Chapter 13: What Once Was Good
A/N: Hello! Yes I'm back and I'm so incredibly sorry that it has taken do long for me to update. Many, many thanks to those of you who have been waiting patiently, and even to those of you who have waited impatiently. I've been extremely busy, and I'm quite aware of the fact that it is no excuse for abandoning you. However, I did hit a major bit of writer's block, more like a writer's block mountain range, so continuance of this story seemed utterly impossible.
Happy chocolate covered Newsies of your choice to you, free of charge! Enjoy!!! (
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did you ever learn about the Elizabethan theory of the Ordered Universe? Well, simply put, it is when everything is the way it should be. Universal Chaos occurs when something goes amiss in that natural order. This theory happens to apply here. With the loss of Alyssa, things were rough. All around, things began to fall apart.
If it were possible, Jack became even more glum and sequestered. His personality went from being a bright spot to resembling something of a wet noodle. He moped around everywhere, always muttering about some benign thing or another. Jack no longer took pleasure in sneaking off with Sarah late at night. Things had simply lost their fun for him.
Spot, feeling as thought he could have fixed things by checking the crate and the people carrying it, was testy. More than he usually was; and that was saying something. He snapped at everything and everyone. His own Brooklyn Newsies feared to be in the same room with him. It was very obvious that he was feeling sorry for himself.
Without Alyssa to watch him, Kloppman became ill again. Only this time, he was much worse. The doctors that Denton and Medda sent over had no clue what was wrong with him. The only thing they seemed sure of was the great possibility that he might die. This was no comforting news to any, and caused unrest in the entire Lodging House.
The Manhattan Newsies themselves were lost. Selling papers had lost that dreamy, childlike fun and going to Tibby's for a free lunch was non- existent. With a member of the family missing, everything that was once good in their lives lost meaning. Many, though the worst offenders were Blink and Mush, spent many nights, and even the days drinking heavily and burning through cigarettes like there was to tomorrow.
Mercy, Leila and Sarah could only watch their boys fall in a continual downward spiral. They did their best to keep things going, but nothing seemed to work. They too could not mend the wound of Alyssa's disappearance.
One person has yet to be mentioned though. That would be Racetrack Higgins. His is the saddest story. Every day found him gambling and drinking his life away. His easy-going smart-ass personality had morphed into a twisted drunk asshole. More than one person had found him standing on the Brooklyn Bridge, contemplating suicide. Without Alyssa by his side he had nothing. The careful store of money he had been saving to perhaps make a living for Alyssa and himself one day had gone to gambling and alcohol. Every so often, Mercy would find Race trying to overdose on a Mickey Finn. The picture that Denton had taken that Valentine's Day evening sat beside his bunk with tearstains on it.
Overall, the once jovial, on-top-of-the-world Newsies had hit rock bottom – hard. They lived in utmost squalor and poverty was fast approaching. The money that the three girls made, along with contributions from Denton and Medda went to keeping the Lodging House running and so that the city officials couldn't send them all to a new type of Refuge.
In essence, they had become the epitome of New York City slum life that one learns about today.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Alyssa on the other hand was faring much worse.
Upon her arrival in Ireland, she was immediately dragged away to Liam's "home." It was more like an old crumbling castle. Her "quarters" were the dankest section of the castle imaginable.
"I hope you enjoy your space," Liam crooned. "Granted, it's only temporary until you wizen up and figure out that the best thing for you is marry me."
"I'd rather marry a Delancy brother and lie in the sewers," Alyssa spat without a trace of her accent.
She was like a wild-thing in a cage. Relentlessly she paced the small room, unable to go anywhere or do anything. Her only companions were a few mice and fading memories of New York and the Lodging House.
For countless weeks she lived like this. Her beauty faded into a gaunt, sallow skeleton. Her once silky hair dulled and became ratty. Every day she would earn new scars from enduring the treatment Liam and her family inflicted on her.
"High times hard times, sometimes da livin' is sweet. And sometimes dere's nothin' to eat, but I always lands on my feet..." Alyssa's voice quavered from disuse as she sang. Medda's simple song was a great comfort to her. While her singing drifted into a mere hum, the sound of an opening lock echoed through the room.
