." Mush said offering me a smile. "Besides they're already whisperin about us bein in on it."
"They've know you for how long?" I cried in frustration.
"They've all gotta look after themselves. We're brothers, but it only goes so deep, when money and survival's involved we're dead in the water." Crutchy said sagely. I rolled my eyes and started pacing. The Brooklyn boys eyed me with worry.
"What kinda trouble we gonna get in now?" I heard one mutter, I cuffed him along side the head as I passed him. Spot gave him a look as he started to jump up.
"I hope she's a good lay Spot cause so far she's brought ya more trouble than any normal dame is worth." Another too far out of my reach sneered irritated at my abuse of his friend.
"What did ya say Oak?" Spot hissed.
"Nothin." He murmured, "It's just, I don't know about the other boys, but I'm sick of getting into trouble cause of her. She's bad luck, trouble follows her where ever she goes."
"This has nothing to do with Brooklyn." I told them before Spot could jump at him. "I'm not asking for Brooklyn's help on this one, I will find the truth those that wish to help, I won't argue with them, but none of you are being drafted for this."
Spot glowered at the boy who cowered beneath his glare, I could see Spot wavering between teaching him a lesson and letting him go. There was one thing Spot knew though despite how infamous his temper could be and it was how to pick his battles. This was not the time for a brawl and his boys would think him granting the boy his mercy if he put it the right way. He'd still have to scare the piss out of the boy though and with Spot's icy glare intimidating men would never be a problem.
"Ya lucky I gotta bigger fish to fry." Spot snapped turning his attention to Crutchy. "Whatta ya doin here, I thought I made it clear ya were banned from Brooklyn."
"Where else was I gonna go Spot?" Crutchy asked, "An if Briar's gotta be exiled here again I ain't gonna leave her in ya incapable hands."
"Whatta mean incapable?" Spot fumed, I put a hand on his shoulder.
"You lay a finger on him and I'll never forgive you Spot." I hissed in his ear.
"I mean the last time ya ended up with her she came back nearly dead and she's just gotten beyond bein broken." Crutchy replied coolly.
"That wasn't Spot's fault, that was my fault." I told him "Back off Crutchy, you're baiting him and I'm not going to be able to stop him if he chooses to attack."
I knew that if I could get Crutchy to back down I wouldn't have to try to hold Spot back, and no one would loose face. I gave Crutchy a pleading look and he shut his mouth. From behind Spot I mouthed a thank you to him.
"If ya weren't so close to Cameo, I'd soak ya right now, but seein as I'm in a merciful mood today...."he paused to glare at the boy who had earlier inspired his wrath. "I'll let it go, I'll let ya stay here, but stay out of my way."
Crutchy nodded and I hid a smile of satisfaction, if any of the boys saw that smile it would undermine Spot's authority.
"I'll be on the roof." I sighed leaving Spot to his moment. Blink and the rest followed me up.
"What are we gonna do Cameo?" Mush asked me his soft brown eyes looking to me for an answer.
"Wait, what else can we do Mush? I was set up there is no doubt in my mind, but I can't think of anyone left that would go to all this trouble. Eventually the truth will come out, there are only so many girls that would do this. Though if we take into account that it could have been a girl paid by another person to do this......"
"Na," Crutchy broke in, " Can't be it has to be one of the people you've met and ain't none of them have the money to waste on bribin someone to set ya up."
"So that leaves one of the girls I know." I sighed.
"I ain't sayin it ain't the girl of someone that wanted to get ya." Crutchy said suddenly. "They just don't have the money to pay someone."
I nodded and stared off into space, so that left pretty well anyone. We said no more all of us thinking, all of us scrambling to think of what in the hell was going on. Why would someone want to frame me? Most of my enemies were dead, killed in the whole Ox affair. Any that had touched me had one by one had turned up dead, though by whose hand I did not know, I knew that Spot had taken out Ox, but I knew that the others he would have had help. I shuddered to think that they could and would kill so swiftly. They seemed so normal most of the time and most of the time you would think they couldn't hurt a fly, but then you saw that look on their faces. Even Mush, sweet, even tempered Mush I had seen pulled off a guy before he could actually kill him.
They all had their angles. Mush hid behind his sweetness even giving off an air of being slow sometimes, but it was an act. He was sweet, he was kind, but when it came to fight those muscles were not for show. He was just as aggressive as the others, he just lulled them into complacency by his usual demeanor. Blink was openly hostile when he needed to be, joking and teasing those that he knew well, but he had a temper that we all knew that when that glower came to his face we all better stay out of his way. Even Crutchy harmless sweet Crutchy could stand on his leg if he needed, his crutch made those that might attack him believe he was unable to protect himself, but he could stand and swing that crutch with a deadly accuracy that was frightening. I had heard that before the strike he had been to trusting and had relied on his seeming helplessness to protect him from those that would hurt him. Unfortunately the Delancy brothers had not been apposed to attacking a cripple.
