Title: Brutal Playground
Author: Shattered Hearts (Sage and Raven)
Fandom: Newsies
Archived:
Pairing: Sage/Jack, Raven/Spot, Hope/Guv, Blink/Sparks, Eve/Mush, Mayo/Race
Rating: PG-13/R Angst, violence, harsh language, angst, gore, character death, angst, suicide, rape, did I mention angst? Category: Drama/Angst
Date started: 12/10/2003
Status: Incomplete Newsies featured/mentioned: Jack, Spot, Blink, Mush, Race, Skittery, Snitch, Davey, Les, Tumbler, Sarah
OCs featured/mentioned: Raven, Sage, Mayo, Hope, Eve, Sparks, Pinstripe, Guv, Tabloid, Ginger, Cutter, Hunter, Chaos, Becca, Accent
Synopsis: A dispute between two borough leaders escalates into a full- fledged war involving all of the boroughs. The deaths of one of the most powerful newsie leaders in New York and other beloved Newsies, throw our guys and the women that love them into a tailspin. Who will survive? One thing is sure; the lives of the Newsies will never again be the same.
Beta Reader: Sparks MAD LOVE TO SPARKS FOR INSPIRING THIS STORY!!
Shoutout to all the loverly Girls who have read this story...
YOU GIRLS KICK ASS!
Thanks so much for your reviews. Your everything makes us so HAPPY! DUDE here's the next part! dun dun dunnnnnn... Yea I know I'm getting all movieish on you. BUT HERE IT IS WITHOUT FURTHER ADUE!
Darkness spread through the city. Most of the Manhattan Newsies had gone to bed. That's not to say that they had managed to get to sleep but they were trying. Pinstripe was finally sleeping. It had taken a fair amount of laudanum to get him relaxed enough to drift off. Sage was glad she had the amber bottle stored away for such emergencies. When Guv came too again she would give some to him as well, but he had been unconscious since she'd stitched his wounds.
Sage sat on one of the beds in the sick room so she could keep an eye on Guv and Pinstripe. She'd been on her feet all day, more than usual actually, and the small of her back was screaming to this fact so she shoved a pillow behind her and leaned back against the wall, her arms draped over her rounding belly. There would be no sleep for her this night. She had a book on her lap, but she wasn't able to concentrate on the story. Her thoughts were with Jack and Spot and on the injured boys in her care, and the one no one could ever help again. But, mostly she thought about the life growing within her, depending on her for everything. She shook her head to rid her of the thoughts.
Raven sat in a corner of the room staring out at the city skyline, a cigarette clasped gracefully in her hand, the smoke curling around her in the air before she brought it to her lips and took a drag. She blew out gently and a flood of smoke exited her lips.
"They'll be back soon." Sage said. As much to convince herself as to comfort her friend.
Raven shook her head and flopped the hand holding the cigarette against her tightly folded knees. "Yea...maybe..." Raven snuffed out the cigarette with her boot and went over to Sage. "How's my niece doin?" She sat next to her on the bed.
"I'll letcha take ovah carryin her any time now" Sage smirked and took Raven's hand, placing it on her belly. "See how mean she's bein ta me?"
Raven smiled feeling the strong kicks. "She's just sick of bein in deah dat's all..." In the back of Raven's mind was a thought she'd never had before, how much she would love to be a mother.
Sage sighed. "She's gonna have me black and blue from the inside out if she keeps it up."
Raven laughed lightly.
Mayo peeped her head inside slowly not wanting to disturb anyone. "Your awake?" "Yea Mayonaise...get yer ass in heah." Raven smirked at her and Mayo came inside.
Sage smiled up at her. "yeah, not gonna get much sleep tanight. What's up?"
"Race ain't back yet...so...I can't sleep." Mayo sounded distraught as she wrung her hands together.
"He probably met up wit Spot and Jack...dey'se gotta be in Brooklyn by now." Raven answered her trying to calm her own fears.
Sage patted the bed next to her. "Come visit wit us."
Mayo nodded and sat down on the other side of Sage on the bed.
"Race will be fine. He ain't paht of this war." Sage winced when the baby kicked her ribs and tried to move to a more comfortable position. Raven helped her with the pillow.
"You shoah? I mean he's cloes to Jack an' Spot an..." Mayo tried to get it all out but she couldn't.
"Mayo...calm down, he's gonna be alright." Raven reassured her.
Sage took her hand. "Hattan ain't part of this fight hon. And everyone knows Race is Hattan so he'll be fine." Sage knew it would only be a matter of time before it did become Hattan's fight. She just felt it...but she wasn't about to tell Mayo that.
"Every fight's Brooklyn's fight..." Raven grumbled and turned away.
Mayo nodded and then looked to Raven not knowing what to say. Sage patted Raven's shoulder. "I'm sorry bout Shortstop. None of this should have ever happened."
"Why did dis happen anyway! Spot wasn't even involved an' now he gets tossed intah it!" Raven stood out of frustration and began pacing.
Sage sighed. "Maybe we should go in the other room." She didn't want to chance Guv waking up as what she would tell them was still very upsetting to him.
The three of them retreated to the loby. Raven leaned against the wall and looked intently at Sage, while Mayo took a seat on the couch. Sage eased down on the sofa next to Mayo. and took a deep breath.
"What happened Sagey?" Mayo asked her softly.
"Do you remembah Guvs little sister?"
"Yea Sweets was a good kid...I heard through the grapevine she died..." Raven said.
Sage nodded. "She got involved with one of Huntah's boys called Haze."
"Why would she evah do dat!? I told her a thousands times ta stay away from da Bronx..." Raven said more to herself than the others.
Sage hung her head as she remembered what happened. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly.
"What's so bad bout da Bronx boys...dey nevah bothahed us befoah..." Mayo said innocently and Raven shot her a death glare.
"I dunno Raven." Sage nudged Raven to calm down.
Raven glared at Sage as well before nodding at her to continue.
"Anyway, Sweets got pregnant and she was too scared to tell Guv. She knew he'd have a fit. So Haze paid for an abortion. But the guy wasn't a doctah." Tears welled in Sage's eyes and she swiped them away quickly before she continued.