"Shut up an' get movin'," her father barked.
Standing, Alyssa adjusted her tattered clothes. She smiled to herself as she remembered that they were Race's pants and shirt.
As they walked, she stumbled over the uneven stone floor. Occasionally she fell, but got right back up on her feet. She was in to position to show any sign of weakness. The rich sent of fresh food filtered into her nose.
Liam rose from the table he was stuffing his face at. "Alyssa, I would have thought that you would have seen things my way by now."
Alyssa simply looked at Liam. 'I will never see things your way,' she thought.
"Fine then. I guess that I'll just have to make you see things my way." Liam left the table and made his way down to Alyssa. "I'd like to play a little game. We're going to see just how much pain you can tolerate before giving in." He smiled wickedly as he motioned to the torturers.
The familiar sight of the 'torture crew' passed by Alyssa. With them they carried their toys of torture. Many she recognized; a whip, a heavy chain, a whip with metal barbs, and a vast assortment of other things that should never be mentioned.
Liam inline his head to them. "You may begin when you are ready."
Reluctantly, one of them, Alyssa believed his name was Conor, came forward and shackled her wrists and ankles. "Sorry that I've got to do this to you," he whispered. Then he brought her to the pole in the center of the room. Alyssa's bound wrists were attached to the chain that hung from the pole.
The torture had almost a methodical and mechanical system to it. The first thing that bit into her back was the leather whip. With each bite, Alyssa had to suppress a scream and ignore the warm blood that cascaded down her back.
Unsatisfied, Liam barked, "Use the chain!"
This heavy iron chain would not draw blood, but t would leave dark bruises that would ache for days. It could also quite possibly shatter her bones as well.
"They may break my body, but they will never break my spirit" Alyssa murmured.
At the table, Liam was in a fit of rage. For almost two hours now they had been at it. Alyssa knelt in a deep pool of her won blood, bearing deep cuts and dark bruises. What was even more maddening was the fact that she had never once cried out. 'This is ridiculous,' he thought. 'No one can endure that much.' Finally Liam said, "Put her back in her pit."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah emerged from Kloppman's room. "He's not doing well at all," she said quietly to Mercy and Leila.
Many weeks had gone by since Alyssa's initial disappearance, and things were not looking any better. The police had been contacted, but they had made no promises in trying to look for a street girl.
The Lodging House had fallen into disrepair and it stank like a sewer. Empty beer bottles and cigarette butts littered the floor.
Denton came by and was shocked to see such squalor. "You three have got to do something about this," he told the girls. "If you don't, the city will shut the place down."
Mercy sighed. "Dere's nothin' dat we's can do until Alyssa gets back." Mercy's tone sounded like a teacher's who was explaining for the hundredth time.
"But..." Denton cut in.
"No, dere's nothing.' All we's can do is hope that dis ain't gonna last too much longer."
Summer slowly faded into fall, and there was till no sign of Alyssa.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In Ireland, dawn slowly crept over the emerald hills, but Alyssa saw none of it. Still locked in her pit, darkness was all she saw.
The iron resolve she once had finally began to crumble. She had to get out. She just wanted to see The Lodging House, Tibby's, Irving Hall, and... her Newsises. God how she missed them, especially Race. But how was the question that was left unanswered.
There were plenty of reasons why she had to get out; being constantly beaten within an inch of her life, finding no love for lost family, finding no comfort in a country that had given her life, and... the list went on.
Possibly one of the few things that she could not endure was the endless rape. It had become Liam's newest tactic to get her. If she would not marry him, then he would get her with child. That way she would have to marry him.
Alone in the dark, Alyssa formed a plan. She could not simply run away; they kept her under constant lock and key. Therefore, they must be killed. She was so detached from them already that she would have no problem with it.
Except Dom.
Sweet, brotherly Dom. Maybe she would not have to kill him. He was never around, which led her to believer that he did not approve of what was going on.
