6th chapter! I can't believe it myself! I'm really excited because I already have a sequel in the works (or in my mind's works, anyway!) It's gonna be very different from this...in a way...heheh. Same characters, continuation of plot, entirely new situation. So pleeeeeeeeease keep reading! And REVIEW! YOU MUST REVIEWWWWWW!!!!
Shout ins:
Lil Rain Angel: Hi. Loooolll, you're gonna be the llama queen??? (hee hee) Can I be your llama poet laureate? Don't worry, I won't tell anybody about how you plan to take over the world. (wink, wink) PINKY AND THE BRAIN! I LOVE THAT SHOW! Sorry. Heh. Uh...yeah. No, the fire is not good but it will work well as a catalyst. At least, that's my hope. Hold on...I'm getting a lecture from the newsies about moral character...
Racetrack: Yous is a bad poicon! Catchin' da hall on fiah just to suit ya own poiposes!
Spot: Yeah! And yous call yaself an American! No self-respectin' newsie would be dat cold-hawted! (Hits David over the head with his cane) Shut up, Mouth!
David: (rubbing his head) It's just a story, you guys.
Spot: Oh, yeah? YEAH? What is dis, Leggy goil, some kinda hero ta stick up for lilly-livahed cowahds likes you?
Racetrack: Yous is a bad poicon!
Legs: (mutters) So I've heard.
Racetrack: I mean, I's can't believe dat you would DO dat! Da inju-
Legs: (gives Race a permanent box at the Indy 500)
Racetrack: Hey, t'anks!
Spot: (looking over Legs' shoulder) What's da Indy 500?
Sureshot Higgins: Heheh. You'll see...(grins evilly) Hope you like this!
snipah higgins: I'm honored! Thank you so much! Yeah, I have no idea where the fire thing came from. Except that Race dropped his cigar on the carpet in the den and it burned a big hole in it. It's okay, Racetrack! I forgive you! (Gives cute newsie a hug)
Kate Lawrence: I'm an author? NO! Lol. Thanks. Yeah, Spot and Race...they're unique individuals. Spot's smirk is pretty cute. I love it when...
David: But we're not playing. We ARE going to strike!
Spot: Oh yeah? YEAH?
Heheh, so cute! Racetrack has this really hot way of walking and tap dancing and slapping everybody. HEEEEH.
I'm so glad your play went well! 18 votes? You villian, you! :D Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Just for you...I have a new chapter. (Be sure to look at Angelic One's shout in cuz there's a message there from the boys ;)
Shorty Carter: Yikes, you're antsy? K, k, k! Here's a new chapter! Thank you for the brownies and reviews! :) Yeah, Spot needs SOMETHING. A tranquilizer, probably.
Spot: Hey, hey! What's a tranquilizah? (Pokes Legs) Hey, what's a tranquilizah?
Legs: It's uh...it's fanfiction slang for...a special award given only to special newsies!
Racetrack: (eating tenth brownie) What's goin' on? Heya, Spot!
Spot: Race! Guess who's bein' awawded a tranquilizah!
Racetrack: (eyes narrow) A what?
Spot: That's right, Racetrack. A tranquilizah!
Racetrack: (swallows brownie, still contemplating Spot's words, looks up) Hey, how come I don't get a tranquilizah? Huh? (nudges Legs) I mean, aftah all, (shrugs, eyes innocent) dis story's about me, ain't it?
Legs: Okay, Race, you can have one, too.
Racetrack: (grins triumphantly at Spot) Ha.
Dreamer: (whines) But keeping you in suspense is fun! (pouts) Oh...fine. Hey, I hope you like this chapter!
Imaginelet: Awww, I know how you feel! Dumb computer...grrrr. Thanks for the review, though! Oh, Priscilla got loose sometime last night but don't worry! If she doesn't get lost in the wilderness, the coyotes will eat her by morning. No, seriously, Priscilla will have more to say as times goes on. :) Yeah, the dialogue between Tanya and Race went better than I thought it would! (Sweetly) That's because I have such an AMAZINGLY INTELLIGENT NEWSIE to help me (gets a hug from Racetrack). See? Flattery DOES get you everywhere. Or...at least it'll get you a hug! :) Thanks...read on!
