Author note: Haha, the art of staying home from school…I have skill!

An agonizing feeling struck through my stomach, and I felt the need to throw up. My eyes were wide and watery, and my hands shook wildly. I could feel little beads of sweat trickle down my face, or was that tears?

I bit my lip and moved forward in a small run to get to my puppy. Spot grabbed hold of my good arm, and kept me from running any further.

"No, stop it!" I protested.

"Shh," Spot tried to sooth me. He held me tightly as I struggled to get away.

"I have to help him!" I said.

"No Sage, he's gone," Spot whispered in my ear. I shook my head and let tears fall from my eyes. I never ceased to cry. The driver of the wagon jumped down and gave the crumbled up body of Chance a disgusted face. He then turned to me,

"I am terribly sorry, miss," he lied.

"You weren't supposed to be going that fast!" I screamed without hesitation. Spot tightened his grip on me as I made a move to run at the driver.

"Calm down, Sage," Spot said.

"You're a murderer!" The man glanced around at the many people who were watching us. It wasn't long until a few other newsies came out the door, and one of them just so happened to be Skip.

"Oh my God," he said, running up to Spot and I. He gasped at Chance's deformed body and cringed. I pulled myself out of Spot's grasp and Skip immediately wrapped his arms around me into a hug. I hugged him back and let myself cry on his shoulder.

"What are youse doin?" Spot asked Skip, narrowing his eyes.

"What youse is supposed ta be doin for yer goil, comforting 'er. Not tellin 'er ta calm down," Skip said, rubbing my back. I wiped at my eyes and refused to look back over at my dead puppy. I let Skip walk me inside, and didn't even spare Spot a second glance.

Audience P.O.V

Spot stood dumbfounded in the street. He watched as the man ushered someone to rid of the puppy – Chance's body. He was trying to comfort Sage, right? Well, he thought he was doing a pretty good job.

Spot ran a hand through his hair and turned around to walk away. That was, until someone stopped him.

"Spot, hey Spot," Jumper screamed as he ran up to the Brooklyn leader. Spot turned around and looked down at the eleven year old boy who was dressed in brown trousers and black suspenders.

"What?" Spot asked his little spy, "What is it?" Jumper waved a piece of paper in the air as he attempted to catch his breath.

"I got somethin for ya," he breathed. Spot snatched the paper away, and tore it open. "It's from Lance." Spot tore his eyes away from the leader and at Jumper.

"Lance? Did he give dis to ya?" he asked sternly. The little boy shook his head in fear.

"N-no sir. He didn't."

"Den who did?" Spot wanted to know.

"One of da Harlem boys brought it to me over in Manhattan." Spot nodded and continued to read the letter.

Brooklyn,

We have some unfinished business. This letter is mainly to Spot, so here it is:

We are watching you, Conlon. Closer than you'd think. We hear ya got a pretty goil now, Sage is it? She seems real nice…really, really nice. I wouldn't want nothin bad to happen to her, would you?

We settle this once and for all, or the goil gets hurt. No tricks, Conlon; we ain't playin with ya anymore. You call the shots, war or no war. But remember, your goil's life is at stake here.

I mean, if ya are gettin bored with her, we'll take her. I mean, that's one way to get us off your ass.

Spot gripped the paper tightly, and wiped the sweat off his cheek.

You and Kelly meet us at the old warehouse down in the middle of Manhattan. Just you and Kelly. I better not see anyone else, Conlon, or else. Today at dusk. Be there, or we'll kill her.

Lance.

Spot crumbled up the piece of paper in his hand and gripped it tighter. Jumper stepped back at the look on his boss's face.

"Go ova ta Manhattan. Get Jacky-boy and bring him back here." With that said Spot turned around and walked for the door of the new Lodging House.

Normal P.O.V

I felt sick to my stomach as the image of Chance's death replayed over and over again in my head. It was disgusting, yet so heartbreaking.

I laid on the couch, my head underneath one of the throw pillows. Skip sat at the end of my feet, trying to keep me calm.

"It'll be alright, Sage," he comforted, patting my leg. "He's in a better place." I heard the front door open and close, and listened to the person's boots hit the floor noisily as they walked over to me.

I pulled the pillow up some, and saw a pair of dark brown boots, ones that belonged to Spot.