Her thoughts were shattered by a faint knock on her cell door. "Alyssa, you in there?"
It was impossible. "Dom?"
The heavy door was quickly opened and shut again. A small candle was lit, illuminating the small room. Dom brought he candle close to his little sister. "Oh Alyssa. If only you could see what they've done to you."
"I've felt it well enough," she laughed bitterly.
"I don't have much time, so listen close. Tonight, I'm getting you out of here."
"How?" was the only word that Alyssa was able to get out.
"It's all set. My fiancée Cathleen has a cart ready, just outside this wretched castle. A ship is leaving for Charleston tonight. Just be ready." Without any further words, Dom left as suddenly as he came.
Alyssa faced the day with new energy. She just hoped that they would have a change of clothes for her; Race's clothes were now mere tatters covered in old blood.
Today, Liam's treatment was worse than usual. All the while though, a small smile graced Alyssa's lips.
"I think she's gone mad," one of the torturers commented.
Incidentally, Alyssa gave a chilling laugh, causing Liam to cringe. She reveled at this, feeling a bit of personal satisfaction.
Unable to bear anymore, Liam cried, "Lock her up!" before retreating to his quarters for the rest of the day.
Unaware, Dom was poisoning the evening meal. It was almost wonderful that Liam had hid. Now, a servant would be the unfortunate one who brought Liam his meal. This way, Dom would never be suspected. Poisoning the rest of his family would be easy. Each night his father, Trey and Gabe got drunk, very drunk. Dom could easily slip a little something into their drinks.
Afternoon slowly passed and night began to fall. Everything was strangely quiet. Liam stayed in his quarters as predicted and everyone forgot about Alyssa. Everyone except Dom.
Candle in hand, Dom aimlessly made his way around the castle. He idly smiled at any that he met, on it was thought that he was taking an evening walk to ease his mind. A servant bearing three mugs of ale passed him. "Where are those going?" he inquired.
"To your father and brothers."
Dom thought quickly. From his pocket he withdrew a small packet. "Put this in their drinks." When her received a wary glance from the servant he added, "It is a simple powder that will help them relieve their hangovers."
The servant relaxed and willingly added the powder. It had been almost too easy. Dom calculated that by the time they were on their second or third drink, Liam would be dead and they soon would be too.
Without any further trouble, Dom reached Alyssa's cell. He knocked twice, letting her know that he was there.
Her haggard face appeared in the barred window. Today's torture had taken a serious toll on Alyssa's health. Dom pulled the lock back and opened the door. Knowing it would be disastrous to speak, they silently made their through the dark underbelly of the castle.
Back and forth the labyrinth of tunnels went on. Finally, when it seemed that they were truly lost, Dom recognized the door he wanted. Both of them had to put their shoulders against the old door, forcing it open.
A rush of cold air hit their faces as the door swung open. Alyssa faltered in her steps and Dom reached over to steady her. He gave a bird call into the dark night that was quickly answered. Dom pointed to an outcropping of trees and they broke into an unsteady run.
"Dom, over here," a female voice hissed.
Making their way to the speaker, they crashed into a wooden cart. Dom lifted his sister into the back and covered her with an old blanket before climbing in himself.
"Go," he ordered.
The cart rattled at breakneck speed along the old path. Alyssa remembered none of the trip for she had fallen asleep the minute Dom put her down in the back.
When morning came, Alyssa found herself lying in a soft bed with a new nightshirt covering her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, making sure she was not dreaming, she crawled out of bed. Walking out of the cabin she was in, she found herself standing on the deck of a ship.
"Alyssa!" Dom called.
She turned and saw her brother standing with a beautiful young woman and whom she supposed was the captain.
The three walked towards her. "Alyssa, meet my fiancée and her father. Introductions and pleasantries were exchanged before Alyssa wandered off.
Standing at the prow, she took a deep breath of sea air.
She was free.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: I realize that this chapter kinda sucks. Writer's block SUCKS! But, now everything can continue from here and I'll be able to update faster because I know were the story is going! Please review! It'll make me inclined to write faster if I know you still love me.