"NO...she..." Mayo couldn't get the rest of the words out.
"Sweets bled to death cos of it. Guv wasn't there. Just Gingah."
All was silent after that. The reason for the war half known but Raven and Mayo both knew that Sage wasn't finished.
"Gingah, Guv's second," Sage pointed out to Mayo, "left that night and went after Haze. He beat him up real bad." She swallowed again. "Jack said Haze died yesterday. Hunter's aftah revenge and Guv sent Gingah away....."
Raven was speechless as was Mayo.
"I don't think they knew Shortstop wasn't Queens. I mean...he's always wit Guv so..." She couldnt finish. The thought of it made her stomach turn.
"So dey mistook him foah one of Guv's boys." Raven shook her head. "Involvin Brooklyn wasn't no smart idea, even if it wasn't on poipose."
"No, it wasn't. I just hope Jack can keep Hattan outta it. Ya know? Maybe he can get everyone ta stop...befoah anyone else dies." Sage frowned.
"Yea...But it's almost inevitable dat Hattan helps out Brooklyn Sage."
"Maybe Spot will just take em all down an' den it'll be ovah befoah it really starts?" Mayo said hopefully.
"Yea...maybe" Raven sighed
Sage closed her eyes and concentrated on the life inside her. How was she going to raise it if anything happened to Jack?
***************************************************
Spot was abnormally silent as he and Jack left Shortstop's mother's small apartment. Unlike most of his newsies, Shortstop lived at home with his mother and six little brothers and sisters, and gave her most of his money to help make ends meet. His father died when Shortstop was 10. He started selling papes a month later. His poor mother was distraught. She'd gone into shocky silence
Jack and Spot walked solemnly down the streets looking into alleys, ethir guard up constantly. Spot had been the dutiful leader as he spoke to Her. He'd promised to check back on her to see how she was doing. As they neared the LH they heard a low whistle. It was the warning call used by Spot's birds.
Spot drew closer and could finally see his face. The dim light given by street lamps iluminating his face enough for Spot to notice an on dark shine to Chaos's features. Spot blinked his eyes. Chaos was covered in blood.
Jack grabbed Chaos by the hand and tugged him deep into the alley. "Chaos, tawk." Jack didn't want Chaos to be seen on the streets, he could see that the young man was dripping in blood.
Spot nodded wide eyed.
Jack yanked off his bandana and tossed it to Chaos. "Wipe yer face..." He said softly.
The blood was pouring off the young man, dripping down to the floor and forming a tiny puddle. The droplets were starting to make splat sounds as they hit the small pool.
"Chaos...what happened?" Spot asked quietly.
Chaos was shaking. Partly from rage, partly from terror. "I got hold a t'ree a Huntah's boys....dey killed Shortstop, Spot!" He wiped his face with the bandana and slammed his palms above his head, into the wall. Faceing away from the two leaders. "Why Shortstop? He was a good kid...nevah hurt nobody..."
Spot clapped a hand on Chaos's shoulder.
Jack watched in silence. He didn't know what to say.
"You killed em?" Chaos dropped his hands and turned to Spot. He just nodded. "Let's get chu cleaned up an' outta da streets..." Spot said solemnly. "We gotta take da rooftops."
Chaos looked down at his bloody hands...the realization of what he did slowly washing over him. Jack takes Chaos's wrist "We gotta go..." He said, trying to get him out of the daze. Chaos looked up. Blinking to focus back into reality. "Yeah...rooftops."
"Right..." Spot answered him and grabbed the bottom rung of the ladder.
Chaos followed him to the roof. The motions more instinctive that voluntary.
Jack followed close behind and the three boys made their way quickly over the rooftops to the Brooklyn LH.
Chaos got cleaned up and followed the noise to the bunk room. Almost all of the Brookys were there. Spot had them whipped into a frenzy.
"FELLAS! SHADDUP!" Spot's voice echoed off the thin walls of the LH. "This's what's happenin...." Spot told them everything, and each boy knew that this war was like no other.
Jack stood behind Spot. He'd promised to back up Brooklyn, and he would..But he couldn't help thinking of how his life had been just hours before. He had to keep Sage and their baby safe. He wasn't sure how to do that with things moving so fast.
"Jack you gotta stay heah tanight...maybe we can get back to da goils in da mornin?" Spot turned to him after his speech was done and the other Brookys had started to break into smaller groups making plans for what they would do to keep selling. It may be a war, but they still had to eat and pay rent.
Jack frowned but agreed. "We gotta send someone with a message though. keep everyone in the LH till we get back and let em know where we are so they don't worry."
Jack knew if he just didn't show up Sage would be frantic. He couldnt do that to her. "We gotta go get Hope too...she should be wit Guv."
Spot whistled and Speed stepped forward. "Speed take a message ta Hattan...tell Ravy an' Sage dat we'se safe, an' we'll see em tamarrah...an' go get Hope."
"Take Hope witcha ta Hattan...dont go alone eithah." Jack chimed in.
Speed nodded and grabbed Krisp and they ran out the door in a heartbeat.
Chaos leaned against the wall. "What am I gonna do bout Becca? I can't have her get in da middle of dis..."
Jack and Spot exchanged glances not knowing what to say, but their thoughts echoing his. Neither of them wanted the girls involved in this.
Chaos began pacing the room. "I got three of em tanight...huntah's gonna be out foah blood even woise dan befoah..."
"Huntah didn't know it was you...so he ain't aftah you...I'll take da rap." Spot said.
Chaos shook his head. "I mean in general...but dat's what we gotta do...every one a ours we gotta take 3 a deh's"
"He's right Spot..." Jack replied.
Spot just sighed. God, what had he dragged Jack into? War. People would think it was silly, kids playin a game...but he knew. He knew it would be an all out war...too much death already but it would get worse and he knew it.
*************************************************************************
Sage had gone back into the sick room so she could watch over Guv and Pin, leaving the other girls to visit. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts and her growing child. She needed to think. To find some way to end this war before it got worse and all of New York was involved.
