Disclaimer: I don't own the Newsies, no matter how much I wish I did. I do,
however, own all of the Chicago newsies and Fantasy. The New York newsgirls
own themselves.
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No matter how hard the four tried to struggle out of the men's grasps, they hadn't been able to. They were led to an old, run-down factory in the middle of what looked like deserted apartment buildings. They were herded through a small back door and down a hallway. When they reached another set of doors, Rave's father left, and they entered a room that, surprisingly, held a ton of people. Even more surprisingly, none of the people in the room looked up as the four captives were brought along the self-made isle to the back wall.
"Stay here until for now." one of the men said, and they untied their mouths and hands, and then walked back through the isle.
"Your father?" Sky asked once he knew they were out of ear-shot.
Rave nodded. "I ran away two years ago... I knew I shouldn't 'a come heah."
"We have ta get out." Fantasy said, sliding to the floor. "Nobody's gaurdin' the doors..."
"We just couldn't see anyone guarding the doors. Believe me, someone will be." Sky said, sitting down beside Fantasy.
Brogue, however, ignored what was going on beside him, and instead had walked up to a girl around his age sitting a few feet away.
"Excuse me..." Brogue said, bending down to look at her face. She looked up at him, but didn't say anything. "Me and me friends just got here, and we were wonderin', why are ye all in here?"
She stared at him for a few seconds, kind of looking him over. "They're a gang, I guess you could say. Everyone you see in here's done something to annoy them. Most borrowed money but couldn't pay it back." She laughed bitterly. "But some people, like me, just got in their way."
"Do ye jus' sit here all day, then?" Brogue asked.
"If only." She said, frowning. "They make us go and do their dirty work."
"Dirty work?" Brogue asked, trying to get all the information she could give.
"You know, the threatening people, stealing things they need," she explained, "and killing people, too."
Now it was Brogue's time to stare. She had just said she killed people; and she had said it so calmly. "Ye kill people, lass?"
She laughed. "Yeah, we kill people. I hate doing that, but if I don't, they'll kill me. Not a hard choice there." She looked him up and down again. "You better get used to it, kid. You and your friends will be just like the rest of us."
"I could never- never kill someone!" Brogue exclaimed, completely shocked.
The girl shook her head, smirking. "You got in there way, too, huh? Yeah, I was just like you. But believe me. In a few days, you'll want to do what they say."
"What makes ye think so?" Brogue asked.
She looked pointedly over his shoulder at Fantasy and Rave, and nodded. "Because of what they'll do to your friends over there. There're worse things than being beaten that can happen to those two."
Brogue shut his eyes, trying not to think about what she meant. He took a deep breath and opened them again. "Is there any way out?"
She shook her head. "There're guards at every door. Believe me, I've tried them all." He nodded, and she grew a little less cold. "How'd you get caught?"
"We were sittin' in an alley, and they jumped us. Didn't have time ta fight." Brogue said. "How long have ye been here?"
"Two years." She said. "The worst ones of my life."
"Hey, Brogue! What are ya doin'?" Rave asked.
Brogue turned around and faced his friends. "I was askin'... I'm sorry, but what's your name?"
"Sarah." She said. "But everyone here calls me... actually; you can just call me Sarah."
Brogue nodded. "I was askin' Sarah about why they're all here. Sarah, that's Sky, Rave, and Fantasy."
"You've got nick names, too, huh?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah, we're newsies." Sky said, sounding like he was stating the most obvious thing.
"You're newsies?" Sarah asked. "In Chicago?"
"Well, me and Brogue are." Sky said. "Fantasy and Rave are from New York."
"But you're newsies?" Sarah asked.
Sky nodded. "Why, do you hate us, too?"
"No, no, it's- it's not that..." Sarah said. "It's... oh, never mind."
"Nevah mind?" Rave asked.
Sarah looked over at her, and did a once-over, like she had done to Brogue. But this time, she looked a whole lot more interested. "Who found you in the alley?" Rave stared at her, but didn't answer. "It wasn't just those thugs who brought you in here, was it?"
