Never Fear, Brooklyn is Here
Ch. 13
When I awoke, I didn't know where I was. I looked around the room and saw most of the Brooklyn Newsies, so I could be in Brooklyn. I slowly got out of bed and walked over to the door that I thought was the bathroom. When I opened the door, I saw Jack. I groaned remembering what happened last night.
"How'd ya sleep last night?" Jack asked as we walked down the stairs to get to the bathroom.
"I slept alright. I totally forgot where I was dis morning." I told him. Jack laughed. I smiled and walked into the bathroom. I brushed my almost brown hair until it was knot free, with took awhile. I felt dirty as I put the same clothes I wore yesterday. I grabbed a washcloth and washed my face until all the dirt had come off, when the door slowly opened and Mush came in. He was limping so I dashed over to help him. He smiled and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. I smiled and helped him over to the sink.
"I thought ya left." He told me.
"I would never leave ya, Mush. Ya know dat." I said as he smiled again. I helped him walk around the bathroom.
"Ya don't have ta help me, ya know." He told me. I looked up at him and smiled.
"I know, but I want to," I said before I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey Catwalk, ya ready" Spot asked as he walked in.
"No," I said before turnig back to Mush, "I'm not gonna leave ya. Ya didn't leave me." Mush smiled and stared for the door. I quickly followed. I looked around the room and saw that all the boys, expect for Spot, had left.
"Are yaw coming'?" Spot asked.
"New. I'm staying' wit Mush." I said before Spot walked out the door without a second glance. I walked over to Mush and ran my fingers threw his curly hair.
"Do ya want me to get ya anythin'?" I asked.
"Can ya get me a sandwich from Tibby's?" He asked. How could I saw no to his face?
"Sure. I'll be right back." I said before walking down the stairs. I nearly tripped when I didn't hold on to the railing. I pushed on the heavy wood door and walked to the diner.
As I walked down the street, I kept seeing the Newsies. I waved and greetings at them. When I got to the diner, I ordered Mush a sandwich and I got a cup coffee. As I sipped my coffee, I looked out the window and saw Change. No one ever did catch him. I went as low as I could in my seat with out touching the dirty floor. I looked up again and saw Change staring back at me. I grabbed the sandwich and ran out of the diner. I ran past him and down the street and into the lodging house. I ran out the creaky stairs and in to the main room. I didn't find Mush. I fainted from shock.
When I awoke, I looked around. I wasn't where I was supposed be.
"It's about time ya woke up." A voice I knew told me. I looked over where the voice had come from and it was Change.
"Where am I?" I asked him. He laughed at my question. I got up and walked over to the door. As quick as lighting, Change shot up from where he was and got in my way.
"Excuse me, I really need to leave." I said. He laughed his evil laugh again.
"I'm sorry m'dear, but ya can't leave." He told me. I was scared out of my mind, but I didn't show it. Change was my friend and now, he has me held hostage in only God knows where. I tried to get around him but he blocked my path.
"Get out of me way." I said threw gritted teeth.
"And if I don't?" Change smirked.
"I'm glad ya asked that." I smiled as I elbowed him in the stomach. As Change keeled over in pain, I punched him right in the nose. When he lifted his bloody head up, I saw anger in his eyes. I smiled as he tried to hit me but he got up too fast and staggered to the other side of the room. I made a mad dash for the door. I didn't look back as I trusted it opened and ran like a deer to the street. When I got outside, everything was dark. Was I passed out for that long?
I looked around to see if I could recognize the street. I quickly walked up the street. I looked around to see if I could see any body I knew. It was full of the usual whores that did there work Queens. I went up to the one wearing the most clothing.
"Could ya tell me what street dis is?" I asked.
"Dis here is 19th." She replied with a slur in her voice.
"Thanks," I told her before running south to Manhattan. 19th was only 30 blocks form the edge of Manhattan and only 33 to the Lodging house. I ran as fast as I could to Manhattan. It took me about an hour to get there with me running.
I stopped in front of the Lodging house and sat down to rest. They were probably all tired of seeing me any way so why should I go in and bother them? I was almost asleep when I herd something from the window above me.
"Do ya think she's alright, Jack?" Mush asked.
"Yeah. She's probably in a hotel for da night." Jack replied. I wanted to shout: I'm down here, but I was just too tired.
"Why don't ya wanna come up?" A voice asked. It was Flight.
"I don't wanna bother ya," I replied.
"Mush and all da other boys are worried about ya."
"Dare are?"
"Why don't ya see for ya self." She said before she walked back in to the house. I got up and followed her into the main room. I quietly listened as I pressed myself against the door.
"I hope she's alright," Racetrack said.
"She's knows how to take care of herself, she'll be alright." Spot told him.
"Catwalk was awesome at poker, but she couldn't beat Flight." Crutchy said.
"Still, I miss the way she laughs." Bumlets said.
"Hey, don't say ya miss da way she laughs. Ya haven't kissed her yet and ya never will. I miss the way she gives me butterflies in my stomach" Mush said. I laughed. That's when Mush came over to the door and found me. He pulled me into a tight hug. I melted into his arms as he carried me back into the room. I was so tired I couldn't even stand up. Everyone rushed over to the bed I was placed on. When everyone left, Mush stayed.
"Will ya be here in da morning?" He asked.
"Yes, and tomorrow, ya comin' to Brooklyn wit me."
"Ok. Until tomorrow," He said as he kissed my forehead and left to go to bed. I smiled, and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
