A.N. The Virtuous Will Fall: Sorry it's been so long. I've been juggling a lot of things lately and I don't want to press the end of the story too hard or I might make my story into even worse junk than usual. I have no ownership of the Newsies and not affiliated with Disney in anyway. Thanks for all the Reviews. Please Review so I can keep the story up to par. LyxnLion

The Virtuous Will Fall

The night almost seemed chilly although we were in the heat of August. My feet ached every time I pounded them to the ground. If I had thought just a little more, I would have wondered at where I was going. If I had only told someone that I was leaving... but I didn't. A small twisted smile crept onto my lips, "I guess it didn't matter if I had a dress or not." The maid had nothing to tell me. She refused to tell me anything except that her mistress needed me. That was enough. I followed her through twisting streets until at last we arrived at a building that looked much like all the other buildings we've been walking by. I had no idea where I was, but one look at the building and I started getting a creepy feeling. "I wish Dave was here," my mind suddenly whispered. But ultimately, I couldn't stand the thought of Cecilia being hurt. So, I entered.

Dave came back to the empty chair and shook his head, "She shouldn't be dancing on her feet," he grumbled, "I've got to make her take a break."

He started wondering around the party, but could not find Rose. Finally, he pulled aside Jack, "Jack, Jack, JACK!" Dave finally got his attention.

"What?" Jack looked up annoyed from flirting with a red-head.

"Have you seen Angel?" Dave asked.

"What? Thorns? Haven't seen her since the last time I danced with her," Jack said winking, "Why she avoiding you?"

"I don't know, she's just gone. Who saw her last? She could be in trouble?" David went on anxiously.

"Dave, ya need to relax. She's a big goil. But Hey, Bums, when's the last time ya saw Thorn?" Jack suddenly asked a passing Bumlets.

"She was talkin to this goily, maid or somethin. I'se think they went outside," Bumlets shrugged.

"Outside?! But anyone could have seen her! When did you see her leave?" Dave exclaimed.

"Must have been a couple hours ago," Bumlets said slowly, his face draining. All the newsies within earshot stilled.

"A couple of hours," Jack said shocked, "Somethin must have happened."

David was stiff. He seemed to be crumbling inside. Then, with more conviction in his voice than the Newsies had ever heard, he said, "I'm going to find her."

Standing in the middle of the room, Cecilia was crying. Her tears ran down her cheeks and looked at me with her eyes ablaze with guilt.

"It's for the best," she whispered. "It's better for you this way." I started to go up to her, but I felt a hand grab my wrist and roughly pull me around.

"She's right, Rosie," he hissed. He pulled me closer and reach to touch my face. I tried to pull free, but he was ready and slapped my face hard. "I won't do that, dear." He said grinning.

"Cecilia!! Cecilia!! Help me!!" I cried.

She stood there and said woodenly, "There is nothing better than a husband. Be happy. It's alright."

Tears ran down my face.

"You've been very bad, my love," he whispered into my ear, "Very bad indeed, my little orphan. I'm afraid that I'll have to teach you what Madame never could." With that he punched me, kicked me, until I felt like every bone was blue and I could defend myself no longer. Every hit he yelled at me. Every kick he disgraced me. My body sagged and I gave up. I let myself fall into oblivion.

At the edge of consciousness, I heard Cecilia cry piteously, "Remember you promised."

"That's right; I'll do it all proper. She's going to Madame's and afterwards, she'll be mine forever." Anthony said with mocking politeness, "Oscar! Morris! Take our little jewel home please, Canta Marinia Orphange."

In the corner, the little maid shook with fright and left before anyone had noticed she had been there at all.