Rave looked Sarah up and down in turn, and decided she could be trusted. "My father did."
Sarah bit her lip and nodded. She was a little shocked, but she had been expecting her to say that. "He's been looking for you."
"I know he has."
"You know what he's going to do to you?" Sarah asked, her bright eyes locked on Rave's green ones.
"I have an idea." Rave said.
Sarah nodded, breaking eye contact. "Watch your back, all of you."
~*~
Back at the Chicago Lodging House, the boys and girls were just waking up, and they all noticed that the three were still missing.
"What do you think happened to them, Cricket?" Cow asked him as they washed up in the bathroom.
"I don't know what could've happened." Cricket said. "We'll have to check the alleys today..."
"Those newsies couldn't have got them! Brogue and Sky are strong, they would've fought back!" Cow exclaimed, showing his confidence in his two missing friends. "You really don't think that's what happened, do you?"
Cricket shook his head. "Not to those two. You're right, they're strong. But Hope... I have a feeling she won't be walking home today."
Cow slammed his hands down on the sink in front of him. "We have to settle this! Once and for all... I hate these wars, Cricket, you know I do! We're being cowards if we don't fight a real battle!"
"Cow, calm down. We can talk to that Jack today, see what he thinks."
Cow grinned. "Yeah, they might be a bit hurt after what I did to their friend last night..."
"War's not a good thing, Cow."
Cow rolled his eyes. "Oh, come off it, Cricket. You know there're plenty of reasons why we should be fighting them. We all know it! We've been waiting for this for a year now, Cricket. We need to fight them."
"I know. And we will." Cricket said. "Now come on, get dressed."
Cow rolled his eyes again, but walked back out of the bathroom and into the bunkroom.
"Cow!" Claddagh called. He turned in the direction her voice came from, and walked over to her.
"Yeah?"
"They aren't back yet?" Claddagh asked anxiously.
"No. I'm sorry Claddagh."
She sat down on the bunk nearest her. "Where do ye think they could be, Cow?"
"They could be anywhere."
"Ye don't think they're hurt, do ye?"
"No, Claddagh. You know that Sky and Brogue are strong, you taught them!"
"I know... I'm just worried. I have a bad feeling when I think about them, like they're in trouble."
"For all we know, they are." Song said, appearing next to Cow.
"Who asked you, Song?" Cow snapped at her.
Song raised her eye brows. "Hey, I'm not a New Yorker."
"I'd like it better if you were." Cow said, smirking.
Claddagh stood up. "I'm goin' outside."
She walked past a few people, ignoring all of them, and headed down the stairs. Once she got to the bottom, though, Prayer was just standing there. "I was waiting for you."
Claddagh smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem." Prayer said, and the two headed towards the doors. "You know, Brogue's alright."
Claddagh looked over at her. "You know that for sure, do ye?"
Prayer smiled. "I don't know anything for sure. But if he was hurt, I'd know."
Claddagh smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Prayer."
~*~
Back at the hotel, the newsies, too, were waking up and getting ready for another day in Chicago.
"Ya know, I really thought dis trip would be funner." Lavender said as she brushed her hair in the bathroom. Her roommates, Nugget, Dainti, Snooza, and Illusion were also getting ready for the day.
"It'll be over soon." Snooza said, joining Lavender in the bathroom.
"Yeah, but Atlantic's hurt. What are we gonna do about dat?" Illusion asked. "This ain't jus' gonna go away."
"Dis fight better end soon." Dainti said. "I hate it."
"Who doesn't?" Nugget asked. The other girls nodded their agreement. Just then, there was a knock on their door. Snooza went to answer it, and saw Racetrack standing outside their door.
"Hurry up, goils. Jack wants ya out on da street in five minutes. We need ta meet the Chicago newsies." He said.
"We're supposed ta meet 'em?" Lavender asked as she walked out of the bathroom.
Race frowned. "Yeah. Jack wants ta fight."
"Well, we'll come with ya. We're all ready, right goils?" Dainti asked. They all nodded and followed Racetrack out of the room and down the flights of stairs and out into the street.
