A few days later...

Lynda sat at Tibby's, sipping her coffee and reading through a left-behind newspaper at her table in the corner.

The article she was reading was boring and her tea was getting cold. She lifted her head and looked out the window into the dull sunset. She should be getting back to the girls, it was nearly time for work.

Work. It's funny how that's what they called it. What she had come to call it. For a moment she found herself wondering what it would be like to do anything else. Maybe be a newsie. The pay wasn't quite as good but the moral assets would be worth it. Way worth it. But she couldn't 'quit'.

Lynda scowled and got up. Leaving some change on the table she left the diner.

The door shut behind her and she began walking off down the street. She pulled her thin coat around her front.

"Dammit," she swore, as an extra cold gust of wind blew up against her. By the nature of her work, none of her clothes really fit her like they should and she was paying for it.

She continued walking for a little ways before noticing a tall figure in her periferal vision. He seemed to be following her. She picked up the pace a little. So did the boy.

"Hey cutie," he said reaching out and grabbing her upper arm.

"Don't touch me," Lynda said. She was used to total strangers groping her so she was more then able to keep her calm, but somthing turned over in her stomach.

"Aw come on," the boy said again. He was quite tall and had brown hair and eyes to match. There was a distinctivly greasy auora around him. He looked to be about two years older then Lynda, if that.

"I said no," Lynda said, trying to jerk her arm away.

"Well I fucking say yes!" the boy hissed, he tightened his grip on Lynda's arm and dragged her over to the mouth of an alley way.

Lynda struggled to get free, her composure slipping away rapidly. Everytime she twisted in an attempt to get away, the boy's grip seemed to tighten until he finally pulled her against him and then drove her back into the cold, hard bricks.

Lynda cried out as she collided with the stone but the boy's rough hand flew up to cover her mouth.

"No talking, this is a private party," the boy smirked, breathing on her face. Lynda let out a whimper. Keeping her pinned, the boy's hands began untucking Lynda's thin shirt.

---

Mush scuffed his feet as he walked. He watched his feet and the little bits of rock that were sent flying everytime his feet collided with them. It was cold and he was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts. It was all he had. But he didn't care, his mind was elsewhere.

He couldn't stop thinking about Star. Where was she? Was she ok? How would he know for sure?

The answer to that was he wouldn't. And he hated that. He continued walking, absorbed in thought until a soft scream caught his attention. He lifted his head, searching for the source of the sound. There was nothing for a second but then he thought he heard a quiet voice off the the left. He turned his head and could vaguely make out two figures. It was dark and a little big foggy but he was sure that one figure looked distressed. He or she was against the wall and the taller one seemed to be roughing it around. He waited for a moment, unsure if he should check it out. Maybe ten seconds passed before Mush decided to intervine. As he got closer he was damn glad he did.

"Hey!" he called out as the fog thinned. The taller figure, a boy, late teens, looked up. In his hands were the wrists of a girl about Mush's age, her lip and nose were bleeding slightly. And her shirt was partially undone, "get your hands off her!"

The older boy did as he was told but then came after Mush.

"Got a problem pretty boy?" he sneered. His breath reeked of alchohol.

"Yeah, you!" Mush said, discusted, pushing the boy's face away from his. The older boy swung once and clipped the side of Mush's jaw.

Mush felt blood seep into his mouth. He spat and then swung. He landed a good hard punch to the older boy's nose. Hearing it crack triumphantly under his knuckles he backed off a bit.

The older boy staggered and brought a hand up to his nose. Rage filled his dark eyes and he charges Mush. He caught Mush around the middle and knocked him over. Sitting on top of him he began pummeling any part of Mush he could reach. After three blows Mush was concious that blood was pouring out of both his nose and mouth. Just then another fist came down hard on Mush's attacker's head. He slumped forward, unconcious, onto Mush's chest. Mush pushed his off with discust and then looked up at the girl who'd just saved his life.

She extended a hand, and out of pure amazment, Mush took it and pulled himself up. She looked to be about his age but was very thin... toned. She'd hit him once and he was out like a light.

"Err," Mush stammered.

The other girl smiled shakily at him.

"Thank you," she said.

"Er.. no problem..." Mush replied, "uh, I'm Mush,"

"Lynda,"

"Are you ok," he asked, ignoring the throbbing in his own head.

"Uh, yeah... I mean.. I'll be fine," she said, "thanks again."

"We're even," Mush said gratefully. Lynda started to walk away, "hey hold on a second!" he called after her.

Lynda turned around. Her nose and lip we're still bleeding.

"Do you have anywhere to go?"

"I'll be out all night-" Lynda began, hating to say it. However, Mush didn't quite understand.

"Why don't you stay at the lodging house with my pals!" he blurted out, cutting her off, "There are other girls there, don't worry," he added, remembering the situation she'd just gotten out of.

"Umm..." Lynda said, unsure.

"Really, you look pretty beaten up,"

Lynda sighed, "Ok,"

Not many people were going to want to pay for a beaten up hooker anyway.

Lynda limped forward.

"It's not far," Mush assured her. Supporting her with one shoulder they staggered back to the lodging house, both of them dripping blood the whole way.

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Hope you enjoyed the chapter, as usual, more to come! Just a note... it's very possible that the next chapter (or two...?) will be set earlier this same day ..:the day this chapter was set:.. so if there is any confusion that's probably why... but I think it'll be clear... I'm just gonna tie up loose ends like where everyone is while thiswas happening etc.

New chapter coming soon!

Thanks to all my fantabulous reviewers! ..:hugs:..

SCandCK1899:
WOW! SEQUEL YAY! Poor Mushy! Poor buff Mush! LOVE IT! UPDATE SOON!
Deah

treadingsoftly:
omg.. poor mush! cries
he's such a sweetie-pie.. i can't believe this is happening.. sigh
Please update soon this is soo good!

NewsieGoil1899:
Teen is good. POOR MUSH! MY POOR BABY! Yesh, mine. lol. My offer to use one of my characters still stands. smiles hopefully Anyways, this chapter ROCKED! Let's see... Star is now selling herself...and Mush is sad and depressed and... Well, all that stuff makes this story so darn excellent! Brilliant so far! Absolutely amazing! MORE! Please.
--Truth.Truth like a blazing fire.An eternal flame.--
--GiNnY--

Cinnamon Spice:
May I say again.
Poor Mush!
I wonder who the dark figure in the shadows was...
Anyway...
Update soon!

ecHo1899:
:GASP: star is a bad girl.. lol.mush needs a new girl in his life to come in. haha
i didn't expect chapt. 2 to come so soon! but i'm glad! yay! write more soon! lol