"Too bad about the kid," said Fire, stretching and laying back on the dock. It was the first warm day of sunshine they'd had since Christmas. "He was kinda growing on me."

Adelaide looked over at him. "Snipeshooter?" she asked. Fire nodded. "What about him?"

"Ralphie turned him out."

Adelaide felt her heart skip at that. "What? Why? When? Where is he?"

"Easy girl," said Fire.

"Looks like he'll be out of your hair now," said Spot.

"But where did Ralphie send him?" asked Adelaide.

Fire shrugged. "I dunno. He sent him with Blade this morning."

Adelaide looked at Spot. "Why did Ralphie turn him out?"

"Why are you so worried about him?" asked Spot. "You hate the kid."

"I don't hate him," Adelaide sighed, "He's…not that bad, I guess."

Ever since the night Snipeshooter had to listen to Ralphie taking Adelaide, he'd acted kindly toward her, and she to him.

Spot watched her. "You're just feeling guilty for not being a 'big sister' to him again."

"He's my brother's best friend."

"And he left his best friend and all of his other friends to come to Brooklyn because he was sick of being treated like a kid. Well, Ralphie won't treat him like, a kid, that's for sure."

Blade walked onto the docks, lighting a cigarette.

"Blade," Adelaide stood up and marched over to him. "Where is he?"

"The kid?" asked Blade. "Why do you care?"

"Just tell me, please."

Blade smirked. "What'll you give me for it?"

Spot rolled his eyes. "Just tell 'er, Blade."

"He's where Ralphie puts all boys who pickpocket on his turf, keep the money, then blow it on the cheap Coney Island whores."

Adelaide's desperate expression faded into one of horror. "Oh no."

Blade smirked. "Let's just say the punishment fits the crime. He ain't the first boy for Ralphie to stash in one of those places…probably won't be the last."

"Please tell me you're joking," Adelaide whispered.

"Sorry, kitten," said Blade. "There are men…and women…in this city who have urges and money to spend."

Adelaide looked from Blade to Spot.

Spot sighed and stood up. "Come on." He walked out of the basement with Adelaide hot on his heels.

"Please tell me Blade was joking," said Adelaide "Ralphie didn't really put Snipeshooter in a place like that."

"I wish I could say he was," said Spot. "I know where he stashed him." Spot saw a trolley coming down the street and jogged to where it would be passing. "It's down in Coney."

Of course it is, Adelaide thought to herself. They hopped on the trolley as it slowed for traffic and hung near the back.


"This is it," said Spot, as they slowed in front of a run down house.

"Okay," said Adelaide, exhaling. "What do you know about this place?"

Spot shrugged. "Just a brothel."

"A place like this…you think they've got the windows barred? Or any other way from keeping the…boys…from running away?" she asked.

Spot walked down the alley next to the building and looked up. "No," he said, walking back out. "I don't know what keeps them from running away, but…it's enough."

Adelaide chewed on her lip, thinking. Spot walked back to her side.

"So…what? Are you going to burst on in there and demand he be released to you?"

Adelaide turned to him. "Give me what money you have."

"What? No, I'm not giving you money," said Spot.

"Come on, I'm good for it."

"Oh really? How are you going to pay me back? By skimming off what you make for Ralphie? You'll end up right back here, only on the inside."

"Spot, please."

"Where do you think I'll end up when Ralphie finds out where you got the money to spring Snipes, huh?"

Adelaide watched him for a few beats. "This isn't who you really are. You hate Ralphie and everything he does."

"What you know about who I really am could fit in my pocket."

"I know that if I were to walk away right now, you'd find someway to spring Snipeshooter yourself or convince Ralphie to get him back. So save yourself the trouble and let me take the heat for once."

Spot blinked at her and watched her for a moment. He sighed and dug into his pocket and slapped a few bills into her hand.

Adelaide grinned and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a good man and we both know it. Be ready in the alley."

Spot rolled his eyes as she turned around to face the brothel.

Adelaide straightened her back, leveled her head and marched inside.

"Can I help you, Miss?" the man at the counter said.

Suddenly, Adelaide was losing her nerve.

"I'm looking for…a boy," she said, trying to keep her voice level. She had no idea how she would sound convincing. "And a room…with a window."

She sounded so unconvincing, she was certain he would send her out.

"Any preference?"

Adelaide swallowed. "About thirteen…brown hair…curly, if you can."

"I have just the boy," he said. "A new one, just came to us this morning. New ones cost double, though."

"You'll get half now," said Adelaide. "The other half when I am…satisfied." She felt a bitter taste in her mouth just saying the words.

The man nodded. "Very well."

Adelaide put the money on the counter and the man gestured to someone behind Adelaide. Adelaide turned around and a woman wearing a sheer nightgown approached her.

"Oh," Adelaide averted her eyes, her cheeks burning.

"Come with me," the girl said, looping her arm through Adelaide's.

