Chapter 14

Sugar was furious, as angry as livid fire, her crystal eyes burned with loathing. She had a plan, not a very good one, but it was a plan nonetheless.

As the waning moon of late evening cast haunted shadows across the sleepy city of New York, Sugar gathered the crips together as the first stages of her plan fell into place like a puzzle.

"Star's preformin tonight" Sugar scowled "and I bet that my Spot Conlon and her other ragged friends will be there as well"

Starlight was at Medda's getting ready for her big debut. She had been waiting for this moment all her life, from the time she just learned to walk, and talk and tonight was her chance to shine, and live her night to it's fullest. Backstage was filled with showgirls with every shade of color for their costumes imaginable, decorated with beads, and embroidered with lace, and silver or gold, as their brightly colored feathers swiftly waved in the lively air. Everyone seemed to have a job whether it was helping the showgirls get into costumes, doing make-up, practicing, or getting the stage set up.

Star had just finished getting her costume on, and fitted. Her dress was bright shades of amethyst purple, trimmed with shining gold that flowed down to her ankles with fine webs of silk, accenting her every curve. Her sleeves hung below her shoulders, exposing her soft mocha colored complexion and her beauty mark on her left shoulder. The sleeves of her dress were sheer, and transparent, shades of purple, and stopped at her elbow exposing the arms below.

Unfortunately she had to wear a corset because it was recommended for show biz, but it was only for that special night. She had asked the maid kindly, not to put the corset to tight because she couldn't't stand the feeling, and she was already thin. Star wore amethyst and gold jewelry to match her wonderful dress. Her shoes matched the purple and gold of her costume.

Now she was getting her hair and make-up done. Her hair was left loose in long, cascading curls that reached her mid back. On the crown of her head, there was a headrest with a purple and gold feather. Starlight applied a bit of powder, to her face, rouged her cheeks and lips, and outlined her eyes with black kohl, to make them stand out. Starlight's helpers, curled her lashes, and applied the cake form mascara, consisting of colorants and carnauba wax; they took the brush and applied the mascara to her eyelashes, to make them stand out as well.

Starlight stepped onto the stage, as the rowdy crowd fell silent like the depth of night. It was time for her solo, to make a grand introduction for the forthcoming acts. A wave of nervousness swamped her, running through her body like a rushing stream leading its way to the pit of her stomach. The feeling quickly passed. "Hear I go, fulfilling my dreams!" She thought to herself.

Star took a deep breath and calmed her jumpy nerves. As she began to sing, her voice chorused throughout Irving Hall, like an angel sweet, passionate and pure like song of a flute. This charmed not just ears but eyes as well. Her singing began louder, and faster as it was united with vivacious kicks, turns and swirls. Every move she made was spirited, and full of life.

The moment Sarah had been waiting for, all her life was finally here. It was a dream that came true…

The crowd cheered, whistled, and banged the tables thrilled at what they saw.

Sitting at one of the tables Spot gazed at Sarah fondly, she was his girl and he was hers, there was no doubt in that. If ever they were separated, he would search to the ends of the world for her…

As he watched every move she made: the inviting sway of her hips, the sparkle in her eyes, and the undying confidence she displayed, so like his own, yet different. He had a desire to hold her, to touch her and feel her body against his own. His thoughts were rather rudely interrupted by a nudge in his ribs. He turned to the man next to him.

"She quite a doll ain't she? I gotta get my hands on her afta da show" the drunken man drawled.

Spot glared venomously at the man.

"What? She ya girl or sumtin" the man asked, his words slurred.

Spot slammed his half filled beer bottle down hard on the table, and stood up furiously. "Ya…She is me goil, you better not lay a hand on her and watch ya mouth ya drunk goon! Or else you'll be waken up wit' a hangova, and a few broken bones!"

"Alright! Alright no hard feelings, take it easy" the man drawled, taking another hearty swig of whiskey. Before Spot had time to knock the drunk man unconscious he slid off his chair and fell to the floor.

Spot just looked at the man in shock surprise, dropped his fist and glared at the man, disgusted.

"Spot! Sit down!" Notebook hissed, tugging on Spot's pant leg. "You're making a scene"

Some of the nearby Newsies noticed the collapsed man on the ground through all the loud cheering voices. "He's gonna have a pretty rough mornin!" Kid Blink called from his seat, referring to the drunken man.

