A.N. Sorry for the long wait, school work doesn't seem to play fair. So, as a bonus to those who have been patient, an extra long 2 chapter update. The end is making it's way here, so the going is getting a little slow. Thanks for all your support. 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 Hurting

I lay in a huddle on the floor of a wagon when I woke up, sobbing. My dress was dirty and torn, my hair tangled. I could taste blood in my mouth. I pushed myself up only for my vision to start clouding and I fell back down. I had to escape. I had to make it back to ... to... to David.

My head ached, and the wagon jarred my bones, but I had to escape, I had to escape. I knew what would happen when I got back to the orphanage. I also knew the reason he let me go. He wanted me humiliated. I had defied him, and now I had to pay. I wasn't foolish enough to think that one beating was all that was in store for me.

Oh, I hurt so bad, so bad. Never had I been so miserable. Never was I so much of a baby. To think that I had been so happy merely hours ago, or at least I think it was only hours ago. I knew he hadn't ever cared for me. I knew that he would never let me leave him. I had to escape, I had to escape. David was going to be upset. David was going to be angry. I had been such a fool! I had been so independent when I knew I needed David. I need David.

I fought once again to my knees shaking away the faintness. Then slowly I crept to the side of the wagon, rolling through the dark New York night. One hand, one foot, one hand, one foot, until I was only a hand from the edged when the wagon was rocked by a pothole and I was flung back to where I started. My eyes burned with pain and frustration. I had to give up. I could hear him smirking in my ears. And before I knew it, I saw my life folded out in front of me. Day after day a smiling prisoner. Night after night a sobbing captive. At the best, a sparkling like as a golorified doll. At the worst, a slave. To me, either was death. I could feel the chains of my old life already binding me. I felt powerless. Thorns has died, Angel has left, Rose has wilted. What would happen when he found out about David? The thought horrified me. I knew it would only be a matter of time. I had to..

"I have to," I whispered and gritted my teeth making for the side in a burst of energy. I reached for the edge, pulled myself up, and out I fell...

"You what?!" David cried in horror. The little maid burst into tears. They were sitting in the parlor of the lodging house a group of excited Newisies circled around, but silent excepting Dave.

"I didn't mean no harm sir, I didn't mean no harm," she gasped.

"Mouth, ya wanna hear what she's got to say or don't ya?" Spot shot him an irritated look.

"Look, I'm sorry... but you don't know how much... I mean... I shouldn't have yelled," David bumbled out an apology.

"It's alright sir, I know I've done wrong. I feel so bad especially when I saw what happened to her and the Missus just standing there like stone," the maid sobbed.

"What do you mean what happened to her?" David asked sharply.

"Davey, how bout I ask the questions? huh?" Spot demanded and David could only acquiesce.

"Oh alright, but we've got to hurry," David said impatiently.

"I know Dave. Okay, so tell me... what's your name goily?"

"Martha," she said softly.

"Martha, that's a nice name. Okay, so tell me Martha, ya got Thorns out of the party and brought her where?"

"To the old Journal building, down by the docks," she replied, "I started feeling bad, but the Missus has always been ever so kind to me and she's such a sad creature."

"It's alright Martha, now... what happened when ya both got in there?" Spot continued calmly.

"The Missus was standing there, sobbing. I wondered what was wrong with her and felt relief that now Miss Rose could help her."

"Wait, I'm confused. Who is Miss Rose?" Jack asked.

"Ya a dope. That's Angel's real name. Ya didn't believe the No Name thing did ya?" Bumlets answered. "But what I wanna know is why this Missus wanted to see her, how'd she know her?"

"The... the Missus is a dear old friend of Miss Rose. She told me they went to school together that they were like sisters." Martha quivered.

"It's alright now, Martha, what happened next?" Spot prompted her.

"Miss Rose was moving like she was goin' to comfort the Missus, but then Mr. Hearst comes from the shadows like he's been there forever and grabs her."

