Author note: Ello everyone, this is my introduction: -Ahem- Here is this chapter, hope you enjoy, blah blah blah.
I sat on my bed, reading a novel that Skip let me borrow. It was getting good. Tabitha just admitted her love to John and Andrew was jealous. Right when Andrew was about to stab John, I smelt smoke.
I looked up from my book and closed it shut. Smoke was leaking through the cracks. My eyes grew wide as I ran to the door and felt that it was hot. Ignoring the smoke, I opened the door and before me was an angry, raging fire. I shielded my face and coughed a bit as I ran to the other room.
I pulled on the boy's door, but it wouldn't budge. I then began to pound on it, hoping someone would wake up. Nobody came, so I banged my shoulder hard against the door, trying to break in.
My shoulder began to throb in pain, but that didn't stop me. The door then broke off its hinges and I ran in.
The boys were fast asleep in their beds as if the fire didn't concern them.
"Wake up!" I demanded, running to each bed and trying to get them to open their eyes. "You guys have to get up!" No respond.
The fire was spreading fast, and the boys weren't waking up anytime soon. I then came upon Spot's bed. His eyes were shut tightly, and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead from the heat of the fire.
I ran to the side of his bed and began to shake him.
"Spot," I said. "Spot, you have to wake up! You're going to burn!" Before I even realized it, the fire was spreading in the room, crawling up the first boy's sheets. It was Art's!
"Art!" I said. I glanced down at Spot before running to Art's bed and trying to blow out the fire. What good that did. I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I stepped back and watched Art's body engulf in endless flames. The fire spread to the next boy, and I stepped back, avoiding its hot flames.
I ran back to Spot's bed and pulled the sheets off his body. He had a bad habit of sleeping in his clothes. I put his arm around my shoulder and brought him up. He was heavier than I thought he would be.
"Come on Spot!" I pleaded. "I need help!" Spot kept his eyes clothes as if everything was alright. Spot's weight made us fall to the hard ground, and I struggled to push myself to my knees.
I looked up and saw that the fire was inches away. I fell backwards and crawled away, watching the flames whisper a deadly tune. I then realized I left Spot.
My eyes grew wide as the fire crept up Spot's arm and neared his head. I could feel the tears streaming down my face as I pushed myself to my feet and backed up against the wall. I then turned to the window and tried prying it open. I heard movement.
I turned back around to see that Spot was moving, and whispered my name. Before I could help him, the flames ate Spot's body; he didn't scream.
Laughter came from outside the window, and I glanced out. Crow, Twitch and Sky were watching me from below, laughing at my frightened form. I then looked up and watched the roof cave in. It was inches away, and then –
I shot up in my bed, breathing rapidly. Sweat trickled down my face mixed in with my salty tears. I then observed my surroundings; I was still in my room, and it was still dark. What if…I pushed the sheets off my body and ran out into the hallway.
I pulled the boy's door open, and ran in, not caring if I woke anyone up. I stopped at the end of Spot's bed, and seen his form peacefully sleeping. I had to make sure. I walked up to the side of his bed and pulled the sheets away from his face. His eyes were close, and he was breathing lightly.
I sighed in relief. I couldn't find the strength to stand so I sat on my knees and watched Spot sleep. I could still feel the cold sweat dripping down my face, and I could even feel tears releasing from my eyes. Dreams were signs; signs that something bad, or something good will happen. I couldn't let my dream come true.
Spot moved slightly but he didn't wake up.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," I told his sleeping form. "I thought I lost you." Spot stayed asleep as I sat there for the rest of the night, watching him. I sat Indian style, watching his chest rise and fall, and his occasional turning over. For thirty minutes he'd sleep on his side, and then he'd turn over and sleep on the other.
How could one boy make me so angry, so furious, so outraged yet I'd still love him.
I didn't fall asleep at all; I just sat and watched like my life depended on it. When the sun rose I decided it was time to leave. I gently pecked Spot's cheek and left the room. I could still feel my heart pounding against my chest as I washed up and changed. I soon heard the boys waking up, chatting about what the headline would be like today.
I opened my door and tiredly walked downstairs. I yawned as I walked into the kitchen and ate a small breakfast. I quickly fed Chance who was quite thankful. Skip entered the room and picked an apple up from the basket.