"I need a smoke..." Raven commented and went digging through her pockets to find one.
"You know dat don't help nothin Rave." Mayo said to her.
"Yer right, but it at least calms me noives." Raven lit one up. It was as if her mouth had become a permanent chimney.
Darkness filled the sickroom, but a slight glow came in from the window. Enough so sage could see if the boys began to stir. Tears streamed down her face for Shortstop and the others. For the loss of Sweets. For the world she was bringing a child into. She shivered and pulled a blanket around her shoulders, looking out over the city night. Where was Jack? He should have been home hours ago. It was nearly morning now. 4am...
Sage heard the movement on the fire escape, she thought it was Jack and Spot, they had a habit of taking the rooftops when they could. She lifted the window and stuck her head out. But she was greeted by Speed, one of Spot's birds, and Hope, her friend and Guvs girl. Hope was pale and looked panicked. She didn't blame her in the least.
"Where is he?" Hope asked quickly and quietly as she slipped through the window.
"Where's Rave? I got a message from Conlon and Kelly foah da both a youse." Speed said hurriedly as he stepped in through the window.
"He's in here Hope. Bed on the right. He's doing well." Sage whispered to her as she gave her a quick hug. "Ravens' in the other room." She turned her attention back to Speed. "I'll get her...are they ok?"
"Dey're fine..." Speed answered and stood awkwardly in the sickroom.
Hope rushed over to Guv's bed and took his hand in hers.
Sage poked her head out the door. "Raven!" She whispered harshly and motioned frantically for her to join her.
Raven turned her head quickly and rushed into the room. "What's wrong?"
"Hope's here and there's a message." She replied.
"Are the boys ok? What's going on?" Raven tossed the cigarette to the floor and put it out with her boot.
Sage shrugged and waited for her to join them.
Speed shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot. He knew the message would not be taken well by either of the girls and he knew they were both cursed with quick and heated tempers.
"Speed speak up now!" Raven yelled at him, knowing the boy was stalling.
"SHHHHH!" Sage glared at her. "Don't wake the boys! Maybe we should do this outside."
Speed was back out the window before Raven could even react.
Sage stepped out behind him, it was a little awkward to get through with her bulging belly.
Raven rolled her eyes and took off out the window
"Conlon an Kelly aint commin back tanight." He said hoping that would be enough.
"What do you mean dey ain't comin back...You bettah give me moah Speed or you won't be able ta woawk outta heah when I'se done." Raven leaned against the side of the lodging house and waited.
Sage fiddled with her hands.
Speed nodded. Terrified of her.
"Deh's been moah killin. Spot said we'se at wah now...an Kelly said Hattan would back us up. Dey's waitin ta tawk wit Gingah an come up wit a plan." Speed spoke so quickly it nearly didnt make sense.
Sage paled. "Oh God."
"I'se gonna kill him!" Raven screamed. "Spot's crazy! An' Jack gettin involved! Is Jack outta his mind!"
"You'se dont undah stand!" He protested. "If ya seen SS you would know. They didn't jus' kill him...they butcha'd him...."
"I gotta go ta Brooklyn! I gotta tawk ta Spot!" Raven said.
Speed shuddered. "NO! He said I had ta keep youse heah Raven. He'll kill me if you'se go now. it aint safe!"
"I gotta tawk ta him an' dis's Important! Speed just take me witcha alright!"
Speed shook his head. "I can't Rave...really! Too many's died awready ya gotta stay heah!" He sighed. "Look, Edge is hurt, Chaos killed 3 of Huntah's boys. He's gonna be out foah blood on Brooklyn now! Ya gotta stay put!"
"Dis ain't some stupid reason Speed!"
Sage began to pace the small area she stood on. We'se sposed ta get married! this ain't even Hattan's fight! She didnt say it outloud. She had her friends backs and they had hers....now it was time for that to really mean something
"Speed you gotta let me go ta Brooklyn..." Raven pleaded with her eyes.
Speed shook his head. "I can't Raven. It's too dangerous. They'll be heah as soon as they can. Spot said Hattan was gonna be the place foah wounded cos it was safest....and cos Sagey knows what to do.
"Fine...let da bastahd rot in Brooklyn!" Raven glared at Speed and retreated back inside without another word.
Sage shook her head. "I dont know what to do for a damned war! a few things here an there, shoah..but ....oh God." She leaned back against the railing.
"I gotta get goin Sagey..." Speed said softly, and almost regrefully.
Sage nodded. "I can't do this alone Speed. I need supplies too." She sighed as she placed her hand gently on his arm. "Let them know we love them ok? We'se gonna do what we can. Keep em safe." her eyes pleaded with him.
"I promise sage." Speed answered and then began the climb to the roof. Sage stood on the fire escape for a long moment. She was wracking her brain to find some way to make things right but it looked hopeless. Hope stares at Raven as she cam inside. "What's with da moidah look?" "I ain't in da mood Hope."
Sage rubbed her arms against the coldness before the dawn. She climbed back through the window...a little awkwardly because of her belly.
Raven lights up yet another cigarette. "I hate him!" She yelled out of nowhere. "Why does he t'ink he can just keep me heah!"
"He's tryin ta protect ya Raven...that and he knows I need ya help. I can't do this alone." Sage wasn't sure she could do it at all. But she would.
"I only need ta tell him one t'ing! ONe lousy t'ing an' I can't even get deah!"
"ya wanna tell me? I know I ain't spot...but sounds like you really need ta get it out..." Sage placed her hand on Raven's shoulder.
"He's my bruddah..."
"Who is?" Hope said from her place at Guv's bedside.
"Well obviously it ain't Spot now is it..." Raven rolled her eyes.
Sage's jaw dropped. "He...he's WHAT?"
"Huntah...Huntah's me bruddah."
Hope jumped up. "Why you lousy good foah nothin scab!" She screamed.
Sage placed her hand on her belly and sank to the bed, which was thankfully just behind her. She was so shocked she would have fallen to the floor had it not been right there.