I shivered involuntarily and warm arms wrapped around me pulling me against a strong chest.
"Hi." I said simply and softly knowing immediately who it was.
"Hiya." He said in return "Ya doin okay."
"I'm fine, just angry." I replied, Mush, Blink, and Crutchy were looking at Spot and I with looks I had seen Spot give Skittery. I tried not to laugh as Spot shifted uncomfortably and tightened his hold too stubborn to drop his arms. He recognized that look as well and I knew he was not relishing the idea of being in the hot seat himself.
"Well we need to be returnin to the poker game." Blink said after shooting Spot a warning look.
"Yeah, I hear a winnin hand callin my name." Mush added as the three boys stood only Mimic was left. I watched as they started down the ladder, smiling at Crutchy who shot one last glower in our direction before his head disappeared. We watched as a few seconds later as Mush poked his head back up and gestured to Mimic who gave him a look that said he had no idea what Mush wanted. I almost laughed as Mush hopped onto the roof and forcibly picked up Mimic and started back downstairs the kid's frustrated cries following him all the way inside.
We sat there for a few moments staring at the stars. At least that is what I was doing as I could not see Spot's face.
"So Briar, how about ya tell me about yaself." He whispered almost as if he were afraid to ask. " I know ya as a person, I've seen ya tested, I know what kinda person ya is, but I don't know the rest about ya."
"What do you want to know." I asked guardedly my body stiffening as his word sunk in, I didn't want to lie to him. I knew I might have to as I clutched the necklace that had brought me here.
"Where ya born, where ya grew up, what ya parents are like." He said softly. "Hell I don't even know when ya birthday is or ya middle name."
"April 25 and Rose." I replied smiling at him. " I was born in Denver, Colorado. My mother was my world, the greatest, finest person I ever knew, she died a few years ago, horrible accident."
"My mama was the same, a wonderful woman, I wish Gabriel could remember her." He said sadly. " I loved her so much, my pa, well we never knew him. He was a sailor, married mama and shipped out the next day leaving her pregnant. He came back one time, I was too young to remember it really. He got drunk roughed mamma up and left her pregnant again. Never saw the bastard again, thank God."
"My mother and my father were very much in love, I can remember them kissing in the kitchen on Sunday mornings as I read the paper, I remember them so happy together." I sighed. "After she died, Dad and I didn't get along. He never really understood me like she did. There was this... I don't know bond between us that he could never be a part of. In so many ways he didn't know me, for months I don't think we even talked. We ignored each other, then eventually we started to fight and never stopped until I left home."
"There's too many of us that grows up in an unwelcome home." Spot responded. I nodded and continued to look at the sky. "Too many of us that ain't never gonna amount to nothin."
"You won't end up like that." I told him. " You can't end up like that, I can't see you ending up as a nothing. The great thing about America is you can work your way to being successful. You can and will do great things."
"Ya sound like my mama." He said and I could feel him turn his head to look away. "It don't always work like that."
"Then you have to make it work like that." I replied vehemently. "You can do it if you believe you can do it. Look at the strike all of you did it because you thought you could."
"So tell me Brair Fitzgerald what do ya plan on doin in ya life?" Spot asked me changing the subject.
"I don' t know.' I sighed sheepishly, " I never planned on being here."
"So if ya had such a normal upbringin at first why ya so different?"
"Because I'm from the future." I said in a teasing tone, hoping my tone would not break, that he wouldn't look into my eyes and see the truth. " I grew up in an age where women are allowed much more freedom."
I heard him laugh and relaxed against him a little allowing myself to chuckle too.
"I don't know Spot I just am." I finished thankful he had taken it for the joke I had said it as, that it really never was. While he hadn't caught on that moment as I said previously, the truth has a way of worming it's way out. He disappeared downstairs to leaving me on the roof to my musings telling me on his way down to meet him in his room. As I wondered down the fire escape I pondered what I would do, what I could do. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, I couldn't be a newsie forever, I would have to find another job eventually. My hand grasped my necklace, I could go home, it was an option, but I didn't think I could. My mind turned to Spot and I stopped outside his room, peeking in before I entered. I smiled thinking that if things kept going as well as they had I may have to throw the necklace from the Brooklyn Bridge and never look back. He was not in his room, I shook my head and turned for mine, Glimmer was in Manhattan tonight she would be returning home in a few days. I smiled again at finding him in my room, but the smile died as I saw his posture. He was leaning against the wall near the window his head was in his hands, his elbows propped up on his knees, next to him set on the blankets was a little book with a floral print cover, I gasped as I realized it was my little creative journal. The book I had written everything I couldn't tell him in. I had left it under my pillow, now it lay on the bed opened and spread flat halfway through. He had been reading it; I cursed myself as I remembered my earlier words, now he knew. He knew I had not been joking that it was the truth. Slowly I opened the window and entered, what else could I do? I had to face him, I had to make him believe, I felt the necklaces pendant heat as I hadn't felt it do in a while.
