Chapter 32:

"Oh God…." Fire held onto the pile of crates for balance. Fire took a deep breath to stop from screaming out in pain. Fire bit her lower lip so hard she felt blood seep into her mouth. Fire look in the direction she had run, her own blood was trailing her. Not one place in her body wasn't feeling pain. "What the fuck am I gonna do?" Fire whispered. Fire slid down the brick wall, leaving fresh blood on it. "This is when I could really use a brother or one of my newsies." Fire laid down on the dirt ground, way back in the alley. "I love how I realize that now…… No I don't need them. I never needed them. Well I did need Spot after all my beatings and luckily Jack was there when I go stuck in the tree and Mush was there to get me out of the way of the run away carriage and Blink was there when I stole from that vendor and the cops were after me and Race was there when I saw Mush and his first girlfriend kiss …. That's the past. I don't need them anymore. I am just gonna lye her and I guess bleed to death."

***** Streets of Manhattan*****

"Hey What do you say to Lunch at Annie's today?" Jack asked. "I mean come on we go to Tibby's all the time. Annie's is good to. You two love it there."

"I'm not in the mood for Annie's Jack," Race said looking at the ground. "That's were I took Fire after a heartbreak scene and where she met her second crush. I bet he still works there since he's Annie's son."

"Yea Jack, don't you remember Rodger Cleam?" Blink asked with a smile.

"Who could forget. Also since Mush seemed kinda upset that he wasn't the only man in her life. I remember when Rodger walked into the Manhattan Lodging House looking for Fire. Those two were cute.

A boy about seven walked into the Lodging House. He seemed intimidated by all the Manhattan Newsies who were now staring at him. He had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. He looked around the room. A Newsies wearing a cowboy hat came forward.

"Hey boy what you want?" The cowboy asked.

"I'm looking for Fire Ice Conlon. I'm Rodger Cleam." Rodger held out his hand for the cowboy to shake.

"The names Kelly, Jack Kelly, But you can call me Cowboy." Jack spit into his hand and shook with Rodger. "A newsies thing." Fire came running down the stairs.

"Hey Rodger. Sorry you had to deal with them. They are just a bunch of Newsies with no brains. Come on lets go before my brother comes down the stairs." Fire grabbed Rodger's hand and took off for the door but not before she herd Spot's voice.

"Hold it!" Spot walked through the crowd to the two. "Rodger, you two are what seven. So listen here. Wait ten more years then come back and try for my sister. Bye Rodger." Spot broke Fire and Rodger's hand hold and smirked.

"Spot No. Stop. I hate when you try to control my life." Fire took Rodger's hand again. "I'll be back later."

"Fire your seven." Spot grabbed Fire's shoulder. "Your to young. Listen to me Fire." Fire looked at Rodger then back at Spot and then back at Rodger.

"Sorry Rodger. We cans till hang out sometimes." Rodger nodded and left. "You better buy me something really good to eat." Spot laughed and picked Fire up. "Put me down!"

Race, Jack, and Blink sat down on a bench. Race smiled and jumped onto Jack and Blink's laps. "I love you guys," he said in a fake crying voice. "I am just so happy we are friends."

"Get off me!" They both yelled.

*****Brooklyn******

"A game of poker anyone?" Books asked walking into the lobby.

"No I'd rather stuff my face with all the cookies." Loons pointed to the plates full of cookies. "Medda sent them over. There are all different kinds. She thought we need so cheering up. Why don't you take some up to Spot." Loons handed a plate to Books.

"I've talked to him enough. Why don't you." Loons nodded and headed up the stairs. Loons knocked on Spot's door.

"Who is it?" Spot spoke from the other side of the door.

"Your fav…" Spot cute Loons off.

"Come in Loons," Spot said. Loons opened the door.

"Cookies anyone?" Loons placed them on the bed and started for the door.

"Loons?" Loons turned around. "Am I a mean guy? I mean do I scare you sometimes?" Loons walked back over to the bed and sat down on the other side of the plate.

"Do u mind?" Spot shook his head and Loons picked up a cookie. Spot started eating one too. "Spot you're the most feared and respected Newsie in New York. Yea I'm sure that part of the respect comes from fear. Yes Spot I do fear you sometimes. But who doesn't fear anyone at a time. It just so happens that You scare me. Your temper can get out of control and you can be very violent. But I've learned to live with it ad it doesn't scare me that much anymore. I know for a fact that you scare everyone down in that lobby right now. No one has ever seen you loose a fight, back down, cry, show emotion. There are only two people who would stand up to you. One of them is Books. She dated you and loved you. She saw you for who you were since you loved her too. The other person is Fire. Fire wasn't scared of you but scared of loosing you probably. Fire did what she wanted to do and you couldn't stop her. Spot your know by some people to be evil, inhuman, cruel. If I were you I would hate that and wanna change." Loons grabbed another cookie and stood up. "Hope I answered your question."

"Yea better then I expected." Loons smiled at Spot and left the room.