"Dere ya are!" Spot exclaimed as he saw they walk out the door.
"Heya, Spot. How come Jack wants ta fight?" Illusion asked.
"'Cause 'a what dey did ta Atlantic!" Spot shouted. "Jus' come on. Dey'll be here any minute..." They followed him down the street and as they turned the corner, they saw their friends in front of them.
Jack grinned. "Dere they are, boys!" He pointed to the end of the block, and the newsies all watched as their enemy walked towards them. When he was sure all the Chicago newsies would hear him, he raised his voice. "Oh, look, it's da Chicago newsies!"
As Jack said this, everyone could see a few of them crack their knuckles.
Cricket stepped forward, with Cow right next to him. "Look, Jack. We're sick of this. We want a battle, and soon."
Spot smirked. "How soon?"
"Tonight." Cow said, speaking for Cricket.
"Good. 'Cause we want one, too." Jack said. "Do we use weapons?"
Cricket shook his head. "No weapons."
Jack nodded, but Spot frowned. "Come on, it ain't da same without weapons!"
Sneaks poked him in the back and whispered up to him. "Spot, shut it! We don't want weapons."
Spot still frowned, but agreed with the no weapons.
"Where at?" Cricket asked them.
"You know dis place bettah than us. Where would be da best place, without anyone around? We don't need da bulls on us." Jack said.
Cricket turned and consulted with Cow. "Where do you think the best place would be?"
"The apartment buildings, over on the west side. No one lives there anymore; it'd be the best place." Cow said, picturing the run-down, gray buildings that he had grown up in. "There's a park near there, too. Plenty of space."
"Sounds good." Cricket said. He turned back to Jack and told him where to find the buildings. "Tonight, then. At eight."
Jack and Spot nodded and the leaders walked back to their respective sides. "Come on, newsies. We'se got some papes ta sell. We won't have time tanight."
Cricket called back to them as they were walking away. "And remember, Jack! Now that we have a fixed battle, you can't touch us 'til tonight."
"This ain't me first war, Cricket. I know dat. You tell yer newsies ta remember it, too."
"I will."
"Good."
~*~
That night at eight, the New York newsies made their way through the unfamiliar streets to the park. They were all surprised to see they had gotten there before the Chicago newsies, but they took the opportunity to look around the area, so they'd know the territory a little bit.
"Ya nervous, Mush?" Specs asked, sitting down on the ground next to him.
"Aren't you?" Mush asked him.
Specs sighed. "Yeah, I am. I don't understand dese fights. I really don't."
"Me neither." Mush said, and he began staring at the ground to try and get his mind off of it.
The girls were all there, too, even little Eraser. They were sitting together on a slide and the moldy wood around the sand box. Snooza turned to Eraser. "Listen, if you need help, jus' call for one of us, alright? If ya need to, hide in that tunnel ovah there." Eraser nodded. She couldn't say anything; she felt like she would throw up if she opened her mouth.
Five minutes later, the Chicago newsies appeared on the other side of the park. All the New York newsies rose to their feet and stood behind their leaders. As the Chicago newsies came closer, the New York newsies became more nervous. It was the same for the Chicago newsies. They couldn't tell the other newsies were nervous- as they got closer and saw their facial expressions, they became more nervous. They New York newsies looked menacing when you were about to fight them.
They stopped about seven feet from them, and the two groups stood staring at each other. Neither knew how they should start. Just as Cow was about to run forward, a figure ran towards them, screaming. Everyone turned their attention to it, and as it came closer, they realized it was a girl. Once she had reached the park, the Chicago newsies, and Racetrack and Skittery, knew who it was: it was Hope.
"Hope! Are you alright?!" Claddagh called out, and she ran over to her friend.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Hope said, trying to catch her breath.
"Hope, you better go home. We're about to fight and you look exhausted, you can't fight right now..." Claddagh began.
"No, no, I have to say something!" Hope said. She pushed out of her friend's grasp and ran up in-between the two groups. "Cricket and Jack! You have to come, quick! They took them!"