Emotions: You mean...you've read FIVE CHAPTERS and you haven't reviewed till NOW? How sad! I could have been writing you little notes! (Weeps) (gets another hug from Race) Heheh. I'm so glad you like this! I've heard "Danny Boy" done by Roger Whittaker and Charlotte Church. The guy I mentioned was the writer of the original music and lyrics. :) Thank you so much for reviewing! Hope you like the new chapter!
PsYcHoJo: Yup, fire. :) Lol. Thanks.
Angelic One: Thank you! Don't worry, Tanya will take care of Katherine. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The newsies are singing for you and Kate!
Racetrack: Happy Boithday ta ya!
Jack: Happy Boithday ta yous!
Together: Happy Boithday, deah goilies!
Spot: And some boithday cake, too!
Racetrack: Dat's not how it goes!
Spot: Shut up! Oah I'll soak ya!
Snipeshooter: Now let's not resort to violence...
LILMAXIE: Yeah, Racetrack's hot. Max is hot. We're all hot! WWWWOOOOOOHOOOOO! Uh. Sorry. Heh. Thank you so much for your review! I'm so glad you think this is fun. Yeah, Tanya's growing on me. Yup, much more to come! These updates are coming quicker than usual, too. I'm so proud of myself. Yay me. Ahahahaha..uh...ha..okay, maybe no? Let me know what you think of this. :D
Raven: Ten points for Raven! Sort of...:D Awww, just read it. Yeah, Tanya's falling-that's for sure. Falling into WHAT remains to be seen...Thanks...(hugs Raven)
Disclaimer: Newsies is property of Disney
Said characters are owned by said wonderful fanfiction colleagues
"Candle on the Water" by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn was performed by Helen Reddy in "Pete's Dragon" which is also Disney's.
Hit it...
Tanya felt as if the world had suddenly slowed down. Things happened in surreal motion. People pushed and shove, vying for a position closer to the exit. But as they drew nearer the doors, it became obvious the fire had begun there.
In panic the crowd turned and began moving towards the stage, hissing and fermenting as one terrifying, trampling mob.
The other actresses were gone, Tanya noted. She wound her way backstage and tripping, felt herself being pushed forward by the hundreds behind her. Making it through a side door, she found herself in the dark smoky air. Shouts of men and screaming horses filled her ears as her eyes followed figures dancing through the moving shadows and flame. And there...along one wall a huddled figure...
"Katherine!"
The girl looked up, her eyes wide with fear and something Tanya couldn't interpret. A wild kind of despair.
"Where's Kate?"
Katherine didn't answer.
"Have you seen Kristen?"
No response.
Tanya grasped the girl's hands and pulled her towards her. Katherine allowed herself to be limpingly led away from the building.
They reached the end of the street and they turned back to look. The theater front had been easy kindling for the starving flames. The girl watched in horrified fascination as the wall collapsed inwards. Terrified shouts from inside made Tanya's heart sink. People still ran fro and to, trying to escape the panic of the fire.
Katherine whimpered and fell forward into Tanya's arms.
A voice echoed in the young woman's mind, "If ya evah need me..."
Pulling Katherine onto her back, Tanya hobbled forward-towards the only help she could think of.
The girl thought her legs were going to buckle under her before she made it to the top of the steps.
The sound of raucous laughter and boyish shouts made the lodging house fairly vibrate.
With her last second of strength, Tanya fell against the door. "I need help!" she cried faintly.
Nothing happened. She tried to call louder but her voice failed then. Tanya and her burden slumped on the stairs.
"How did I get here? After narrowly escaping a fire, I'm sitting on the steps of a lodging house in the middle of the night, holding a chorus girl, and waiting for help from a newsboy I barely know. Why can't I wake up?"
The call directly on the other side of the door stirred her thoughts back to the immediate, "Who's there?" Kloppman opened the door and peered out into the darkness.
Looking down, he saw the two girls, still dressed in their black lace and garters.
"Can I help ya?"
Before she could answer, the door was opened wide, revealing a crowd of curious newsies.
Tanya's eyes looked into their faces, searching for one. She couldn't see it.
Jack Kelly eyed her for a moment, "Hey, auhnt you the goil from the hall?"
Blink nodded in affirmation, "Yeah, da one Racetrack was all ga-ga foah!"
A voice from the room behind them made the boys turn around. "A'right, who's up foah anotha round? Huh? Who's bettin'?"