With a weary sigh Spot sat back down in his chair, and took a sip of his beer.

"You know, you should really learn to control that temper of yours" Notebook scolded, her arms crossed over her chest.

Spot rolled his eyes, sighed and in frustration replied, "Not now Notebook, jus let me enjoy da show"

"Just give the guy a break" Takoda replied.

Notebook shrugged, and glanced over at Spot. He had a self-righteous expression on his face, she thought, "What I would give to wipe that smug expression off his face" Notebook thought to herself.

Her thinking was interrupted by Takoda's warm, firm hand turning her face in his direction; he then placed a kiss on her lips causing her to feel weak in his arms.

."After all Spot does have a stressful and busy schedule, being the Brooklyn leader and all" Takoda said mockingly smirking, causing Notebook to laugh hysterically, and Spot to glower at his friend.

Once finished, Star took a bow and the crowd cheered and called out her name. She saw her friends amongst the crowd. Suddenly Spot came into her field of vision and she began to laugh once she noticed his thrilled expression. He was clapping and grinning proudly from ear to ear, and the blue depths of his eyes seemed to sparkle with admiration.

After the performance, Star headed back toward her dressing room to quickly change for the next act, while all the other showgirls positioned themselves, behind the curtain of the stage getting ready to perform. She was alone in the change room and could feel as though someone was watching her and turned around.

Suddenly she felt forceful arms surround her, but before she could cry out the figure put his large, rough and calloused hand over her mouth and pressed his thumb against her neck artery sending her unconscious and fainting into the figure's arms.

Star hung limp and helpless in the figure's arms. "Now what Sugar?" Morris Delancy questioned.

"Bring her to da warehouse and tie her up, tight and good ya here? I'll take care of da letta!"

Spot, Notebook, Jack, Cassie and Takoda walked backstage to congratulate Star on her performance but she was gone.

There was no apparent sign of a struggle but something lay on the cluttered vanity dresser. Notebook picked it up and read the note silently in her head. "Dear Spottyboy, if your lookin for your little girlfriend we've got her. If you want her back come and get her…if your wonderin where she is she's in the abandoned warehouse… where we had our first kiss. We had some good times Spottyboy…I'll be waitin. Love always, Sugar"

"No! She's got Sarah!" Notebook thought.

Takoda noticed Notebook's shaking hands and shocked expression, and put an arm around her, holding her close.

Spot snatched the letter from her hands and read it; clenching his teeth he crumpled it up, threw it to the ground and intensely punched the wall hard, bruising his knuckles.

"I gotta find her!" Spot yelled.

"It could be a trap!" Notebook replied, full of fear.

"We'd better come with you." Takoda said without hesitation.

"I could handle it meself aright!" Spot roared.

"Forget ya pride Spot! It's your goil out dere, and our friend. We aint gonna sit back like nuttins da matta!" Jack shouted.

"Remember da last time you said you didn't need any help? You told Sarah to stay in Brooklyn! If she didn't tell us about dat damn fight, who knows where ya would of ended up." Cassie added.

Spot remembered the incident, and sighed. "Alright let's go." He then said.

"Wait lets split up so I can get some more backup! Takoda, Notebook you go wit Spot. Blaze your comin wit me." Jack suggested as his Manhattan leadership qualities came into place.

The plan was set, and they got straight to it as quickly as possible.

Starlight woke to darkness. She was blindfolded, gagged, and bound. She couldn't see, she couldn't talk, and she couldn't move. All she could hear was low muffled, gruff voices, all except for one. "When Spot comes to rescue his stupid goilfriend, I'll threaten to kill her if he doesn't kiss me." Suddenly her blindfold was removed.

" Look who decided to finally wake up, and grace us wit her presence." Sugar replied in a mock annoyance. She glared at Sugar irately. Star observed her surroundings. The room was dull, gloomy, cold and looked rather old. Cobwebs hung from the rafters, dust and dried bird droppings were scattered across the cold, hard cement floors. A stack of large wooden boxes sat in the corners of the wall. Rats scampered around them like little hungry beasts.

"What should we do wit her Sugar?" A crip questioned.

