Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies, no matter how much I wish.
Katherine
Katherine watched as her father ordered the Delancey brothers to drag Jack to the cellar. Jack looked at her with contempt in his eyes. He thought she betrayed him, but her whole heart was in this. Katherine didn't sleep that night and kept watch on the cellar door. She groaned as her father entered the room and gasped when the Delancey brothers did.
They were only in the dark room for about 30 minutes, but when they came out, Jack could barely walk. He was bleeding and dark bruises were already forming. But he still smiled and tried to reassure her. She rushed forward as he whimpered in pain and tried to wrench him from the brothers' grasp. But it didn't work and he only cried out louder.
Katherine felt his hand slip into a pocket she had sewn into her dress for her pens and paper and she let go in surprise. Then the three disappeared out the door. Katherine reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of cloth.
It read: Warn the boys. Pulitzers going after rally. Hold it somewhere else.
"Hold it where?" she whispered softly.
"What's that?" her father asked after he snuck up behind her.
"Uh, nothing. My skirt just ripped," she hurriedly said, putting the cloth behind her back.
"Oh, well. I'll have the tailor fixed it up. And now with Kelly out of the way, our lives will return to normal."
"What did you do to him?" Katherine said, glaring at her father with scorn dripping from her voice.
"Just returned him to his rightful place. After all, he has several sentences to serve out."
Katherine turned her eyes to the ground, angry at her father. "I have to get to work, Dad," she said through gritted teeth. She turned on her heel and stalked out the door.
Katherine didn't plan on making it to work on time, and she immediately started to look for the other newsies. Of course, no one was out selling papes, but she eventually found Race hiding out on a street corner.
"Race!" she screamed. "Race!" He looked up, startled.
"What is it, Plumber?" he asked, once she reached him. "And have you seen Jack? I haven't seen since Crutchie was taken."
"He went to see Pulitzer and Pulitzer offered him a deal: enough money for his trip to Santa Fe but he had to speak out against the rally, or be sent back to the Regure."
"He refused, right? It would destroy the rest of the newsies if he spoke out against them."
"Of course he refused. But then Pulitzer sweetened the deal. He swore he would throw all of you in the Refuge if Jack didn't listen. I think he was undecided at first, but he told me to warn you and this morning, the Delanceys took him. Pulitzer's going after you at the rally so either hold it someplace else or postpone it."
"How do you even know this? Were you there when he was talking to Pulitzer? Don't you work for The Sun?" Race asked.
Katherine paused. "Um...uh… don't freak out please, but Pulitzer's my, uh, father."
"Your father!" Race yelled.
"But I'm not doing this for him. I'm on your side."
"Sure you is," Race said, sarcastically. "And I'm the king of New York."
"I'm telling the truth. But this isn't the time to argue. If the rumors about the Refuge are true, we have to get Jack out of there now."
"Fine, but we will discuss this later. You'se said Pulitzer is going after the rally. I'll talk to Spot and Medda and we'll hold it tomorrow. Hopefully they won't hear about the change. But how do we get Jack out? I'se seen him come pack from that place too many times. I...I don't think he can survive very long."
"What do you mean?" Katherine asked, her eyes full of fear.
"The Spider hates Jack. Jack is the only person to escape the Refuge. He will do anything in his power to make sure Jack doesn't make it out again. If he's in there too long, he will die." Race trailed off with that depressing thought and glanced at the ground. "We can't lose Jack. He's protected us for so long. He's taken care of us for too long."
"Then it's time for you to return the favor," Katherine gently said, putting her hand on Race's shoulder. "Stop the strike and save him and Crutchie from the Refuge."
Race nodded and smiled at Katherine. "Maybe you'se not so bad after all."
Katherine laughed. "Now go get the boys. The newsies are going to need a leader while Jack's gone." Racer took off down the street without any hesitation. Katherine smiled and continued over to The Sun. She didn't get any work done as her mind was too focused on other things. Is Jack okay? Would they get him out in time? Is Crutchie okay? Is he with Jack? Did Racer warn the newsies in time? Would they forgive her for her father? Would Brooklyn still back them? Would Snyder get them all? Would Jack survive?
With all of these thoughts running through her mind, the day passed especially slow and she was practically climbing the walls when the work day finally ended. She raced out of the office and, in a very unladylike manner, sprinted all the way to the lodging house. She was gasping by the time she arrived.
Race met her outside and laughed. "You don't run very much, huh?"
She shook her head and straighten up. "It's kind of hard in a dress." He continued to laugh. "Shut up," she muttered.
He finally quit and turned all business. The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a somber look. "I talked to Miss Medda and Spot. They both agreed to postpone it. I'se got boys out now warning the other neighborhoods. No one will be in that theater tonight."
"Alright, good job Race."
A/N: So this is a bit earlier than a week, but that's okay. I hope it was good and let me know what you thought.
