Wow! Chapter twenty six! I can't believe I have made it this far. I told myself at the very beginning that I would finish this story and I will. Only four more chapters to go. It makes me kinda sad. But I am also relived in a way. I can get on with my other stories. The one's that I have been slacking off on. I can't believe that I have 200 reviews. That's crazy. Thank you guys so much!

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.

Chapter Twenty-six

It wasn't exactly safe, walking around the streets of New York alone, at night. But Olivia and I made it back to the Lodging House without any problems. I couldn't stand being locked up in that theater any longer. It held to many memories of all of the mistakes that I had made over the last two months. I didn't know what to do anymore, it seemed like everywhere I turned there was another reminder of my past. I just wanted to move on, but there were so many regrets holding me back.

When we returned to my temporary home, I set up a bunch of blankets on the floor and Olivia slept in my room that night. We talked for a little while about random topics, things that I would soon forget by the next morning. But Olivia knew that I wasn't ready to pour my heart out and that I would talk to her when the time was right. So she just gave me my space and we fell asleep as the sun was rising.

Another three days went by without anything interesting happening. I spent most of the time wondering about the Lodging House. I was surprised that Racetrack hadn't came and spoke with me yet about what happened at the party. I think he was just happy that I was learning to take things a lot better than I used to. I didn't cry, I didn't stop eating or lock myself in my room. But even though I was able to fool the minds of those around me. I was still unable to fool myself.

Booker continued to stop by every day to visit me and he was gracious enough not to mention the party when we spoke. Every once in awhile I would ask him how things were going in Brooklyn and he would go into a story about something insignificant that one of the newsies did. But each time he refused to allow himself to mention Spot Conlon.

Even though I secretly blamed him for everything that had happened, I couldn't help saying that I didn't love his company. Race and Booker had become like my stepping stones, the rocks that held me up when I could no longer hold myself. I didn't know what I would do without either of them in my life. But I still couldn't help thinking about Spot. He had been the only thing that was worth living for.

I woke up to a foggy morning as I looked out my bedroom window. The glass was slightly frosted and I drew a sun on it with the tip of my finger. It was a habit that my mother had always scolded me for and yet I still had yet to concur it. I turned around and walked over to my dresser. I could tell that it was still early as I got dressed and tip toed out of the room. I needed to use the bathroom before the boys got up and I wanted to beat the morning rush.

I couldn't help but smile at how peaceful they looked when they slept. Sometimes when I was a little girl I used to sit and stare at my parents while they slept, wondering what they were dreaming about. I would spend all day just thinking about whether or not it was any better than there actual life. But that was when I was young and oblivious to the actual cruelty that people had to face everyday.

I finished washing my face in the sink and then returned to my room. I decided that there wasn't anything better to do until the boys woke up. So I rummaged through my dresser and found a light shawl that I threw over my shoulders. Then I opened the window and climbed up on the roof. By then the fog was clearing away and the sun was starting to rise, turning the sky a light shade of orange and purple. I didn't know why, but I had a uneasy feeling in my stomach that morning.

I knew that the reason I had awoke so early was because I had spent all night tossing and turning in my bed. I had a horrible feeling that something bad was going to happen. Maybe I was being paranoid. But maybe I had just grown so used to trouble that I could tell when it was coming before it even got there.

Yet I also knew in my head that I hadn't felt completely normal ever since I was sick. The small pains in my stomach would go away for hours at a time and then come back when I least expected it. It wasn't as bad as it used to be. But sometimes I would get lightheaded and nauseated in the middle of the night and wake up in a cold sweat. I didn't know exactly what was wrong with me. Bust as long as I was still able to function properly, I placed it in the back of my mind.

I loved sitting up on the roof because I loved being able to look out over the entire city. I think it was because it made me feel like, for just a second, that I was back on top of the world. These were the times when I missed being part of the upper class society. Only a few months ago I had hated everything about being rich. But I now hate being poor even more. I hate having people look down on me for no reason at all. I hate being dirty and starving when I go to bed at night. I hate watching my friends suffer and know that there is nothing I could do to help. But somehow these new feeling made me hate my old life even more. Because I realize now that I had contributed to this horrible corruption of society.