"Do what youse want wit her boys, I aint stoppin ya." Surgar replied, snickering wickedly, then turning to leave. The crips began to grin, showing filthy rotting teeth.

"Should we take it off her?" one replied slyly.

'Ye, I wanna hear her scream." The other said, as they slowly walked towards her, grinning wolfishly the whole way.

Her eyes wide, and filled with fear, her insides were cold with dread. They removed the gag from her sore mouth, and she screamed as loud as she could. "Don't come near me, you heartless goons!" Her voice echoed through the spacious building.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you to respect a man, because if ya don't you'll have to learn the hard way! You women are only good for one ting." The crip said grinning nastily, and then placing his greasy lips upon Starlight roughly, causing her tender lips to hurt more.

"Save some room for me" another crip called coming to join.

"Get off me you sick bastard!" She yelled

"Guess you'll just have to learn da hard way!" The crip said smacking Star harshly across the face. Tears of terror streamed down her face, as they neared her, She continued screaming to stall them, fortunately it was working.

"Shut up ya whore, and let me get dis done and ova wit!"

Spot vigorously rushed into the warehouse Notebook and Takoda following. "Where is she Sugar!" Spot replied menacingly, and breathlessly.

Sugar turned at Spot's voice and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, she's in excellent hands"

Spot heard Star's scream and he motioned to run into the other room, where Sarah was held captive.

Sugar took hold of Spot's shoulders firmly and pressed him against a wall, her crystal-blue eyes gazing lovingly into Spot's cold blue ones.

But Spot had enough. "Sugar, get the fuck off me" he whispered, clenching his fist.

"Come on Spottykins," Sugar whined, "You know you love me, you always have. Now kiss me"

"I would neva kiss you, you dirty whore" Spot said warningly, his blue eyes flashing with anger.

Jack then came in, "Get your hands off him" he demanded. "You don't deserve him, you neva have!"

Sugar glanced at Jack and Spot; she then slapped Spot's cheek in fury.

"Now you've gone too far, bitch!" Cassie scowled.

Newsies poured inside the warehouse. Sugar looked around and smirked. "Well, two can play at this game, Spot!"

Crips then waited for Sugar's command, anxious to beat the Newsies out of their senses. They stood, eyes flickering and cracking their bruised knuckles in preparation.

It was silent for a brief moment as the two groups stared at each other. Sharing hatred for hatred and anger for anger.

"Get 'em!" Race called out, breaking the silence.

As if on cue, both the Newsies and the crips ran toward each other and the two forces blended into a free-for-all fistfight.

Takoda threaded through the crowd, with Notebook following him. Takoda clapped Spot on the shoulder and said. "Go save your girl."

As a crip raised a stick to strike and knock Spot unconscious, Takoda grabbed the stick and wrestled it from the crips's grip, he caught the crip under the jaw and stomach. With a final blow, Takoda knocked the crip out.

Takoda faced Spot and grinned, tossing the stick from hand to hand. "We'll handle it, you go get your girl " he said. Spot nodded a thank-you, and ran to the next room as his ears echoed with Sarah's scream.

The Brooklyn leader found Star tied helplessly, her dress was torn in various places and blood flowed slowly from a scratch on her forehead, near her eye, a red mark on her cheek, where the crip had slapped her, was swelling.

One of the two crips sent to guard Star, began attempting to remove her clothing to try and revel her womanhood.

This sight, of Star helpless to do anything and being raped by a vulgar man, enraged Spot. So much so, he felt his blood begin to boil, his anger and a murderous feeling overwhelm his pride. He had felt mad before, but never had he intended to kill.

The first crip, the one who had tried to rape Star, stood and sniggered. He walked toward Spot, hate heavy in his eyes.

The anger that had been building inside of Spot broke free and in oblivious fury he lashed out with his fist. He saw his own fists punch the crip in the eye and jaw. He raised his fist to strike again and broke the crip's nose with a dull crunch. Once more Spot's fist landed, this time in the crip's stomach.

The crip collapsed with a groan and a thud on the cold floor.

Behind Spot, the second crip crept up and tried to grab Spot. But off the corner of his eye, Spot had seen him and with his cane he ran him through the stomach.

