Author note: Thanks for the reviews everyone, I love to here what you think about my story.

I felt the know stinging my knees as I scanned over the note one last time. What did he expect me to do? Just forget the fact that he killed my mother? The tears on my face were cold and salty. I wiped my face and folded the note back up and placed it back into the envelope.

I pushed myself to my feet and shivered as my knees stung from frost bite. I turned around and resumed walking by people; this time at a very slow pace. I didn't want to sell papes this morning, but whether or not I wanted to, I had to.

I found my way to the distribution center and slowly crept up to the window.

"Fifty," I said hoarsely. The man smiled as I placed the money onto the counter, and picked up my papes. I walked solemnly into the streets and glanced down at the cheesy headline. Sighing, I tried my best to make it interesting. The only reason people bought from me because tears were still coursing down my face, and I looked pathetic. I wiped my nose, in which was cold, and tried not to think about the letter burning a hole in Spot's jacket pocket.

A strong breeze picked up and threatened to steal my papes, so I tightened my grip and shivered. The snow covered ground was a bit slippery, so everywhere I walked I would slip and slide.

I was way past lunch time, and I still had at least twenty papes left. I glanced down at them and grunted. Why did I get so many? I sat down on a bench and watched people walk by me. I closed my eyes for a split second, and when I opened them I saw two pairs of grey eyes staring back at me. I jumped slightly as Spot bent down to my level.

"What're youse doin?" he asked, standing up and sat down beside me.

"Nothing," I said, looking away.

"Oh yeah, well I think youse is lyin," Spot said.

"Leave me alone," I told him. Spot stared at me oddly before standing up.

"Alright," he said. "See youse later." He then shoved his hands into his coat pockets and walked away, whistling to himself. I watched his figure until it disappeared. I sighed deeply and tried to finish selling my papes.

It wasn't long until I finished, but it was longer than I had expected. I slowly made my way to the Lodging House, and once I entered all I could hear were the happy voices of the Brooklyn newsboys. I crept up to my room without anybody noticing, or so I thought.

I took out the note and laid it down onto the desk. I sat down and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

Dear father,

I started. I stared down at the piece of parchment. I quickly slid Spot's jacket off of me and continued writing.

I am okay, if you wanted to know.

What else should I put? I closed my eyes, and then began to write again.

I have not written you back because I did not know that you wrote me.

Do I tell him about Uncle Bryan and the warehouse?

Everything seems to be going peaceful, and I've learned many new things. I've also met new friends.

I brought my hand up to my locket and smiled slightly to myself.

I love it here in Brooklyn, and I love my new friends. They treat me well. I am no longer living with Uncle Bryan…because he went away for the time being.

I glanced around my room quickly, and hesitated.

I am now living in the Brooklyn Lodging House, and making money by selling newspapers. The boys here are generous, and kind. They remind me so much of home, and how much I miss my family.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead from a lot of…stress – was the word?

I love selling newspapers, and living with my friends. Another good friend of mine lives in Manhattan and visits often. We had a huge Christmas party and I got to be with the people I truly care about.

I smiled to myself as I stopped for a moment to pull my hair back messily.

I'm sure you are wondering about me living with a bunch of boys. They are very protective of me; especially…Spot.

I wasn't sure if I should tell him about Spot, maybe just a sentence or two.

He's one of my best friends, and I spend most of my time arguing with him.

It was true, I did spend most of my time arguing with him, and whatever time I had left I spent thinking about the kiss.

So, how are you? I'm terribly sorry that I didn't get your letters!

There I go again, lying through my teeth – uh, I mean letter.

So much has changed since I last seen you. I am seventeen now, and I still have blonde hair.

I laughed; remembering the times that father would joke about my blonde hair.

Hope to get a letter back soon.

Love,

I quickly marked "love" out.

Sincerely,

Sage.

I folded the paper up and put it in an envelope, and labeled it: "Shane Matthews." I wrote down his address, and then wrote down the address to the Lodging House. I sealed the envelope and quickly ran downstairs.

"Wades?" I said to the elderly man behind the desk.

"Yes, Sage?" he asked. I held up the envelope and gave him a small smile.

"Uh, I have a letter to send…"

"Of course," Wades said, taking the letter. "I'll make sure it gets to its rightful place." I smiled once more and turned to the main room. I walked in to find a poker game started…and a bottle of alcohol sitting on the table beside Spot's arm. I wrinkled my eyebrows as he picked the bottle up and put it to his lips. He then noticed me standing in the doorway and his eyes went slightly wide. He then put the bottle back down onto the table and stared at me.

"Sage, I-" I turned around and sprinted for the front door. I swung it open and heard Spot running after me. It was snowing, again, and I didn't have Spot's jacket.

Leave it to Spot to break a promise! I knew I couldn't outrun him, but I still had to try. I didn't want to talk to him right now. Damn it! Why won't he just leave me alone? My bare arms shivered as snow melted on them. I felt tears burning in my eyes as I nearly slipped on a patch of eyes. I could hear Spot's footsteps behind me as I tried to outrun him.

I then ran right into someone and stumbled backwards. I looked up to see who slowed me down, and gasped. It was Jackson! I stepped back, ready to run. He glared down at me.

