New York Royalty
By: PrinceOfNewYork
Chapter Six: Hide, and Hide Well
Summary: In the world people are viewed in several different ways. Some are leaders, some are followers, some are somewhere in the middle, and some just get power through possessions. The concept of royalty can take on more than just one form.
Disclaimer: Most of these guys are mine, except for the few that ain't. And, if ya don't know which ones those are then you better go watch Newsies again.
A/N: Alright, this is my first shot at a Newsie fic, but I've been messin' with this character for over a year now, and it's about time she had her story put down (before I completely forget it all!) Thanks a bunch to all of ya who read this!
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The two girls became fast friends after that. Millie taught Miss Snyder everything. She taught her to sew, to play some songs on the piano. She taught her a lot about Ireland. She shared some of some stories from where she came from, which got Miss Snyder interested in writing stories of her own. She even taught her a few phrases in Gaelic. In return Miss Snyder would teach her English, and play her songs her songs that she remembered her mother playing. And Julia taught them both how to cook. They spent a lot of time together, except for Saturdays when Mr. Snyder would come home. Usually Millie would work around the house, since Miss Snyder didn't want to do anything with her father there, but the rest of the time was wonderful.
The months flew by, and before either of them knew it, it was suddenly December again. December 17th, Miss Snyder's thirteenth birthday. And she was glad, because it was a weekday, so her father wouldn't be home!
"I know about your fascination about those news boys out there on the streets. So, I thought you'd like this." Millie said as she handed Miss Snyder a beautifully wrapped present. Inside was a hat like all of the newsboys wore. It was black, and was just a bit big on her head. "I'm sure you'll grow inta it."
"Thank you so much Millie!" Miss Snyder said hugging her friend with a smile on her face. It was the best gift she'd ever gotten.
Christmas came and went, and only brought back bad memories for Miss Snyder. Her father came home for the holiday, and Millie went home as well. She invited Miss Snyder to come with her, but she said no. After all, she had barely seen her father all year, spending one day, she should be able to keep her temper.
They stuck to tradition of decorating the tree and such, but didn't speak of Amanda at all. After New Years Millie came back, and Mr. Snyder was already working on a constant basis.
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It was a week into the New Year when Millie found Miss Snyder with a small bag, packing things in her room. "Miss Snyder? What 're ye doin'?"
"I'm… leaving," she said.
"Leavin'? But why?"
"Because I can't stand it anymore Millie. My father not being home, my mother hasn't come home, and I don't think she ever will. I cannot stand living here anymore."
"But… Miss Snyder, you've got me. Ain't I been good comp'ny for ye?"
"Of course Millie," she said as she stopped her packing for a moment. "I just… I'm sorry, I cannot stay here any longer."
"Is é do bhaile do chaisleán"
(Your house is your castle)
"You're wrong Millie. This house is not my castle… it's my prison, and I won't stand for it anymore."
Millie nodded understanding. "I see miss. Well, ye shall be missed. What would ye like to pack?" Miss Snyder smiled at her friend as the two girls packed her suit cases.
They packed for the rest of the day talking about where Miss Snyder was going to go, and what she'd see, and who she'd meet. It was exciting, and scary. Millie reassured her that if she should ever find herself lost that she could come and find her. Millie's family also lived in the Bronx. So, if Miss Snyder found herself lost she could go to them for help.
They told Julia and Adam that she was leaving as well. Julia cried, but Adam smiled, and actually told her he was happy to hear it. He knew how bad it was for her there, it seemed in some ways better than Julia or Millie did. Julia stared cooking the second she found out, she didn't figure that Miss Snyder could venture out on her own without food.
By that evening the house smelt of fresh baked bread, cookies, and fruits. Miss Snyder decided she ought to get ready to go and put on her simplest outfit. It was a white blouse and a brown skirt. When Millie was teaching her to sew they'd made the skirt together, and she had already had the blouse. She also placed the cap that Millie had given to her for Christmas on her head. She figured that she would blend in with it on. Once dressed Miss Snyder left her room, and went into her parent's room. She examined her mother's jewelry and soon found a gold bracelet. It was a simple chain, and she thought it was rather inconspicuous. And if need be it could be a source of income, if she had to sell it. She figured her father wouldn't miss it, and she knew her mother wouldn't, so she put it on her wrist. It fit alright, was a bit big, but it wouldn't fall off, which was good enough for her.
She walked down the stairs to where she had left her bag from earlier. Millie was standing beside it sadly, and Julia was in the kitchen quickly putting together a smaller bag for food for Miss Snyder to live on until she could find a place to be.
"Are ye sure ye want ta be leavin' Miss Snyder?"
"I have to… I can't stand my father's talk of hating the newsboys, I can't stand his face, and I can't even stand being in the same house as him. I can't stay," she said. She hated her father, so she simply had to leave.
Millie sighed heavily.
Julia emerged from the kitchen with the bag. "You've got plenty of food to last you for a while, but I don't know how long that is, so you find yourself someplace safe quick as you can."
"And avoid your father," Adam added. "If he finds you he'll bring you back here, and he'll really lock you up. He's confided a few things in me that he has planned for your future, so stay away from him. Hide, and hide well." This scared Miss Snyder more than anything. Plans for her? He was going to take over her life if she didn't leave. It only added to her reasons.
"And be careful," Julia said. "Keep yourself out of trouble, and out of harms way. You're too pretty to get hurt."
"Slán agus beannacht leat." Millie added with a sad smile.
(Goodbye and blessings with you)
Miss Snyder hugged her new found friend whom she was deserting. She felt badly for leaving them all, but Millie was always good at telling what was going on in her head. "Don't ye be worryin' about us deary… we're goin' ta be jus' fine."
Miss Snyder nodded and swallowed the lump that had developed in her throat. She took the small bag from Julia, slung it over her shoulder, and picked up the larger bag that was filled with only things she needed. Both bags were easily manageable for travel to… wherever she would end up. She slowly walked to the door, and opened it. She stepped outside into the cold night air and closed it behind her. She could see her breath, it seemed even colder than January usually did.
She looked at the city in front of her. New York was so big, and she didn't know it that well, not as well as she should. She'd lived a sheltered life, and suddenly she was leaving her shelter. For a second she wondered if she shouldn't simply turn around and go back inside. However, she knew this was not an option. She jumped down the steps onto the path to her front door. At top speed she ran down the path, out the gate, and into the city, unknowingly towards Brooklyn.
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Alright, another reply will be comin' up on Monday! However, I also start school that day. So... if my replies come a little later than normal please don't be mad. Enjoy and see you monday!