Any One of Us
Chapter Three
Disclaimer: Yes, you caught me. I'm keeping all the Newsies hostage under my bed and I don't plan to ever release them to the public. Mine, all mine. Really now.. I own nothing, the newsies aren't mine, I'm not making any money and I can assure you this is just for fun. Anyone you don't recognize belongs to me however, but I'm easygoing and will share! As always, please send me feedback, any feedback! But please, no flames.
What did she want with me? What did I do? Or better yet, what didn't I do? Who were Morris and Mush? What did 'soak' mean? And wow, did Jack really think I was pretty?
The way I saw it, I had two options. Number One, go back to the party and forget everything I saw and heard until tomorrow, or option two, satisfy my damn curiosity and go see for myself what exactly the newsies were talking about.
"This is crazy, me go to track down kids I don't even know. They could rob me blind and leave me for dead."
No, not Jack my heart screamed. He's a good man, just caught up in some hard times.
"They're all 'good men caught up in some hard times' " I replied. Now I was officially going crazy. Talking to my heart, out loud. "Alright, fine. You win, you always win. I'll go find them."
Praying no one would miss me, I wormed my way back through the 'adults', now getting louder with the flowing wine and champagne. It's quite funny to see men exaggerate and show off while sober, but it's a completely different story to watch their feathers get ruffled while under the influence.
Handing my ticket to the door manager, my coat was retrieved and I stepped outside into the cold. For once, I was grateful for a coat. Sweet Jesus that went so smooth! This was going to be easy.
"Hello doll face."
Almost.
"Hello."
"What's a beautiful thing like you doing 'round these parts?"
"Visiting." It wasn't completely a lie.
"What's your name baby?"
Ugh this guy would not quit. Couldn't he tell by the short one word sentences that I was completely not interested?
"It's H-Alice. My name is Alice."
"I'se Oscar Delancey, an' this is my brother Morris. We'se sort of big deals 'round here."
Delancey. That name again. Sure they were slime, I could tell that already, but they didn't look all that tough and menacing.
"Well, maybe you can help me."
"Sure thing doll"
"Can either of you tell me where the newsies may live?"
Oscar and Morris exchanged glances. This girl could be their way of de-moralizing the men once and for all.
"Why? Someone do something to ya?"
"Well, no. Not exactly, I'm just looking."
"Listen kid, ya don't wanna get involved with no newsie. Theys don't care 'bout nobody but themselves and their best interest. Alls you'll be is anudder pretty face for dem to show off. Dat's who we'se deal with, every day tryin to keep dem in line."
"I'm sure you are exaggerating just a bit. No one can be that bad."
Oscar's eyes flashed, "You accusing me of lying!?"
"No, I just don't believe you." Smart kid, real smart.
"Oh yeah? Is dat so? Well you just come along with us little missy, we'se show ya firsthand." Oscar nodded at his brother and they both picked me up by an arm and started walking.
Dragging my feet on the ground behind me, and trying to rip my arms out of their grasp I tried to decline, as politely as I could. When that didn't work, I had no choice but to use force. I'd go for Morris first, he seemed like the dumber one, only hanging around to do what his brother said.
"I believe you didn't hear me," I yipped, kicking Morris in the back of the kneecap, "I do not want to go!" as hoped, Morris fell and Oscar's attention on me waned as he took a double take over his brother. "Shouldn't have done that kiddo, now we'se gonna have to soak ya."
Oooh so that's it. Soak, like hurt me, right? I couldn't let that happen, I'd never be able to explain it. Ok think fast, think fast.
"Ah blow it out your snot trap," I said dashing off in the other direction. Morris jumped to attention ready for the chase if Oscar so commanded, but was held back. "Relax Morris, she was looking for da newsies. We'se knows exactly where she's going."
Run, run, run, that was all I knew how to do at that present moment. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't stop. This shouldn't be that hard, Manhattan is my home but before now how often did I run around looking for a newsie on purpose? Only now did it dawn on me what I had done. Most likely I made enemies with some dangerous, corrupt people, I was without an escort, and it was now dark and cold. Kicking a pebble, I pulled up my collar and leaned against a wall to study my surroundings.
Tibby's.. isn't that where I'm supposed to go tomorrow? The hangout? I wonder if they have any food…
Settling into a booth in a corner of the room, I went back to my old habit of people watching. At that point, I didn't care if all they had left was horse poo, I was starving! I ordered a roast beef sandwhich and a glass of water and tried to figure out what exactly I was going to do with myself.
"Ey Jacky boy, woird on da street is youse become friends wit a reals classy lady today at Medda's," a boy laughed. Looking up to find the voice, it's owner had bright blonde hair and a cheerful smile that could melt the coldest heart.
"Dats only half right Blink, you'se right, she's real classy and rewl beautiful but I'se don't know if we'se exactly 'friends' "
By now I was completely interested. It's always been a downfall of mine, my nosiness. Or 'curiosity' as it's nicely put. Who met who? Where was I? And why didn't I hear anything sooner?
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