----Sorry it's been so long guys! Oh yeah and in this chapter Snyder's still in charge of the refuge ok? Here's a long post to make up for it. Plus I got requests to make a long post now didn't I? :)
Chapter 27.
"So you'se Lily eh?" Lightning said drawing forward. Lily backed up a little. "So what if I am?" She asked backing up into the wall. "I'se gonna kill you'se." Lightning said menicingly.
"Wait,wait,wait... why would you wanna kill me? I've done nothin' to you...It's Soda you have to hate...She screws up everyone's lives...If I'm not mistaken...didn't you used to hate her?" Lily said slyly. Lightning stopped and glanced over at Soda.
"You'se know...you'se right. Soda's been a pain in me ass for too long and to end her life would be better for me..." Lightning said grinning. "So whaddya say? Why don't we kill her together?" Lily said with a grin. Lightning drew over to Lily and threw her arm around her.
"You'se know...that would be an awesome idea...but I'm afraid I'se had an appointment to kill someone else." Lighting said driving a blade right into Lily's stomach. Lily gasped and fell to the ground and pulled out the knife. "I'll kill you!" She yelled weakly.
She noticed that Soda was nearer. Soda tried to backup but she couldn't get up so she was trying to back up as far as she could because she was slipping on some blood so she couldn't get up. Lighting ran over to see how Spot was doing.
"Stop it!" Soda yelled. Lily pushed Soda flat onto the ground so she was laying. "Take this." She said raising the knife. Suddenly Lightning pucked up her gun and shot it. Lily fell onto Soda lifelessly. Soda screamed and threw Lily off her.
"So is it all over?" Soda asked panting. Lightning looked over at Soda. "Yes." She replied going over to her. "Soda, I'm sorry....I don't think Spot's gonna make it or not...We got to get him to the hospital and fast." Lighting said going over to Spot. Soda got up and went over to untie Mush.
"Let's get him to the hospital." Mush said picking up Spot. "Let's go." They all walked out of the lodging house and went to the hospital.
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"Soda Basham?" A guy asked walking into the bunk room a week later. "Yeah." Soda said standing up. He drew nearer. All of the Newsies knew exactly who this guy was and they were not about to let him take Soda.
"I am warden Snyder from the refuge and I know that you were a part in the murder of a girl named Lily." Soda looked at the ground. "So what if I was?" She asked. "This is what." Snyder said blowing a whistle. A few cops came up the stairs and cuffed her.
"Take her to the refuge." Snyder said as they dragged Soda out the door. "HEY! You can't do that!" Snipeshooter yelled. "I'm going to fucking kill you." Mush yelled pushing forward as the other newsies held him back. "You want me to take you to?" Snyder scoffed walking out.
Once Snyder was out of sight Mush felt tears fill his eyes. "Why do we live like this huh?" He yelled walking fast over to the fire escape and up the stairs onto the roof. "Why?" He asked feeling tears streaking his face.
"Why Soda anyway...if only she could get out of this shit..." Mush said pacing back and forth. "Spot's in the hospital....Soda's in jail....Lightning might be sentenced to death.... why does life have to be this way?" Mush asked himself.
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Soda's Trial.
"Bring the girl forward." Judge Monahan. Said gesturing to the door. The cops led Soda in. "Oh, I see, Soda Basham is it? What are you in for?" The judge asked. "Being in a crime sir." Soda said smartly.
There was some snickering from the audience. "Being smart doesn't get you anywhere my dear. I believe the refuge is in store?" The judge asked as Snyder walked in.
"Yes, she is in my custody as of now..." Snyder said standing next to Soda. 'I don't like this guy...' Soda thought. "I was thinking that she shall return to the refuge with you...for oh...say..5 months?" The judge asked.
"Um...make it 6." Snyder said. "Alright warden Snyder...Soda will be in the custody of The Refuge until July 22nd." The Judge said benging the gavel. Soda felt Snyder grab her arm so she walked and he held onto her arm. She was led out of the courthouse. Mush was out selling papers with Blink and Race when Blink saw her.
"Fellas! There's Soda!" Blink yelled pointing to the cop putting her into the carriage and closing the door behind her and Snyder. The carriage rode away so they never did get to see Soda for a long time.
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3 months later
"Soda get into my office." Snyder said pushing her in and telling her to sit down. "Have you seen this boy?" He asked holding up a picture of Jack.
