Disclaimer: ok for all you sue-happy people out there, I do not own Newsies and am not affiliated with Disney. I do own Angel and the other shadows.

Jack sat on the fire escape of the newsboys lodging house, his good mood ruined. The Shadow was late. Late! For such an important meeting as this! They were discussing a murder, it was an insult to Snipes's memory to be late for this.

Thoroughly agitated, Jack began tapping his shoes on the side of the building. He was soon focused only on playing his favorite song on the bricks with his feet. He had almost achieved his goal, when a hand felt its way to his throat.

Jack had been caught off guard, but he was a good fighter. He turned, and punched upward with all his might, until his hand ached. He waited for a cry of pain, but heard none. Looking around, he saw no sight of his attacker, although he heard the breathing of another. All his courage failed him and he turned to run inside, when a girl stepped into the light of the moon, her hand on her stomach, where Jack's punch had found it's mark.

"You throw a good punch" was her only greeting. The cool hard tone of her voice instantly put Jack on edge. He was quite irritated, for it appeared to him that the Shadow, had not only failed to show up, but had sent some little messenger girl in his place.

Jack turned back to her and sneered, "The Shadow sends me you, a little girl instead of coming himself. Was he afraid? Or did you kill Snipeshooter? I know it was an accident. It was so cruel of your leader to give you up without a fight. The Shadow isn't exactly known for his mercy, but i thought he would at least ask for some kind of payment, Jack yelled his fiery temper getting the best of him.

"You, Cowboy Kelly, are an idiot. You mistake me for some little messenger girl, call the Shadow a coward." The girl stepped further into the light and Jack could finally see the petite girl in front of him, her face covered by a black bandanna, her eyes a rich brown, not unlike his own. "I am The Shadow, and I am no coward. Now remind me why i am here?"

Jack could only stare, his chin nearly dragging on the ground. Inside, his thoughts were racing. The Shadows, whos leader was known to be an expert thief, and killer, who never let anyone know his true name. This leader, known only as the Shadow, was a girl ? She cant be more than 14! Jack worked to hide his astonishment. Maybe there was more to this girl than met the eye.

"Who killed Snipeshooter?" Jack asked. "My Newsies want revenge and they shall get it. Who killed the innocent boy? Hand over the killer, and we will leave you alone."

Angel's features twisted upwards into an amused smirk. "Leave us alone? What would you idiots do anyways? No one can find a shadow if they dont wish to be found. No one can find us in the Dark."

Before Jack could respond, Angel had swung herself over the edge of the fire escape and was starting down the stairs. "See ya around Cowboy!" She called back, then she was gone. Just another shadow on the busy New York streets.

In the Dark, night was the busiest time of day. While many were heading off to bed, others were just now preparing for work. Unlinke the Newsies' lodging house, The Dark was very diverse. Pickpockets worked during the day, weaving their way in and out of marked vendors, shopping ladies, and any one else who happened to be roaming the streets. The more serious thieves, such as bank robbers and jewelry thieves, worked at night.

"Where Da Heck is Angel?" Asked Blade, impatiently, "Ise doin a job foah her, and I still needs an address!" If you didn't know Blade, you might think he was whining, but Blade didn't whine. To suggest such a thing was frankly dangerous. "Shes got a job ta do. She'll be back soon." A tall boy named Top Hat replied lazily. "If all goes well"

"Why wouldn't if go well Top Hat? You know don't ya? What am I sayin, course youse knows. youse her right hand man! Angel tells you everything. What kinda job is it anyways? "Asked Lightfingers, rather nosily. "The silent kind, Top Hat said quietly. "She'll get out fine, if he doesn't scream."

Blade grinned at this, and slipped his trademark knives into his belt and shoe. "Whos the lucky guy den?" Blade asked, obviously amused. "He must be awful special if Angel's doin 'im in herself! Why cant Blade do it? Huh?" Questioned Lightfingers. When Top Hat made no reply, the hazel eyed pick pocked gave up her inquiry and stalked off, tossing her short brown hair over her shoulder. Light knew that she'd get no more answers out of him.

Though Angel told him everything, Top Hat gave out information on a need-to-know basis, and never spoke unless he deemed it necessary.

"Just so long as she gets back in time to give me my directions" said Blade indifferently to Top Hat, who merely shrugged.

Blade was a silencer, the shadows' version of a hit man, and a very very good one. Despite the stereotypes that came with his job, Blade was a nice guy. Slow to anger, and quick to laugh, Blade could find humor in every situation ; a trait that was not always appreciated by his friends.

Though his personality didn't fit the mold of a silencer, Blade sure looked the part. Blade stood an inch shy of six feet, with dark brown hair that hung in his face, hiding his brown eyes from view. Dressed head to toe in black, Blade made a menacing figure, not that it mattered. Blade's victims never saw him if he could help it.

Both Blade and Top Hat were experienced enough to show no sign of surprise, when Angel silently slipped in through a window. Before Blade could open his mouth, Angel handed him a slip pf paper. He grinned eerily, and left. Giving Angel a mock salute as he walked toward the door.

Angel turned to Top Hat and asked where everyone was. He started spilling out names, and various whereabouts of many shadows. "Gypsy, Light, and Tricksy are sleeping. Blade just left, Arson is burning something, Chase is still on the run, Visible is working, and I'm sitting right here.: Angel nodded and flashed him a smile, then turned to leave.

Top Hat stopped her. "How did it go?" Angel frowned and said slowly, "I didn't do it. He's a moron wanting to avenge the death of his kid friend. He's no threat to us, so I left him be." She slipped back out the window and into the night.

Top Hat straightened his hat and headed out, all the while mulling over Angel's words. Something was very odd about her handling of the Newsies' leader. The Shadow's leader certainly wasn't known for her mercy. She wasn't called "The Angel Of Death" for nothing.

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