The walk back to Brooklyn seemed to take forever. I had knots in my stomach and my head was swimming with what ifs. I was so sure when I wrote that letter that he was still in love with me, but as I crossed the bridge back into my own territory, it hit me. What if I was wrong? I could have mistaken the things I thought I saw for something else. God! I could be so utterly screwed after this. It was always a rule. You don't write what you don't want people to know. God! The thought alone terrified me. Jacky Boy could be showing my deepest, darkest secrets with the whole of Manhattan right now. What was I thinking?
"Spot!"
I jumped. It only took me a moment to realize it was one of my younger boys. I stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was thinking. Everyone knew better to interrupt me when I was thinking, but then again, I hadn't exactly declared that was what I was doing, and some of these boys ain't so bright. I decided to humor him, rather than berate him for scaring the shit out of me.
The boy, as it turns out, hadn't done very good selling that day, and needed to borrow money so that he could stay in the lodging house, instead of out on the streets. I respected the kid's nerve in asking me. It had to have taken balls, or maybe the kid just didn't know any better. Either way, I couldn't let a 10 year old sleep in an alley. There were far too many bad people in Brooklyn for me to allow that to happen. He'd be dead before sun up, or worse. The front page everyday this week had been about a rash of killings. There was a psycho murderer roaming the streets, and guess who he decided to target. It just wasn't safe for us anymore. There were theories that maybe Pulitzer had gone mad when he was beaten by a bunch of kids, street rats and factory workers. If I was him, I would have gone insane. The most powerful man in New York City brought down by kids - his own newsies at that! It was laughable. There was a sense of irony about the whole thing, but I didn't buy into the stories. They were tales made up out of boredom, nothing more.
I took the boy, Scraps, with me to the home. It was getting late and it would be dark soon. No use getting stuck out in the dark with a killer on the loose, not that anyone would be stupid enough to come after me. It's still better to be safe than sorry.
Nights in the Brooklyn Lodging House were never easy. My boys were strong and emotionless during the day, but during the night, their fears came to life. It was surprising how many of the boys were terrified of the dark. They'd lay awake half the night watching the shadows move on the walls. That was nothing, though, compared to the screams and mumbling incoherent words that slipped past lips of sleeping boys. It was near impossible to sleep. Usually I slept alone, on a couch in the main room, just to be away from them. Truth be told, they scared me. The last thing you need in the middle of the night when you're trying to sleep is a sleep-talker begging for his life. It'll kinda scare the sleep right outta your system.
I wondered if I talked in my sleep. No one ever told me that I did, but really, even if I did, they wouldn't tell me. I don't know if it was out of respect or fear. I was happier not knowing, but either way, I wasn't getting any sleep tonight. My mind was on Jack and the letter. Honestly, I was terrified, completely scared out of my mind. I didn't know what I expected when I gave it to him. I should have burnt it or thrown it in the river. Anything but what I did.
Morning came too soon after a restless night and I couldn't afford to skip out on selling. I had barely been able to afford to keep that kid off the streets the night before, and I desperately needed the money. Besides, I needed something to take my mind off of Jack - anything to distract me. I was going crazy thinking about him.
I had no sooner gotten my morning papers, than I feel a hand on my shoulder. I'd be lying if I said it didn't take a lot of practice to keep from screaming. No one touches me, and I have reasons for it. This person had to be a dumbass to be touching me now and taking me by surprise. I turned around and couldn't help but smirk. Yeh.. I was right. Total dumbass.
WOOHOO! I wrote a second chapter to a story! I'm soo good! Yee haw! Seriously, I'm a cowgirl, ask anyone. :-P I want to thank NewsieGoil1899 for her review. I LOVE U GIRL! Okay, but I totally NEED feedback on this story cuz it's like my first chaptered fic in this fandom. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! If ya do it, I'll give ya a cookie... hmmm? sound good?
Anyways, there's a button down here that says "SUBMIT REVIEW". USE IT! luv yas!
-myka