"I ain't no damn scab!" Raven boomed at her. "You don't even know me Hope so stay out of it!"
Pin woke with a start."WHA! HUH!" He was drugged but ready to protect the girls with his life. Sage looked up. "Oh...Pin, it's alright. Hope just got a little excited. is all....
"A little excited! Huntah beat da shit outta my boyfriend! How do ya expect me ta behanve!" Hope yelled at Sage.
"Hope calm down! Raven aint like him! She ain't at all like him!"
Pin's eyes were glazed but he was struggling for control. "I think ya should tone yer voice down Hope. Guv ain't gonna get bettah wit you screamin in heah. I'se known Raven a long time an she dont desoive ya rage."
Hope glared at her but quieted down none the less.
Raven kept her glare on Hope transfixed.
Sage closed her eyes and took a deep breath. her hand subconsciously rubbing her swollen belly. The baby was awake and not likeing the shouting one bit.
"Maybe we should go in the other room Raven? Give Hope and Guv some privacy?" Sage asked, her eyes still closed.
"Yea whatevah" Raven pushed herself from her lounging position on the wall and walked slowly from the room.
"Come get me if ya need me." Sage said as she left the room behind Raven. "Why didn't you tell me Huntah is yer brother?"
"Cuz I really didn't want nobody ta know we'se was related."
Sage nodded. "I can undahstand that." She sighed. "is that all you wanted to tell him?"
Raven hesitated. "Yea"
Sage studied her for a moment, unsure if she should belive her or not. "It's gonna be ok Raven. What is it gonna help if he does know now anyway? " "He could use me as bate ta get ta Huntah."
"NO!" Sage spoke strongly, and a little more loudly that she needed. "There's no way! That's too dangerous Raven." She shook her head. "They'se gettin to eachother more than enough already...bait aint an issue. Besides, he'd never allow it and if he did Jack wouldn't. What if Huntah got hold a you and decided to use you as bait for Spot? That wouldnt help matters would it?!"
"Calm down! I was only sayin it! I didn't avtually t'ink Spot would do it!"
"Look Raven, I know yer worried outta yer head, so am I...but we gotta stay safe so we can take care of the ones dat needs us. 'Sides, yer niece is gettin a little too excited...she doesn't wantcha ta leave either."
Raven's face softened. "Yea...fine..."
Sage draped her arm across the other girls shoulders. "The baby's soakin me from da inside out...see if she'll listen to her auntie..." She took Raven's hand and placed in on her belly.
"Stop it kid...yer warin yer muddah out." raven scolded nicely.
Sage laughed.
"We should get some bandages ready." Sage started. "We need to find some clean old sheets."
"Use mine...from the extra bunk."
She nodded and went about locating the sheets and started tearing them into long strips about 3 inches wide.
*******************************************************************
Spot sat on the roof of the LH waiting for word from Hattan.
Jack came up and sat next to him. "Anything?"
"Not yet." He sighed. "Ya think dey'se awright?"
"Dey gotta be..." Speed dropped down behind the leaders from the roof of an adjoining building.
Spot whirreled around ready to kill then saw who it was. "Damn dont do dat! What's the word?"
"Dey gonna stay...but Ravy put up a fight..."
"Whatcha mean a fight?" not that he handnt expected it.
"She wanted ta come back wit me...says she needs ta tell ya somethin "
Spot scratched his head. "did she say what it was?
"Nah...wouldnt tell me."
He sighed and nodded. "Hows Guv an Pin doin?"
Speed shook his head indicating he really didnt know. "They was sleepin when I was there."
"Ya went all da way there and didnt check?" Jack growled. "What about Sage? Is she ok?"
"Everyone else's fine...I saw Pin an' Guv but didn't look like nuttin changed."
Jack hated having to say away from her. They hadn't spent a single night apart in the year they had been together and it wasn't something he was dealing well with now.
Jack frowned. "how much longer befoah we'se back in hattan Spot?"
"Bout two days..." Spot responded sadly, he was going to miss having Raven in his bed tonight. "God." Jack shoved his fists into his pockets. "We'se gonna have ta send word before that..." he said more to himself than anyone else. "I know...maybe we can get deah befoah den."
Jack turned around, looking in the direction of Queens. "They must be havin trouble findin Gingah."
"Who knows wheah he ran off to..." Spot sighed and looked out at Queens as well.
"I don't think I'd wanna be easy to find if I was him either."
"Same heah..."
Cutter sprinted up the fire escape. "SPOT!"
Spot whipped his head around to Cutter.
Jack nearly jumped out of his skin and turned as well.
"They got Chaos! cornered in an alley! Accent saw them, she said there's 3 of em!"
"SHIT!" Spot jumped up and ran to the edge of the roof. "Take me to him now!"
Jack followed close on spot's heels.
Spot and Jack ran frantically down the alley searching for Chaos.
"CHAOS!" Spot called. "Damnit! Wheah is he?" Spot was getting frantic. Not something he was used to.
Jack ran ahead of Spot and saw Chaos on the ground
"What? What is it?" Spot followed at a dead run stopping just short of the body.
Chaos lay in a pool of his own blood. His eyes were open and glazed over. His throat had been slit ear to ear and the tips of his fingers had all been cut off. The bloody bits scattered around the alley near his lifeless body.
Jack turned away and covered his mouth, feeling the acidic bile rise in his throat. Chaos was a big guy. Muscular and well over six feet tall. "Dis ain't right." Spot shook his head. "Dis just ain't right!"
"How we gonna tell Becca..."
Spot's shoulders fell. Becca was 8 months pregnant. Suddenly he had flashes of Becca in his head then flashes of Sage. He shook his head. "I....God, Jack....I dunno." Tears welled in his troubled eyes. He knelt down on one knee and brushed his hand over Chaos's face, closing his eyes.
Jack ran his fingers through his hair and just stared down at Chaos and the bloody mess he now was.
Footsteps pounded behind them. An army of stomping feet. "Well, well, ain't dis touchin?" The voice was deep and raspy from behind them.
