Her attacker, grabbing her hand, led her into a building not far from the street. Guiding her inside, he and the man behind the front desk exchanged a meaningful glance and the man mumbled, "Never saw ya, don't know about ya, couldn't stop ya."
Curiously glancing at the man talking to himself, Melody felt herself being led up steps, into a room. After closing the door the boy with the patch turned to her, "I'se guessin' you'se got sum questions."
"Who are ya? Where am I? Why did ya save – " Melody began to rant.
"Whoa! One at a time!" the boy exclaimed.
Blushing a little, she asked, "Who are ya?"
"Me name's Blink. Well dat's what I'se called. Whats yer name?"
"Oh, me name is Melody." She said holding out her hand. He spit in his and shook hers.
"Eew! Why'd ya do dat?" Melody asked, a little disgusted.
"Sorry, dat's jest what we'se does 'round here," Blink said.
"Where is here?"
"Dis is the Newsboy's Lodging House," Blink proudly stated, looking lovingly around the shabby room.
"Yer a Newsie?"
"Yep."
"Why did ya help me? Even aftah I bit ya?"
"You'se looked kinda desperate ta git 'way from them bulls, an' I'se knows how dat feels."
"Oh well, sorry 'bout bitin' ya an' everythin'."
"I'se woulda done da same thing, 'cept not," Blink said and chuckled. "I'se know I'se wouldn't a trusted someone who grabbed me from behind."
"Well, thanks. I bettah be goin'. I don't want ta get ya in trouble." Melody said, walking towards the door.
But Blink got there first, "Nu uh, I'se ain't lettin' you'se out der just yet. 'Sides, I'se wants ya ta meet me friends. They'se should be comin' back any minute." At his last statement he indicated to the setting sun outside.
"Are ys shoah dat it will be all right?" Melody asked tentatively.
"A 'course, but what should I'se introduce ya as. Everyone heah has a nickname 'cause it ain't safe ta go around usin' real names."
"Umm, I dunno know. What kinda nicknames are der?"
"Well, like I'se said I'se Blink an' den der's Cowboy, da leadah a da Manhattan newsies, Mush, Racetrack, Skittery, Sniper, Fish, Spot – "
Melody cut him off laughing, "Spot!" She gasped.
"I'se wouldn't laugh if I'se were you'se." Blink said.
"C'mon, Spot? What is he, a little puppy dog?"
"Not quite." A voice came from the door.
Melody turned around to find a very handsome, but deadly looking boy in the doorway. His eyes, beautiful though they were, were cold, and his face had no expression. An air of authority hung around him as thick as fog.
Blink stuttered a bit, "Hey…she's new…she didn't know…uh…"
Melody looked at Blink, "What's wrong wid ya?" she mouthed.
He mouthed back, "Dat woulda be yer little puppy dog."