A/N: Hello! Yes I'm back and I'm so incredibly sorry that it has taken do long for me to update. Many, many thanks to those of you who have been waiting patiently, and even to those of you who have waited impatiently. I've been extremely busy, and I'm quite aware of the fact that it is no excuse for abandoning you. However, I did hit a major bit of writer's block, more like a writer's block mountain range, so continuance of this story seemed utterly impossible.
Happy chocolate covered Newsies of your choice to you, free of charge! Enjoy!!! (
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did you ever learn about the Elizabethan theory of the Ordered Universe? Well, simply put, it is when everything is the way it should be. Universal Chaos occurs when something goes amiss in that natural order. This theory happens to apply here. With the loss of Alyssa, things were rough. All around, things began to fall apart.
If it were possible, Jack became even more glum and sequestered. His personality went from being a bright spot to resembling something of a wet noodle. He moped around everywhere, always muttering about some benign thing or another. Jack no longer took pleasure in sneaking off with Sarah late at night. Things had simply lost their fun for him.
Spot, feeling as thought he could have fixed things by checking the crate and the people carrying it, was testy. More than he usually was; and that was saying something. He snapped at everything and everyone. His own Brooklyn Newsies feared to be in the same room with him. It was very obvious that he was feeling sorry for himself.
Without Alyssa to watch him, Kloppman became ill again. Only this time, he was much worse. The doctors that Denton and Medda sent over had no clue what was wrong with him. The only thing they seemed sure of was the great possibility that he might die. This was no comforting news to any, and caused unrest in the entire Lodging House.
The Manhattan Newsies themselves were lost. Selling papers had lost that dreamy, childlike fun and going to Tibby's for a free lunch was non- existent. With a member of the family missing, everything that was once good in their lives lost meaning. Many, though the worst offenders were Blink and Mush, spent many nights, and even the days drinking heavily and burning through cigarettes like there was to tomorrow.
Mercy, Leila and Sarah could only watch their boys fall in a continual downward spiral. They did their best to keep things going, but nothing seemed to work. They too could not mend the wound of Alyssa's disappearance.
One person has yet to be mentioned though. That would be Racetrack Higgins. His is the saddest story. Every day found him gambling and drinking his life away. His easy-going smart-ass personality had morphed into a twisted drunk asshole. More than one person had found him standing on the Brooklyn Bridge, contemplating suicide. Without Alyssa by his side he had nothing. The careful store of money he had been saving to perhaps make a living for Alyssa and himself one day had gone to gambling and alcohol. Every so often, Mercy would find Race trying to overdose on a Mickey Finn. The picture that Denton had taken that Valentine's Day evening sat beside his bunk with tearstains on it.
Overall, the once jovial, on-top-of-the-world Newsies had hit rock bottom – hard. They lived in utmost squalor and poverty was fast approaching. The money that the three girls made, along with contributions from Denton and Medda went to keeping the Lodging House running and so that the city officials couldn't send them all to a new type of Refuge.
In essence, they had become the epitome of New York City slum life that one learns about today.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Alyssa on the other hand was faring much worse.
Upon her arrival in Ireland, she was immediately dragged away to Liam's "home." It was more like an old crumbling castle. Her "quarters" were the dankest section of the castle imaginable.
"I hope you enjoy your space," Liam crooned. "Granted, it's only temporary until you wizen up and figure out that the best thing for you is marry me."
"I'd rather marry a Delancy brother and lie in the sewers," Alyssa spat without a trace of her accent.
She was like a wild-thing in a cage. Relentlessly she paced the small room, unable to go anywhere or do anything. Her only companions were a few mice and fading memories of New York and the Lodging House.
For countless weeks she lived like this. Her beauty faded into a gaunt, sallow skeleton. Her once silky hair dulled and became ratty. Every day she would earn new scars from enduring the treatment Liam and her family inflicted on her.
"High times hard times, sometimes da livin' is sweet. And sometimes dere's nothin' to eat, but I always lands on my feet..." Alyssa's voice quavered from disuse as she sang. Medda's simple song was a great comfort to her. While her singing drifted into a mere hum, the sound of an opening lock echoed through the room.