Adelaide allowed herself to be escorted up the stairs to a closed door.

"Right in there," said the girl, giving her a wink. "Enjoy."

Adelaide opened the door as the girl walked back down the stairs. A sickly sweet aroma hung in the air, probably from some candles or incense.

A familiar form sat with his back facing her on the bed in trousers and a loose shirt. She could see his shoulders slightly shaking from sobs. She gently closed the door, the small click of the latch sounding loud in the quiet room.

Snipeshooter sat up straight and quickly wiped his eyes.

"Snipes," she said softly.

Snipeshooter quickly whirled around and when he saw Adelaide, his face crumpled into a sob once more.

Adelaide quickly walked to the bed and pulled him into a hug. "It's okay, Snipes," she said. "We're gonna get you out of here."

"W-we?"

"Spot is downstairs."

Snipeshooter shook his head. "Spot ain't gonna stick his neck out like that for me. You're stupid to do it too."

"I don't care," said Adelaide, pulling back. She put her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look up at her. "I'm getting you out of here."

Snipeshooter hugged her again and Adelaide held him tight. "I thought you hated me," he said.

Adelaide swallowed. "I don't hate you." She ran her hand over his curls, much like when she'd run her hand over Tumbler's hair to soothe him when he was upset.

"Come on," said Adelaide, pulling back. She walked over to the window and opened it easily. It didn't open by much, but it was enough that they could both sneak through.

"I only have these clothes," said Snipeshooter. "My old clothes…I don't know where they took them."

"We'll get you new ones," said Adelaide.

"Ralphie's gonna kill us," said Snipeshooter.

"If anyone, he's gonna kill me, and he won't do that. Now come on."

Snipeshooter managed to slide out the window and onto the fire escape. Adelaide quickly followed as he made his way down the fire escape.

Spot waited at the bottom of the fire escape, keeping an eye out to make sure no one saw them.

"You alright, kid?" Spot asked once Snipeshooter hit the street.

Snipeshooter nodded. "Yeah."

Spot nodded.

"Thanks," said Snipeshooter.

Spot shrugged. "I didn't do it for you." He looked up at Adelaide as she made her way down the fire escape.

Snipeshooter looked from him up to Adelaide, and then back to Spot. "You know, she ain't…I mean…she's Skittery's girl."

"I know that," said Spot.


Adelaide slowly exhaled as she sat in the booth, waiting for Ralphie. She left Snipeshooter with Spot, begging him to look after Snipeshooter until she had a chance to talk to Ralphie.

No matter how many times Spot stuck his neck out for her, it always surprised her. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought they were friends. Not acquaintances, not him looking out for her when Ralphie wasn't around, but actual, real friends. Though to her, it felt very one-sided - Spot always coming to her rescue. Of course, Spot never needed rescuing.

She jumped when she heard the door of Flannigan's yank open, the bell nearly flying off. She heard Ralphie's footfalls as he stormed over to the table.

"Get up."

Adelaide swallowed and looked up at him. "I can explain."

"You better. Because you're about 30 seconds away from the beating of your lifetime."

"Please sit down," she said, her voice shaking.

"No."

"I know what I did was wrong. I know I went against you, and that is unforgivable." She tried to lay on thick things that Ralphie wanted to hear. "But if you keep him around, I promise you will never hear another word from me against you. I will do whatever you want me to whenever you want me to. I will be yours."

"You're insane," she heard Fire mutter behind her. Luckily, Ralphie didn't hear.

Ralphie nodded. "Good."

Adelaide relaxed considerably as he sat down in front of her.

"But I'm warning you," said Ralphie. "If you ever go against me again, you may not live to regret it."

Adelaide nodded.

Ralphie snapped and gestured for the waiter to come over. "The usual," he said. The waiter nodded and walked away. "So tell me," said Ralphie. "You made an awful big gamble for a kid like him. One that, only four months ago, you hated and he hated you. You risked your life…his life…and Spot's life."

"What are you going to do to Spot?"

Ralphie watched her for a few beats. "Nothing. His punishment will fall to you."

Adelaide swallowed.

What have I gotten myself into? She thought to herself.


After dinner, Ralphie walked up to the tenement with his arm around Adelaide. They walked down to the basement where Spot and Snipeshooter sat playing cards. They both looked up when Ralphie and Adelaide walked in.

Snipeshooter stood up, shaking.

"Welcome back, kid," said Ralphie.

Snipeshooter gave him a shaky nod.

"Stick around if you want to know what your freedom cost," said Ralphie as he walked Adelaide behind the sheet.

Adelaide couldn't bear to look behind her.

"Come on," Spot whispered to Snipeshooter, gathering the cards. "She wouldn't want you to go through that."

"But she's goin' through it," said Snipeshooter.

"Trust me, she don't want you listening."

Snipeshooter dragged his feet as he followed Spot up the stairs. His stomach turned when he heard the names Ralphie called Adelaide and the sound him throwing her onto the mattress.