"Oh...uh no...warden Snyder sir." Soda said. nervously. "I've been after this boy for a long time. He's been so slippery that I can finally catch the blasted kid. "Hey, we're kids...it's our job." Soda told him. Snyder gave her a sly smile.
"Ah, but not all kida are criminals now are they?" He asked slyly. He grabbed her by her arm and led her back to her cell. He pushed her inside and locked the door. "Have a nice time." He said and walked away. "Whatever..." Soda said looking out the window.
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Mush went to the refuge the next week. "Soda...I think you ought to see this." Mush said handing her a paper through the bars. She took it and read it.
February 14th 1900
Soda,
Hey, I'm glad that we did what we did you know...It was real fun...I want to ask you a question. If anything should happen to me...could you maybe be leader of Harlem? If you can't can you..find a nice leader for Harlem?
I'd much rather you were the leader...but I don't know what's going to happen to me...whether I'll get killed or not...but if I do...please run Harlem with dignity and tell my Newsies...sorry I wasn't always there...and that I'm thinking of them always...
Oh and for Spot...can you tell him how much he still means to me and tell him I'll miss him and I'll be thinking of him too. I hope I can make it through...but if I don't...I'm sorry for all the pain I may have caused you...I never realized how much of a slut and a bitch I was until I took on Harlem for Josh.
Now I have an idea of responsibility and I realized what I did was wrong and I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me for everything.
Always,
Lighting Coleman
Leader of Harlem
Soda put the letter down slowly. "Have you seen her?" She asked Mush. "Yes I'se did...I'se went to her trial too...all of us did." Mush said. "Well what happened?" Soda asked.
"Well her trial went well...she was only sentenced to 5 years in jail...but..." Mush trailed off. He turned from Soda not wanting to finish. "C'mon Mush..just tell me...Anything I'se can think of can be worse then reality..." Soda said.
"Well about a month ago...Lighting got sick.....really sick. She didn't have that much time... She wrote this note and she gave it to me to give to you'se She said sorry to me and she...died. But she died happy. It wasn't any of that misery stuff. I'se think she died in no pain." Mush shook his head and looked up at Soda. "I'm sorry...."
Soda bit her lip. "No, I'm sorry that I don't really have any good memories of Lightning....and now there's never going to be a time to make good ones." Soda said sadly.
Mush let out a sigh and remembered something. "Spot's alright..." Mush told her. "Really?" She said feeling happier. "Yeah...he got out of the hospital last month...he was furious when he found out you were in jail again..." Mush said.
"Isn't he always furious?" Soda asked laughing. "Well, how long are you'se still here for?" Mush asked. "Oh, I'se think 3 more months." Soda said with a smile. Soon the door opened. "You have another visitor." The cop said. in came Spot.
"I'll leave you'se two." Mush said with a smile and left. "Soda...I'se hope this is the last time I have to look at you through bars." Spot said sternly. "C'mon Spot. Ease up." Soda said with a laugh. "Alright, I'se just glad that ya ain't hurt. That none of those stupid stupid judges and cops didn't remember who'se you were and figuring from this they don't remember." Spot said with a smirk.
"In three months...what do we plan to do?" Soda asked. "Three months?!You'se already been in here three months!" Spot exclaimed. "I'se in here for 6...it's been 3." Soda replied. "Three more months?! I'se had to deal without you long enough as it is!" Spot complained.
"Aw quit you're whining. you've lived without me before...and just cuz I'se got to spend another three months in here doesn't mean you'se is gonna die." Soda said laughing.
"Time's up." A cop called. "Alright I'll see ya's later...send my love to everyone k?" Soda said giving Spot a quick kiss through the bars. Spot walked out of the door slowly looking back at Soda. He hated leaving her behind all the time. He knew he would never let them put her in jail ever again.
Lindsey aint that kind of person...I'll protect her from now on... Spot walked out of the refuge and went walking past the orphanage and stopped. Those kids were still inside there with now no older kids there to protect them. Kyle's dead...Lindsey's in jail...Josh was dead....that left him for now.
He turned back and walked inside. Mistress. Collingwell came in. "So you came back huh? Where's Hallie?" She asked. "Jail." Spot muttered. "Shoulda known...now go get started on your chores." She said locking the door.
Spot went up the stairs and into the room. all the kids got up. "Alex!" They all shouted and went over hugging him. "You came back!" Ashley said happily. Rinoa came closer. "Where's Hallie?" She asked.