"Hope, are you alright?" Cricket asked, stepping towards her.
"Listen, all of you. Cricket, Brogue and Sky are missing, right?" Hope asked. Cricket nodded, and she turned to Jack. "And for you, Fantasy and Rave are missing, right?"
"We kicked them out last night." Jack said. He knew he had over-reacted, but he had been so mad at the time.
"Well, listen. You know Rave used to live in Chicago, right Jack?" she asked. Jack nodded, a little confused. "Well, her dad still lives here. And Cricket, you know the gang down at the old factory?" This time, Cricket nodded. "Well, Rave's dad is the leader of it. They took her last night, and Fantasy, Brogue, and Sky were with her. They took them down to the factory, I saw them!"
Cricket looked extremely alarmed. "You're sure, Hope? You're sure that he took them?"
Hope nodded.
"What is dis all about?" Jack asked.
"There's this gang, they do everything; kill people, steal from people... the list goes on and on." Cricket explained. "And we have a friend that's in there, the kidnapped her, made her work for them, but she tells us things. She told us that he was looking for his daughter... if Rave really is his daughter; she's in a lot of danger. And so are the other three, if they were with her."
Jack gaped at him. "But- but, how do ya know he took 'em, Hope?"
"I was at the restaurant last night, but I was helping Maggie in the kitchen, and I saw you go in the front, so I stayed in the alley. I didn't want to get caught. Well, when I was back there, I saw these men, just sitting on a fire escape close by me. They didn't see, which was good, but I could hear them. They were talking about Rave; they said they were going to follow her. I didn't know why, though. But I followed them as they followed Rave, Fantasy, Brogue, and Sky, and they caught them in an alley and brought them to the factory. We have to do something!"
All the newsies stared at each other, not sure what to say, completely forgetting about the "battle" they were supposed to be fighting.
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Wow, that was a VERY long chapter. I had to fit a lot in it, though. So now I think I have two or three chapters left. Yep, it's almost finished. Sorry about the longness, but PLEASE review!! I'd love you forever!! Lol. I hope you liked this chapter, I really did. Anyway, I'll try and update soon!! Promise! Have a good day!
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No matter how hard the four tried to struggle out of the men's grasps, they hadn't been able to. They were led to an old, run-down factory in the middle of what looked like deserted apartment buildings. They were herded through a small back door and down a hallway. When they reached another set of doors, Rave's father left, and they entered a room that, surprisingly, held a ton of people. Even more surprisingly, none of the people in the room looked up as the four captives were brought along the self-made isle to the back wall.
"Stay here until for now." one of the men said, and they untied their mouths and hands, and then walked back through the isle.
"Your father?" Sky asked once he knew they were out of ear-shot.
Rave nodded. "I ran away two years ago... I knew I shouldn't 'a come heah."
"We have ta get out." Fantasy said, sliding to the floor. "Nobody's gaurdin' the doors..."
"We just couldn't see anyone guarding the doors. Believe me, someone will be." Sky said, sitting down beside Fantasy.
Brogue, however, ignored what was going on beside him, and instead had walked up to a girl around his age sitting a few feet away.
"Excuse me..." Brogue said, bending down to look at her face. She looked up at him, but didn't say anything. "Me and me friends just got here, and we were wonderin', why are ye all in here?"
She stared at him for a few seconds, kind of looking him over. "They're a gang, I guess you could say. Everyone you see in here's done something to annoy them. Most borrowed money but couldn't pay it back." She laughed bitterly. "But some people, like me, just got in their way."
"Do ye jus' sit here all day, then?" Brogue asked.
"If only." She said, frowning. "They make us go and do their dirty work."
"Dirty work?" Brogue asked, trying to get all the information she could give.
"You know, the threatening people, stealing things they need," she explained, "and killing people, too."
Now it was Brogue's time to stare. She had just said she killed people; and she had said it so calmly. "Ye kill people, lass?"
She laughed. "Yeah, we kill people. I hate doing that, but if I don't, they'll kill me. Not a hard choice there." She looked him up and down again. "You better get used to it, kid. You and your friends will be just like the rest of us."
