Disclaimer: you should know this by now…

A/n: thanks again to my reviewers, you know who you are! I would still love to see more reviews but for those few faithful people here is another chapter…hope you enjoy it. I promise there will be more action next chapter…as it unfolds more…

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I awoke with the sun, hoping if it was this bright maybe today would be too. Pulling myself out of my bed I reluctantly began to get ready for the day ahead. Haze once again found me on the way to the washroom.

"Soo…" he looked serious and for once I understood his concern.

"Yeah he's back. I want you and Razor to keep a close eye around your territories today, youse both closer to Harlem's borders." Haze nodded knowing if the gangs were to enter, trouble would most likely follow; and the newer newsies were not aware of Club and his gang.

I went to finish getting ready as Haze went to tell Razor of the plan. As I entered the washroom, I took a deep breath and stared into the mirror. Splashing water on my face I hardened my eyes and hid away any fear and uncertainty of what was to come.

I followed my newsies out into the streets and to the distribution center. Razor and Haze fell back to meet me, and we continued in silence. I could sense their wariness, last time Club was in the Bronx, we went through hell and even more so when he made his own gang.

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I bought fewer papers than usual knowing my mind would be else where today…and well it has been for awhile. Although the day passes by slowly, I didn't seem to run into any problems. As I wandered back towards the lodging house I saw Razor and Haze on their way back too.

"Hey guys. How's it rollin?" I greeted as they came over to me.

"Nothin out of place that I could see." Razor said with Haze nodding his answer as well.

"I don't know somethin' doesn't feel right about this." I sighed thinking this over again while I took a seat on the steps.

Haze joined me on the steps and Razor leaned against the building. We stayed like this for what seemed like a long time, lost in our thoughts. I yawned after awhile and stood up, "If he didn't show himself yet, it doesn't mean he won't around. Lets make sure the young ones don't go out late alone"

"If he moves in here, I don't think he'll go for the young ones." Haze spoke from the stairs.

I glanced down at him waiting for an explanation, but after a minute or so there was none.

"Watch the borders again tomorrow" was the last thing I said before stepping inside the lodging house.

Haze and Razor remained outside as I went up to the bunkroom to rest.

That night some of the boys stayed up playing some craps while I snuck out onto the roof. I was debating going for a walk but somehow the night made me nervous tonight.

As I stood outside overlooking the streets below I could barely see in front of me, the air was full of fog. And the fog didn't help how I felt; the night was supposed to be my time… but now I was worried about seeing Club out in it.

The history between us was as violent and powerful as he and I both were as leaders. Now that I was back in my position he seemed to follow in suit. Last I had heard he got out of the refuge and was off in Boston making his own trouble. Now I wondered what happened in Boston to make him come back here.

I sighed again and convinced myself that I was stronger than last time, and that maybe just maybe he wouldn't come back for me.

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A few days passed the same as the last, I keep an eye out for trouble along with Haze and Razor, but we found nothing out of the ordinary. With each day passing, I felt more and more suspicious. Today I couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. The minute I had stepped out of the lodging house to get my morning papers, I felt something was off.

I doubt I was being followed that early in the morning but now it was late afternoon and I was on my way to meet some newsies for lunch. I glanced over my shoulder before turning down another street to the restaurant. I had about a block to go before I reached it when I felt someone behind me.

This time I didn't turn around instead I tried to shake them. Usually I did this at night, and it worked better but hopefully with the crowds in the streets I could lose them. Eying a vendor with a line of people waiting, I tried to squeeze through the line and hide beside the vendor. As I was waiting against the wall, I saw the person going straight as if I had. I frowned as I noticed it was one of Club's boys. I waited until he was out of site before I took a back street towards the restaurant.

I finally found my way to the restaurant and noticed Razor was already sitting with some other newsies, and they already had their food.

"What took ya so long, losin' ya touch?" Razor said as I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I decided to take the scenic route" I said mockingly as I took a seat across from him and next to Whisper. Whisper looked up at me, "Phantom?"

"Ya kid?" I smiled at the 7 year old.

"When can I play poker with ya guys?" I laughed and put my arm around him.

"Well I'll tell ya what, when ya a little bit olda I'll let ya…but until then I'll help teach ya how to play at the lodgin' house, ok?"

Whisper nodded and grinned, happy with my idea. I ordered my food and ate up while the others finished theirs as well.

As we finished lunch, whisper ran off to play with the younger newsies and Razor turned to go back to the lodging house.

"Are ya comin' Phantom?" I glanced around before answering,

"Nah I think I might actually sell some afternoon edition. I need some extra cash." Razor shook his head and waved me off.

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Very few newsies seemed to be selling this afternoon as the line was short when I arrived. Sometimes I just needed the time to myself, and others I needed the cash. Today it was a little of both. I only took 40 papers as I set off into the city.

Luckily the feeling of being followed had worn off before lunch, when I found out who it was. But I still tried to keep my senses up, knowing they might be back again.

By late evening I had finished my stack of papers and started back home. As I turned in that direction I noticed someone ahead of me. I squinted at the form in the distance and fire came to my eyes.

As I moved closer I could see him even more clearly now. "Can I help ya Club?"

"Just came to see how you've been" he said casually, smiling at me.

"Well I'm good. Anything else?" I asked while crossing my arms.

He frowned a little but then went back to smiling, "Why ya givin me this attitude, I've changed Phantom. I did my time in the refuge and I straightened out over the years."

"Then why ya back with ya gang Club?" I tried not to believe his story but the way he was still smiling threw me off.

"It's no different than ya gang of newsies…" I frowned again; he was so hard to talk to. "Anyways I just wanted to see if ya could grab some food with me."

I shrugged thinking getting some food wouldn't hurt; at least we were in my territory and in public. Once I nodded he grabbed my hand and led me to the restaurant I was at earlier.