The silence generated made the newsie stop, "Hey, what's goin' on heah? He pushed his way to the front and started rather violently at the sight of Tanya and Katherine at his door.
"Tanya? What...?"
"The hall is on fire. Please, Katherine's been hurt."
Without a word, Bumlets left the room.
The rest of the boys looked at the girl, lying unconscious in Tanya's arms. Jack made a move and reaching out, gently lifted her from the steps. The newsboy carried her in and set her on the sofa in the front room. Someone helped Tanya up and ushered her in. The door was shut and there was a string of questions as Tanya began to examine Katherine's blistered feet.
"What's wrong wid 'er?"
"Why does yous smell like smoke?"
"Who ah you?"
"Is she alive?"
"Ah you okay?"
"Ah you on da stage?"
"What's ya name? Mine's Blink."
"How come you came heah?"
"Ah ya married?"
"What's 'er name?"
"Why is ya both dressed like dat?"
"SHUT UP ALL A YA AND GIVE 'EM A CHANCE TA BREATHE!" Racetrack began shoving his friends back and clearing a space around the perimeter of the couch.
The noise settled some. Kloppman had brought ice from the ice box and they wrapped her feet in towels.
Tanya watched Katherine's now steady breathing and sighed, relieved. At least she was comfortable.
The girl felt a million eyes on her and she turned to stare back, "Hi."
"Hey!"
"Hi!"
"Miss." Skittery tugged on his hat respectfully.
"What do you say, goily!"
"How's it goin'?"
"I like ya dress."
"Hey, Tanya, wheah ya gonna go tanight?" It was Racetrack standing over her, sleeves rolled, and hands shoved deep into his pockets. The girl stared at him, watching those bright brown eyes that knew more about the world than they would ever tell. Watching the way his jaw worked from side to side, his hollow cheek bones and thin body revealing how little he probably had to eat. The smile lines around his mouth...
"Tanya...Hello in deah," the boy was waving a hand in front of her face.
She felt her cheeks and the back of her neck grow hot with embarrassment, "Um, what?"
Racetrack shook his head, "Ya crazy, ya know dat?"
Tanya shrugged, still blushing.
"Well, it's too late for you goils ta go someplace else. Us boys'll fix ya up a spot down heah on da couch." Jack motioned for two of the others to fetch blankets and pillows.
"Thank you," Tanya had found her voice.
Jack shrugged in a non-committal way, "Yeah, shoa. Glad to oblige."
The newsboys had gone upstairs and Kloppman had retired to a backroom, leaving Tanya and Katherine the front room. It was dark and Tanya watched through the window as the moon rose, glowing with summer. Katherine whimpered in her sleep and the girl put her arms around her as if to protect her from something. The words of a song came...
I'll be your candle on the water
My love for you will always burn
I know you're lost and drifting
But the clouds are lifting
Don't give up
You'll have somewhere to turn
I'll be your candle on the water
Till every wave is warm and bright
My soul is there beside you
Let this candle guide you
Soon you'll see a golden stream of liiiiiiiigggght...
The stairs behind her creaked and Tanya turned to see a handsome newsboy resting his elbow on the banister.
"Jack! I thought everyone was asleep!"
He shifted uncomfortably, "Yeah, well..."
A noise behind him and a yawning Skittery became visible on the step above.
"Wha-..."
"We liked your music," Mush explained from his spot beside Blink.
"Don't stop!" begged Snipeshooter.
The clouds moved past the moon and the light shone over the stairs, revealing drowsy newsies crowding every step.
Racetrack sat at the very top of the stairs. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned and his bright eyes seemed to grow larger in the dark. He grinned sleepily Tanya looked at him for a moment and then began to sing again...
A cold and friendless tide has found you
Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down
I'll paint a ray of hope around you
Circling in the air
Lighted by a prayer
I'll be your candle on the water
This flame inside of me will grow
Keep holding on
You'll make it
Here's my hand
So take it
Look for me reaching out to show
As sure as rivers flow
I'll never let you go...
Nothing stirred in the quiet night as the boys sat listening...
I'll never let you go...
Tanya brushed the hair out of Katherine's face...
I'll never let you go...
A/N: Well...there it was. Hmmm...ladidadada...on to SEVEN! Love you all, Legs
Legs comments on: canned green beans
They taste funny. Enough said.
