Author note: Ah, the advantages of being sick; you get to stay home from school. Anyways, yes I am still sick, yes I am going to the doctor, and no I don't want to go to the doctor. Anyways, here's this chapter. Enjoy!

Normal P.O.V

I awoke the next morning in Scout's room, lying in a rather uncomfortable chair. I groaned as the sunlight hit my face, blinding my sensitive vision.

"Damn it!" I cursed as I shielded my eyes. I saw a whole different side of Spot yesterday, and I didn't want to recall that memory. I tried stretching in my uncomfortable position, and rose from the chair. Scout's bed was empty, which gave me the advantage to read my letter.

I rummaged in my bag and pulled the letter out. I took a deep breath and slowly opened it.

Dearest Sage,

I understand that you do not wish to see me, or live with me, but I've decided that I'll come visit.

What? Wait, when did this happen?

I'm not quite sure when you will receive this letter, but I shall arrive in a few days. I don't really like the idea of Brooklyn, but I guess I can give it a few days' chance. If you would like I shall bring pictures of your mother and sister. Memories are always good to remember.

"Not if they're bad memories!" I blurted out loud.

Hopefully I'll see you in a few days. Until then,

Much love,

Daddy.

I stared down at the note, speechless. He was coming? Well, going to Brooklyn. I wasn't going to be there to welcome him, and I sure as hell wasn't going back there just to see him. He can just go back, and take Satan with him!

I folded up the letter and shoved it back into my bag as I pulled out some clean clothes. I walked into Scout's washroom and washed up. At least now I was refreshed. I walked down the stairs of the Manhattan Lodging House and found Scout munching on a cookie.

"Mornin Sage! Ready ta sell papes?" she asked, handing me a cookie. I took it and bit into it. It wasn't bad really, but then again it tasted a bit burnt. Oh well, it was better than nothing.

"Yeah, I guess," I replied, following her out the door. I had a few coins in my pocket, just enough to buy my daily papes. The Manhattan distribution center wasn't too far away, so it took only about five minutes for us to reach it. Unlike the Brooklyn distribution center, this one didn't smell of fish.

Scout walked up to the ramp and stood in line behind the boy who I knew to be Racetrack.

"Heya Race!" Scout greeted him. Race turned around with a cigar hanging from his mouth.

"Hey Britt," he greeted her. I gave Scout an odd look at what Race called her.

"Britt is short for me real name: Britton. Britton McCoy." I smiled at her grin. "And Race is da only one who calls me it. Not often, though." Race shrugged and finally decided to the light the cigar in his mouth.

The line moved on quickly until it was Scout's turn.

"Hundred papes," she said, slapping down her coins onto the counter. The man took the money as someone passed her the papes. Scout moved out of the way and I walked up next.

"Fifty," I muttered, putting two-bits onto the counter. The man took the money and somebody handed me my papes. I walked over to Scout was now standing beside Jack.

"Hey Jack," I greeted him. Jack tipped the black cowboy hat on his head.

"Mornin," he said as David and Les walked up.

"Hey, Dave," Jack said, patting his back. Les smiled up at me as he held onto his wooden sword.

"Hey Sage!" he said. I gave him a gentle smile and greeted him and David. David bought his papes and went off to sell with Jack. Scout then motioned for me to follow her, and I obeyed.

"Youse see, Manhattan is different den Brooklyn. 'Round here youse ain't got a bunch of tough assholes pushin youse outta their way. Deys actually buy some papes. Brooklyn is a bunch of though bullies, threatenin people if dey don't buy papes; but here we's don't care whedder or not dey buy 'em. Either way dey is losin da daily news." Why did Scout always have to sound so confusing? Scout also looked a bit confused by her own words.

"Uh, okay," I said, studying the headlines.

After selling for about two hours with Scout, we got a bite to eat from Tibby's, and then returned to the Manhattan Lodging House where Scout and Race tried teaching me poker…again.

Audience P.O.V – Brooklyn Lodging House

There were a few knocks on the front door. Skip looked up from the ground as he petted Chance. He looked around at the other newsies who didn't seem to care. Madison was already here, so apparently it wasn't her.

Skip rose off the ground and walked over to the door. He opened it slowly and peered out. There was a man with a black bowler hat on, and a very long coat that reached to his knees. It was hard to see his face considering it was nearing dark. He walked in and past Skip and seemed to study the place as he took off his hat and jacket.

He then noticed the group of boys sitting in the main room and walked in. He had a head full of messy brown hair, and had a stern look. His eyes were as cold as Spot's.

"What can I do for youse?" Spot asked. He was sitting at the round table, watching his boys play a game of cards, Madison at his side.

"I'm looking for Sage Matthews," the man said. "Is she here?" Spot tilted his head to the side. This man resembled Sage a bit, but he had a completely different personality. Spot squinted his eyes for a moment, and then observed the man.

He looked to be nearing his forties. For some reason, Spot felt that he didn't trust this man. The look on his face was deadly, and it seemed as if he never smiled. His eyes were as cold as ice, and he held a walking cane in his left hand. Sage was left handed…

The man had an evil aura surrounding him.

"She ain't here," Spot finally replied.

"Well when will she be back?" the man asked. His voice was spine-chilling, as if he was a cold blooded murderer.

"Never," Spot said. "She don't live here anymore." For some reason this made his heart ache.

"Oh," the man said. "Where does she live?"

"In da Manhattan Lodging House," Skip said, walking into the room. "She left yesterday." The man glared at the group of boys.

"Very well," he muttered. He turned around and walked towards the door.