I started to get upset and decided to stop thinking about those things and just sat on the roof listening to the sounds of the city. The soft murmur of the crowd in the market place that was set up only a street away from the Lodging House. The soft chirping of the baby birds in the nest that was made in the corner of the roof and the thumping of many feet on a hard wood floor as the boys finally woke up downstairs.

After a few minutes passed by I heard Racetrack knock on my bedroom door. When I didn't answer he opened it up and walked in. I waited patiently as he climbed up the fire escape and smiled when his head appeared over the wall.

"Why are ya up so early?" he asked curiously as he walked over and joined me on the wall.

I just shrugged my shoulders and looked back over the city. "I didn't sleep very well." I was careful not to mention the fact that it was because I was scared that something was going to happen or that my stomach was still hurting. Because I knew that he would become worried and want me to go to the doctors. Even though we both knew that we didn't have enough money to pay for the bill. The doctor had been generous before when I had gotten sick the first time. But I had a feeling that he wouldn't be so nice the second time I showed up without any money.

"Are ya gunna come selling wit me today?" Race asked. I thought about it for a moment. For the last few days I had been going with him to sell the morning edition. It made the day go by just a little bit faster. But I knew that today I wasn't feeling completely up to it. Besides the other day I almost had a close run in with Rose. Jack was smart enough and quickly dragged me away before anything could happen. I just pretended like I didn't see her there talking with her blonde haired friend about Spot.

"I think I will just stay in today, Race. If that's all right?" He nodded his head.

"Yeah its fine," Race said as he looked over at me and then a few minutes later he spoke again. "Are ya sure your alright?"

I looked over and met his eyes. I contemplated whether or not I should tell him how I was worried that something was going to happen today. But I knew he would just think that I was strange. Because I didn't know what was going to happen or who it was going to happen to. So I just nodded my head. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired that's all."

He seemed to find that as an antiquate excuse and got to his feet. "Ok, well I'll be back later. Is Booker stopping by again today?"

"He should be," I replied.

Race nodded his head. "Alright Doll, stay outta trouble."

"I will," I said as Race climbed back down the fire escape.

I didn't know what I was going to do while they were away. So I just sat up there for another half an hour. I watched the newsies from the roof as they left and headed for the distribution center. Once they were long gone from view, I stood up and went back downstairs. When I looked around my room, I realized just how dirty it actually was. So I decided that while they were away I would clean up a bit.

I grabbed a small bucket from a closet in the bunk room and filled it up with the cold water. I grabbed an old rag that nobody would use and went back into my dark bedroom. I decided to clean the window first because so much dirt had collected on it that the sun was barely able to shine through. But after two wipes the rag was filthy and I knew that this would take awhile.

Once I was finished cleaning the window it was amazing how much brighter my room looked. I cleaned the mirror on my dresser next and had to refill the water before I started on everything else. I wiped off the brass bars of my bed and the wooden legs of the chair that sat in the corner. After I was finished cleaning, I swept the floor and started picking up my clothes. I placed out the dresses that were the most filthy and removed the blanket and sheets from my bed. I threw them into a basket and took them into the bathroom. I had never done my own laundry before but did my best to clean them. My hands were raw from scrubbing as I threw them back into the basket and took them up onto the roof. I hung them on an old clothes line and tried my hardest to keep the wind from blowing them away.

I was so exhausted that I went back downstairs and fell asleep on Racetracks bed, since my own sheets were wet. I woke up with the sound of someone calling my name and shaking my shoulder gently. I expected to see Race but when my vision finally cleared I was staring into the hazel eyes of Olivia. "Sorry for wakin ya up." She said smiling.

"Oh, its alright. I was just taking a quick nap." I replied as I yawned and stretched out my arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I have off work today so I decided to come and visit." Olivia said as she sat down on the bed next to me. "Besides I need da talk ta ya."