"I could never- never kill someone!" Brogue exclaimed, completely shocked.
The girl shook her head, smirking. "You got in there way, too, huh? Yeah, I was just like you. But believe me. In a few days, you'll want to do what they say."
"What makes ye think so?" Brogue asked.
She looked pointedly over his shoulder at Fantasy and Rave, and nodded. "Because of what they'll do to your friends over there. There're worse things than being beaten that can happen to those two."
Brogue shut his eyes, trying not to think about what she meant. He took a deep breath and opened them again. "Is there any way out?"
She shook her head. "There're guards at every door. Believe me, I've tried them all." He nodded, and she grew a little less cold. "How'd you get caught?"
"We were sittin' in an alley, and they jumped us. Didn't have time ta fight." Brogue said. "How long have ye been here?"
"Two years." She said. "The worst ones of my life."
"Hey, Brogue! What are ya doin'?" Rave asked.
Brogue turned around and faced his friends. "I was askin'... I'm sorry, but what's your name?"
"Sarah." She said. "But everyone here calls me... actually; you can just call me Sarah."
Brogue nodded. "I was askin' Sarah about why they're all here. Sarah, that's Sky, Rave, and Fantasy."
"You've got nick names, too, huh?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah, we're newsies." Sky said, sounding like he was stating the most obvious thing.
"You're newsies?" Sarah asked. "In Chicago?"
"Well, me and Brogue are." Sky said. "Fantasy and Rave are from New York."
"But you're newsies?" Sarah asked.
Sky nodded. "Why, do you hate us, too?"
"No, no, it's- it's not that..." Sarah said. "It's... oh, never mind."
"Nevah mind?" Rave asked.
Sarah looked over at her, and did a once-over, like she had done to Brogue. But this time, she looked a whole lot more interested. "Who found you in the alley?" Rave stared at her, but didn't answer. "It wasn't just those thugs who brought you in here, was it?"
Rave looked Sarah up and down in turn, and decided she could be trusted. "My father did."
Sarah bit her lip and nodded. She was a little shocked, but she had been expecting her to say that. "He's been looking for you."
"I know he has."
"You know what he's going to do to you?" Sarah asked, her bright eyes locked on Rave's green ones.
"I have an idea." Rave said.
Sarah nodded, breaking eye contact. "Watch your back, all of you."
~*~
Back at the Chicago Lodging House, the boys and girls were just waking up, and they all noticed that the three were still missing.
"What do you think happened to them, Cricket?" Cow asked him as they washed up in the bathroom.
"I don't know what could've happened." Cricket said. "We'll have to check the alleys today..."
"Those newsies couldn't have got them! Brogue and Sky are strong, they would've fought back!" Cow exclaimed, showing his confidence in his two missing friends. "You really don't think that's what happened, do you?"
Cricket shook his head. "Not to those two. You're right, they're strong. But Hope... I have a feeling she won't be walking home today."
Cow slammed his hands down on the sink in front of him. "We have to settle this! Once and for all... I hate these wars, Cricket, you know I do! We're being cowards if we don't fight a real battle!"
"Cow, calm down. We can talk to that Jack today, see what he thinks."
Cow grinned. "Yeah, they might be a bit hurt after what I did to their friend last night..."
"War's not a good thing, Cow."
Cow rolled his eyes. "Oh, come off it, Cricket. You know there're plenty of reasons why we should be fighting them. We all know it! We've been waiting for this for a year now, Cricket. We need to fight them."
"I know. And we will." Cricket said. "Now come on, get dressed."
Cow rolled his eyes again, but walked back out of the bathroom and into the bunkroom.
"Cow!" Claddagh called. He turned in the direction her voice came from, and walked over to her.
"Yeah?"
"They aren't back yet?" Claddagh asked anxiously.
"No. I'm sorry Claddagh."
She sat down on the bunk nearest her. "Where do ye think they could be, Cow?"
"They could be anywhere."
"Ye don't think they're hurt, do ye?"
"No, Claddagh. You know that Sky and Brogue are strong, you taught them!"
