"Hey Mush, what do you have there?"
The boy with the red bandana appeared at the top of the staircase as soon as the rescuer, now dubbed Mush, had entered the Lodging house. A shorter Italian boy appeared behind the bandana wearing one, with half of a cigar hanging from his lips.
"I think it's another one of his strays Jack. You always were a bleeding heart Mush."
Mush's cheeks simply grew a shade pinker at the statement. It was one thing to admit to yourself you are not able to turn away from one in need; it was quite another to hear those same words voiced by someone else.
"You know I don't have enough sense to leave people to themselves Race."
The cigar smoking Italian gave a characteristic chuckle.
"Don't I know it. I'll never forget the time the bulls were chasing after this little kid who was caught trying to flitch an apple. You and I were minding our own business, trying to make a living by selling our papes, and this little hellion tears by us." By this time the cigar smoker titled Race was beginning to fall into telling his story, even though by the expressions on Jack and Mush's face it was one that had been told many times.
"Well the bull running after him was a rather portly fellow and though he was by no means slow, the little tyke was faster. Both Mush and I though the kid would be able to get away no problem, but then the kid fell flat on his face, well old Mush here, he picked up the nearest pebble and chucked it at the bull, who was now just passing our spot. The bull stopped and simply glared at Mush. I mean he was so hot and bothered I would bet you could have fried an egg on his balding head. Well anyway, the bull decided to stop chasing after the kid and ran after Mush. Then that night we had to bust Mush out of the Refuge."
Race seemed to be the only one amused by his story, for when it was over he had tears streaming down his face he was laughing so hard. Jack seemed to be rather indifferent, this being his 30th time hearing the tale and Mush's face was now a bright shade of red. In an attempt to bring the conversation around to the reason the story had been told in the first place, he cleared his throat as he gestured towards one of the down stairs bedrooms with is curly head.
"Would one of you mind helping me out here?"
At this moment in time the kitten was becoming restless and let out a meow in protest of being kept in Mush's pocket.
Jack let out a bark of laughter as Race nearly dropped his cigar at the sound of Mush's pants meowing.
"What was that?"
"A kitten that did not seem to want to leave the girl I'm holding alone, now are you two going to help me or not?"
Mush's arms were beginning to become tired; not that he would have admitted that fact to anyone. It was not because the woman was heavy, or that he was a weakling, he had proven many times the prowess of his muscles, yet holding dead weight for the amount of time he had took its toll upon one's strength.
"Oh right sorry" was all that was said as both Jack and Race headed down the stairs, towards the bedroom, and opened the door.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?"
Race's eyes that were full of mirth a few moments before were now filled with concern. Mush couldn't help but chuckle to himself, he knew he wasn't the only one with a soft spot for helpless creatures; he just happened to be one who openly showed that side of him.
Gently he moved towards the bed and laid the woman out on it. While he did so he made sure that her ripped shirt was arranged in the least indecent way as possible.
"I don't know what the man did to knock her out. I was only concentrating on bringing her here. I was hoping Kloppman might know what to do."
"Woah woah woah. Back up a bit Mush. What man?"
Running a hand through is curly mop he let out an exasperated sigh.
"Look, I'll tell you all about it later. Right now I think it would be best if Kloppman looked her over. You know, to see if she has any injuries I wouldn't have noticed.
"I'll go get him for ya Mush"
"Thanks Jack."
As the leader of the Manhattan Newsies went to find the man who ran the lodging house, Mush was again reminded of the prisoner in his pocket by a swipe of claws against his leg.
"Ow! Why you pitiful excuse of a hairball!"
He restrained himself from yanking the kitten out of his pocket and throwing her onto the bed by visualizing himself doing the act. What he did in reality was carefully grab the kitten and place her next to the person she wanted to be by.
The cat sniffed the still form, rubbed her head against the honey hued cheek and let out a pitiful meow that tugged at Mush's heart. Just as he was about to actually reassure the animal Jack walked in with Kloppman.
"So what have I got here Mush?"
"I was walking by an alley on my way back here from selling the evening edition when I heard a man shouting. I figured some kid's Pap was about to beat him so I decided to step in. What I found however was a man tearing this girl's shirt and moving down to tear her skirt. Needless to say I roughed him up a bit and brought her here. I don't know how she became unconscious."
"Hmmm."
Not raising his gaze from the young woman in front of him he waved his hands towards the door.
"I don't think you should be in the room while I check her for any injuries boys."
With that the three trotted off to the living room area of the lodging house while Kloppman shut the door behind them. A few seconds later they heard something they would not forget anytime in the near future.
"You little beastie! Let go of my thumb!"
"Mrreeeooooowwww"
The cat's protest was followed by hissing as Kloppman opened the door and shoved the animal out of the bedroom.
The three burst out laughing at both the perturbed expression on Kloppman's face, as well as the kitten's miffed expression.
"Come here cat. It's ok."
As if to let Mush know that she didn't need to be comforted by anyone, the kitten lifted her tail and pranced over to the opposite side of the room to wait until she would be let back in.
A few silent moments passed before Jack rubbed the back of his neck gave a soft sigh.
"I think I'm going to head upstairs. I'm not needed here and I think there's a poker game going on."
"All right Jack, I'll see you later."