"Alright, lets go back up on the roof. I need to make sure my clothes didn't blow away." I replied smiling.

I could now feel the summer sun beating down on me as I once again climbed back up the fire escape, this time with Olivia behind me. "So how have ya been?" she asked once were sitting down comfortably on the wall.

"Alright, I guess."

"That's good. I'm happy to see dat your takin things better than I thought." Olivia replied happily.

I just smiled at her and shook my head. "Why all of a sudden is everybody so concerned with my well being? I can take care of myself."

Even though my words came out a little harsh, Olivia didn't take it personally. She had been around me long enough now to know how I expressed things. She just ignored my comment and continued smiling. "Because your our friend, Hanna."

That was the first time in awhile that anybody had called me by my real name. It was so foreign to my ears that it felt like it didn't belong to me anymore. But Olivia was the only one who I allowed to call me that. Because it would have been rather strange for a girl to call me Dollface. "I know, it's just a little frustrating at times."

Olivia nodded in understanding and then we fell into an uncomfortable silence. I knew that she had something that she wanted to say to me. I could tell by her nervous movements, as she fidgeted beside me. So I just sat there until she finally cracked. It didn't take very long before she turned to me. "I have something I need to tell you." The worried look in her eyes made me slightly nervous.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Well, here it goes…yesterday morning I got a letter from my aunt who lives in Boston. I had been keeping in touch with her ever since my mother died. She had just gotten married to a very wealthy business man and she was telling me how they were having a beautiful home built in Virginia. But there is still much work to be done before it finally becomes livable. Well you see, she has always wanted children but she found out when she was younger that she was unable to have any. So she wants me to come and live with her and help her get the house ready." For a few moments after Olivia finished the information didn't quit sink in. "But you see, I had spoke of you before in many of my letters and she wishes for you to come as well."

My eyes grew wide in shock as I tried to understand what she was saying. "You want me to go with you to live at your aunts house in Virginia?" I asked.

"Yes," Olivia said slowly. Knowing that this was a lot of information for me to take in.

"Would we ever be returning to New York?"

"Most likely, no." Olivia replied. "She said that as long as we help out around the house she will pay for us to go to school down there. That would be our new home, Hanna."

I sat there in a daze for what seemed like hours. Olivia was asking me if I wanted to leave. To go and live in a normal house with a normal family. To leave behind everything that I had ever known and ever loved. But she had also just given me a permanent escape from the pain of my life. It was a chance to start anew, to get back everything that I was missing. Was I ready for such a change?
I looked up at her with a furrowed brow, "I will have to think about this." I said. "I can not just rush into a decision."

"Yes, I understand." Olivia replied with a smile.

"When would you be leaving?" I asked.

"We would be leaving in four days. I know its soon but it's a very long trip." Olivia replied as she got to her feet. "Well I have to get back home. I know it's a hard decision, but think about it. There's nothing left for you here."

I watched her leave as her words lingered in my mind. Was she right? Was there nothing left for me here. I got up and walked over to the clothes as I took them off the line and folded them up. I carried the basket down into my room and was putting the sheets back on my bed when I heard some of the boys return.

I looked up quickly when I heard the creaking of the door hinges as it was pushed open. Jack was standing there smirking at me from the doorway. "Hey Dollface," he said. I was curious as to what he wanted but I just kept my mouth shut.

"Hey Jack," I replied.

He looked around the room with amazement. "Wow, ya sure did a good job cleanin up around here." He said and then tilted his head to the side. "What's wrong?"

I stared up at him confused. "There's nothing wrong…why?"

"Because ya always clean when your upset." he replied. "And I finally got used ta having ya happy again. So whats wrong?" This made me laugh.

"There is nothing wrong, Jack. I didn't clean because I'm upset, I cleaned my room because I was bored and it gave me something to do." Jack raised his eyebrow like he didn't believe me. I sighed and glared at him. "Really…there's nothing wrong."

"Alright," Jack said. He turned around to leave but then he remembered something. "Hey, did Booker stop by today? I needed to talk to him."

