*Here is my next chapter. This is kind of an emotional chapter. It took me awhile to write it and I know that there are some spelling mistakes, but I tried. I hope you enjoy this chapter it was hard to write. I am just so happy that I am getting such a big response out of my readers. Keep reviewing and I hope to hear from you soon.*

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from the Newsies movie. I wish I did, but I sadly don't. So I will just have to stick with my character, Hanna. Who belongs entirely to me.

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Chapter Five

The day was cold and dreary, which was a perfect comparison to my mood at the time. There wasn't a sign of the sun to be seen anywhere in the eastern sky and I shivered as I walked down the street with Jack by my side. He was carrying a stack of papers in his left arm and held a cigarette up to his mouth with the right. Racetrack was stalking behind us hollering out the headlines to the people. He normally sold his papers alone but today he would make an exception. I actually found it to be a very interesting business, selling papers and a hard one at that.

Yet the hardest part for me came when I had to start blocking out the voices of the other newsies on the streets as they screamed "Fatal Fire Kills Two Unsuspecting Citizens." Jack and Racetrack tried to keep me occupied most of the time and I was grateful. But soon my feet began to burn with lack of rest and a soft rain started to fall making my ears numb from the cold.

It wasn't until the sun started setting, that I really began to feel exhausted. Jack had long been through with selling his papers and Race had just gotten rid of his last one. So we were on our way back to the Lodging House when the rain began to pour down hard.

"Come on, we only gots anudda block ta go," Jack yelled back to me. It was hard to hear his voice as the wind carried it away through the rooftops. By now the clouds had completely covered up the sun and an early night had befallen us. I could barely see Racetrack walking only a few feet in the distance and yelled for him to slow down, but my voice wasn't strong enough to be heard.

So every time there was a flash of lighting I followed the outline of there retreating figures. Yet each time they seemed to get farther and farther away. Until I couldn't see them at all. I knew that the Lodging House was near by, so I continued to walk forward a little faster. It wasn't until I came upon a park where the road split into three different directions, that fear hit me hard. I was lost. So in a desperate attempt not to panic I decided to look down each road individually and see if anything familiar stood out.

I had never in all my life felt as horrible as I did now. The water was soaking through my shoes and my dress looked brown instead of purple from the mud. But I wouldn't give up hope. I had walked over to the road on the right and squinted my eyes to see. There was a bright flash of lighting which alit the buildings around me but nothing looked familiar. So I stumbled over to the left road and repeated the same procedure. My heart filled with joy as I located Tibby's dinner in the distance. But it only served to remind me that the lodging house wasn't in that direction. So with only one more road to check, I turned around quickly as a flash of lighting hit.

My heart stopped for a moment and the breath caught in my lungs, as I stood looking up at an extremely large creature towering above me. It wasn't until I heard it neigh that I realized it was a horse. Screaming loudly, I fell backwards into the mud. I barely had time to roll out of the way when one of its hooves landed hard on my shoulder. I cried out in pain and tried to move but I seemed to be temporarily paralyzed with fear.

I knew in my mind that no normal person would ever be out walking the streets in this weather. So it came as quite a surprise to me when two strong hands grabbed my forearms and pulled me backwards. A sharp jab of pain pulsated throughout my entire right side and tears started falling from my eyes. Another flash of lighting hit and I could see that on the road in front of me, there was a man driving a horse and carriage.

"Get outta my way ya cruddy street rats," The old man hollered at us as he hit the horse hard with the reins and continued on his way.

I didn't know what was worse. The stinging sensation from the wound in my shoulder or the pain from dejection that had just began to overwhelm my entire being. I was stuck on the streets, dirty, lost and completely alone. How could so much happen to a person, in so short a time?

Wait, but I wasn't alone. Someone had pulled me out of the way of that horse. I turned around urgently to see my savior but they had vanished. The rain continued to fall and I refused to look at my shoulder, afraid of what I would see. My mind remained on the face of that old man and how he had driven away without a seconds glance, not even to see if I was alright.

I looked around and could see people inside buildings taking shelter from the rain. Those who saw me looked down through the glass repulsively. They didn't know it but I had once been a part of there crowd. But I was lost to them now. This was the new me, the old me had died in that fire along with my parents.

The wind began to blow and I just sat in the middle of the muddy street in a slight stupor. I didn't care if another carriage came, I didn't care about anything anymore. My skin became pale and cold. I knew that if I didn't get out of the rain I would soon get hypothermia. But my muscles refused to move. Actually I think a part of me wanted to die at that moment, just to stop the suffering.

I could feel the warm liquid running down my right arm and chest, soaking through my dress. I tried to move my fingers but all I got was a numbing sensation and a jab of pain. Another gust of wind came and a soggy, wet newspaper blew onto the street in front of me. I looked down sorrowfully and starring up at me was the New York World. The cover page was adorned with the black and white photograph of my house on the night that it burned to the ground.

What right did they have? How could they just go around announcing it to the whole city like it was some kind of spectacle? People die everyday and no one cares about them. But when its someone of high class the story gets posted on the front page of every tabloid from here to Harlem.

