Without a word, Melody strode across the room to the set of bunks the man named Kloppman had pointed out. She tossed her belongings down, claiming the lower bunk, and proceeded to search for her nightshirt. Once she succeeded in finding it, Melody doubled back to head for the washroom, presumably to change. Hayley had not yet budged from the spot where Kloppman had left her, and instead was peering around in the darkened room at the strange, now-sleeping boys. This was not what she had expected at all.
Although she had grown up with brothers, that experience had in no way prepared her for rooming with twenty or so young men she had never met. Hayley started when Mel brushed past her and walked nonchalantly back to her bed, now in her nightclothes. Shivering, Hayley realized she needed to get out of her soaked attire, and ducked in to the washroom to reluctantly change into her bloodied frock once more. She then uneasily made her way to the back of the bunk room, treading quietly as to not wake the boys again.
She pulled off her shoes and set them, and her pillowcase of items, carefully at the foot of the bed. Melody had already passed out in the bottom bunk, so Hayley climbed to the one above her, praying she wouldn't fall, and tried to settle in for what was left of the night. Hayley pulled the blankets up protectively around herself and stared out across the room at the many new faces. As sleep took hold of her, Hayley's apprehensions were pushed from her mind and she let herself be carried away into unconsciousness.
Scarcely a few hours had gone by before the sound of many voices pervaded her sleep. Hayley tried to block them out with all her might and pulled the covers over her head, attempting to snatch just a few more minutes of shut eye. The noise did not cease and the dawn's new light assaulted her eyes through the thin blankets. Conceding defeat, Hayley threw back the covers and opened her eyes…then immediately wished she hadn't. All of the guys she had seen the previous night were now milling about the room, preparing to go to work, many lacking clothes.
"Morning sunshine," a tall boy teased as he walked past her bed, laughing at her obvious discomfort.
"Ahh Snods, put some pants on ya scabber," a boy with an eyepatch chided him.
"Yeah you're in the presence of a lady," Melody said as she leaned against the bunk bed, brushing her hair. Hayley noticed she was already fully dressed.
"I woke up early," Mel said in response to Hayley's confused look. The boys continued to get dressed, glancing back at the girls every so often and Hayley determinedly avoided their eyes, waiting for them to leave.
"See you gals later," the short Italian grinned as the guys finally filed out.
"I wouldn't bet on it," Melody gave him a withering look; she had planned only on seeking refuge at this lodging house, then leaving.
"Careful, Race'll bet on anything," warned one of the nicer –looking newsies on the way out.
Once they were gone, Hayley dressed and followed Melody downstairs. Kloppman sat, reviewing paperwork, behind the long desk that had hidden the girls the night before.
"We just wanted to thank you for what you did before we headed out," Melody said, crossing over to him.
"Yeah you really got us out of a tight spot there," Hayley agreed. "I just wish there was some way we could repay you."
"Well, now that you mention it…" Kloppman trailed off.