"Guys, she'll be coming back soon. She's...well not..." Spot didn't want to tell the she was in jail but what choice did he have? "Hallie's in jail...for the next 3 months." Spot said.
"Why?" They all asked. "Well, she just is...well she'll be back...but now I got some chores to do....so go and play." Spot said walking out and taking out a scrub brush from the closet and filling hte bucket with soapy water. He started to scrub the stairs again. Since they got dirty cuz it was usually his and Soda's chore.
This got Spot to thinking.
-----Woo-Hoo A memory...haven't had one of these in a while eh?-----
"Where are you Alex?!" Mistress Collingwell yelled in fury. She ran out to the hall way and saw him at the end.
"Alex... get over hear now!" She yelled. He walked over. "Oh, do I have a punishment waiting for you or what?" She yanked him into her office by his arm. She was furious. He looked up to see her favorite coat. It was a perfect white coat. Now it had mud all over it and ink.
"This was your doing wasn't it?" She demanded. He didn't respond so she pulled his head back by his hair. "Ow, ow, yes!" He yelled trying to get away. "Oh no, you aren't getting out of this one.... She said taking out a hair brush.
"A Hairbrush....?" He asked confused. "Yes..." She said with a smirk. Then he realized what she was going to do. "Oh no, you are not going to do that no...I'm WAY too old for that." Alex said backing up to the door. "No afraid not, no one's too old." Mistress Collingwell said with another smirk.
"Spanking kids isn't right..." Alex said trying to come up with an excuse to get away. "Well they ain't made it illegal yet...so It's effective in my book....on you...I guess we'll have to find out.
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Spot looked down at the ground. He remembered that all too well. He remember how much it hurt too. He wasn't going to let that bitch get to him anymore he felt it was time to bring some of the old Alex back to the place. That old hag deserved every last bit of what she gets.
So Spot went into her office and looked around at her things. First he threw a bunch of things from the desk to the ground. He broke the lamp and threw Ink all over the carpet and over the walls.
He saw a sign on the office door that said "Orphan's NOT permitted." "How sweet." Spot said with a smirk. He took a quill and ink and crossed out Orphans and wrote in big letters, BITCHES.
He walked out of the office and ran back to the room when he heard Misress Collingwell shout, "ALEX!!!!"
Chapter 27.
"So you'se Lily eh?" Lightning said drawing forward. Lily backed up a little. "So what if I am?" She asked backing up into the wall. "I'se gonna kill you'se." Lightning said menicingly.
"Wait,wait,wait... why would you wanna kill me? I've done nothin' to you...It's Soda you have to hate...She screws up everyone's lives...If I'm not mistaken...didn't you used to hate her?" Lily said slyly. Lightning stopped and glanced over at Soda.
"You'se know...you'se right. Soda's been a pain in me ass for too long and to end her life would be better for me..." Lightning said grinning. "So whaddya say? Why don't we kill her together?" Lily said with a grin. Lightning drew over to Lily and threw her arm around her.
"You'se know...that would be an awesome idea...but I'm afraid I'se had an appointment to kill someone else." Lighting said driving a blade right into Lily's stomach. Lily gasped and fell to the ground and pulled out the knife. "I'll kill you!" She yelled weakly.
She noticed that Soda was nearer. Soda tried to backup but she couldn't get up so she was trying to back up as far as she could because she was slipping on some blood so she couldn't get up. Lighting ran over to see how Spot was doing.
"Stop it!" Soda yelled. Lily pushed Soda flat onto the ground so she was laying. "Take this." She said raising the knife. Suddenly Lightning pucked up her gun and shot it. Lily fell onto Soda lifelessly. Soda screamed and threw Lily off her.
"So is it all over?" Soda asked panting. Lightning looked over at Soda. "Yes." She replied going over to her. "Soda, I'm sorry....I don't think Spot's gonna make it or not...We got to get him to the hospital and fast." Lighting said going over to Spot. Soda got up and went over to untie Mush.
"Let's get him to the hospital." Mush said picking up Spot. "Let's go." They all walked out of the lodging house and went to the hospital.
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"Soda Basham?" A guy asked walking into the bunk room a week later. "Yeah." Soda said standing up. He drew nearer. All of the Newsies knew exactly who this guy was and they were not about to let him take Soda.