"What business do youse have with 'er?" Skip asked, stepping in front of the man.

"My name is Shane. Shane Matthews. I am her father." Everybody in the room seemed to get quiet at the man's last words. Spot felt his heart pound against his chest. Sage wasn't kidding, she was leaving. But he was a murderer! He could try and kill her! Just because he went to jail for awhile doesn't mean he changed. He was still a murderer. Spot wanted to get to his feet and beat the living hell out of this man for causing Sage so much pain, but it wasn't entirely his fault. If it weren't for Madison sitting at his right then he probably would've hurt the man.

Skip nodded and moved out of Shane's way. Spot sent him a glare as he watched the man walk out the door. For some reason, he just felt like something was wrong…Sage was in trouble. For the first time in Spot's life, there was complete fear in his eyes.

Normal P.O.V

I awoke to the sound of feet pounding on the floor in the hallway. I raised myself from the chair and groggily walked out into the hallway. There were two little boys, rolling around on the floor, hitting each other.

"Dat's enough!" came a voice from my right. I turned my head and smiled at Race. He once again had a cigar hanging out of his mouth as he stared sternly down at the boys. The boys stood to their feet and ran away.

"Kids," Race laughed as he walked by me. I smiled at the sweet smell of the Manhattan Lodging House. It was so different from the Brooklyn Lodging House in so many ways that I couldn't explain. I quickly cleaned up, and then walked down the steps.

"Hey Sage, there's some man here for youse," Kid Blink said, pointing in the direction of the main room. I bit my lip in fear of who it could be. I walked into the room to find Scout and Jack talking to him. He had his back turned to the doorway, so he couldn't see my angry look.

Scout and Jack's eyes landed on mine, and the man turned to see what they were staring at. For some reason, a look of fear was on each of my friend's faces. The man stood to his feet and removed his hat.

"Sage!" he said with fake excitement. Only I could see this, because my father was genius at covering up his true feelings. He looked different than the last time I have seem him; he seemed…more…I don't know. It was hard to explain.

He walked over and pulled me into the most awkward hug. From the touch of his cold, rough hands, I too felt fear swim through my body. I felt my whole body shiver slightly as the man who murdered my mother hugged me. I must have looked frightened, because Jack stepped forward to say something, but Scout placed her hand on his shoulder.

My father pulled away and stared down at me.

"Look at you!" he said. "You are beautiful! Why, you look just like your mother. You have her eyes, you know, but my eye color." I stood speechless in front of my father. I glanced over his shoulder at Scout and Jack, who seemed to be just as frightened as me. It wasn't instinct that had us all afraid, it was his presences. It was the deadliness that haunted my father. His voice was cold and fake. His eyes were pure hatred, and his touch was murderous.

"I…" I couldn't think of anything to say. It was harder talking to him in person, and more frightening. He just seemed so…so…so scary.

"I'm happy to see you, too!" My father said, his voice making my blood run cold.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, looking down at the ground.

"I need to speak with you, my daughter," he said, trying to find his fatherly voice. He looked back at Scout and Jack. "Do you mind if we have some privacy?" Scout bit her lip as she glanced up at Jack who seemed to be unsure. I nodded my head to assure them that I would be okay, and they hesitantly left the room. I sat down in a chair, and my father sat across from me.

"What is it that you want to talk about?" I asked. My voice was full of fear, and it was also creaky. Spot didn't even scare me this much. As a matter of fact, I would rather have Spot sitting in front of me. At the mere thought of Spot, I felt a bit braver, but then again I also felt lonely.

"I've just come to beg your forgiveness," he said.

"I forgive you," I said in hopes that'd accept that and leave. He shook his head.

"It's not as easy as that Sage. You don't understand what I go through." I kept my head low incase he senses my fear, and felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Listen, Sage. I may have a million maids, and a lot of money, but I'm lonely. I'm a different man, and I need company. If I don't have the only person left in my life to be with me, then I'll die a lonely man." I could feel tears brimming my eyes. Not from sorrow, but from fear. "I'm not asking you to give up your life to come live with me, I'm just asking you to help me." I don't know how he did it, but he did. My father was a manipulator, and his tricks worked on everybody…even me.

"But my friends," I choked out.

"They can visit anytime they'd like. Sage, you need me, and I need you. You don't deserve to live like this." I wiped my nose, and held back the tears of fear.

"I can't," I whispered. I glanced up at my father who had an angry look on his face.

"Why not?" he yelled/said. I jumped as he raised his voice and felt my heart pound against my chest.

"I…I…"

"You see, you have no reason to stay here. You don't need these people; they'll just ruin your life! Come back to California where you belong and see how I've changed." For some reason, his words convinced me. You see, he is a true manipulator.

"When do we leave?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers. A frightening smile spread across my father's lips as he stood from his chair.

"Tonight," he said. "Just enough time for you to say goodbye to your friends." I nodded my head and rose from my chair. Why did I feel so unsure about this?

Author note: See, I told you I was gonna break this up into two chapters. Anyways, look down to see what happens next.

Next Chapter: Spot finally realizes why he was with Madison in the first place: the fill in the empty space in his heart. But when she didn't fit in that empty space, Spot realizes that he hadn't been waiting for Madison…but one girl in particular.

Spot learns that Sage is moving back to California…tonight. Does he make it to Manhattan in time before Sage leaves?

Why was everyone so afraid of Sage's father?

Find out in the next chapter. Oh, and so you guys know, the story is coming to a very…very…slow…ending…and there will be a sequel in the future. But this isn't the last chapter…we have more to come.