Title: Secrets Behind the Lies

Author: Stress

First written: June 27, 2002- March 19, 2004

Edited and replaced: May 16, 2006

Summary: Part II of the Soul Mates Series; After living in Manhattan for two years, Stress thought she knew everything about Jack Kelly or, should we say Francis Sullivan? Well, guess not.

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Queens

Rip continued to whistle under his breath as he entered the bunkroom of the Newsboys' Lodging House.

"Hey there, Rip. So nice of you to join us," called Danger from his bunk. He shut his mouth at once when he saw Spindle's eyes flash with anger. "I mean, hi."

Spindle gave him one last look before rushing to Rip's side. "Rip, I got all of them that you told me to get." Spindle turned to gesture to the six girls who sat on the same bunk. "Tunes, Corner, Quipster and Moneybags. And I also asked Iris and Dice to come to hear you talk. I think the more we got the better, eh?"

Rip nodded absentmindedly as he went to greet the only two boys that were in the bunkroom. "Danger, Rocks. How are you?"

Rocks grunted in reply. Rocks got his name because he used to walk around boasting that his head was harder than a rock. Unfortunately Rip took him up on that, and bet him a whole dollar that he couldn't break a rock over his head. Needless to say Rip won that bet. And even though it had been at least six months, Rocks still had yet to say one word. The rumors going around the lodging house were that when he cracked that rock over his head, he yelled so loud that his voice had just been spent.

Danger, who had the ability to speak though he usually spoke at the most inopportune of times, stood from his perch and leaned in to whisper to Rip. "Uh, Rip? What's all this about? I only got to sell half of me papes before Spindle ran into me and told me I had to get here and quick. What's going on?"

"Hold your horses, Danger. I'll get to it all in good time." Rip flashed him his trademark smile and pointed him to a bunk. "Take a seat, kid."

Danger, barely a year younger than Rip, began to mumble as he walked to the bunk.

"Is everyone comfortable?" Rip asked and waited until he saw them all nod. "Good. Now, I don't know how much Spindle told you, but we're going on a little trip--"

"What?" cried Quipster as she jumped off of the bunk. "What do you mean, we're going on a trip?"

"Spindle." Rip said, pointing at Quipster.

Spindle nodded. "Quipster, you better sit down before I have to take out me friend here." she hissed in Quipster's face as she gestured to her pocket.

Everyone knew what Spindle kept in her front shirt pocket.

Quipster began to fume, but she fumed silently as she sat back down on the bunk.

"Thanks, Spindle." Rip said as he blew a quick kiss in Spindle's direction. "Like I was saying, we're going on a trip. I dunno if you noticed some of the articles in the papes about California, but there seems to be a world of opportunity out there for young hard-working people like us."

Tunes raised her hand tentatively. "I hate to say this, but I ain't got no money to be going out to California."

Rip's smile widened. "That's the beauty of me plan. Me and Spindle saved enough money for us all to get out West as long as we sneak onto a train to get out there. If you decide to come with us, we'll take care of your food and whatnot for the ride out there. And once we're there we can get a job. I read in the papes the other day that even if there ain't no more gold out there dey got oil and other riches. What do you think?"

Surprisingly, seven of the eight invited guests nodded and began to talk excitedly amongst themselves. Spindle laughed to herself as she threw herself into Rip's arms when she saw that everyone liked the idea of going out West. "I think our plan is going to work, Rip!" she whispered into his ear.

But Rip was staring at the one person who wasn't thrilled about his idea. "Danger, what do you think?"

"I ain't going Rip. I like Queens just fine." Danger stood up and began to head towards the door.

Rip broke away from Spindle's embrace and blocked the exit. "Danger, maybe I should tell you this now. Ya don't got a choice in the matter. You're coming out West with the rest of us."

"No, I don't think so. Now, please step aside so I can go back to selling me papes." Danger stood in front of Rip, waiting for him to move.

But Rip didn't move. Instead he waved to Spindle over Danger's shoulder. "Spindle, I think our friend here needs some more persuasion. Understand?"

Spindle grinned evilly as she reached into her shirt pocket. "Loud and clear, Rip." Then, before anyone could react, Spindle flicked her pocketknife open, crossed the bunkroom in three strides and plunged the knife deep into Danger's left arm.

"Jesus Christ, what the heck are you doing?" Danger yelled in pain as he gripped his injured arm and sank to the floor.

Spindle just laughed at his pain and yanked her knife out of his arm. "Ya should have said 'yes', Danger."

Stepping over Danger, Rip addressed the others. "So, the rest of you are going, right?"

His icy blue eyes gleamed when he heard six female voices chorus "Yes!" and one male grunt. "Good. Now, there's a cargo train leaving the yards tomorrow morning so I think we should just grab our stuff and start heading down. Next stop, California!"

Tunes, Moneybags, Quipster, Iris, Dice and Corner clung together as they walked over Danger and headed to the girls' lodging house to pack. Spindle gave Rip one last kiss before following the other girls. She had to make sure that none of them ran off instead of going with her and Rip.

Meanwhile, as Rocks headed over to the nightstand where he kept his belongings, Rip squatted down and stared at Danger, an ugly sneer disfiguring his handsome face. "Ya should have known better, Danger. Never cross Rip. Ya just learned that one today. And soon, soon, Jess'll be learning the same lesson."

Danger continued to hold tight to his wounded arm. "I should have known that this had something to do with Jess," he gasped, trying to ignore the throbbing pain.

"Doesn't it always, Danger?"

"You're sick, you know that, Rip? Right?" Danger muttered.

"I may be sick, Danger, but I ain't the one with a hole in me arm, am I?" he hissed as he drew himself back to his full height and turned to watch Rocks pack. "Rocks, hurry up. Whenever you're done, meet me over at the girls' lodging house. And don't mind Danger here. I'm sure one of the other fellas'll return and take care of him sooner or later. And then he'll join us." Rip shot Danger a smug look and left the bunkroom.

Rocks grunted again and picked up his bag. With an apologetic shrug towards Danger, he followed Rip out of the bunkroom.

"I'm sorry, Jess. If only I had never told Rip you were still alive in the first place." Danger looked down briefly at his wound and noticed how much blood he was losing. All at once his mind began to spin. Just as he shut his eyes and gave into the unconsiousness that was threatening to overtake him, he pictured the thirteen-year-old face of Jess. The more he thought about it, the more the idea of Rip taking revenge on the poor girl made him feel incredibly nauseous and extremely guilty. "It's all my fault. If only I never overheard your pals those two years ago, you might still be safe over in Manhattan."