Never Fear, Brooklyn is Here

Ch. 17

When I woke up, I turned over and Mush wasn't there. I quickly got out of bed and put some clean clothes on. As I pulled on my faded green shirt, I saw Spot getting ready to leave.

"Spot!" I called. He turned around to see who called his name.

"What da ya want Kitty? I'se gotta get ta woik." Spot asked.

"Where's Mush?"

"I don't know. He must have left before I woke up." My heart started to race. I ran down the creaky stairs and into the street. Questions began to race through my mind. Why did he leave? Why didn't he say goodbye. What did I do?

I didn't look where I was going as I ran. The only thing on my mind was where Mush was, or wasn't. As I ran, I ran into a lot of people. One lady looked at me like I was a 10 lbs sewer rat. A couple of guys I didn't know, grabbed my ass, I turned around and slapped them before continuing my search.

My muscles throbbed when I crossed the Manhattan/Brooklyn border. I sank onto the statue on Newsies Square. I decided to go sell papes. Hey if I was looking for a Manhattan Newsie, I might as well be one for the day.

As I walked up to the counter, I saw them. I haven't seen them since the incident. I casually walked up as if I didn't know them.

"20 papes please." I told the fat man behind the counter. The fat man looked at me with spite.

"I need 20 papes!" The fat man called to them.

"Here ya go little lady." Oscar said as he handed me my 20 papes.

"Thank ya. Thank ya very much." I said before walking away. I looked over my right shoulder and saw both of them staring at me. It felt a chill went through my very soul.

As I sold the papes, I saw Jack, David and Les. I waved and they walked over. I knew that Jack, David and Les were selling partners.

"Have ya seen Mush today?" I asked.

"I think I saw him on Bottle Alley." My brother told me.

"Thanks!" I yelled as I ran to Bottle Alley. When I got to Bottle Alley, I only saw Blink.

"Have ya seen Mush today?" I asked hoping the answer would be yes.

"Yeah, ya just missed 'im," Blink told me, "He'll be back in about 10 min if ya wanna wait for 'im."

"All right." I said before shouting out the headline. "Scandal in da Mayors Office!"

I sold all my papes in about 15 min and there was still no sign of Mush. I sighed and went to Newsies Square to hang out with the other newsies. I saw Racetrack on his way to the tracks.

"Here's 2 bits," I said as I threw the 2 bits at him, "Use it on the bum odds," He laughed and left. I smiled but that quickly turned into a frown as I saw them walking towards me.

"How did da sellin' go?" Oscar asked me.

"Fine. How did bein' a complete idiot go?" I replied. They laughed as Morris walked around me to my left side. I felt uneasy while this was taking place, but I didn't let it show on my face. I smiled and started to get up but Morris pulled me back down.

"Ya ain't going nowhere," He told me with an evil smirk on his face. I winced as his grip tightens on my arm. They pulled me up and dragged me into an alley way as I scanned the crowd for Mush. I saw him, but I don't think he saw me. I lifted my head up.

"Mush!" I screamed as loud as I could. His head quickly turned in my direction and he came running over. But unfortunate for me, they had heard my scream for Mush. Morris stated to punch me in the stomach and Oscar did the unthinkable. With one hand, he lifted my arms over my head and started to unbutton my shirt. I felt sick to my stomach and kicked Morris in the face, who doubled over in pain. Oscar, on the other hand, had already unbuttoned the first 3 buttons of my shirt. I couldn't move because his body was pressed up against me.

"MUSH!" I screamed louder just as Mush came in. He saw Oscar what Oscar was doing to me and ran over with a clenched fist. He knocked him to the ground and started to punch him harder. I re-buttoned my shirt and walked over to Morris who was still on the ground. I kicked him as hard as I could. Mush ran over to me and held me tight as Oscar and Morris ran out of the alley.

"Did he hurt ya?" Mush asked with eyes full of concern.

"Just a couple of bruises," I said, as I should him my bruised arms. I winced as he touched them lightly.

"Did I hurt ya?" He asked.

"Naw." I replied before kissing him on the cheek. He smiled and kissed me on the lips. I deepened the kiss as he pressed me against the wall.

"Why did ya leave dis mornin'?" I asked between kisses.

"I wanted to sell papes before anyone else so I could spend da rest of da wit ya." He replied.

"Why didn't ya say good-bye?"

"It was way to hard." (Saying good-bye to someone you love is so hard to say.) I smiled. I pulled apart and ran my fingers through his hair. I put his hand in mine, and pulled him out of the alley and into the sun. I shielded my eyes from the brightness and we walked to Tibby's to grab some lunch.

Lib: Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

madmButterfly713: Stop being lazy!