With a shuddering gasp the crip's eyes went wide and staring. His face became pale and soon his eyes were glassy.

Staring in horror of what he had done, Spot dropped his cane to the ground with a clatter. Blood lay in smears near the body on the floor. Silence filled the room, as the crip's body laid motionless on the ground.

Spot then rapidly rushed to Star's side, and began to untie the ropes that tightly bound her wrists and ankles. As Spot removed the unyielding ropes, Starlight whimpered in pain, as she felt the throbbing gashes in her skin.

Spot lifted Star up and embraced her lovingly in his arms, as he let her cry in his embrace. She suddenly felt weak and afraid, he felt to her like a protector and in a way he was, if he hadn't been holding her close she felt she would have fallen.

He kissed her forehead, glad that she was safe. She was lost, and now she was found, his shining Star was with him now and he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He pulled away to meet her tear filled eyes. Spot gently brushed away the tear from her swollen cheek, and asked "Did dey rape ya"

Star smiled fondly at him and replied "No, you came just in time."

Spot smirked, and leaned in to claim a kiss from his immaculate Star. As he kissed her forcefully and passionately Star winced as her lips stung in pain from the gag she had worn. Spot quickly backed-off in shocked surprise and with his voice full of concern, he replied, "What's da matta?" he then noticed the soreness around Star's lips. "Aw shit! Ya don't gotta answer." Spot comprehended.

He grabbed his cane, and wrapped his arm around Star as they began to walk out. Starlight then noticed Spots bruised and bloody knuckles, and stopped him, as she asked.

"What happened to your knuckles?"

"It's nuttin, don't worry, lets jus get you back to da lodgin house." Spot replied and continued walking out.

Star stubbornly stopped him again and replied, "No you're not ok, look at your knuckles, and you can practically see your bone! We got to get this fixed." Spot turned to face Star

"Listen, I've been through worse, If it bother's ya dat much ill fix it at da lodgin house. It's you who needs da fixin up!" They then continued walking. There was an awkward silence, and Spot decided to break it with his good old Brooklyn humor. " But I'se do need a new shirt, ya tears got it all wet!" Spot replied grinning coyly, causing Star to giggle.

"It's not the first time that happened, so get use to it!" Starlight taunted laughing hysterically.

Spot smirked, placed his arm around her shoulder, pulled her closer to his side and placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

Takoda and Notebook walked in to see Spot and Star smiling contagiously and gazing adoringly into each other's eyes.

"Is everything okay?" Takoda asked, while Notebook rushed to Star's side to embrace her best friend and inquire the conflict.

"Yeah, she'll be alright" Spot answered his friend.

The four left and headed to the lodging house, discussing the recent event.

Kid Blink, Mush, and Race then tried to catch Sugar, to tie her up. After a hard struggle, the three managed to get Sugar to sit on the chair. With the ropes, they tied her to the chair.

Sugar tried to break from the ropes, but Race had tied them quite tight. Sugar, seeing it was useless to struggle, muttered curses and complaints under her breath. That is, until they covered her mouth with cloth, and tied it tightly. Then she was silent, except for her muffled yelling.

Ignoring her, Race, Kid Blink and Mush walked out of the warehouse, leaving Sugar behind to wallow in her angry protests.

Once all the Newsies had left and all was silent except for Sugar's stifled curses, one tall, dumb crip walked over to Sugar. For a moment he stared at her with a baffled expression.

Sugar yelled something at him, and the crip removed the cloth and said, "You say sometin lady?"

Sugar glared at the crip. "I said: Just untie me you fool!" Sugar was quite angry, by this time.

The crip then untied Sugar, who stamped her foot impatiently and groaned in aspiration. "They are going to get it!" she vowed.

Out of anger, Sugar threw her fists in the air, and kicked an unconscious body. She continued to curse and rave until the crip interrupted her with a question. "Uh Sugar, haven't ya noticed Spot and Star love each otha?"

"Yes I've noticed it you simpleton!" Sugar yelled, turning to glare at the simpleminded crip.

"Then maybe you should stop dis getting revenge stuff and leave 'em alone" the crip said.

"Yer supposed to be on my side!" Sugar shouted. With that she stormed out of the warehouse in a rampant fury of curses and complaints.