Jameson sat on her bottom bunk crossly. She glanced over at poor Racetrack. She tried to concentrate on a way of stopping the inevitable week of guerrilla Brooklyn/Manhattan warfare. Every idea she had, when fully thought out, would prove fruitless.
Her mind drifted back to the day of the Brooklynite murder, eight years ago. She remembered Jimmy, the Manhattan leader at the time, dragging in the poor boy. Jamie and Racetrack had been ordered to stand guard while Jimmy got Kloppman. A few other boys went out to spread the word. Jamie remembered her horror when three Brooklynites, including their fearsome leader, Panama Santana, demanded they give them their boy. Jamie trembled and Racetrack explained that they couldn't, not until Jimmy got back from fetching Kloppman. But the Brooklynites would have none of it. Panama Santana threw Racetrack across the room. Jamie stood in the doorway, shaking, not knowing what to do, when Jack Kelley walked in. Jimmy had sent him up to help keep guard, unaware of Brooklyn's presence. His eyes flickered from Race bleeding in the corner to Jamie, shaking in the doorway. He calmly took her elbow and told her there was nothing more they could do. He lead her out of Brooklyn's way.
Jack tapping on the window ledge ripped Jamie from her memories. Jamie narrowed her eyes and stared at him. Jack shifted his nervous gaze from the window to Jamie.
"What?" He had noticed her annoyance
"Must you tap?" She asked testily.
"Sorry." Jack smirked. He loved to make her angry. It was his favorite pastime.
"Why are you so anxious?" Jamie asked. Jack sighed.
"You won't want to know." Jack answered hoping Jamie wouldn't ask anymore.
"Aw, come on Jack." Jamie patted the bed next to her, her lips curled into a smile. Jack sauntered over with a defeated look.
"They went to steal Brooklyn's slingshots." Jamie shot Jack a look that could kill.
"And that was your brilliant idea?"
"As a matter of fact." Jack smirked.
"Why do you always have to do this? They're going to find out and come here just like when we found that little Brooklynite!" Jamie practically cried. Jack gathered her in his arms and whispered softly.
"It's going to be okay. I won't let anything happen to you. Just like that day we found the Brooklynite."
"It's not me I'm worried about." Jamie sobbed onto Jack's shoulder. Jack stroked her head and pulled her under the covers with him. She laid her head on his chest and he put a protective arm around her.
"I'll wait for them to come home. You go to sleep. You'll be safe. I promise. And with Jack's solid promise, Jamie fell asleep in peace.