"Ya believe it don't you?" he asked quietly not even looking up. "Ya really believe ya from the future."
I opened my mouth to tell him the truth, but as his head came up and those beautiful eyes looked at me pleading with me to tell him I didn't I caved.
"It was the idea's for a story Spot." I lied, I hated the words that came to my lips, but looking into his eyes I had also found that though he cared he would think I was absolutely looney.
"Don't lie to me Briar." He cried suddenly springing up and slamming his fist into the wall in a rage. " Don't you dare lie to me, I can see it in ya eyes, you do. Ya believe it, ya absolutely crazy ain't ya. You lied when ya told us ya hadn't escaped from the crazy house."
"Even if I was crazy, it doesn't matter, remember?" I cried. " I'm not violent, therefore what does it matter if I have strange ideas."
"Because this ends everythin Briar, don't ya understand, I can't be involved with a crazy person." Spot snapped " I can't risk lovin ya. I ain't gonna get married and have crazy kids."
Tears filled my eyes as his words sank in. He would give all we had worked for away because he had found the truth.
"I think you should leave." I said quietly, my tone deadly. "Leave now."
He slammed out of the room; I could see the pain and anger fighting in his eyes. For a moment he had reached for me and I turned from him. The pain that was ripping through me was beyond what I had felt at my mother's death; beyond what I had felt the first time he had left. Tears poured down my cheeks I couldn't even sob all I could do was sit on my bed and stare at the wall while tears flowed in waterfalls down my face. The shirt I wore I found was his and I ripped it from my body and pulled another fr
Finally I felt cold, my entire emotions dead as I looked down. The shirt I wore I found was his and I ripped it from my body and pulled another from my shelf. I stood and started into the bunkroom heading for the washroom, buttoning my shirt crooked as I went, my hair in snarls.
"Looks like Spot had his fill before she pissed him off." I heard a snide voice crack. I ignored it, Spot had disappeared, Mush, Blink, and Crutchy were nowhere to be seen. One gangly boy approached me as I splashed my face with cold water.
"So now Spots done with ya ready for a new sugar daddy?" he asked. I tried to pretend he was not there, I could feel my mind teetering on the verge of loosing it. "Come on baby, let me show ya what a real man is, I can teach ya to be a real woman."
As he grabbed my arm and whirled me around shoving his face into mine with a leering expression, I felt it snap. I heard Ox's harsh voice as he told me what he was going to do before he did it. I heard the laughter, the leering faces, I felt the boy in real life back me into the wall, his mouth coming down hard on mine. Brooklyn had been left alone with me, the boys who did not like me, who wanted nothing more that to teach me my place. Yet it was not the Brooklyn Lodging House I saw, it was the damp, cold, squalid little room that had been my prison and my hell for only a matter of days. I fought back as I hadn't' had the will to do before. My knee connected with his groin and I was on top of him wailing punches into his face before he could react. He tried to fend me off, but I kept coming leaving the weaker boy unable to do anything. I heard the cries, but I did not heed them, I kept attacking my attacker tears rolling down my cheeks as I did. I felt them try to pull me away, but I bit and kick and tore at flesh just long enough to land another few punches on the unconscious boy beneath me.
"Briar." I heard a soft boyish voice say. I looked up through my rage and saw Mimic, he placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "Stop."
I dropped my hands tears flowing down my face sobs trying to tear free, but making only little animal like whimpers in the back of my throat. He looked at me tearfully, then I saw his eyes widen and felt an incredible splitting pain in the back of my head.
"NO." I heard Mimic cry.
"We had to Mimic, she almost killed him." I heard another fading voice say. " She may have killed him."
I didn't mean to, I tried to cry as I lay there the lights going dim. Spot looked down at me and I saw the fear in his face, I knew I had made a fatal error. I had been not been violent in my craziness until now. I closed my eyes and prayed that the blow to the back of my head would kill me. I prayed I would never open my eyes again as the pain in my heart was more than I could bear. I welcomed the darkness that enveloped me. It was not as I wanted it though. I woke instead to the darkness of early dawn in my room. My head pounding worse than any migraine I had ever had.