Race looked at his shoes before he glanced back up to Mush.
"I…uh…I think I'll head up to Mushy boy."
Nodding his head in agreement Mush waved Race away. He knew in his heart that the two cared about the condition of the girl he rescued, but he also knew that the two hated to sit around and do nothing, especially when it was for someone they didn't really know. He couldn't hold it against them that they didn't have enough self control to wait around for a girl they didn't have an emotional interest in.
A that moment Kloppman opened the door and the kitten ran in, jumped on the bed, and circled up next to the woman. Kloppman merely sighed and rolled his eyes at the sight of the animal.
"So what's the matter Kloppman?"
Focusing his attention on the young man in front of him he cleared his throat.
"Well she's a lucky one. She doesn't seem to have any injuries to her except for a nasty bump on her noggin. I suspect she'll be fine come tomorrow."
Letting out a breath he did not know he had been holding Mush smiled.
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"Thanks Kloppman."
Patting the youth on the shoulder as he left Kloppman merely smiled his reply. Something was happening with the kid. He didn't know what exactly yet, but it seemed that the kid was more attached to this helpless creature than any of the others he had brought here before.
Turning his attention back to the woman in front of him, he grabbed a chair and sat near the head of the bed. When he was settled in his chair he realized for the first time what an attractive face the woman had. He had been so preoccupied with her health and making sure that she did not suffer from any unseen injuries that he had not taken the time to really look at her. Now that his mind was not as preoccupied, he could fully appreciate what was laid before him.
She was not a small thing. Mush assumed that when she stood full height she would only be an inch or so shorter than he, which he was surprised to find himself pleased at; normally he was attracted to girls that were smaller than he. Her skin was a creamy caramel color, similar to his tone, and her hair was as black as a raven's wing; it was curly too, the curls the fell from the knot she had wrapped her hair in were not artificial. Her nose was straight and narrow, and right below it rested her lips which were full and had a rather dusky rose hue to them. The only thing that Mush wished he could observe was her eye color. That was the only aspect missing from the piece of art that lay before him.
Mush continued to analyze the woman before him for only a few minuets longer; fatigue swept over him in a rush and he had fallen asleep with his head on the side of the bed before he even knew what had happened.
A/N: I know I Know, I'm sorry to do this again, but I feel I must. Ok, I don't write the NY accents because 1: It is so painful to read and 2: I know I couldn't get it consistent and would severely flub what I was trying to write. That doesn't mean however, that I won't use their jargon, I will, but they will be speaking proper English…somewhat. OK and my other thing of concern, I know Kloppman wouldn't have checked Ravenna over such as it wouldn't be a decent thing to do but the Muses didn't want me to use a doctor, so I did what I could. My final note is that this will be my last update for a while, meaning until Tuesday or Wednesday next week. My great aunt died and we are going up North tomorrow for the funeral on Saturday. I know I've been good about updating lately, and I hate to break that habit, but this can't be helped. I shall write on my 9 hour car trip up to Northern Cali and on my 9 hour trip back, but I won't be posting until later. And with that done, on with the SOs
Mondie: I'm glad you liked my disclaimer…I was hoping it would bring some laughter to the whole dismal fact that the "sewer rat" owns our boys. *sobs* I love asterisk too, very pretty. Thank you for pointing out my mistakes. I had previously named them Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, but changed the name when I used that name in my other story. As for the italics, well I had put it in but it didn't seem to want to stay *beats fan fiction .net* It tends to be finicky that way. I'll put in tabs and it wont tab. *sighs* c'est la vie. As for the time, well I have the entire thing mapped out but it would be too long to put here so if you're interested in seeing it e-mail me. Sorry what I wrote confused you. I didn't mean to. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I do hope you enjoyed this chapter. :o)
Spotted One: Woohoo! I found another ticklish person. Hehe. I can't say how glad I am you love this story after 2 chapters. Makes me feel all warm and mushy inside hehe mushy…ok I'd be as bad of a stand up comedian as you would. (did you see in the second chapter that I wrote the cat's meow, but in a different context? I thought it was funny) You have three cats? *sighs* I don't even have one. Dad hates them. *perks up* I do have 2 doggies though. I think that's why Ferocious popped into the picture. The muses knew I needed a kitty and gave me one. Hehe. Oh and I love the name Ferocious for a cat too, but it's not mine. I stole it from a best friend who always tells me stories about her past pets. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Oooh rainbow sherbert! Yum. I'd take the chili but my mouth is so weak that to me pepper is hot.
Ali: Heheh I want the cat too. She's a real sweetheart after you get to know her, I swear! Hehe. Ohohoh 6 cheers! *dances* I sent you an e-mail back containing the info you wanted hope it was what you wanted. I love the new chapter and I hope you get over your writer's block soon 'cause I want more. Hehe.
Kaylee: Don't worry, Ravenna doesn't have eyes for Race, but I did give him a cameo in this chapter. Hope you enjoyed that and I hope I portrayed Race well enough. I'm glad you enjoyed my story so far and I hope you enjoy the new chapter.
Raeghann: Thank you so much for reading my chapters early. I cannot express how much your time helping me means. I'm so glad you're enjoying this story. BTW I love ABWF! The new chapter? *dies*