"Shut up an' get movin'," her father barked.
Standing, Alyssa adjusted her tattered clothes. She smiled to herself as she remembered that they were Race's pants and shirt.
As they walked, she stumbled over the uneven stone floor. Occasionally she fell, but got right back up on her feet. She was in to position to show any sign of weakness. The rich sent of fresh food filtered into her nose.
Liam rose from the table he was stuffing his face at. "Alyssa, I would have thought that you would have seen things my way by now."
Alyssa simply looked at Liam. 'I will never see things your way,' she thought.
"Fine then. I guess that I'll just have to make you see things my way." Liam left the table and made his way down to Alyssa. "I'd like to play a little game. We're going to see just how much pain you can tolerate before giving in." He smiled wickedly as he motioned to the torturers.
The familiar sight of the 'torture crew' passed by Alyssa. With them they carried their toys of torture. Many she recognized; a whip, a heavy chain, a whip with metal barbs, and a vast assortment of other things that should never be mentioned.
Liam inline his head to them. "You may begin when you are ready."
Reluctantly, one of them, Alyssa believed his name was Conor, came forward and shackled her wrists and ankles. "Sorry that I've got to do this to you," he whispered. Then he brought her to the pole in the center of the room. Alyssa's bound wrists were attached to the chain that hung from the pole.
The torture had almost a methodical and mechanical system to it. The first thing that bit into her back was the leather whip. With each bite, Alyssa had to suppress a scream and ignore the warm blood that cascaded down her back.
Unsatisfied, Liam barked, "Use the chain!"
This heavy iron chain would not draw blood, but t would leave dark bruises that would ache for days. It could also quite possibly shatter her bones as well.
"They may break my body, but they will never break my spirit" Alyssa murmured.
At the table, Liam was in a fit of rage. For almost two hours now they had been at it. Alyssa knelt in a deep pool of her won blood, bearing deep cuts and dark bruises. What was even more maddening was the fact that she had never once cried out. 'This is ridiculous,' he thought. 'No one can endure that much.' Finally Liam said, "Put her back in her pit."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah emerged from Kloppman's room. "He's not doing well at all," she said quietly to Mercy and Leila.
Many weeks had gone by since Alyssa's initial disappearance, and things were not looking any better. The police had been contacted, but they had made no promises in trying to look for a street girl.
The Lodging House had fallen into disrepair and it stank like a sewer. Empty beer bottles and cigarette butts littered the floor.
Denton came by and was shocked to see such squalor. "You three have got to do something about this," he told the girls. "If you don't, the city will shut the place down."
Mercy sighed. "Dere's nothin' dat we's can do until Alyssa gets back." Mercy's tone sounded like a teacher's who was explaining for the hundredth time.
"But..." Denton cut in.
"No, dere's nothing.' All we's can do is hope that dis ain't gonna last too much longer."
Summer slowly faded into fall, and there was till no sign of Alyssa.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In Ireland, dawn slowly crept over the emerald hills, but Alyssa saw none of it. Still locked in her pit, darkness was all she saw.
The iron resolve she once had finally began to crumble. She had to get out. She just wanted to see The Lodging House, Tibby's, Irving Hall, and... her Newsises. God how she missed them, especially Race. But how was the question that was left unanswered.
There were plenty of reasons why she had to get out; being constantly beaten within an inch of her life, finding no love for lost family, finding no comfort in a country that had given her life, and... the list went on.
Possibly one of the few things that she could not endure was the endless rape. It had become Liam's newest tactic to get her. If she would not marry him, then he would get her with child. That way she would have to marry him.
Alone in the dark, Alyssa formed a plan. She could not simply run away; they kept her under constant lock and key. Therefore, they must be killed. She was so detached from them already that she would have no problem with it.
Except Dom.
Sweet, brotherly Dom. Maybe she would not have to kill him. He was never around, which led her to believer that he did not approve of what was going on.