"I am warden Snyder from the refuge and I know that you were a part in the murder of a girl named Lily." Soda looked at the ground. "So what if I was?" She asked. "This is what." Snyder said blowing a whistle. A few cops came up the stairs and cuffed her.
"Take her to the refuge." Snyder said as they dragged Soda out the door. "HEY! You can't do that!" Snipeshooter yelled. "I'm going to fucking kill you." Mush yelled pushing forward as the other newsies held him back. "You want me to take you to?" Snyder scoffed walking out.
Once Snyder was out of sight Mush felt tears fill his eyes. "Why do we live like this huh?" He yelled walking fast over to the fire escape and up the stairs onto the roof. "Why?" He asked feeling tears streaking his face.
"Why Soda anyway...if only she could get out of this shit..." Mush said pacing back and forth. "Spot's in the hospital....Soda's in jail....Lightning might be sentenced to death.... why does life have to be this way?" Mush asked himself.
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Soda's Trial.
"Bring the girl forward." Judge Monahan. Said gesturing to the door. The cops led Soda in. "Oh, I see, Soda Basham is it? What are you in for?" The judge asked. "Being in a crime sir." Soda said smartly.
There was some snickering from the audience. "Being smart doesn't get you anywhere my dear. I believe the refuge is in store?" The judge asked as Snyder walked in.
"Yes, she is in my custody as of now..." Snyder said standing next to Soda. 'I don't like this guy...' Soda thought. "I was thinking that she shall return to the refuge with you...for oh...say..5 months?" The judge asked.
"Um...make it 6." Snyder said. "Alright warden Snyder...Soda will be in the custody of The Refuge until July 22nd." The Judge said benging the gavel. Soda felt Snyder grab her arm so she walked and he held onto her arm. She was led out of the courthouse. Mush was out selling papers with Blink and Race when Blink saw her.
"Fellas! There's Soda!" Blink yelled pointing to the cop putting her into the carriage and closing the door behind her and Snyder. The carriage rode away so they never did get to see Soda for a long time.
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3 months later
"Soda get into my office." Snyder said pushing her in and telling her to sit down. "Have you seen this boy?" He asked holding up a picture of Jack.
"Oh...uh no...warden Snyder sir." Soda said. nervously. "I've been after this boy for a long time. He's been so slippery that I can finally catch the blasted kid. "Hey, we're kids...it's our job." Soda told him. Snyder gave her a sly smile.
"Ah, but not all kida are criminals now are they?" He asked slyly. He grabbed her by her arm and led her back to her cell. He pushed her inside and locked the door. "Have a nice time." He said and walked away. "Whatever..." Soda said looking out the window.
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Mush went to the refuge the next week. "Soda...I think you ought to see this." Mush said handing her a paper through the bars. She took it and read it.
February 14th 1900
Soda,
Hey, I'm glad that we did what we did you know...It was real fun...I want to ask you a question. If anything should happen to me...could you maybe be leader of Harlem? If you can't can you..find a nice leader for Harlem?
I'd much rather you were the leader...but I don't know what's going to happen to me...whether I'll get killed or not...but if I do...please run Harlem with dignity and tell my Newsies...sorry I wasn't always there...and that I'm thinking of them always...
Oh and for Spot...can you tell him how much he still means to me and tell him I'll miss him and I'll be thinking of him too. I hope I can make it through...but if I don't...I'm sorry for all the pain I may have caused you...I never realized how much of a slut and a bitch I was until I took on Harlem for Josh.
Now I have an idea of responsibility and I realized what I did was wrong and I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me for everything.
Always,
Lighting Coleman
Leader of Harlem
Soda put the letter down slowly. "Have you seen her?" She asked Mush. "Yes I'se did...I'se went to her trial too...all of us did." Mush said. "Well what happened?" Soda asked.
"Well her trial went well...she was only sentenced to 5 years in jail...but..." Mush trailed off. He turned from Soda not wanting to finish. "C'mon Mush..just tell me...Anything I'se can think of can be worse then reality..." Soda said.
"Well about a month ago...Lighting got sick.....really sick. She didn't have that much time... She wrote this note and she gave it to me to give to you'se She said sorry to me and she...died. But she died happy. It wasn't any of that misery stuff. I'se think she died in no pain." Mush shook his head and looked up at Soda. "I'm sorry...."
Soda bit her lip. "No, I'm sorry that I don't really have any good memories of Lightning....and now there's never going to be a time to make good ones." Soda said sadly.