"I know... I'm just worried. I have a bad feeling when I think about them, like they're in trouble."
"For all we know, they are." Song said, appearing next to Cow.
"Who asked you, Song?" Cow snapped at her.
Song raised her eye brows. "Hey, I'm not a New Yorker."
"I'd like it better if you were." Cow said, smirking.
Claddagh stood up. "I'm goin' outside."
She walked past a few people, ignoring all of them, and headed down the stairs. Once she got to the bottom, though, Prayer was just standing there. "I was waiting for you."
Claddagh smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem." Prayer said, and the two headed towards the doors. "You know, Brogue's alright."
Claddagh looked over at her. "You know that for sure, do ye?"
Prayer smiled. "I don't know anything for sure. But if he was hurt, I'd know."
Claddagh smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Prayer."
~*~
Back at the hotel, the newsies, too, were waking up and getting ready for another day in Chicago.
"Ya know, I really thought dis trip would be funner." Lavender said as she brushed her hair in the bathroom. Her roommates, Nugget, Dainti, Snooza, and Illusion were also getting ready for the day.
"It'll be over soon." Snooza said, joining Lavender in the bathroom.
"Yeah, but Atlantic's hurt. What are we gonna do about dat?" Illusion asked. "This ain't jus' gonna go away."
"Dis fight better end soon." Dainti said. "I hate it."
"Who doesn't?" Nugget asked. The other girls nodded their agreement. Just then, there was a knock on their door. Snooza went to answer it, and saw Racetrack standing outside their door.
"Hurry up, goils. Jack wants ya out on da street in five minutes. We need ta meet the Chicago newsies." He said.
"We're supposed ta meet 'em?" Lavender asked as she walked out of the bathroom.
Race frowned. "Yeah. Jack wants ta fight."
"Well, we'll come with ya. We're all ready, right goils?" Dainti asked. They all nodded and followed Racetrack out of the room and down the flights of stairs and out into the street.
"Dere ya are!" Spot exclaimed as he saw they walk out the door.
"Heya, Spot. How come Jack wants ta fight?" Illusion asked.
"'Cause 'a what dey did ta Atlantic!" Spot shouted. "Jus' come on. Dey'll be here any minute..." They followed him down the street and as they turned the corner, they saw their friends in front of them.
Jack grinned. "Dere they are, boys!" He pointed to the end of the block, and the newsies all watched as their enemy walked towards them. When he was sure all the Chicago newsies would hear him, he raised his voice. "Oh, look, it's da Chicago newsies!"
As Jack said this, everyone could see a few of them crack their knuckles.
Cricket stepped forward, with Cow right next to him. "Look, Jack. We're sick of this. We want a battle, and soon."
Spot smirked. "How soon?"
"Tonight." Cow said, speaking for Cricket.
"Good. 'Cause we want one, too." Jack said. "Do we use weapons?"
Cricket shook his head. "No weapons."
Jack nodded, but Spot frowned. "Come on, it ain't da same without weapons!"
Sneaks poked him in the back and whispered up to him. "Spot, shut it! We don't want weapons."
Spot still frowned, but agreed with the no weapons.
"Where at?" Cricket asked them.
"You know dis place bettah than us. Where would be da best place, without anyone around? We don't need da bulls on us." Jack said.
Cricket turned and consulted with Cow. "Where do you think the best place would be?"
"The apartment buildings, over on the west side. No one lives there anymore; it'd be the best place." Cow said, picturing the run-down, gray buildings that he had grown up in. "There's a park near there, too. Plenty of space."
"Sounds good." Cricket said. He turned back to Jack and told him where to find the buildings. "Tonight, then. At eight."
Jack and Spot nodded and the leaders walked back to their respective sides. "Come on, newsies. We'se got some papes ta sell. We won't have time tanight."
Cricket called back to them as they were walking away. "And remember, Jack! Now that we have a fixed battle, you can't touch us 'til tonight."
"This ain't me first war, Cricket. I know dat. You tell yer newsies ta remember it, too."
"I will."
"Good."