I shook my head. "No, he was supposed to. Maybe he is running late. I'm sure he will show up later."

But the day went on and hours passed by, yet Booker still didn't show up. He had mentioned yesterday that he would definitely be here today and he wasn't one to break his word. By dinner time, I was becoming slightly nervous. What could have happened that would keep him in Brooklyn? I was sure that I was just overreacting and so I walked out to find Racetrack. "Hey Dollface," Race replied in his normal greeting.

"Hey Race," I said as I sat down on the bed beside his own. "How was your day?" I asked trying to start a conversation.

He just made a huffing noise and sat up in his bed. "Da headline sucks! I barely made fifty cents. I hope it gets betta or I'll be livin on da streets."

Even though they were all broke the boys decided to go to Tibby's for dinner. With a little bit of convincing from Racetrack I had been persuaded to come along. My stomach was starting to hurt a little bit but I just ignored it. It was a nice day out and I laughed most of the way as Mush told us about some girl he met.

We sat down in our normal booths in the restaurant and the waiter brought us out some water. Everyone who worked at Tibby's knew us and didn't mind if we stopped by as long as we didn't cause any problems. I sat at a booth with Race, Jack, Mush and Kid Blink. I told them that I still had some money left and that I would pay for them to eat. But they refused to let me spend my last bit of money on them, so we all just sat there and talked.

Everything was going great and I had almost completely forgot about Booker when we heard the bell above the door chime and he came walking in. He was panting heavily as if he had just run all the way from Brooklyn and he tried his hardest to catch his breath. Jack stood up quickly and went over to him. "Whats goin on?" He asked sternly.

"Its…Its Blade," Booker panted. All of the newsies sat quietly and listened.

"What about Blade?" Jack asked.

"I was walkin here when I saw Blade. I was wonderin what he was doin in Manhattan but I didn't think anything of it. Then I saw him meet up with Flasher." I remembered Flasher from the second day I arrived in Manhattan. He was the one newsie who didn't want me to stay. I listened intently as Booker continued. "Well when I was walkin by I heard dem mention Brooklyn. Der was somethin about da way that dey were actin that was makin me suspicious. So I hid behind a trash can ta listen to what dey were sayin." He stopped to breath for a second and then continued. "Its Queens, Jack! Blade and Flasher have been on der side all along. I heard Blade telling him how they were planning on takin Spot outta power and how he was gunna take over. He was saying dat der would be a union between Brooklyn and Queens. Flasher was spying on Manhattan all along, tryin to see if you were gunna do anything ta help Spot. But Blade doesn't just want ta take Spot outta power…der gunna kill em' Jack! At sunset tonight!"

"What! We don't got anytime ta get der!" Jack said as he swore to himself. I jerked my head sideways and looked out the window. My heart sunk as I saw the sky turning colors. There was probably only a half an hour before the sun was completely down. I jumped to my feet and everyone looked at me.

Before I knew what I was doing I ran towards the door, Jack tried to stop me but I slipped passed him and made it outside. I wasn't about to stand around and wait while Spot had no idea what was going on. There was no time to waste thinking of a plan. I ran as fast as I possibly could towards the Brooklyn Bridge. The sound of many pounding footsteps echoed behind me. "Wait!" I heard Racetrack yell.

"There isn't anytime to wait!" I screamed.

I continued running at full speed and I knew that I had to much of a head start for them to catch me. It was a long distance to Brooklyn and my lungs were burning as I took each breath. The muscles in my legs were throbbing and I felt like I was about to get sick. But no matter how horrible I felt, I could think of nothing but helping Spot.

Then sun had set completely by the time we made it halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge and suddenly something made me stop in my tracks. My heart froze as I saw bright orange flames rising from the docks. The boys caught up with me and stood there silently staring with wide eyes. Please God, Don't let us be to late!