"Sage," he said in almost a whisper. He caressed my hand, which was gripping the pillow tightly over my head. I felt Skip get up and heard his footsteps fade away. Spot probably told him to leave.

Spot sat on the edge of the couch, near my waist, held on tightly to my hand. I knew he wasn't accustomed to this comforting thing, which made him a bit un-easy.

"Sage," he said again. I soon released my grip of the pillow and held onto Spot's hand. He pulled the pillow away from my head and peered down at my tear stained face. He leaned down held in a hug.

I wasn't all that broken up about Chance's death, I was just torn up because everything bad had to happen to me, and I knew Spot could see that.

I hugged Spot back as he politely kissed my cheek and moved the strands of hair out of my eyes.

"Want a new dog?" he asked. I smiled slightly and shook my head,

"Too much trouble," I told him. "I'm still learning to take care of you." Spot chuckled.

"That ain't very nice," he said. I shrugged,

"Nobody ever said I was nice."

"Nobody has ta say it ta know it," Spot said, pressing his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and sighed. "You alright?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'll be fine." Spot nodded, but I could tell that something was troubling him.

"I hafta be somewhere tonight, okay?" Spot said. I frowned,

"Where are you going?"

"Jus' ova ta Manhattan ta settle somethin. I need ya ta stay here, though, okay?"

"Okay," I said. Spot smiled and kissed me lightly on the lips. He pulled away and gripped tighter, not too tight, on my hand.

"Hungry?" he asked. I scrunched up my nose and shook my head, remembering Chance's poor deformed body.

"Oh, sorry," Spot apologized.

"It's okay, I told him." Spot's face then turned serious,

"Listen, I don't want youse goin anywhere alone, ya hear?" he said. I furrowed my eyebrows,

"Why?"

"'Cause…There is some conflict goin on with Harlem, and dey'll do anythin ta tick me off." I nodded,

"Alright, I promise not to go outside alone. And I also promise not to go to sleep alone." Spot grinned,

"Who is youse planin on sleepin with?" Spot's strong Brooklyn accent always made me melt for some certain reason.

"Spark," I shrugged. Spot burst out laughing; his eyes were lit up in amusement. He must've found it funny when I always used Spark. Poor Spark, doesn't even know that we make fun of him.

"Spark ain't strong enough ta keep ya safe." A grin spread across my face,

"Alright then, I'll bunk with Skip." Spot narrowed his eyes playfully,

"No, you are bunkin with me!" I laughed and pulled Spot down towards me. Our lips met in a tender kiss that could last a lifetime.

Spot and I pulled away when someone entered the room.

"Am I interrupting somethin?" Dice asked, blinking.

"Yes!" Spot groaned. I smiled up at Dice who merely shrugged. Spot turned his attention back to me and ignored Dice as he pushed his lips forcefully to mine again. I was a bit surprised at how Spot kissed me…like he was going to die in a matter of seconds if he didn't kiss me.

I could feel Spot's hands traveling my body, but not going too far. I pulled away from Spot and looked away from him, not ready for what he wanted.

Spot sighed and stood to his feet,

"I have a meetin with Jack," he said. I nodded, still not making eye contact. I heard Spot sigh again and pulled his cap onto his head. "Stay here, and don't go outside alone."

He then left, leaving me in an empty room. Dice had left earlier, probably to the kitchen or something. I shrugged and got to my feet, wiping at my eyes. I walked upstairs and into Spot's room, deciding on a nap.

The door was wide opened, which was unusual since Spot never liked having his door opened. Maybe I left it open this morning.

I walked into the room and shut the door. I walked a few steps, but something caught my eye. Something was behind the door. A shadow cast over me, and before I could let out a scream and hand clasped over my mouth, and strong arms held onto me tightly.

I struggled against the person's grip as they pulled me over to the window. He opened it while still holding me, and forcefully pushed me out onto the fire escape.

I made a move to run, but there were other boys. They all encircled me, and before I knew it I was being dragged away, a bandana over my eyes and another one over my mouth.

Holy shit…I'm being kidnapped!

Next Chapter: Spot and Jack go meet up with Lance.

When Spot refuses to have a war, Lance threatens Sage's life. Spot doesn't believe that Lance would hurt Sage, but what will Spot do when a few boys drag Sage out of the darkness, bleeding and scared.

Author note: Haha….well, here's this chapter…I'm hungry…LONG LIVE SPOT AND SAGE!