February 1899

"Aide!" said Skittery.

Adelaide turned around and saw Jack and Skittery jogging towards her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked them, her heart racing, torn between running into Skittery's arms and screaming for him to run home.

"I had to see you," he said, putting his arms around her as soon as he got to her.

Adelaide exhaled, hugging him tight, burying her face in his shoulder. She wanted to melt right into him. His protective and loving embrace made her feel safe.

"How'd you get across the bridge?" she asked.

"Luckily Blade's got a gambling problem. Race is giving him odds on horses," said Skittery. "We're here to take you home." He ran a hand over her hair.

"Yeah, and we should get goin' before someone sees us," said Jack, gesturing for her to come back the way they came.

Adelaide clenched her jaw, wanting nothing more than to run away with them, but she knew she had to keep a level head. She needed for all of them to survive. Adelaide shook her head and looked up at him. "You need to leave." She felt tears sting her eyes.

"What?" Skittery asked, unbelieving.

"If I leave with you, he's just going to drag me back," she said. "When he finds out you're here…" Tears stung her eyes at thoughts of what Ralphie might do to Skittery.

"He doesn't have to know." Skittery shook his head.

"I'm sure he already does." Adelaide pushed him away. She glanced back to where she knew Fire had been several minutes before. He was gone. "Trust me. You need to leave. Don't come back."

"Aide." Skittery took her hand. "Please."

"Skitts…" said Jack.

Skittery brought his hand up to her cheek. "I love you, Aide. You know I do. I've been crossin' that bridge every week for the past three weeks."

Adelaide's face crumbled into a sob at finding out how much Skittery has been trying to see her.

"You have?"

Skittery nodded. "Aide, you're my girl. I'm always gonna fight for you."

Aide's body bowed under her sobs.

"Skitts…" Jack said again.

"Just a minute, Jack," said Skittery, stepping closer to Adelaide, pulling her into his arms. "Please, Aide. Come home with us. We'll protect you. We can hide you where Ralphie will never find you again."

"Skittery!" said Jack.

"Impossible," she whispered.

Skittery gently wiped away a stray tear, ignoring Jack. "Tumbler misses you too."

"Tell him I miss him and love him."

Skittery nodded. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. He felt her lean into him the second before their lips met. He pulled her close as they kissed. His heart raced at the sensation of her lips reacting to his.

"Shit," said Jack.

"Well, well, well," said Ralphie, walking up behind them.

Skittery felt like someone had poured ice water down his back. Adelaide pulled away, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. She stepped back from him, her hand falling out of his.

Ralphie put his arm around Adelaide, pulling her to his side. "I suggest you fellas get out of here," said Ralphie, too casually.

Jack nodded. "We were just goin'. Come on, Skittery."

Skittery's eyes never left Adelaide. "Remember, Aide. You got people who love you."

The two boys turned and walked down the street as quickly as they could. Adelaide covered her face with her hands and sobbed.

"There, there," said Ralphie, putting his arms around her. Adelaide knew it was useless to push him away.

"I'm surprised you just let them go," said Adelaide, wiping her tears.

"Oh, he'll get what's coming to him," said Ralphie. Adelaide looked up at him. "Blade and Fire will be sure of that."

Adelaide looked back at the retreating figures of Jack and Skittery as they turned the corner.

"Come on," said Ralphie. "Let's get some dinner."

Later that night, Adelaide lay awake in bed, listening to Ralphie's even breath as he slept. What was Skittery doing at that moment? Did Blade and Fire already soak him?


The door of the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House banged open, startling everyone inside.

"What the hell happened?" Specs asked, standing up upon seeing Jack helping a bloody and beaten Skittery walk inside.

"Ralphie's boys got 'im," said Jack.

"They made the first move?" asked Blink.

"Not exactly," said Jack, sitting Skittery down on a bench. Tumbler ran over with cold, wet cloths. Skittery held one to his eye, which was quickly swelling.

"Did you see Aide?" Tumbler asked.

Skittery nodded.

"Is she okay?"

Skittery hesitated before nodded. "Yeah, she's okay."

Tumbler exhaled, relieved. "Good."

"Come on, Skitts," said Jack, putting Skittery's arm around his neck and helping him up. "Let's get you upstairs so you can rest. Specs, Bumlets, can you guys sell for Skittery tomorrow?"

Specs and Bumlets nodded. "Sure thing, buddy," said Specs.

"I can too!" said Tumbler, following up the stairs. "Don't worry, Skittery. I'll sell your papes for ya!"

Skittery gave the boy a small smile. "Thanks, buddy."


Adelaide sat at her and Ralphie's usual table alone. Normally Ralphie was already at Flannigan's waiting for her when she arrived for dinner.

"Where is he?" Adelaide asked Spot, who sat at the next table over.

Spot looked over at her. "You really gotta ask?"

Adelaide watched him for a beat before the realization hit her.

"You think he's doing it himself?"

Spot nodded. "This ain't business. For him, it's personal."

Adelaide rested her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands. Somewhere, in some dark alley in Manhattan, Skittery was getting soaked by Ralphie. All because he loved her enough to try and get her out of Brooklyn.

The bell over the door rang and Adelaide heard someone slide into the booth in front of her.

She looked up and saw Ralphie unrolling his sleeves and buttoning the cuffs.

"Good. You waited for me," he said.

"I have no money to buy food," she said.

Ralphie smirked. "That's right."

"I've never known you to be late before."

"I'm not late. I was busy." The waiter came over and Ralphie ordered for both of them. Once the waiter walked away, Ralphie finished unrolling his shirt sleeves.

"Your friend got what was coming to him," he said as casually as when he'd been ordering food. Adelaide looked at him. Ralphie looked at her, all nonchalance gone. "No one touches my girl."