~*~*~*~
End Chapter 2
~*~*~*~
Author: Shattered Hearts (Sage and Raven)
Fandom: Newsies
Archived:
Pairing: Sage/Jack, Raven/Spot, Hope/Guv, Blink/Sparks, Eve/Mush, Mayo/Race
Rating: PG-13/R Angst, violence, harsh language, angst, gore, character death, angst, suicide, rape, did I mention angst? Category: Drama/Angst
Date started: 12/10/2003
Status: Incomplete Newsies featured/mentioned: Jack, Spot, Blink, Mush, Race, Skittery, Snitch, Davey, Les, Tumbler, Sarah
OCs featured/mentioned: Raven, Sage, Mayo, Hope, Eve, Sparks, Pinstripe, Guv, Tabloid, Ginger, Cutter, Hunter, Chaos, Becca, Accent
Synopsis: A dispute between two borough leaders escalates into a full- fledged war involving all of the boroughs. The deaths of one of the most powerful newsie leaders in New York and other beloved Newsies, throw our guys and the women that love them into a tailspin. Who will survive? One thing is sure; the lives of the Newsies will never again be the same.
Beta Reader: Sparks MAD LOVE TO SPARKS FOR INSPIRING THIS STORY!!
Shoutout to all the loverly Girls who have read this story...
YOU GIRLS KICK ASS!
Thanks so much for your reviews. Your everything makes us so HAPPY! DUDE here's the next part! dun dun dunnnnnn... Yea I know I'm getting all movieish on you. BUT HERE IT IS WITHOUT FURTHER ADUE!
Darkness spread through the city. Most of the Manhattan Newsies had gone to bed. That's not to say that they had managed to get to sleep but they were trying. Pinstripe was finally sleeping. It had taken a fair amount of laudanum to get him relaxed enough to drift off. Sage was glad she had the amber bottle stored away for such emergencies. When Guv came too again she would give some to him as well, but he had been unconscious since she'd stitched his wounds.
Sage sat on one of the beds in the sick room so she could keep an eye on Guv and Pinstripe. She'd been on her feet all day, more than usual actually, and the small of her back was screaming to this fact so she shoved a pillow behind her and leaned back against the wall, her arms draped over her rounding belly. There would be no sleep for her this night. She had a book on her lap, but she wasn't able to concentrate on the story. Her thoughts were with Jack and Spot and on the injured boys in her care, and the one no one could ever help again. But, mostly she thought about the life growing within her, depending on her for everything. She shook her head to rid her of the thoughts.
Raven sat in a corner of the room staring out at the city skyline, a cigarette clasped gracefully in her hand, the smoke curling around her in the air before she brought it to her lips and took a drag. She blew out gently and a flood of smoke exited her lips.
"They'll be back soon." Sage said. As much to convince herself as to comfort her friend.
Raven shook her head and flopped the hand holding the cigarette against her tightly folded knees. "Yea...maybe..." Raven snuffed out the cigarette with her boot and went over to Sage. "How's my niece doin?" She sat next to her on the bed.
"I'll letcha take ovah carryin her any time now" Sage smirked and took Raven's hand, placing it on her belly. "See how mean she's bein ta me?"
Raven smiled feeling the strong kicks. "She's just sick of bein in deah dat's all..." In the back of Raven's mind was a thought she'd never had before, how much she would love to be a mother.
Sage sighed. "She's gonna have me black and blue from the inside out if she keeps it up."
Raven laughed lightly.
Mayo peeped her head inside slowly not wanting to disturb anyone. "Your awake?" "Yea Mayonaise...get yer ass in heah." Raven smirked at her and Mayo came inside.
Sage smiled up at her. "yeah, not gonna get much sleep tanight. What's up?"
"Race ain't back yet...so...I can't sleep." Mayo sounded distraught as she wrung her hands together.
"He probably met up wit Spot and Jack...dey'se gotta be in Brooklyn by now." Raven answered her trying to calm her own fears.
Sage patted the bed next to her. "Come visit wit us."
Mayo nodded and sat down on the other side of Sage on the bed.
"Race will be fine. He ain't paht of this war." Sage winced when the baby kicked her ribs and tried to move to a more comfortable position. Raven helped her with the pillow.
"You shoah? I mean he's cloes to Jack an' Spot an..." Mayo tried to get it all out but she couldn't.
"Mayo...calm down, he's gonna be alright." Raven reassured her.
Sage took her hand. "Hattan ain't part of this fight hon. And everyone knows Race is Hattan so he'll be fine." Sage knew it would only be a matter of time before it did become Hattan's fight. She just felt it...but she wasn't about to tell Mayo that.
"Every fight's Brooklyn's fight..." Raven grumbled and turned away.
Mayo nodded and then looked to Raven not knowing what to say. Sage patted Raven's shoulder. "I'm sorry bout Shortstop. None of this should have ever happened."
"Why did dis happen anyway! Spot wasn't even involved an' now he gets tossed intah it!" Raven stood out of frustration and began pacing.
Sage sighed. "Maybe we should go in the other room." She didn't want to chance Guv waking up as what she would tell them was still very upsetting to him.
The three of them retreated to the loby. Raven leaned against the wall and looked intently at Sage, while Mayo took a seat on the couch. Sage eased down on the sofa next to Mayo. and took a deep breath.
"What happened Sagey?" Mayo asked her softly.
"Do you remembah Guvs little sister?"
"Yea Sweets was a good kid...I heard through the grapevine she died..." Raven said.
Sage nodded. "She got involved with one of Huntah's boys called Haze."
"Why would she evah do dat!? I told her a thousands times ta stay away from da Bronx..." Raven said more to herself than the others.
Sage hung her head as she remembered what happened. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly.
"What's so bad bout da Bronx boys...dey nevah bothahed us befoah..." Mayo said innocently and Raven shot her a death glare.
"I dunno Raven." Sage nudged Raven to calm down.
Raven glared at Sage as well before nodding at her to continue.
"Anyway, Sweets got pregnant and she was too scared to tell Guv. She knew he'd have a fit. So Haze paid for an abortion. But the guy wasn't a doctah." Tears welled in Sage's eyes and she swiped them away quickly before she continued.