"We can't keep her here, I don't know if she will attack again. Tomorrow morning we're going to have to take her to the Insane Asylum." Jack's voice floated through the door.
"She's not dangerous." Mush's voice was insistent. " He tried to kiss her, hell he might have raped her had she not lost it on him. After all she's been through of course she's gonna to loose it."
"We can't take that chance." I heard a new voice say, one I had not heard in a while. It was a feminine voice, soft and sweet. I knew at that moment who had planned the missing money, the satisfaction at getting rid of me was too easy to recognize. One word filled my mind and it all came together.
Sarah, it had been her, she had framed me. Mimic's words whispered to me as I remembered one night only days ago he had made a confession, that the night he had been taken he thought he had seen Sarah, that Specs had gone after her to take her back home fearful of the fact she had been left alone in that part of town. I had brushed it off never thinking that she could have really been there, that she had been the bait for them to get to Mimic.
I knew then that she had planned it all; at every turn she was looking for another way to be rid of me. I had never pegged her for the intelligence to pull it off. I knew it would do no good to tell them. That they would never believe me, they would have me locked away.
My mind flew to my history class years before and filled my mind with the things they did. The attempts at sterilization, the lobotomies, the horrible experiments. I would die before I went there, for going there would be a death sentence more horrible than any I could imagine. I closed my eyes hoping for the pain to subside, my hand closing over my amulet. I felt the relief flow through me, I had a way out. I crawled over to my little shelf and pulled my chemise from the stack of clothes. It had turned from cream to gray in the months since I had come here. I left my camisole on and my pantaloons and pulled over my head. Then I sat and waited, waiting for my opening to leave as my window was guarded and the door locked. The amulet burned hotly, I had some things to say before I left and one woman to deal with. Then and only then would I be free to go, as I needed to. I lay back and rested my head letting my eyes close. I would bide my time, for there was nothing left for me here.
Rumor: Well I hoped it was an enjoyable ride, it has me exhausted. Ready to crawl to bed and lay down. AHHHH! Well the shit has truly hit the fan now.
Rhap: Hmmmm circus clown and mime huh? Hmmmmm.
Angel: Have you reviewed before? I've forgotten and I'm too lazy to go look. (if not does the new reviewer dance.) Thank you I've tried not to make Spot the ususal sap, he's not, he's one tuff hummer! Smiles sweetly at the muses and blows them kisses.
Chelci: The muses are still in a meeting, trying to figure out where they want to go. All I know is this story has to be finished because it will have to be a sequel to Hourglass. Hmmm maybe some sweet tarts will move them along a little I'll try it! Glad you liked the chapter. I love Mimic too. I want one all to myself!
Fearless: Damn another person who thinks about my story in class, and gets weird looks. He he he. I guess we need to start a Cameo club for those that are odd. I guess I'll have to be president since sometimes I can be odder than Cam. Hope to talk to you soon!
Raider: Not Lucky...Oh no, but it will all come together hold on. Okay. More soon!
Hotshot: Jack and Snitch want me to tell you they are placing a complaint about your attack of them. I'm laughing and telling them to buck up and deal with it! Good guess dahling!
Fyre Eye: NO don't soak me here you go! Here you go!
Galaxy: Whoah it's okay there, you're going to mad at me for this chapter aren't you?
JP: Boards to come later! Hey I bought some sweet tart harts last night yummy. This chapter was brought to you by o.j. animal crackers and sweet tart harts. Here ya go! It says Hug Me! He he he. I hope to chat soon!
Falco: Did you review last time? I am soooooo sorry.! Cameo is threatening to beat me up. AHHH really I'm sorry. Yeah Jack's becoming more of a Jackass too! He's not too happy with me right now.
Shortie: Hmmm Cameo a Mary Sue. Hmm never thought about it much. Acutally I've gotten a lot of people that have told me she's not. Hmmmmm thinking I guess in a way she is. A flawed and humorous Mary Sue. DAMN I was going for the non Mary Sue approach. Oh well, it's too late to change it now. Hope you enjoy it anyway. I want a Mimic too! I love him! Here's your other chapter. Enjoy thanks for the honesty!
Skittles: hi honey, hey where's the review on my other story? I though you were going to read it! Yes more of my Spot hope you like it!
Dreamer: E-mail me and let me know what I can do to help! I'd love to!
Ali: Honey remember I love you! Really I do! Don't get all upset please, it will get better, it has to get better! I promise, just hold onto the bar of the roller coaster seat and hang on tight.