Mush let out a sigh and remembered something. "Spot's alright..." Mush told her. "Really?" She said feeling happier. "Yeah...he got out of the hospital last month...he was furious when he found out you were in jail again..." Mush said.
"Isn't he always furious?" Soda asked laughing. "Well, how long are you'se still here for?" Mush asked. "Oh, I'se think 3 more months." Soda said with a smile. Soon the door opened. "You have another visitor." The cop said. in came Spot.
"I'll leave you'se two." Mush said with a smile and left. "Soda...I'se hope this is the last time I have to look at you through bars." Spot said sternly. "C'mon Spot. Ease up." Soda said with a laugh. "Alright, I'se just glad that ya ain't hurt. That none of those stupid stupid judges and cops didn't remember who'se you were and figuring from this they don't remember." Spot said with a smirk.
"In three months...what do we plan to do?" Soda asked. "Three months?!You'se already been in here three months!" Spot exclaimed. "I'se in here for 6...it's been 3." Soda replied. "Three more months?! I'se had to deal without you long enough as it is!" Spot complained.
"Aw quit you're whining. you've lived without me before...and just cuz I'se got to spend another three months in here doesn't mean you'se is gonna die." Soda said laughing.
"Time's up." A cop called. "Alright I'll see ya's later...send my love to everyone k?" Soda said giving Spot a quick kiss through the bars. Spot walked out of the door slowly looking back at Soda. He hated leaving her behind all the time. He knew he would never let them put her in jail ever again.
Lindsey aint that kind of person...I'll protect her from now on... Spot walked out of the refuge and went walking past the orphanage and stopped. Those kids were still inside there with now no older kids there to protect them. Kyle's dead...Lindsey's in jail...Josh was dead....that left him for now.
He turned back and walked inside. Mistress. Collingwell came in. "So you came back huh? Where's Hallie?" She asked. "Jail." Spot muttered. "Shoulda known...now go get started on your chores." She said locking the door.
Spot went up the stairs and into the room. all the kids got up. "Alex!" They all shouted and went over hugging him. "You came back!" Ashley said happily. Rinoa came closer. "Where's Hallie?" She asked.
"Guys, she'll be coming back soon. She's...well not..." Spot didn't want to tell the she was in jail but what choice did he have? "Hallie's in jail...for the next 3 months." Spot said.
"Why?" They all asked. "Well, she just is...well she'll be back...but now I got some chores to do....so go and play." Spot said walking out and taking out a scrub brush from the closet and filling hte bucket with soapy water. He started to scrub the stairs again. Since they got dirty cuz it was usually his and Soda's chore.
This got Spot to thinking.
-----Woo-Hoo A memory...haven't had one of these in a while eh?-----
"Where are you Alex?!" Mistress Collingwell yelled in fury. She ran out to the hall way and saw him at the end.
"Alex... get over hear now!" She yelled. He walked over. "Oh, do I have a punishment waiting for you or what?" She yanked him into her office by his arm. She was furious. He looked up to see her favorite coat. It was a perfect white coat. Now it had mud all over it and ink.
"This was your doing wasn't it?" She demanded. He didn't respond so she pulled his head back by his hair. "Ow, ow, yes!" He yelled trying to get away. "Oh no, you aren't getting out of this one.... She said taking out a hair brush.
"A Hairbrush....?" He asked confused. "Yes..." She said with a smirk. Then he realized what she was going to do. "Oh no, you are not going to do that no...I'm WAY too old for that." Alex said backing up to the door. "No afraid not, no one's too old." Mistress Collingwell said with another smirk.
"Spanking kids isn't right..." Alex said trying to come up with an excuse to get away. "Well they ain't made it illegal yet...so It's effective in my book....on you...I guess we'll have to find out.
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Spot looked down at the ground. He remembered that all too well. He remember how much it hurt too. He wasn't going to let that bitch get to him anymore he felt it was time to bring some of the old Alex back to the place. That old hag deserved every last bit of what she gets.
So Spot went into her office and looked around at her things. First he threw a bunch of things from the desk to the ground. He broke the lamp and threw Ink all over the carpet and over the walls.
He saw a sign on the office door that said "Orphan's NOT permitted." "How sweet." Spot said with a smirk. He took a quill and ink and crossed out Orphans and wrote in big letters, BITCHES.
He walked out of the office and ran back to the room when he heard Misress Collingwell shout, "ALEX!!!!"