A fit of rage took hold of me and I slammed my fist down hard into the ground. I didn't deserve this…no one did. Yet as I saw the handsome picture of my father starring up at me, I couldn't help telling myself that my parents were somehow to blame for this whole ordeal. They had been there my entire life, telling me what to do and how to live. Yet now when I needed them the most they had to go and leave me forever. What made them think that I could possible handle living my life without them? What made them think that I was strong enough?

My salty tears were mixed with rain as I clutched the crinkled newspaper in my left hand. The fact that I had begun to blame my parents for there own deaths, made me sick to my stomach. I knew that the situation I was in, was my own fault and no one else's. For the longest time I had wanted freedom from a life that billions of kids would have given up everything for. Now here I was, free to do as I wished and all I wanted was to be back in the arms of my mother.

I was so occupied with my own mournful thoughts that I didn't even realize I had begun to weep openly. Two minutes had passed and I had lost complete feeling in my right arm. Each raindrop felt like an ice cold sowing needle that was pricking me all over my body. I must have been a pitiful sight to see, sobbing hysterically in the middle of the muddy street, bruised and beaten in more ways than one. When a few boys came up and surrounded me. I wasn't afraid, but I still felt a hint of relief when a familiar voice spoke. It was Racetrack.

I couldn't look up, nor could I halt the tears that fell freely down my pale cheeks as he walked slowly over to my side. It was as if I could feel his presence as he knelt down beside me. I shivered as his warm hand touch mine own. Race gently pried opened my fingers and took the newspaper out of my clutches. I tilted my head and looked up at him.

"Are you alright?" he asked and even through the darkness I could see the worry and concern on his face. I shook my head no as even more tears welled up in my eyes. I could hear the boys around us whispering and wondered what they thought of me now.

I knew that Race wanted to talk to me, but this was not the place nor the time. So instead he reached out a hand, offering me his assistance. Forgetting about my injury I tried to move my right arm and screamed loudly. Finally realizing that I was hurt, Race yelled to another kid, who quickly hurried over.

I recognized the curly haired boy immediately, it was Mush and he looked even more concerned than Race did. Mush didn't speak but instead he put an arm around my back and hauled me to my feet. I steadied myself for a moment, as the dizziness went away. But as I tried to stand on my own, I quickly realized that I practically had no control over my own legs and found myself falling to the ground once more. Mush put his arms under my legs and lifted me into the air. I leaned my head against his chest and mumbled slowly. "We have to stop meeting like this!"

That was the last thing that anyone said until we made it back to the Lodging House. Race held the door open for Mush to carry me inside. Sitting around in the entrance way was fourteen of the boys who had been, by the looks of it, drying off after a hard days work. They starred up bewildered at us when we arrived. I seen Jack rush over and surprisingly he looked concerned.

"Is she alright?" he asked and Race shrugged his shoulders.

"Well she took a bad beatin from dat horse. Lucky I came along or it woulda trampled her ta death." This came from a loud cocky voice from the corner. The air caught in my lungs as I looked sideways to see Spot sitting next to Boots at a wooden table. I think I must have looked pretty bad because he didn't meet my eyes.

I felt about ready to pass out. The fact that it had been Spot Conlon who had saved me, only added to my confusion. Mush set me down carefully but still supported me with one arm.

"I don't…" chocking on my words, I continued. "I didn't need your help!" I said forcefully to the Brooklyn leader. That crude smirk that I hated appeared on his lips and I prepared myself for his arrogant response. But it never came, after a long pause he spoke.

"Sure Doll, whateva ya say."

I don't know why but his lack of a reply seemed to let me down slightly. I was in dire need of something or someone to take my frustrations out on and this had seemed like the perfect opportunity. I would have loved to scream at Spot and to tell him just what I really thought of him. But no, he had to go and show is human side. How could I be angry at someone who did nothing to me?

Yet the worst part was, I think Spot knew my intentions all along. For the next few days he would refrain from starting a confrontation with me, no matter how tedious the task, because that was exactly what I wanted and Spot couldn't let me get the better of him.

A strong gust of ice cold wind was carried in from the still open doorway as papers on the desk blew off onto the floor and I shivered slightly. My legs began to feel weak again and a wave of nausea washed over me. I let go of Mush and clutched my stomach tightly with my left arm. The boys backed away quickly, afraid that I would get sick. I remained in a hunched over position for at least five minute, until it passed. I stood up and wobbled backwards into the front desk.

I couldn't figure out what was happening to me. I felt as if I was falling apart by the seams. It had only been two days before when everything in my life had been under complete control, whether by my own hand or someone else's. But now everything was shattering into a thousand pieces, including myself and I didn't know what to do to stop it.

I let my legs give in and I slid down into a sitting position with my back against the cool hard wood. I started to breath heavy and my lungs began to burn. The mud was still dripping uncomfortably down my legs and the pain in my shoulder was unbearable. I started shivering again and this time it was hard to stop.

