On the other side of the city, Star stood in front of a full lenghth mirror. She barely recongnized herself.

Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, with strands falling seductivly into her face. She was wearing a black, lacey corsette type deal with thin fishnet stockings protruding from thigh lenghth black shorts.

And she was wearing more makeup then a travelling circus.

"You ready to go?" came a voice from behind her. Lynda walked over to Star and placed a hand on her bare shoulder.

Lynda was Star's age, a veteran in the business and very attractive. She had shoulder length, curly, dirty blonde hair and caramel coloured eyes. She wore the same ensemble as Star execpt in a dark shade of purple.

"I'm not feeling to well Lynda," Star said softly, "maybe I shouldn't go out tonight,"

Lynda shook her head sympathetically, "Sorry hun, there's no taking a night off in this business,"

Star nodded, "Okay, lets go,"

The two girls walked together to the rusty front door and stepped out into the cold night air. Three other girls walked over from the other exit to meet them. There was one brilliant red head, whose name was Shanda and there were asian twins; Kiro and Miro.

Once together, they strode off down the street, past many shops, most of which were long ago closed until they came to a four way stop.

"Okay, Kiro, Miro... you're together, as always," the twins nodded and left together down one of the stretches of road, "Shanda... you can go solo tonight," Shanda then left.

Lynda and Star alone for a few moments before turning to examine their surroundings.

"Could we just stay here?" Star asked, clutching her stomache slightly, "I really don't feel well,"

Lynda looked around for a moment. Already, darkfigures were beggining to come out of the shadows.

"Sure hun," she said, looking worridly at the other girl. She didn'thave much time to spendlooking overher though, as soon heavy hands began placing themselves on her shoulders and she stalked off after the money into dark alleyways and deserted lots.

Star watched her go butwas distracted by her ownhandful of coins being placed underher nose. She stood up straight,trying to ignore the nausia and followed the man into the shadows.

---

Mush sat unhappily onone of the sofa's in the lodging house.

"You okay?" His best friend, Kid-Blink asked, sitting down beside him.

"No," Mush said bluntly.

"You gotta tryand cheer up,"Blink said, "otherwise you'll be miserable forever,"

"Gee thanks,"

"I'm just trying tohelp." Blink looked slightly hurt.

"Yea I know," Mush said, sitting up a little bit, "I'm sorry,"

Him and Blink exchanged half hearted smiles.

Just then Kloppman stuck his head into the room and demanded they all get to bed before the sun came up.

"Yeah, yeah, we're going," Race said, angrily throwing his cards onto the table. Jamie smirked as she scooped up his pile of pennys. She was getting good. Almost too good. Race was beggining to regret teaching her how to play.

"Don't be a sore loser," Spot said teasingly as he wrapped an arm around Jamie's thin waist.

"Ha ha," Race mocked.

Mush watched subconsiouly as Spot pulled Jamie into a light kiss.

"Get a room," Jack laughed, making discusted faces.

Mush looked away. He missed Star. He missed being with her, looking at her, kissing her. He had loved her. He looked across the room at Switch, he was getting up off another couch, deep in conversation with Skittery about something or other.

He hadn't been effected at all by Star's disapearance. Sure, he'd been obsessed with her, then progressed to having sex with her every other day... but now she was gone. He'd excepted that and moved on. She wasn't really important to him. He could live without her... easily. Mush couldn't. Even if he was never going to be 'with her' anymore, he wanted to know she was safe. And he didn't.

'Must be nice,' He thought bitterly, 'to be able to not care,'

In small groups the newsies made their way upstairs to their bunks, laughing and chatting. Mush was silent. At this point he would be walking up, an arm around Star, with her head on his shoulder. He let out a sigh. If he closed his eyes he could almost feel her there, but then he just ran the risk of walking into someone.

Another day gone, another night to be slept away. That's what it felt like to him. Like his life was a hollow shell. Empty.

'Dammit Star,' He thought, slipping into bed, 'Why'd you have to be so damn wonderful?'

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Okay, first things first... should I up the rating, simply because of subject matter? Lemme know and secondly:

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! It is Mucho Apreciated! More to come!

ecHo1899
awe poor mush... he's soo cute! i love it when guys cry lol

Cinnamon Spice
Poor Mush!
This kills me cause I love Mush.
Anyway. If you want, you can use my Newsie in here. Her name's Catwalk and she's a total tomboy.
Update soon!

NewsieGoil1899
screams like a hyper fangirl YAY! SEQUEL! I LOVE IT! MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE! Please. I LOVE IT LOTS! Poor Mush. hugs him tightly MY MUSH!
--GiNnY--

pennylayne
THAT WAS SO SAD.
Poor Mush.
I can't wait for this to continue! Ugh I'm so excited! YAY!
Layne