Thank you:

C.M. Higgins- Lol of course I have to thank you once again! Your reviews are always so nice. You have helped me out with a lot of things and you're a great friend. I am glad I started talking to you. I hope you liked this chapter, although I know you will let me know as soon as you read it. Let me know what you think and you better update Spots Milkshake soon!

ocdchick- I'm happy you are back! I know how it feels when you comp freeze's. I hate when that happens! Mine does that all the time. I am happy you like the story. I haven't really had time to write. So this chapter was sort of rushed. But I still think I did an ok job. I hope you like it. The next chapter is the most important chapter of the story. Thanks again!

Spunkz- Hey! It would suck to keep getting hit by these hurricanes. I live in Pittsburgh and last week we got hit by like, the left over rain and it almost flooded like the entire city. If the three rivers would have gotten a little higher downtown would have been under water. Well, I am glad that you liked the last chapters. Even though I know you probably hate me because Spot and Hanna are not together. But I can't help it, the whole story is already planned out. So I can't change anything. Lol Well the next chapter is the most important one of the story. I hope you don't get hit to bad with the hurricane. I hope to hear from you.

Splashey- I can't believe you are still here after all this time. Lol I think you are the one reviewer that has stuck with me since almost like the beginning. Your reviews are always great and very motivating. Thanks so much! But you make me so happy because you always seem to get everything that I am trying to explain in the story. Some people miss things and then don't understand why I write what I do. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it leaves you hanging, but the next chapter is the best one of the whole story!

Swimade333- Your reviews are always so nice. I am very happy that you liked the last chapter. I know I am sorry that they are not together. I can't help it, the story is already planned out and I cant change it. Lol I wish I could. But I hope you like this chapter, it leads up to the next chapter, which is the best one of the entire story. I hope you like it! Well if you can, because its not a very happy chapter.

Clover- Hey! Yeah I know what you mean about Hanna not liking Race. But like you said. She looked up to him too much as a brother. So now it would just be weird for her to like him. Well in her opinion anyway. I am so happy that you are still reading my story and liking it. Lol I hope you liked this chapter. The next chapter is the most important one of the entire story! Let me know what you think!

Joker is Poker with a J- I am happy that you were not to upset about me not updating before. Don't worry, I know what you mean about getting to into stories. I do that all the time. I'm just happy that you can read mine like that. I hope you like this chapter. It leads into the next chapter which is the most important one of the story. Keep letting me know what you think!

Koodles4You- Hey! I am so happy that you were not angry that I made you wait. I didn't mean to I just didn't have anytime. I hate the ending of every chapter to. But I have to write it so that my readers cant wait to read the next chapter. I know you probably hate me for the way this chapters ends. The next chapter is the most important chapter of the story! I cant wait. Don't worry I will definitely have it up next weekend. Because I have most of it already written. I hope you liked this chapter, even though the ending leaves you hanging. I hope to hear from you soon.

The Good Girl- Your review made me laugh! I am glad you think my story kicks ass! Lol I really try. I only have four more chapters to write until the end. Once I am finished I am going back and fixing the things that I messed up on. Which is a lot of stuff! But reviews like yours make my day. Thanks so much!

Fait Aka Taps- Thanks so much! I am so happy that you started reading my story. I hope that you like these chapters! Thanks also for saying that I am a good writer, it means a lot to me.

truecalifornian- Well I'm glad to hear from you again. I know Spot is being an asshole, but I can't help it. The story is already planned out. I hope you liked this chapter…even though the end leaves ya hanging. The next chapter is the best chapter! I can't wait!

Smiley Cad- Your review like made my day. I am so happy that you finally caught up with my story. I know it is long and takes awhile to read. I am so glad that I help you with your stories. It means a lot to me. I know, I don't personally want Booker and Hanna together either. But the story is already planed out so I just have to go with it. Lol I hope you like this chapter. Then next one is the most important one of the entire story. Let me know what you think!

Morning Dew- YOUR BACK! Lol, well sort of. I am just happy that you are reading my story again. I hope you get caught up. I only have like four more chapters to go until the end. Its so crazy! Anyway, your review was so nice and It made my day. Keep reading and I hope to hear from you again.

Luv ya all,

BlackWiltedRose