A/N: thanks for st.elmo-lover and Naomi for reviewing!! this chapter isn't that exciting…but I hope it came out ok…let me know…and I hope to keep updating fast (but I have a ton of work do soon..but lets hope)
I woke up to the sound of newsies running down the stairs ready to get to work. I sighed knowing I wasn't in the mood to try and sell today. I stood up and immediately cringed at the pain, quickly reminding me of the events from last night.
I slowly made my way to the wash room to take a look at the damage done from last night. And I frowned when I saw my reflection, I had more bruises than I thought on my face, and my arm still had a nice cut down it. I splashed water on my face, as if that alone would make it all go away.
As I turned to leave the washroom I noticed Spot was sitting on "his" bunk starting at me. I raised an eye brow waiting for a response from him.
"Well ya lookin gorgeous today Phantom" I narrowed my eyes, "Very funny Conlon"
I turned, leaving him in the bunkroom when I heard him get up, "Hold on Phantom"
I stopped and waited for him to grab his stuff from the bunk before he followed me down the stairs. I went to get my things and said bye the Kloppman, promising if I came back to see him it wouldn't be in this condition again.
"I'm not sellin today so ya didn't have to wait" I said when I found Spot still waiting for me.
"I'm not either," he paused, and I waited for him to finish his statement. When nothing followed I walked past him out the front door.
"Phantom, wait up." I slowed down hearing his footsteps coming behind me, "listen I'm sorry about yesterday" I looked at him questioningly; Spot wasn't usually one to apologize.
"If ya would just tell me what was goin' on I wouldn't say things like that" he continued on, but I stopped walking.
"Oh so now it's my fault since I didn't share what happens in my life with everyone? Sometimes I think ya ego gets the best of ya Spot" I walked away from him hoping he wouldn't follow, but I soon heard him after me again.
I suddenly realized I was heading home, and Spot was going in the opposite direction of Brooklyn. "Spot where are ya goin? Ya throne is the other way" he frowned at me.
"I'm goin' to walk ya home, or at least until ya tell me what happened the other day" I rolled my eyes, he was so stubborn. I continued on through Manhattan with Spot in tow.
We stayed in silence most of the way, but once I entered Harlem's territory I became more alert, checking the surroundings more carefully. I know Race had told me not to go through Harlem but this was the quickest way home, and besides I went through the outskirts, not near Club's place.
As I was glancing around the streets I felt Spots eyes on me. He raised an eye at my actions, "I'm takin' in the scenery." I offered, hoping he would believe it.
"What's really wrong Phantom, even I know you've never been afraid to walk through someone else's territory before." I remained silent casting my eyes downward.
"Kaitlyn…" I looked up at him with pain showing in my eyes, emotional pain I had hidden before.
"I don't want to talk here," was all I could say before I shook off the look on my face, buryin' it deeper. The last thing I wanted to do was to talk about it in Harlem, where I could feel someone watching my moves as it was. I glanced once more around me and headed closer to my own territory.
Once we made it back to the Bronx, I headed towards the lodging house, knowing the newsies would still be out selling right now, giving me the time alone I needed with Spot. I took my time entering the house and climbing the stairs to go towards the roof. Spot stayed silent even as I sat down on the roof closing my eyes in the sun, it was a little different being up here during the daytime.
It took me a little to get my thoughts together; I didn't even know what really happened yesterday, or why.
"I don't know what ya want me to tell ya Spot…ya know it was Club", was all I could think of to say to him; still wanting to avoid telling a story of my past to someone else.
"Well why he did that might help, and what ya are doin' with him"
"I honestly don't know why I am with him, or why I ever was, I guess I trusted him. Yeah he did this to me before, but he kept apologizing and making me feel better I just pretended it wasn't him when he did this. He was the only one that made me feel special. I guess I thought no one else would do that. And this time, I made him angry and that's why he did this." Spot seemed to be thinking this all over, and I could see his anger in his eyes. The same I saw in Races when I told him.
"I don't think there's anythin' ya could have done to make what he did ok" he looked into my eyes and I could see the concern that was there as well.
"I wouldn't let him...ya know" I said not really wanting to say the words. He nodded understanding what I was saying.
"That's no reason for him to beat ya. He didn't succeed did he?" I cringed, thinking of him coming on to me, and remember the first few times.
"No" I said trying to sound as convincing as possible. He didn't seem to push the subject anymore but stayed quiet for a little.
"Ya known Phantom there are other guys out there, and most won't treat ya like this. Get out while ya still can" I laughed slightly at the last part knowing I was beyond the still can part.
"He'll be comin' after me soon, to get me back for makin' him look like a fool in front of his boys." I frowned at myself, I hadn't meant to tell anyone else what I suspected, at least not Brooklyn.
"Then I'll stay here and watch over ya" my frown seemed to deepen.
"What you'll stay here for weeks? I don't think so Conlon, I've done fine without ya since ya ran off to Brooklyn and I think I can handle myself now" sometimes I wish neither of us had the power we did, so we wouldn't butt heads as much.
His faced matched mine, "Well then go start another war Phantom, I'll gladly watch from the side." Before either of us could fight more Haze climbed the steps up to the roof. We both whipped our heads around to look at him.
He held up his hands in defense, "I just wanted to see who was yellin up here. Ya alright Phantom?" he asked noticing my appearance. I nodded and was about to answer when Spot jumped in, "No she's not, Club did this to her" I shot a look towards Spot and glanced back at Haze to see his reaction. He sighed as if he knew this would be coming.
"I'll go get Razor and we can discuss this later" I nodded, since I was going to suggest that to him anyways. When he left I turned back to Spot, "Listen Spot I know ya mean well, but this is somethin' I have to handle on my own." He nodded slowly running his hand through his hair.
"I don't like it Phantom, but I understand. If you or the Bronx needs help Brooklyn will be here. I mean even Jacky-boy needed my help" he smirked as I laughed.
"Get out of here Spot; I'm sure ya boys are lost with out ya." He smirked holding his head high as he left the roof.
I continued to sit alone, waiting for another discussion to take place about my actions. I frowned; I didn't want to put my newsies in this again. Last time he started a war…but this time I would be ready if he came after them.
I heard footsteps behind me and I waited for Haze and Razor to come sit with me. As I searched my pockets for a cigar I felt them sit down on either side of me. I sighed realizing I was out of cigars.
Keeping my eyesight still on the streets, I addressed the two; "I know what I've gotten us into, there's nothing I can do to change it now so I don't want to hear about it." I paused waiting to see if they would object so far, hearing nothing I continued, "If Club comes after me or my newsies, I'll be ready and I'll be watching our territory closely. I don't want any of the younger newsies to know about this...he won't be going after them. If anyone sees him I want it reported to me before you do anythin. This is goin to be between me and him"
I turned to Razor and Haze, they both nodded in understanding. Even though I could tell that they had wanted to say something about Club, they held their tongue. Satisfied with what happened I stood up and headed down into the lodging house, then into the streets, a place I needed to be to find Club, when he makes his appearance.