Her thoughts were shattered by a faint knock on her cell door. "Alyssa, you in there?"
It was impossible. "Dom?"
The heavy door was quickly opened and shut again. A small candle was lit, illuminating the small room. Dom brought he candle close to his little sister. "Oh Alyssa. If only you could see what they've done to you."
"I've felt it well enough," she laughed bitterly.
"I don't have much time, so listen close. Tonight, I'm getting you out of here."
"How?" was the only word that Alyssa was able to get out.
"It's all set. My fiancée Cathleen has a cart ready, just outside this wretched castle. A ship is leaving for Charleston tonight. Just be ready." Without any further words, Dom left as suddenly as he came.
Alyssa faced the day with new energy. She just hoped that they would have a change of clothes for her; Race's clothes were now mere tatters covered in old blood.
Today, Liam's treatment was worse than usual. All the while though, a small smile graced Alyssa's lips.
"I think she's gone mad," one of the torturers commented.
Incidentally, Alyssa gave a chilling laugh, causing Liam to cringe. She reveled at this, feeling a bit of personal satisfaction.
Unable to bear anymore, Liam cried, "Lock her up!" before retreating to his quarters for the rest of the day.
Unaware, Dom was poisoning the evening meal. It was almost wonderful that Liam had hid. Now, a servant would be the unfortunate one who brought Liam his meal. This way, Dom would never be suspected. Poisoning the rest of his family would be easy. Each night his father, Trey and Gabe got drunk, very drunk. Dom could easily slip a little something into their drinks.
Afternoon slowly passed and night began to fall. Everything was strangely quiet. Liam stayed in his quarters as predicted and everyone forgot about Alyssa. Everyone except Dom.
Candle in hand, Dom aimlessly made his way around the castle. He idly smiled at any that he met, on it was thought that he was taking an evening walk to ease his mind. A servant bearing three mugs of ale passed him. "Where are those going?" he inquired.
"To your father and brothers."
Dom thought quickly. From his pocket he withdrew a small packet. "Put this in their drinks." When her received a wary glance from the servant he added, "It is a simple powder that will help them relieve their hangovers."
The servant relaxed and willingly added the powder. It had been almost too easy. Dom calculated that by the time they were on their second or third drink, Liam would be dead and they soon would be too.
Without any further trouble, Dom reached Alyssa's cell. He knocked twice, letting her know that he was there.
Her haggard face appeared in the barred window. Today's torture had taken a serious toll on Alyssa's health. Dom pulled the lock back and opened the door. Knowing it would be disastrous to speak, they silently made their through the dark underbelly of the castle.
Back and forth the labyrinth of tunnels went on. Finally, when it seemed that they were truly lost, Dom recognized the door he wanted. Both of them had to put their shoulders against the old door, forcing it open.
A rush of cold air hit their faces as the door swung open. Alyssa faltered in her steps and Dom reached over to steady her. He gave a bird call into the dark night that was quickly answered. Dom pointed to an outcropping of trees and they broke into an unsteady run.
"Dom, over here," a female voice hissed.
Making their way to the speaker, they crashed into a wooden cart. Dom lifted his sister into the back and covered her with an old blanket before climbing in himself.
"Go," he ordered.
The cart rattled at breakneck speed along the old path. Alyssa remembered none of the trip for she had fallen asleep the minute Dom put her down in the back.
When morning came, Alyssa found herself lying in a soft bed with a new nightshirt covering her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, making sure she was not dreaming, she crawled out of bed. Walking out of the cabin she was in, she found herself standing on the deck of a ship.
"Alyssa!" Dom called.
She turned and saw her brother standing with a beautiful young woman and whom she supposed was the captain.
The three walked towards her. "Alyssa, meet my fiancée and her father. Introductions and pleasantries were exchanged before Alyssa wandered off.
Standing at the prow, she took a deep breath of sea air.
She was free.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: I realize that this chapter kinda sucks. Writer's block SUCKS! But, now everything can continue from here and I'll be able to update faster because I know were the story is going! Please review! It'll make me inclined to write faster if I know you still love me.