"Well if it ain't the little witness," he said, eyeing me. I stepped back some more as he stepped forward. Spot soon appeared behind me, panting. I ran into him as I tried to step back more. I snapped my head around and peered up at him. He gave me a questioning look and peered over at Jackson.

Jackson had a murderous look on his face as he reached into his jacket where he kept his chain; or maybe it was his knife. I didn't have time to find out because I instantly grabbed hold of Spot's hand and took off running past Jackson. I was stupid not to turn around and run for the Lodging House, but my brain was telling me to do a million things at once. I glanced behind me to see Jackson following us, at a very slow jog.

I didn't stop running even when I was sure he stopped following us. Spot's hand was warm in mine as my feet soon gave in and I collapsed to the ground. I clutched my chest to catch my breath as Spot bent down beside me, panting as well.

"Who…was that?" Spot asked in between breaths. I turned to him with anger in my eyes,

"You Promised!" I screamed, causing him to jump slightly. "You promise you'd quit drinking!" Spot squinted his eyes as he stared blankly at me.

"Sage, youse don't understand-"

"No, you don't understand! When someone makes a promise they keep it! You don't lead people on into thinking they can trust you!" I looked away and took a deep breath. "And to think I actually starved for you…" Spot gave me a confused look.

"What?" he asked, putting his hands onto my shoulders. The necklace dangled from my neck as I sighed.

"Your pocket watch," I said, nodding towards it. "Who do you think bought you that?" Spot glanced down at the watch.

"Youse bought dis?" I simply nodded.

"Yeah, I did, because I thought you deserved it for gaining my trust!" I said, trying to cover up my feelings for him. Spot glanced down at the snow as my knees, once again, became frost bite. "Why didn't you keep your promise?"

"Because I can't control da way I feel!" he blurted out. "It's all I could do since Madison, and den youse show up and expect me ta get rid of da one thing that eases my mind when I think of 'er." I shook my head.

"Then you shouldn't have promised me…" I pushed myself to my feet and just stood there. Spot stood up as well and stared at me a few seconds.

"That guy," he started. "Who was he?" I looked at Spot and licked the dryness from my lips.

"His names Jackson," I said truthfully as I began to walk. Spot sighed and jogged up beside me.

"So why did we run from 'em? He didn't look too mean."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" I spat, stopping and staring at Spot. "You don't know who he is, and you don't know what he did!" Spot's eyes turned into fire.

"What did he do?" he asked, stepping closer to me. I looked away from his eyes.

"Nothing," I said. "Nothing that concerns you." I turned to walk away but Spot caught my arm and made me face him.

"Sage," he said in a deathly tone. "What did he do?" I could now feel the tears pleading to fall.

"I…" I stared at the ground and held back the urge to run. "I…"

"You what?"

"I…saw him…murder and rape someone. A woman," I said, letting one tear loose. "He saw me and tried to do the same to me!" I blurted out, cupping my hands in my face and demanding my tears to go away.

I couldn't only see the fire in his eyes, but I could also feel it. He turned his head in the direction we ran from and began to walk.

"Spot? Spot, what are you doing?" I asked, catching up to him and pulling on his arm.

"I'm gonna kill 'em." My eyes widened as I grabbed hold of Spot's arm and tried to stop him.

"Spot, you can't just kill a guy! It's…its murder!"

"I don't care!" Spot hissed.

"Spot, stop it! You're going to get yourself killed!" Spot didn't respond. Instead he clutched his fists in anger.

"Spot, would you just stop?" I screamed. Spot came to a stop and turned to me. "Spot please, the last thing I want is for my best friend's…brother to get arrested because of me." Spot narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not just your best friend's brother, Sage. I, too, am your best friend!" I sighed deeply.

"Okay, then I don't want my best friend to get arrested because of me." Spot glanced at the building we were standing in front of. I gave Spot pleading eyes.

"Why didn't youse tell me?" he asked. "How long ago was dis?"

"Uh, way before Christmas," I said, looking down guiltily. Spot shook his head.

"I can't believe youse didn't tell me!" he almost screamed.

"Well, I can't believe you broke your promise!" Spot gave me a glare.

"This is much more serious den me breaking a silly little promise!" Spot shouted. I shook my head.

"You know what? I can't deal with this anymore! I can't deal with you! When my father gets out of jail, he's coming for me! And you know what? I'm going with him!" I then pushed past him and began to walk away.

"What?" Spot asked, catching up to me. I ignored him as I shivered. "Sage, what are youse talkin 'bout?" I stopped and kept my eyes on the ground.

"I found a letter from my father, and he said he's going to come get me when he gets released from jail," I said, folding my arms over my chest to keep warm.

"Sage, youse can't leave," Spot whispered. He immediately pulled his jacket off and hung it around my shoulders. "C'mon, we's should get back." He then put a friendly arm around me and stirred our way back to the Lodging House.

Next Chapter: After a few days of waiting, Sage gets a letter back from her father.

New Years is coming up, and Art is demanding for an answer.

Does Spot work up the nerve to kiss Sage on New Years?

Author note: I would write more, but I felt sick all day and I'm getting ready to puke…LONG LIVE SPOT!