AN: i hope you enjoy this chapter. please RR and keep reading. Carryin da banner.

We ran far and hard. Tommy was right I had to hide them. The only place I knew they'd be safe was the lodging house.

As we rounded the corner and saw the lodging house my heart leapt in the air. Finally we were someplace safe.

'Kloppman! I'se needs help. Des are Tommy's family. Dey needs a place ta stay for a while.' I said frantically. He looked at me like I was crazy but I had to hide you guys. 'Can you'se watch them for a minute or two?'

'Sure Skitt but why?'

'Listen, just don' let 'em go outside and don' let nobody take 'em. I'll be back as soon as I can.'

'Where are you going?'

'I'se gotta help Tommy. He's in trouble.'

He nodded and I ran out of the door and back onto the cloudy streets. I had to get back to Tommy and Lisa, I had to save them. By the time I'd got back to the house your dad had been home and had left again. I broke in and yelled for Tommy.

His voice floated in from the kitchen. Slowly I walked to a back room. Pots and pans were strewn everywhere and broken glass covered the floor. Lisa lay in the corner; a gapping wound to her stomach was visible in the dim light. Tommy was huddled in the other corner.

'Tommy! Come on we'se gotta get you an' Lisa outta here befoah ya dad comes back.' I said running over to him.

'Are they safe?'

'Wat? Tommy come on you'se gotta get up!'

'Are they safe?!'

'Yeah dere wit Kloppman right now. Da newsies'll keep dem safe. Now move!'

'Skitt, you don't get it. I'm…I'm not coming with you. Now don't argue I have to get this out. My siblings, you gotta protect them! Don't let my dad get them. NEVER!'

'Tommy don' talk dis way you'll be fine!'

'Skitt…just listen to me.' he panted. His breathing was labored and his hair was damp with sweat. 'I don't have much time. If Pat ever asks of his family don't tell him of this. Don't tell him how me and Lisa died. He doesn't deserve…he doesn't deserve the truth of his father.'

'Tommy…' I said on the verge of tears.

'Skitt promise!'

'I'se promise.' tears rolled down my cheeks as I answered him.

'They're in your hands now Skittery. You're all they have. Treat them like your own family.'

Tommy smiled. In my mind I knew he was now at peace with his soul. He looked strait up at me. Light twinkled in his eyes. I wiped some blood away from his mouth. Slowly the twinkle of his eyes faded and they slipped shut. I laid his head down on the ground and watched as his chest stopped moving. Crying I ran out the door toward the lodging house. I had to keep Tommy's promise.

"Why?" Tumbler asked. Tears were running down his face. Skittery's heart broke. It killed him to see Tumbler like this. "Why did ya lie ta me Skitt?"

"Tommy made me promise. I'se couldn't break it. I'se so sorry."

"Where's me sistahs?"

"Dey got adopted a couple 'a years back. We tried ta get you'se a good family but you'se was too wild. So da newsies took ya in." Skittery watched as Tumbler backed away. In his eyes Skittery saw fear, anger and hate. He turned and ran into the rain, away from Skittery. "TUMBLER!"

It was no use he was gone, Skittery's promise was broken.

"Jack did Tumbler come home?"

"Nope haven't seen 'em."

"Damn."

Skittery ran outside and started yelling Tumbler's name. Blink and Dutchy followed him.

"Wat happened ta him?"

"I'se told him da truth dats wat! He got scared and took off runnin' damnit!"

"Skitt, Tumbler's smart he'll be fine for one night."

"It's cold an' rainin' I'se ain't leaving him out here ta die Blink!"

"Skitt…you'se know Tumbler better dan anyone 'a us. But everybody knows dat when Tumbler don' wanna be found ya ain't gonna find him so just wait till mornin."

Skittery nodded knowing all very well he had no chance of finding Tumbler that night and went back inside with Blink and Dutchy.