~*~
That night at eight, the New York newsies made their way through the unfamiliar streets to the park. They were all surprised to see they had gotten there before the Chicago newsies, but they took the opportunity to look around the area, so they'd know the territory a little bit.
"Ya nervous, Mush?" Specs asked, sitting down on the ground next to him.
"Aren't you?" Mush asked him.
Specs sighed. "Yeah, I am. I don't understand dese fights. I really don't."
"Me neither." Mush said, and he began staring at the ground to try and get his mind off of it.
The girls were all there, too, even little Eraser. They were sitting together on a slide and the moldy wood around the sand box. Snooza turned to Eraser. "Listen, if you need help, jus' call for one of us, alright? If ya need to, hide in that tunnel ovah there." Eraser nodded. She couldn't say anything; she felt like she would throw up if she opened her mouth.
Five minutes later, the Chicago newsies appeared on the other side of the park. All the New York newsies rose to their feet and stood behind their leaders. As the Chicago newsies came closer, the New York newsies became more nervous. It was the same for the Chicago newsies. They couldn't tell the other newsies were nervous- as they got closer and saw their facial expressions, they became more nervous. They New York newsies looked menacing when you were about to fight them.
They stopped about seven feet from them, and the two groups stood staring at each other. Neither knew how they should start. Just as Cow was about to run forward, a figure ran towards them, screaming. Everyone turned their attention to it, and as it came closer, they realized it was a girl. Once she had reached the park, the Chicago newsies, and Racetrack and Skittery, knew who it was: it was Hope.
"Hope! Are you alright?!" Claddagh called out, and she ran over to her friend.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Hope said, trying to catch her breath.
"Hope, you better go home. We're about to fight and you look exhausted, you can't fight right now..." Claddagh began.
"No, no, I have to say something!" Hope said. She pushed out of her friend's grasp and ran up in-between the two groups. "Cricket and Jack! You have to come, quick! They took them!"
"Hope, are you alright?" Cricket asked, stepping towards her.
"Listen, all of you. Cricket, Brogue and Sky are missing, right?" Hope asked. Cricket nodded, and she turned to Jack. "And for you, Fantasy and Rave are missing, right?"
"We kicked them out last night." Jack said. He knew he had over-reacted, but he had been so mad at the time.
"Well, listen. You know Rave used to live in Chicago, right Jack?" she asked. Jack nodded, a little confused. "Well, her dad still lives here. And Cricket, you know the gang down at the old factory?" This time, Cricket nodded. "Well, Rave's dad is the leader of it. They took her last night, and Fantasy, Brogue, and Sky were with her. They took them down to the factory, I saw them!"
Cricket looked extremely alarmed. "You're sure, Hope? You're sure that he took them?"
Hope nodded.
"What is dis all about?" Jack asked.
"There's this gang, they do everything; kill people, steal from people... the list goes on and on." Cricket explained. "And we have a friend that's in there, the kidnapped her, made her work for them, but she tells us things. She told us that he was looking for his daughter... if Rave really is his daughter; she's in a lot of danger. And so are the other three, if they were with her."
Jack gaped at him. "But- but, how do ya know he took 'em, Hope?"
"I was at the restaurant last night, but I was helping Maggie in the kitchen, and I saw you go in the front, so I stayed in the alley. I didn't want to get caught. Well, when I was back there, I saw these men, just sitting on a fire escape close by me. They didn't see, which was good, but I could hear them. They were talking about Rave; they said they were going to follow her. I didn't know why, though. But I followed them as they followed Rave, Fantasy, Brogue, and Sky, and they caught them in an alley and brought them to the factory. We have to do something!"
All the newsies stared at each other, not sure what to say, completely forgetting about the "battle" they were supposed to be fighting.
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Wow, that was a VERY long chapter. I had to fit a lot in it, though. So now I think I have two or three chapters left. Yep, it's almost finished. Sorry about the longness, but PLEASE review!! I'd love you forever!! Lol. I hope you liked this chapter, I really did. Anyway, I'll try and update soon!! Promise! Have a good day!