"NO...she..." Mayo couldn't get the rest of the words out.
"Sweets bled to death cos of it. Guv wasn't there. Just Gingah."
All was silent after that. The reason for the war half known but Raven and Mayo both knew that Sage wasn't finished.
"Gingah, Guv's second," Sage pointed out to Mayo, "left that night and went after Haze. He beat him up real bad." She swallowed again. "Jack said Haze died yesterday. Hunter's aftah revenge and Guv sent Gingah away....."
Raven was speechless as was Mayo.
"I don't think they knew Shortstop wasn't Queens. I mean...he's always wit Guv so..." She couldnt finish. The thought of it made her stomach turn.
"So dey mistook him foah one of Guv's boys." Raven shook her head. "Involvin Brooklyn wasn't no smart idea, even if it wasn't on poipose."
"No, it wasn't. I just hope Jack can keep Hattan outta it. Ya know? Maybe he can get everyone ta stop...befoah anyone else dies." Sage frowned.
"Yea...But it's almost inevitable dat Hattan helps out Brooklyn Sage."
"Maybe Spot will just take em all down an' den it'll be ovah befoah it really starts?" Mayo said hopefully.
"Yea...maybe" Raven sighed
Sage closed her eyes and concentrated on the life inside her. How was she going to raise it if anything happened to Jack?
***************************************************
Spot was abnormally silent as he and Jack left Shortstop's mother's small apartment. Unlike most of his newsies, Shortstop lived at home with his mother and six little brothers and sisters, and gave her most of his money to help make ends meet. His father died when Shortstop was 10. He started selling papes a month later. His poor mother was distraught. She'd gone into shocky silence
Jack and Spot walked solemnly down the streets looking into alleys, ethir guard up constantly. Spot had been the dutiful leader as he spoke to Her. He'd promised to check back on her to see how she was doing. As they neared the LH they heard a low whistle. It was the warning call used by Spot's birds.
Spot drew closer and could finally see his face. The dim light given by street lamps iluminating his face enough for Spot to notice an on dark shine to Chaos's features. Spot blinked his eyes. Chaos was covered in blood.
Jack grabbed Chaos by the hand and tugged him deep into the alley. "Chaos, tawk." Jack didn't want Chaos to be seen on the streets, he could see that the young man was dripping in blood.
Spot nodded wide eyed.
Jack yanked off his bandana and tossed it to Chaos. "Wipe yer face..." He said softly.
The blood was pouring off the young man, dripping down to the floor and forming a tiny puddle. The droplets were starting to make splat sounds as they hit the small pool.
"Chaos...what happened?" Spot asked quietly.
Chaos was shaking. Partly from rage, partly from terror. "I got hold a t'ree a Huntah's boys....dey killed Shortstop, Spot!" He wiped his face with the bandana and slammed his palms above his head, into the wall. Faceing away from the two leaders. "Why Shortstop? He was a good kid...nevah hurt nobody..."
Spot clapped a hand on Chaos's shoulder.
Jack watched in silence. He didn't know what to say.
"You killed em?" Chaos dropped his hands and turned to Spot. He just nodded. "Let's get chu cleaned up an' outta da streets..." Spot said solemnly. "We gotta take da rooftops."
Chaos looked down at his bloody hands...the realization of what he did slowly washing over him. Jack takes Chaos's wrist "We gotta go..." He said, trying to get him out of the daze. Chaos looked up. Blinking to focus back into reality. "Yeah...rooftops."
"Right..." Spot answered him and grabbed the bottom rung of the ladder.
Chaos followed him to the roof. The motions more instinctive that voluntary.
Jack followed close behind and the three boys made their way quickly over the rooftops to the Brooklyn LH.
Chaos got cleaned up and followed the noise to the bunk room. Almost all of the Brookys were there. Spot had them whipped into a frenzy.
"FELLAS! SHADDUP!" Spot's voice echoed off the thin walls of the LH. "This's what's happenin...." Spot told them everything, and each boy knew that this war was like no other.
Jack stood behind Spot. He'd promised to back up Brooklyn, and he would..But he couldn't help thinking of how his life had been just hours before. He had to keep Sage and their baby safe. He wasn't sure how to do that with things moving so fast.
"Jack you gotta stay heah tanight...maybe we can get back to da goils in da mornin?" Spot turned to him after his speech was done and the other Brookys had started to break into smaller groups making plans for what they would do to keep selling. It may be a war, but they still had to eat and pay rent.
Jack frowned but agreed. "We gotta send someone with a message though. keep everyone in the LH till we get back and let em know where we are so they don't worry."
Jack knew if he just didn't show up Sage would be frantic. He couldnt do that to her. "We gotta go get Hope too...she should be wit Guv."
Spot whistled and Speed stepped forward. "Speed take a message ta Hattan...tell Ravy an' Sage dat we'se safe, an' we'll see em tamarrah...an' go get Hope."
"Take Hope witcha ta Hattan...dont go alone eithah." Jack chimed in.
Speed nodded and grabbed Krisp and they ran out the door in a heartbeat.
Chaos leaned against the wall. "What am I gonna do bout Becca? I can't have her get in da middle of dis..."
Jack and Spot exchanged glances not knowing what to say, but their thoughts echoing his. Neither of them wanted the girls involved in this.
Chaos began pacing the room. "I got three of em tanight...huntah's gonna be out foah blood even woise dan befoah..."
"Huntah didn't know it was you...so he ain't aftah you...I'll take da rap." Spot said.
Chaos shook his head. "I mean in general...but dat's what we gotta do...every one a ours we gotta take 3 a deh's"
"He's right Spot..." Jack replied.
Spot just sighed. God, what had he dragged Jack into? War. People would think it was silly, kids playin a game...but he knew. He knew it would be an all out war...too much death already but it would get worse and he knew it.
*************************************************************************
Sage had gone back into the sick room so she could watch over Guv and Pin, leaving the other girls to visit. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts and her growing child. She needed to think. To find some way to end this war before it got worse and all of New York was involved.
