CHAPTER 3:

When she came downstairs, the only boys left were Mush and Jack. The others had all gone to start selling papers. Alyssa didn't say anything; since it was her fault they were late, anyway.

"Jack, are you sure it's not too much trouble to take me to Brooklyn?"

"Nah, none at all. I need a vacation anyway." He said, and she felt better.

They left and began the long walk to Brooklyn. Jack showed her all the important places around the city, the nice people he knew, and places to stay away from. He told her not to worry, Spot Conlon was the most respected and famous newsie. He was tough, but he would help her out. Alyssa asked him to tell her more about Spot:

"What is he like?"

At this, Mush made a strange face and looked at Jack, warningly. Jack nudged him a little to tell him to stay out of it.

"Well, uh, he's a very tough guy, and a lot of the girls like him a lot. He can be a little conceited and harsh on his boys, but he's no one to mess around with. He knows what he's doing, and he does what he has to do." Jack told her.

Alyssa thought she could hear Mush chuckle a little.

This sounds promising. A guy who will boss me around and try to get in my pants. Great.

"But look, Alyssa," Jack must have read her mind. "As long as you don't get on his bad side, he'll keep you protected and making money. Don't worry about it. And we're always here if you need us." He smiled, reassuringly.

They were over the Brooklyn Bridge now and walking the streets of Brooklyn. Jack stopped at a tall brick building. Mush pulled her aside before they entered.

"Hey, Alyssa, I just want you to know that I'm not trying to give yah a hard time or nothin'. I just don't want to see a great girl like you get in bad with Spot Conlon. Okay? Like Jacky said: you need anything…"

"Thanks Mush. I got it. I think I take care of myself, and I won't let Mr. Conlon affect me. This is only for a job and place to stay for a while. But thanks for caring."

"Yea, yea. Alright. You remember though, just in case."

"Absolutely, Mush." They went inside and up a lot of stairs. At the top floor, there were only about 3 hallways and they went down the second to come to a small room with a card table and some chairs. There was also a big window that looked out over the city.

"Alyssa, you sit down in here, while I go talk to Spot okay?" Then Jack left, taking Mush with him. Alyssa took one of the chairs from the table over to the window and sat in front of it. She stared down at Brooklyn. It was huge, and busy. It looked dangerous, but inviting. She couldn't believe on boy was the leader of this entire area.

No wonder he's so tough on everyone. I would have to be too, to run a city like this.

She could hear footsteps coming down the hall. But she didn't turn around. She just kept looking at the bustling roads below her. Suddenly she could hear voices coming down the hall.

"She's beautiful, smart, and funny, and sweet, and did I mention beautiful?" Jack was saying.

"Yeah, yeah, well you know how I love the girls. Things are pretty tight here, but I owe you one Jacky so I'll try to fit her in. What's this girl's name again?"

"Alyssa DeCardo."

"DeCardo, huh?" The voices had almost reached the door.

"As long as she doesn't fight with me, or mess with the way I run my boys, I guess it a dea…" The voices were right at the door now, but Spot stopped mid-sentence. Jack looked at him, as he stared, painfully at the girl sitting by the window. His glare was ice cold and almost hating. Before the girl could even turn around, Spot was out the door, and stomping down the hall to a different room.

Alyssa turned around, to see Jack and Mush looking very confused.

Did I do something wrong already? I didn't even look at him yet!

Jack and Mush ran down after Spot. Alyssa got up and follow slowly behind, just to hear what they were saying. Spot sounded furious.

"No way, Jacky. I don't think this is gonna work out."

"Come on, Spot. A minute ago, you were gonna let her stay. What the hell is this about?"

"I got no room, and there's no way I'm lettin' a girl stay here. My boys gotta stay pay attention to their work, and she's just gonna mess it all up."

Alyssa was mad that this "Spot Conlon" had just set Jack up to turn him down.

What an asshole. I better show him who he's messing with.

She walked into the room and started to give him a piece of her mind.

"Look, Mr. Conlon. I don't know who you think you are to lie to Jack like that. I heard you tell him you could fit me in here, and he told you I'd work hard for you so what the hell does it matter that I'm a girl? You have no right to just turn him down like that and maybe I don't even need you anyway. You can just go to…" Their eyes met for the first time, and she was speechless.

Staring back at her were the most familiarly incredible light blue/grey eyes. They looked just like the ones that had saved her life last night. They were hard and mean now.

"Hey, aren't you…" she began.

"No Jack, it's not happening. Not a chance." He interrupted.

Their eyes stayed locked the entire time. She couldn't look away from his gorgeous eye…but what was his excuse?

"Spotty, you said it yourself that you owe me. And I need help for my friend so I'm asking you cause you're the only one I trust her with."

The eyes flinched a little.

"I did say I owed you. Ah'right Jack. I'll let her stay for a little. But if she starts to distract my boys…that's it."

Finally, he ended the stare. He looked at Jack, who smiled and said,

"Thanks Spot. You won't regret it." He came over and hugged Alyssa before leaving. So did Mush, but he whispered in her ear,

"Don't forget." Then they were gone. As soon as they were, Spot walked toward her, and looked her over.

"DeCardo? Is that the name?"

"Alyssa."

"Well, DeCardo, if you wanna stay here with me and my newsies, you gotta play by my rules. My way. Got it?

"Sure, but were't you…"

"Come on, I'll show you your room."

He led her into a small empty room, with just a bed and a small light and a tiny table. His room was next door.

"I'm waking you up early in the morning. I don't have time to get you started selling tomorrow, so you're gonna come around with me for the day. I gotta take care of a few things."

"Fine. But were you following me last night, Mr. Conlon?"

"What the hell are you talking about, DeCardo?"

"Last night, when I got stuck, and I thought I saw your…"

"You're giving me a headache. Just stay in here and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

"But…" The door shut and he was gone.

Well, at least there's a bed. I'm sure that's the boy who saved me. Wouldn't someone be proud to say they save a girls life? Why won't he just admit it?

She lay there in her bed for hours, but all she could picture were those eyes. They were so cold, but she just couldn't stop thinking about them. There was something behind them, like some dark secrets. But they only showed when he looked at her. Racking her brain for anything she possible could have done to upset him, she came up with the only solution she could:

Spot Conlon hates me. And I hate him.

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