"Yeah! I know where she is! I saw 'er meself! She ansa'd me!"

Blink released Spot from the wall he'd pushed him against. "Is…is she alright?"

Spot rubbed his arms. "Yeah. Da window slammed, den I 'eard 'er scream. Den I was in da Refuge!" He threw up his arms and stomped around.

Blink pushed away at air. "No one cares. Ya got out. You know where Red is. So you'll show me tanight."

Spot shook his head. "I'm busy. Tanight's too oily. I'll bring ya in two days."

Blink nodded reluctantly. "Fine. Be heah at five."

- - - - - - - -

Two days later, Red emerged from her stepsister's room, from cleaning. She silently strode downstairs, wearily settling into a chair in the kitchen. In the middle of eating her gruel, a whisper penetrated the silence.

"Pst."

She looked up. Nothing. Cook was chopping carrots on the counter, and other than that, no one was in the room. She shrugged and went back to eating.

"Pst. Miss."

Tentatively, she whispered, "Yes?"

"Ya better look over here."

"Where?"

"Out the window, lass."

Torii pushed herself out of the chair and gained the window. "What?"

"By the tree."

Nothing was there. Puzzled, she looked closer. Still nothing. The shadows waved in the wind. Wait a sec. There's no wind right now. She continued to stare, squinting until the shadows changed into two distinct forms. She looked to Cook and cleared her throat.

"You, eh, want me to get you some more water?"

Cook didn't even look up. "Sure."

Torii quickly grabbed a bucket and headed out the door. The pump was beyond the trees. Before the entered the shadows, she stopped. "Who's there?" Silence. "I work here, I'm warning you, if you plan on robbing the place, I'll knock you out faster than you can say Carnegie."

"We do plan on robbin' the place, but only one thing." The voice came from behind the trunk.

"You better tell me, I'm warning you, I'm serious."

"Fine." A sigh. "Can you tell me if a Torii works here?"

She furrowed her brow. The voice sounded familiar. "Yeah. She does. What do you want with her?"

"To take her where she belongs. Back with us. To her friends."

Torii took a deep breath. It was now or never. "You mean Blink? And Spot? And Jack?"

"Yeah. Them."

Torii set her bucket down. "I can help you. What are your names?"

"Blink." "Spot."

She heaved a sigh of relief. "Walk with me. I can tell you everything." She picked up her bucket and moved past the tree. A patter of footsteps followed her. She didn't turn around as she started pumping water to fill her bucket.

"Here. Lemme do dat." Blink's voice.

"Thanks."

A pause. "So…you was gonna tell us 'bout Re…er, Torii."

"So I was."

Another silence.

"So shoot."

"I can promise she'll be down here in five minutes, packed and ready to run."

"Is she ok?"

"Yeah, she's fine." She took her bucket. "Thanks for pumpin' the water for me." She worried her lip. "She'll be here." She took a deep breath. "I promise."

A small sigh of relief from both boys reached her ears. "Thanks, goil."

She turned to the house. Neither boy had caught her face.

The moon's sliver glistened in the night sky.

- - - - - - - -

Blink turned to Spot. "Strange goil."

Spot shrugged, a motion unseen by Blink in the dark night. They crouched under the oak, waiting semi-impatiently for Red. They were not to be disappointed. Soon a small figure in a dark-colored newsie outfit came strolling toward them.

"Let's go," Red whispered, and no more was said as the group headed toward the street, Torii's small bag slung over her shoulder.

- - - - - - - -

A week later, Blink was sitting before Red who was in the chair. The fireplace flicked warm flames over the groups in the common room downstairs. A knock came on the door. Everyone stopped and looked to the door. Everyone was here already.

Kloppman opened the door, and in stepped Nikki. Red, startled, got up and headed toward her stepsister. Her eyes asked questions as she came to a halt in front of the closed door.

"It's…it's Mother. She got sick. You know that cough she had? Well…it got worse. And I know you had one and it went away…I was wonderin' if you could help her."

Red snapped out of her trance. "What?" she spat. "You expect me to help the old hag?" Nikki backed up, frightened at her sister's ire. "No! Never!" She pointed to the door. "Get out," she said in a cold voice. "Don't come here again."

Nikki fled.

- - - - - - - -

She needed your help.

So? She can afford a doctor.

But you know a lot about it.

She still needs your help.

I told Nikki to get out. I don't need to worry about it.

You know where she lives.

I don't care!

Sure you don't. That's why you're still up debating this.

Red sat up, rubbing her face with both hands. I won't get any sleep if I keep listening to you two!

Then make up your mind!

Fine! She sighed. Fine. I'll go tomorrow.

She fell back on her pillow and was asleep within five minutes.

- - - - - - - -

"I'll be back within the week. See ya." Jack looked up. "Dat's all it says." He sighed and tossed the note onto his bunk. "Fine. She probably went ta 'er stepmuddah's. We'll question 'er when she gets back. She seemed pretty distraught last night."

"Nice word, Jack," Specs commented. Jack snorted.

Blink thought in his corner. She left again. Why? WHY! Fine. I won't get any support here. I'll get Spot. And we'll go to her. He stood, definite in his decision.