"Her lips are turning blue," I heard a young voice say, but I didn't look up. Instead I laid down on my side. I didn't care about how dirty the floor was or what the others thought. My insides felt like they were slowly being torn apart and I closed my eyes trying to keep the tears from escaping. "What is she doing?"

"Do ya think she's sleepin?" I heard Mush ask.

"Nah! She mighta passed out like she did before." All the boys began to talk at once. I wanted to open my mouth and tell them to be quiet, but I found myself incapable of doing so.

"Someone needs ta run and get the doc," I heard Jack state. A wave of relief washed over me. At least there was one kid here who knew of what they were doing.

I did not protest when I felt someone lift me into the air and carry me up the stairs. Although whomever it had been, accidentally smacked my wounded shoulder off of something hard. When I cried out, he tensed up and became more cautious.

I was in so much pain that it was hard to even think straight. I was still shivering as someone laid me down in a bed and pulled the covers up overtop of my limp body. I hated not being able to move or to speak. It was as if I was trapped inside the confinements of my mind unable to wake up from this horrific nightmare.

The muscles in my stomach began to constrict painfully and it was becoming continuously more difficult to breath. Even though I felt like I was freezing on the inside, I could feel the cold sweat pouring down my forehead. Oh, how I wished the doctor would get here soon. I didn't know how much longer I could last before I would give in and let the darkness consume me.

I felt a warm hand brush the hair out of my face and place a wet towel on my forehead. But the ache in my stomach was getting worse and every few moments a sharp jab of pain would pulsate throughout my entire body making me jerk forward. Finally the doctor arrived.

I could hear someone talking, but it became muffled and I couldn't comprehend what they were saying. After a few minutes had passed by and the discussion died down. I felt two pairs of hands grip both my arms. I tried to struggle but there was no use. Before I knew it a needle jabbed into my left arm.

I cried out but it seemed to be no use anymore. Nothing I could do would stop the pain as it fought to take control. I felt someone remove the towel and place there hand upon my forehead. Whatever the doctor had given me in the needle, began to ease the pain slightly.

Then I felt a hand being placed on my right shoulder where the wound from the horse was. Whomever it could be, pressed down gently on the gash and I screamed loudly. Why wouldn't they just leave me alone? I needed help and they were hurting me. Where was Race and Mush? Why wouldn't they stop this? I started crying harder. I had to get out of there, I had to get away.

The hand on my shoulder continued to press down and hot tears rolled down my cheeks. Please god, make the pain stop. The tension in my lungs had only begun to multiply with each breath that I took. I knew that in my heart I didn't have the strength to keep fighting and soon my breathing would stop all together.

With the last bit of strength that I had, I forced my eyes open. Everything was blurry but I could just make out an old man standing by my bed side. It must have been the doctor. I turned my head the other way and Race was kneeling on the floor beside me. I reached out my left hand to grab his own.

"P…please help…m..me" He grabbed my hand. Race only tightened his grip as I screamed once more and jerked forward. My entire body began to violently shake and I couldn't stop it. The old man put both hands on my shoulders and held me down firmly. I tried to hold on to what was left of my scrambled sanity. But it was no use, it would have no avail and I succumbed to the darkness that lingered forever over me.

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Thanks to:

NadaZimri- I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yeah I know, I don't know how I would act if I had lost practically my entire life in one night. I guess your right about the bathroom thing. She isn't aloud to leave the room when everyone is sleeping.*cringe* that would suck not to be able to go to the bathroom. But she will just have to wait until the morning.

Coin- Thanks! I didn't want the part where she is complaining about being rich, to be to drawn out. So I'm glad that you thought it was well written. I know there are a lot of mistakes in that chapter. But I'm trying. I don't think I will ever be able to get out all of the mistakes. Well keep reading and thanks again.

Padfootismyhero- Thank you so much! Wow, I've never had such an ecstatic reviewer before and it makes me so happy. I swear you made my day when I read your review. I was in computer class at school and my friends asked me what was so great. Lol Well I hope you continue reading.

Emotions- If I do create another character in my story, I would love to use you. I'll let you know later on. But thanks again!!!

Splashey- I feel like thanks is all that I say, But I can't ever say it enough. I am glad that you like Hanna's nickname, I just thought that it fit. Considering that the Newsies didn't really know her name and most of them just called her dollface. So I figured "hey, why doesn't that just be her nickname." Yeah, Mush and Race are going to be like family to her throughout the story. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, let me know what you think.

Morning Dew- Well I'm very glad your back. No, I have never seen Mona Lisa Smile, although I really wanted to. I got all of that etiquette stuff, because I had to learn it in my cooking class at school. I hope you enjoyed the other chapters and this one as well.

Chris- Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hanna wasn't left with nothing, I just haven't got to that part just yet. In the next chapter she finds out what her parents left her.

Elvenrarehunter- Thanks again and I hope you continue reading.

Lena-jade: Thanks, I'm glad you find my story interesting. Yeah I know I messed up with the numbers. I already went back over my story and corrected them. I just haven't reposted the chapters yet. Oh and there is a love triangle coming up…but not with who you think. There will be a new character coming into the story soon.

Luv ya lots,

Leila3