"I need a smoke..." Raven commented and went digging through her pockets to find one.
"You know dat don't help nothin Rave." Mayo said to her.
"Yer right, but it at least calms me noives." Raven lit one up. It was as if her mouth had become a permanent chimney.
Darkness filled the sickroom, but a slight glow came in from the window. Enough so sage could see if the boys began to stir. Tears streamed down her face for Shortstop and the others. For the loss of Sweets. For the world she was bringing a child into. She shivered and pulled a blanket around her shoulders, looking out over the city night. Where was Jack? He should have been home hours ago. It was nearly morning now. 4am...
Sage heard the movement on the fire escape, she thought it was Jack and Spot, they had a habit of taking the rooftops when they could. She lifted the window and stuck her head out. But she was greeted by Speed, one of Spot's birds, and Hope, her friend and Guvs girl. Hope was pale and looked panicked. She didn't blame her in the least.
"Where is he?" Hope asked quickly and quietly as she slipped through the window.
"Where's Rave? I got a message from Conlon and Kelly foah da both a youse." Speed said hurriedly as he stepped in through the window.
"He's in here Hope. Bed on the right. He's doing well." Sage whispered to her as she gave her a quick hug. "Ravens' in the other room." She turned her attention back to Speed. "I'll get her...are they ok?"
"Dey're fine..." Speed answered and stood awkwardly in the sickroom.
Hope rushed over to Guv's bed and took his hand in hers.
Sage poked her head out the door. "Raven!" She whispered harshly and motioned frantically for her to join her.
Raven turned her head quickly and rushed into the room. "What's wrong?"
"Hope's here and there's a message." She replied.
"Are the boys ok? What's going on?" Raven tossed the cigarette to the floor and put it out with her boot.
Sage shrugged and waited for her to join them.
Speed shifted his weight nervously from foot to foot. He knew the message would not be taken well by either of the girls and he knew they were both cursed with quick and heated tempers.
"Speed speak up now!" Raven yelled at him, knowing the boy was stalling.
"SHHHHH!" Sage glared at her. "Don't wake the boys! Maybe we should do this outside."
Speed was back out the window before Raven could even react.
Sage stepped out behind him, it was a little awkward to get through with her bulging belly.
Raven rolled her eyes and took off out the window
"Conlon an Kelly aint commin back tanight." He said hoping that would be enough.
"What do you mean dey ain't comin back...You bettah give me moah Speed or you won't be able ta woawk outta heah when I'se done." Raven leaned against the side of the lodging house and waited.
Sage fiddled with her hands.
Speed nodded. Terrified of her.
"Deh's been moah killin. Spot said we'se at wah now...an Kelly said Hattan would back us up. Dey's waitin ta tawk wit Gingah an come up wit a plan." Speed spoke so quickly it nearly didnt make sense.
Sage paled. "Oh God."
"I'se gonna kill him!" Raven screamed. "Spot's crazy! An' Jack gettin involved! Is Jack outta his mind!"
"You'se dont undah stand!" He protested. "If ya seen SS you would know. They didn't jus' kill him...they butcha'd him...."
"I gotta go ta Brooklyn! I gotta tawk ta Spot!" Raven said.
Speed shuddered. "NO! He said I had ta keep youse heah Raven. He'll kill me if you'se go now. it aint safe!"
"I gotta tawk ta him an' dis's Important! Speed just take me witcha alright!"
Speed shook his head. "I can't Rave...really! Too many's died awready ya gotta stay heah!" He sighed. "Look, Edge is hurt, Chaos killed 3 of Huntah's boys. He's gonna be out foah blood on Brooklyn now! Ya gotta stay put!"
"Dis ain't some stupid reason Speed!"
Sage began to pace the small area she stood on. We'se sposed ta get married! this ain't even Hattan's fight! She didnt say it outloud. She had her friends backs and they had hers....now it was time for that to really mean something
"Speed you gotta let me go ta Brooklyn..." Raven pleaded with her eyes.
Speed shook his head. "I can't Raven. It's too dangerous. They'll be heah as soon as they can. Spot said Hattan was gonna be the place foah wounded cos it was safest....and cos Sagey knows what to do.
"Fine...let da bastahd rot in Brooklyn!" Raven glared at Speed and retreated back inside without another word.
Sage shook her head. "I dont know what to do for a damned war! a few things here an there, shoah..but ....oh God." She leaned back against the railing.
"I gotta get goin Sagey..." Speed said softly, and almost regrefully.
Sage nodded. "I can't do this alone Speed. I need supplies too." She sighed as she placed her hand gently on his arm. "Let them know we love them ok? We'se gonna do what we can. Keep em safe." her eyes pleaded with him.
"I promise sage." Speed answered and then began the climb to the roof. Sage stood on the fire escape for a long moment. She was wracking her brain to find some way to make things right but it looked hopeless. Hope stares at Raven as she cam inside. "What's with da moidah look?" "I ain't in da mood Hope."
Sage rubbed her arms against the coldness before the dawn. She climbed back through the window...a little awkwardly because of her belly.
Raven lights up yet another cigarette. "I hate him!" She yelled out of nowhere. "Why does he t'ink he can just keep me heah!"
"He's tryin ta protect ya Raven...that and he knows I need ya help. I can't do this alone." Sage wasn't sure she could do it at all. But she would.
"I only need ta tell him one t'ing! ONe lousy t'ing an' I can't even get deah!"
"ya wanna tell me? I know I ain't spot...but sounds like you really need ta get it out..." Sage placed her hand on Raven's shoulder.
"He's my bruddah..."
"Who is?" Hope said from her place at Guv's bedside.
"Well obviously it ain't Spot now is it..." Raven rolled her eyes.
Sage's jaw dropped. "He...he's WHAT?"
"Huntah...Huntah's me bruddah."
Hope jumped up. "Why you lousy good foah nothin scab!" She screamed.
Sage placed her hand on her belly and sank to the bed, which was thankfully just behind her. She was so shocked she would have fallen to the floor had it not been right there.
