Chapter 20

That night, Daisy, Delilah, Blink, Mush, Race and Boots picked up David and Les, and made their way to the Refuge. David took the lead, walking ahead of the group. The girls were a little worried about him. He had left right after they made the recue plan, without saying a word to anyone. They could tell he was still hurt and confused by what happened with Heather. They had tried to explain to him what she had meant, but he wasn't listening. He, like all of them, wanted her and Jack back.

Before too long, they arrived. The group hid behind some trash cans.

David pointed at a window and said, "That's the window where we saw Crutchy. We gotta be quick now. Let's move." They had only moved a couple steps before they ducked back down again because Snyder and a couple guards came out leading Jack and Heather into a carriage.

"It's them!" Les exclaimed. Delilah clapped her hand over his mouth.

"Where are dey takin' 'em Dave?" Mush asked.

"Only one way to find out," David responded. "I'll meet you guys at the square."

"We'll come with you," Daisy said.

"I need someone to watch Les."

"Race can do that. We are coming," Delilah told him sternly.

"Fine. Race, watch him." The three snuck out of the alley and raced to catch up with the carriage. They jumped to get on the back. They had to hold on tight to keep from falling off. Finally, they arrived at their destination. It was a very large, very rich looking mansion.

Once everyone from the carriage was inside, David put a finger to his lips and gestured for the girls to follow him.

"Wait," he whispered. He went back to the carriage and took out the pin connecting the horse to the carriage, knowing they would try to follow them when they all made their escape. The three ducked in front of the window, peeking just over the ledge to see in.

Inside, Heather and Jack were led into a large room filled with books and pictures. They were left alone.

"Do you think we can make a break for it?" Heather quietly asked Jack.

"They got dis place all guarded up. Let's just 'ear what de old man's got ta say," Jack answered.

Very soon after, they saw Pulitzer make his way down the stairs.

"Sit," he told them. Not taking their eyes off him, they each sat down on a chair. "You know what I was doing when I was your age, kids? I was in a war. The Civil War."

"I think I heard something about that," Heather said.

"Didja win?" Jack went on.

"People think war is about right and wrong. Not power," Pulitzer explained.

"We hoid dat too. We don't just sell your newspapers, Joe. Sometimes we read 'em," Jack said.

"We're not stupid, just broke," Heather added.

Pulitzer ignored them and continued, "Power of the press is the greatest power of them all. I tell this city how to think. I tell this city how to vote. I shape it's future."

"Yeah, well I'm only thinkin' of one futuah, and dats mine. And Lace is only thinkin' of 'er's," Jack came back.

"So am I, children. I have the power to see you both stay locked in the Refuge."

"And we have the power to break out again, just like last time," Heather said plainly.

"Or," Pulitzer went on, "I can see you both released tomorrow, free and clear, with more money in your pockets than you can each earn in three lifetimes."

"Are you bribin' us Joe?" Jack questioned. Pulitzer denied it. "Well it's been real nice chattin' wid ya, Joe."

"But I think we've heard enough," Heather put in.

"We gotta be goin' now."

They turned to leave, but the older man stopped them. "You listen to me, now. You just shut your mouths and listen to me! You shut up and listen to me for once!" They faced him again. "No game I'm playing. You work for me til the strike's over, and it will end, make no mistake, with or without you two. Then you both go where ever you want to buy a ticket for. Away from the Refuge, these foul streets. Free. With money to spend and nobody chasing you." He poked Jack in the chest multiple times, and Heather used all her willpower not to slap him.

But it didn't faze Jack. He just looked him in the eye and said straight-faced, "We must have you scared pretty bad, old man."

"I offer you freedom and money just to work for me again. To your friends, I won't be so kind. Now, you're partner, what's his name? David. I understand he has a family. I also understand you, young lady, are emotionally and romantically tied to him. What do you think the Refuge will do to him? There are also two other girls in your little union. You, Miss Montgomery, should know what the Refuge is like for girls. And it will be you who put all three of them there. And all the others, after all, you're their leader, Mr. Kelly. Go back to the Refuge tonight, think about it. Give me your answer in the morning." Without another word, he turned and left them.

Before the guards came in, Heather turned to Jack, seething. "How dare he? How dare he threaten our friends, our family? And he brings up David?! And my girls?! What I would give to spit in his eye."

"Let's just get outta 'ere," Jack said softly.

The guards came in and got them to bring them back outside.

They had just started down the steps when David called out, "Jack! Heather! Come on! Come on!" Jack and Heather fought off their guards and slid down the banister and joined with their friends. They took off running.

They got a good ways away before Jack slowed down. Daisy noticed and took his hand, saying, "Come on, keep running!"

Jack pulled away and said, "You guys shouldn'ta done dis. Dey could put all of ya in jail."

"I don't care," David stated. He went to keep running, but Jack pulled him back and threw him against the alley wall.

"What 'bout your family? What happened ta dem if ya go in jail. You don't know nothin' 'bout jail."

Heather pushed Jack's hands off David's shoulders. "Jack, what are you doing?" Jack stared at her and he spoke to her telepathically, through his eyes and facial expression. She knew what he was doing. And he was right.

She joined him, "Now, thanks for what you all done, but get out of here." She spoke softly and sadly.

David looked right at Heather. "I don't understand."

"I don't understand either, but get out of here!" Heather yelled, her voice cracking a little. He reached out to touch her face, but she slapped his hand away.

"What's wrong with you? Do you want to go to the Refuge?" Delilah questioned.

Daisy's eyes hadn't left Jack since they stopped running.

"Jack?" she spoke. He locked eyes with her.

"Just go," he said, plain faced.

Delilah looked back and forth between the couples, and said, "Come on guys. They're not coming." She started walking away. Jack and Daisy shared another look, then she left. David attempted to touch Heather's hand, but she backed away. He exhaled, then walked away. Jack and Heather were alone.

Jack looked to her and saw tears coming down her cheeks. "We had ta Lace. Wid us, dey'se in dangah."

"I know," she said. She wiped her eyes and straightened up. "Let's go."

They put an arm around each other and walked back to the waiting carriage.