"So," he said. "How'd ya like stayin by Spot's bed all night?"
"You saw me?" I asked, not too surprised.
"Yeah," he said as some of the boys piled into the kitchen. I said my hellos and left for the front door.
As I pulled it open, a familiar voice made me jump.
"Leavin without me?" Spot asked. I turned around to find him standing on the bottom stair, holding his cane at his side.
"I, uh, thought you'd want to sell alone," I said. Spot shrugged and walked up behind me.
"Nah," he said as we walked out the door. "I like sellin with ya, things go by quicker." I smiled as we walked to the distribution center. There was a small line as we stood behind Lucky. He turned around and gave us a warm smile.
"Mornin, Spot, Sage," he said, tipping his hat. Spot nodded to acknowledge him.
"Good morning Lucky," I said, smiling back at him. The line moved on quickly and it was my turn. I didn't really feel like selling today, but I guess I'll just have to get over it.
"Twenty," I said. I gathered my papes and joined Spot as we walked through the crowded streets of Brooklyn.
"So," he started. "Where did youse and Skip go last night?" I rolled my eyes, but stopped when I remembered my dream.
"We just went for a walk, Spot," I said kindly.
"Why?" he asked. I shrugged,
"Just to talk and give Chance a walk. I didn't want to wake you, so I asked Skip because he was already awake," I lied. I felt terrible lying to Spot, but it was for the best, right?
"I wasn't asleep," Spot said. "I was thinkin. And besides, youse know not ta go anywhere at night without me."
"Sorry," I said. "I'll use common sense next time," I said sadly. It felt like Spot was running my life, and I couldn't go anywhere without his permission. Spot noticed this.
"I ain't tryin ta control yer life or anythin; I jus' don't trust anybody. I can't have youse getting hoit. I would kill myself if ya did." I smiled as I glanced down at the headlines.
Spot and I kept a short distance apart as we sold our papes. By lunch time I was craving sleep. I rubbed my eyes as I sold my last pape, and looked around for Spot. There he was, talking to them girls again. Why didn't they just get the hint and leave? Damn rich people. I laughed at the thought, because technically I was rich, but I would never be like them.
I walked up beside Spot and suppressed a yawn.
"Hey," I said, looking up at him. He smiled down at me.
"Hey," he replied, pulling his hat off of his head and running a hand through his hair. The girls giggled as he did so, and I could see why they were so googly eyed. Spot had his suspenders down at his side, and his shirt half unbuttoned. I didn't blame him, it was burning up outside. Thank God I didn't wear sleeves today.
"Can we buy a paper please?" one of the girls asked, blushing wildly. She must've been burning up in that long, expensive dress and ridiculously hideous sunhat. They had on long sleeves with frilly crap everywhere.
Spot shrugged and gave her a pape and she handed him a penny. All of the girls giggled as the one in the middle batted her eyelashes and showed off her pearly white teeth. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, making sure they all saw me.
Spot chuckled as he put his hat back on, tipped his hat to the girls, and took my hand in his and pulled me away. I glared back at them as they all stared in astonishment. Bet they couldn't believe Spot left with a "homeless" girl. Yeah, that's right; he doesn't want you or your stinking money you…dummy!
Spot threw his last pape into an alley and wiped some sweat from his forehead.
"It's hot out here," he said, releasing my hand. I nodded in agreement as we walked side by side to the Lodging House.
"You didn't have to do that," I told him as we walked past some rich man. "You know, walk away from those girls. They have money and they are very pretty." Spot shrugged,
"Dey ain't my type. I ain't lookin for some cute faced goil with a lot of cash ta take care of me." I smiled as Spot chuckled. "I'm surprised dey actually stop and talk to me. I mean, I'm a 'street rat,' as da bulls like ta call us."
"I hate people like them; they think they're so better than us!" I yawned as the sun's beams caused me to nearly fall asleep right then and there. Spot raised his eyebrows.
"Didn't get any sleep?" he asked. I blushed and shook my head.
"I had a nightmare," I said truthfully.
"'Bout what?"
"I can't remember." There I go again, lying to him. Spot shrugged,
"Take a nap when we get back, got it?" I smiled and nodded.