"I ain't no damn scab!" Raven boomed at her. "You don't even know me Hope so stay out of it!"
Pin woke with a start."WHA! HUH!" He was drugged but ready to protect the girls with his life. Sage looked up. "Oh...Pin, it's alright. Hope just got a little excited. is all....
"A little excited! Huntah beat da shit outta my boyfriend! How do ya expect me ta behanve!" Hope yelled at Sage.
"Hope calm down! Raven aint like him! She ain't at all like him!"
Pin's eyes were glazed but he was struggling for control. "I think ya should tone yer voice down Hope. Guv ain't gonna get bettah wit you screamin in heah. I'se known Raven a long time an she dont desoive ya rage."
Hope glared at her but quieted down none the less.
Raven kept her glare on Hope transfixed.
Sage closed her eyes and took a deep breath. her hand subconsciously rubbing her swollen belly. The baby was awake and not likeing the shouting one bit.
"Maybe we should go in the other room Raven? Give Hope and Guv some privacy?" Sage asked, her eyes still closed.
"Yea whatevah" Raven pushed herself from her lounging position on the wall and walked slowly from the room.
"Come get me if ya need me." Sage said as she left the room behind Raven. "Why didn't you tell me Huntah is yer brother?"
"Cuz I really didn't want nobody ta know we'se was related."
Sage nodded. "I can undahstand that." She sighed. "is that all you wanted to tell him?"
Raven hesitated. "Yea"
Sage studied her for a moment, unsure if she should belive her or not. "It's gonna be ok Raven. What is it gonna help if he does know now anyway? " "He could use me as bate ta get ta Huntah."
"NO!" Sage spoke strongly, and a little more loudly that she needed. "There's no way! That's too dangerous Raven." She shook her head. "They'se gettin to eachother more than enough already...bait aint an issue. Besides, he'd never allow it and if he did Jack wouldn't. What if Huntah got hold a you and decided to use you as bait for Spot? That wouldnt help matters would it?!"
"Calm down! I was only sayin it! I didn't avtually t'ink Spot would do it!"
"Look Raven, I know yer worried outta yer head, so am I...but we gotta stay safe so we can take care of the ones dat needs us. 'Sides, yer niece is gettin a little too excited...she doesn't wantcha ta leave either."
Raven's face softened. "Yea...fine..."
Sage draped her arm across the other girls shoulders. "The baby's soakin me from da inside out...see if she'll listen to her auntie..." She took Raven's hand and placed in on her belly.
"Stop it kid...yer warin yer muddah out." raven scolded nicely.
Sage laughed.
"We should get some bandages ready." Sage started. "We need to find some clean old sheets."
"Use mine...from the extra bunk."
She nodded and went about locating the sheets and started tearing them into long strips about 3 inches wide.
*******************************************************************
Spot sat on the roof of the LH waiting for word from Hattan.
Jack came up and sat next to him. "Anything?"
"Not yet." He sighed. "Ya think dey'se awright?"
"Dey gotta be..." Speed dropped down behind the leaders from the roof of an adjoining building.
Spot whirreled around ready to kill then saw who it was. "Damn dont do dat! What's the word?"
"Dey gonna stay...but Ravy put up a fight..."
"Whatcha mean a fight?" not that he handnt expected it.
"She wanted ta come back wit me...says she needs ta tell ya somethin "
Spot scratched his head. "did she say what it was?
"Nah...wouldnt tell me."
He sighed and nodded. "Hows Guv an Pin doin?"
Speed shook his head indicating he really didnt know. "They was sleepin when I was there."
"Ya went all da way there and didnt check?" Jack growled. "What about Sage? Is she ok?"
"Everyone else's fine...I saw Pin an' Guv but didn't look like nuttin changed."
Jack hated having to say away from her. They hadn't spent a single night apart in the year they had been together and it wasn't something he was dealing well with now.
Jack frowned. "how much longer befoah we'se back in hattan Spot?"
"Bout two days..." Spot responded sadly, he was going to miss having Raven in his bed tonight. "God." Jack shoved his fists into his pockets. "We'se gonna have ta send word before that..." he said more to himself than anyone else. "I know...maybe we can get deah befoah den."
Jack turned around, looking in the direction of Queens. "They must be havin trouble findin Gingah."
"Who knows wheah he ran off to..." Spot sighed and looked out at Queens as well.
"I don't think I'd wanna be easy to find if I was him either."
"Same heah..."
Cutter sprinted up the fire escape. "SPOT!"
Spot whipped his head around to Cutter.
Jack nearly jumped out of his skin and turned as well.
"They got Chaos! cornered in an alley! Accent saw them, she said there's 3 of em!"
"SHIT!" Spot jumped up and ran to the edge of the roof. "Take me to him now!"
Jack followed close on spot's heels.
Spot and Jack ran frantically down the alley searching for Chaos.
"CHAOS!" Spot called. "Damnit! Wheah is he?" Spot was getting frantic. Not something he was used to.
Jack ran ahead of Spot and saw Chaos on the ground
"What? What is it?" Spot followed at a dead run stopping just short of the body.
Chaos lay in a pool of his own blood. His eyes were open and glazed over. His throat had been slit ear to ear and the tips of his fingers had all been cut off. The bloody bits scattered around the alley near his lifeless body.
Jack turned away and covered his mouth, feeling the acidic bile rise in his throat. Chaos was a big guy. Muscular and well over six feet tall. "Dis ain't right." Spot shook his head. "Dis just ain't right!"
"How we gonna tell Becca..."
Spot's shoulders fell. Becca was 8 months pregnant. Suddenly he had flashes of Becca in his head then flashes of Sage. He shook his head. "I....God, Jack....I dunno." Tears welled in his troubled eyes. He knelt down on one knee and brushed his hand over Chaos's face, closing his eyes.
Jack ran his fingers through his hair and just stared down at Chaos and the bloody mess he now was.
Footsteps pounded behind them. An army of stomping feet. "Well, well, ain't dis touchin?" The voice was deep and raspy from behind them.
~*~*~*~
End Chapter 2
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