"The sick ol' man!" Bumlets crows.

"T'isn't the old Mr. Hearst, but his son, young Mr. Anthony Hearst. He came and talk to her saying she had been very bad. Miss Rose cried out to the Missus, but the Missus she just cried and sobbed and said something like this was for the best. That a girl needs a husband." The Newsies drew in a collective breath, but remained silent, "Then young Mr. Hearst, he starts calling her his love and his jewel and his orphan while he hits and kicks and slaps her. The Missus just stood there, just stood there, like she was a wood statue. Her tears had stopped and she was looking like she was blind. Her friend her sister was lying on the ground barely conscienous while young Mr. Hearst goes on and on about the life he has in store for her." The little maid pauses for breath. Looking at David's face, she saw color completely drained out of him. His face was like wax and his face was scowled in a way that boded no good to the esteemed young Mr. Hearst. Shock engulfed many those present who had known no more about Thorns than she also went by the name Angel. But, quickly their faces took on a similar cast to David's. Spot remained as he had been from the beginning, a haughty look, a death-like stare, but full of a hidden softness. It was he that broken the unsettling silence.

"Is there anything else you can tell us? Anything at all? Is she still there?" Spot asked quietly.

"They said there were taking her to the Canta Marinia Orphanage. I don't know where that is... but it's where the Missus and Miss Rose used to live. Where the Master found the Missus." She answered just as quietly.

"She told me it was hidden." David said suddenly. "Would your Missus know where the orphanage was?"

"She might sir, I think I heard she ran away from her husband back to the Orphanage, but that was before my time sir." Martha answered softly.

"Well boys, I think we will have to talk to Missus... uh, Whats-Her-Name," Jack said decisively.

"She the Honorable Mrs. Montague, Cecilia's her Christian name," the maid said proudly.

"Hearst is going to be sorry he ever hurt Rose," David swore.

"I know Davey, but we've got to work together. For Angel's sake," Race said, "Ya know, we all love her. She's the sister we've all forgotten we'd had. And we're gonna get her back."

"We gotta get her back," Bumlets whispered.

I am Home

"Madame Tally," Anthony Hearst grinned with a sneer, "I am pleased to inform you that your little lost lamb has come home. But," and held out his hand in a warning gesture, "you must see that she is MINE. I must have complete authority to visit her during her convalescences and she will be promised to none other than myself."

"Of course, of course, that is only natural and right after you..." Tally stuttered with relief and confusion.

"Rescued her. She is in a terrible state when I found her I must warn you Madame. It seems she was staying with vagabonds, Newsies! I found her beaten to a pulp. I taught those street rats a lesson and at first she was extremely grateful, but now she seems to be hallucinating and delusional. You must not believe anything she tells you. I would not lie would I Madame?"

"No, no, not a person of your value. Surely not." Madame said smoothly.

"And you will convince her of that fact. That I am her hero and those Newsboys... well you know what to do. I leave her in your care Madame and trust you will not lose her again! Or else my patience will be MOST tried. Good Night." Anthony lifted his dark eyebrows in scoffing distain and turned around sweeping out the door. Just outside, I was held tightly between the lovely Oscar and Morris. He paused and a slow smile crossed his lips.

"Now my love, you were a lucky little girl tonight. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't thought to follow behind the wagon in my carriage? Now give your savior a kiss." I struggled against the iron grip on my arms and turned my head away. "No? Morris, help our little jewel remember who I am." Morris took one hand off my arm and turn my head towards him. He pressed his lips against mine and I felt my soul being invaded, repulsion chilled my bones. He stepped back and said in the chillingest whisper, "You will marry me. You will love me. And some day, you will call me your hero."

Tears course down my cheeks, "Some day is not today," I whispered back.

"We will see. Goodnight my little love, I shall see you in the morning," and he left.

Madame Tally was standing in the doorway, a sinister silhouette. "Now Puppet, welcome home."