Chapter 8

Aslyn was brought to a halting stop by her captor after what seemed like hours. Please, Lord, she pleaded.

"Thought you could stay away from me, didn't you, bitch?" Her captor asked, taking her blindfold off.

"Matthew, please, don't do this to me," she pleaded.

"Shut up, you stupid whore," he yelled, slapping her hard across the face.

He hit her again, knocking her to the ground. "You gave that stupid newsboy what he wanted, now give me what I want," he hissed, straddling her. He unzipped his pants and pushed her nightgown up.

"Please, don't do this, Matthew," she begged, trying to push him away from her. Oh, God, please save me, please, she prayed.

Before she knew what was happening, Matthew was inside of her. Aslyn screamed out in pain as he thrust himself deeper inside of her body. After what seemed like eternity, Matthew pulled out.

"Thanks, sis'," he said, laughing, as he stood up and zipped his pants.

Aslyn pulled her nightgown down, and rolled onto her side. She sobbed uncontrollably and scratched at the cuts on her arms. Matthew was gone. He had gotten what he wanted, and now he was gone. Please, God, Aslyn prayed again, please let Spot find me. Please save me.

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"Spot, ya' wanted ta' see me," Jack said, entering spot's room.

The minute Spot had woken and realized Aslyn was gone he had called all of his newsies together to look for her. They had combed the entire area of Brooklyn without any luck. Spot was beside himself with worry. He knew Matthew had Aslyn, but he had no idea where he had taken her. He had asked Jack to come over to Brooklyn so he could enlist the Manhattan newsboys' help in finding Aslyn.

"Yeah, Jack," Spot said. Jack could tell that he had been crying, but he knew not to say anything. "Jack, I need you and ya' boys' help."

"Anything, Spot," Jack said.

"Aslyn's missing," Spot said, "I know her brother took her, and I's gotta' get her back. Only problem is, I don't know where she is."

"Don't worry, Spot, I'll get me (*my) boys on it. I'll have 'em search all a' Manhattan."

"'Danks, Jack. I'm gonna' come with ya' ta' 'Hattan and help ya' look. Me (*my) boys're still searchin' here in Brooklyn."

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As Jack and Spot searched Manhattan, Aslyn lay in the abandoned building that Matthew had dragged her to.

"Spot," Jack said, as the two of them headed down a dark alley, "do ya' hear 'dat."

Spot stopped and listened carefully. He moved closer to a boarded up door that was nearby. He pressed his ear to the door and listened. The sounds of muffled crying wafted through the door.

"Yeah," Spot answered, "it sounds like crying'."

Spot pulled a few boards off of the door and climbed through the hole he had made. Once inside he looked around the room. It was dimly lit, the only light coming from cracks in the walls and ceiling. As his eyes searched the room, he saw the source of the crying. There was a small figure huddled in the corner.
Spot and Jack approached the figure carefully.

"Aslyn," Spot gasped, when he saw her face, "Aslyn, are ya' alright?" He asked, kneeling beside her shivering body. She was wearing only her nightgown and she was bloody from the scratches on her arms.

"Spot," she sobbed, "I prayed that you would find me and you did."

Spot gathered her in his arms and rocked her back and forth slowly. "It's alright. Sh. It's alright; I'm here now. Sh," he whispered softly.

Spot carried Aslyn back to the lodging house, and Jack called off the search parties. Spot laid Aslyn on his bed gently.

"What happened?" He asked, sitting beside her.

"He…" Aslyn's sobs were uncontrollable, but she was determined to tell Spot what had happened, "He…he raped me, Spot. Matthew, my own brother…raped me."

Spot pulled her into his lap and rocked her back and forth. "I'm so sorry," he whispered over and over again. Then he began to sing softly in her ear,

Smile, though your heart is breaking

Smile, even though it's aching

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile, and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use in crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you'll just smile

The darkness of Spot's room enveloped Aslyn, and she was lulled into sleep. Spot continued to rock her, but soon he, too, was engulfed by the darkness that surrounded him.