Chapter 2

Manhattan, 1899

She had been running for what seemed like days. She had finally done it; she had run away from that hellish life and from the man who taken away everything she had ever known. The cold air burned in her chest and she shivered with the cold that was setting in. The snow began to fall and it seemed that with every step that she took it grew darker. She had to find a place to stay. She knew she couldn't survive the night in this cold.

I've got to get out of this cold, but where can I go? No one will take a poor dirty runaway.

She looked around for something familiar or a kind face; there was none. The few people that were out on this cold night looked away as they passed and people pulled their curtains when they saw her. Her legs were now numb and she could barely stand up. She was slipping on the ice, falling into the snow. She had several cuts on her legs and hands not to mention the several bruises and scars that she received from daily beatings. She crawled into an alley, leaned against the wall, and began to cry. She cried for her situation, for her father, and for the life that she could have had.

How did this happen to me? Papa, I need you. I can't do this anymore.

She didn't even notice that a tall handsome boy with a red bandanna was beside her.

"Excuse me miss, but is youse alright?"

She looked up and hardly knew what to do. She wiped her face.

"I'm fine. Just having one of those days, ya know."

"Youse got a place to stay?"

"Yeah, it's a… it's… No, I don't."

"Well youse can come stay wit me and the boys at the lodging house."

"Boys?" This didn't sound too safe.

"Yeah, me and da newsies. It's safe I promise and if anyone tries anything. I'll soak 'em."

"No, really, that's very kind of you but…"

"Come on. I'm not leavin' till you come wit me. If you stay out in da cold, den I stay out in da cold."

He walked over and sat down beside her with his back against the wall. He impatiently played with a button on his shirt as they sat.

"Pretty cold night, eh?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Dat dress don't look so warm."

"It's warm enough."

"You're a stubborn one ain't ya?"

"Who me? Not a bit." She said with a small chuckle.

"Ahh, dere it is. Dere's da prize winnin' smile. Wanna know what ya get?"

She just stared at him, still smiling.

"A room at the lodgin house. Don't worry. I'll protect ya."

"Alright, thank you." She said hesitantly.

She tried to get up, but the exhaustion and her numb legs wouldn't let her as she stumbled to the ground.

"Whoa, youse alright?" he said with alarm.

"I'm. I'm fine. Just cold I guess." She tried again but in vain. She fell again, this time into him.

" Here let me help ya."

He quickly picked her up in his strong arms. For the first time she could look into his eyes. She could see years of a hard life on the streets but also a kindness that she hadn't seen since her Father. For the first time since he had died she felt safe. She put her head on his shoulder and drifted off into sleep.