"Got it."
I obeyed Spot's wishes and fell asleep on my nice, warm bed after I read a few pages out of the novel Skip let me borrow. Just so happens Tabitha didn't admit her love to John, so Andrew didn't stab him to death. Instead, Tabitha ignored her feelings for John and married Andrew, who in returned beat her senseless. John soon married a different woman named Anna, and had four children. Tabitha ended up committing suicide, leaving Andrew and her daughter JoAnna. John soon found out and attended her funeral, where he realized his love for her. Then Andrew shot him because he knew why Tabitha killed herself.
I dreamed about the book, and felt as if I was playing the role of Tabitha, and Spot was playing as John. I couldn't recognize who Andrew was, but I could feel the heartbreak that Tabitha felt when she realized she had made a mistake.
I soon woke up and rubbed my eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them. I must've been asleep for awhile. It was still light outside, but I could tell that the sun would set in just a few hours. I got out of bed and stretched, yawning in the process. I was still sleepy, but I didn't have time to worry about that. I walked down the steps, and peaked into the main room.
The boys were sitting around, playing poker at the round table. Some were drinking beer, and others were drinking water. I saw Spot sitting beside Spark, a deck of cards in one hand, and a glass of water in the other. I walked over and flopped down in the seat beside him. I hadn't seen Skip all day, and I didn't see him now. He couldn't still be spying on Harlem could he?
"Sleep well?" Spot asked, studying his cards. I smiled and nodded.
"After I finished my book." Spot smiled as he added a card to his hand. He then picked up his glass of water, and for some reason I had the feeling he shouldn't drink it. I narrowed my eyes and studied the water closely. Floating aimlessly in the middle of the cup was a small, white looking thing. I looked like candy at first, but when I got a bit closer I knew what it was. A pill!
"Spot, don't drink that!" I demanded, pulling the cup out of his hand. Spot gave me an awkward look as he reached for the cup. "No!" I said.
"Give me my drink, woman! It ain't alcohol!"
"I know, but you don't understand!" Before I could explain the pill, Spot pulled the cup out of my hand and put it to his lips. I watched as he drank it, the pill and all. Damn it!
"See, nothing bad, just water." I shook my head and noticed that there was something floating in all of the boy's drinks. Damn it! Damn it all to hell! I tried my best to keep them from drinking, but they just wouldn't listen to me!
"Damn it!" I said under my breath. Just as it got dark, the boys got tired. Spot yawned and looked down at me as he wobbly walked for the staircase.
"I'm tired," he muttered. "I'm goin ta bed."
"No Spot, you can't! The Harlem boys, they put a sleeping pill in your drink and then they're going to burn the Lodging House!" Spot laughed and made his way upstairs.
"Don't be ridiculous, Sage, Harlem ain't dat low."
"Damn it Spot, just listen to me!" I followed Spot to the boy's room and watched him fall onto his bed. I shook him wildly, trying to wake him.
"Stop being stubborn, you ass! You're going to die!" The boys were also sleeping in their beds, some snoring, and others sleeping in odd ways.
"Gees, they must be tired," someone said from behind me. I twirled around and saw Art.
"Oh my God, Art! You have to help me, there's going to be a fire!"
"Where?" Art asked confusedly.
"Here! You see, the Harlem boys slipped sleeping pills in their drinks, and then they're going to burn this place down!"
"Why would they do dat?" came Dice's voice. He and Tick walked into the room, giving me odd looks.
"Because they hate us!" I yelled. The boys gave each others looks and shrugged.
"Where did ya hear dis from?" Tick asked. I sighed in frustration,
"Skip and I followed three Harlem boys, and they were talking about it!" And just like I had predicted, the smell of smoke filled the room. The three boys glanced around. I was thankful they didn't drink the pill. I ran out into the hallway and saw the horror I was dreading.
Fire was spreading across the room.
Next Chapter: Sage and the others have to find a way to get the sleeping boys out of the burning building. Can they do it? And what about Manhattan? Will Skip his promise and help them?
Author note: Hahahahaha, I am the master at cliffhangers! Okay, not really but I can dream can't I? Hehe, you guys just have to wait to find out what happens. LONG LIVE SPOT!