Mitts was out of breath, but he felt like he could have run forever. He crashed through the warehouse door.
"They're goin' to tha bar." He gasped.
Vin, Spot and Soap stared up at him.
"What?"
"They're goin' afta Sam."
Soap was on his feet in an instant, but Spot grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Hol' on. Who is Mitts?"
"Queens. I followed Finch. He met with Rock. They're gonna use Sam to get to Soap."
Soap made to tear from Spot's grip, but Spot grabbed him with both hands.
"Let the fuck go!" He yelled.
"Youse can't go." Spot said quietly.
"Tha fuck I can."
"Dey prolly want youse to." Vin whispered.
"I don't care. Don't youse understand? It's Sam."
"And don't youse understand? Dey're prolly gonna kill youse both when youse show!" Spot yelled back, his face inches from Soap's. "Youse tha leader! People believe what youse gotta say! I believe in it! So youse gotta stay safe! Youse important!"
None of them had ever heard Spot yell. His eyes were flashing dangerously. For a moment all three boys stared at him. He breathed deeply through his nose and was seconds later back in control of himself.
"I'll go. Youse stay hea, Soap. We need youse. Brooklyn needs youse."
He didn't give Soap any time to argue, but turned on his heel and left the warehouse. Soap crumpled back into a chair. He knew that if anyone stood a chance, it was Spot. He still didn't like the idea of doing nothing.
"I'm goin' wit' him." Vin said suddenly, getting to his feet. "Mitts, go find Vito."
"On it."
"Soap-"
"I know." Soap whispered. "I'll stay. Jus' don't let anythin' happen to her."
They knew something was wrong the moment they entered the bar. It was empty and dead quiet. As he always did, with a motion like unsheathing a sword, Spot drew his cane from his suspenders.
"Johnny?" He called. "Sam?"
Vin stared around the room, his eyes taking in everything, as Spot strode towards the bar. There was absolutely no one here. Not even a few slumped bar patrons. Besides that though, nothing seemed wrong. Nothing was out of place.
"Vin!"
Vin's eyes snapped toward Spot who was leaning over the bar. He joined him. Slumped against the wall behind the bar was Johnny. Spot vaulted the bar and shook the old man. His lifeless body slid sideways across the wall, leaving a dull red streak where his back had been.
"Fuck." Spot whispered.
"Sam!" Vin shouted, looking around wildly.
Wordlessly, a little numbly they crossed to the stage. She lay just behind the curtains, like a forgotten act, in the same dull red colored pool that Johnny had.
"Sam." Vin whispered as he knelt next to her and lifted her head off the floor.
Spot, always wary, stared around silently. Ready for an attack that would not come. Vin shook her slightly. When she didn't respond he looked up at Spot. For a long moment they stared at each other. Then she coughed.
"Sam." He felt sudden relief surge through him.
"Nate..." She moaned.
"Don't talk."
She shook her head weakly.
"I was bait for Spot... They want Nate..." She choked, spitting blood from her mouth.
"Spot."
He didn't need to say another word. It was painfully obvious in that moment that the place they needed to be was the one they had just left. Spot left the bar at a full run.
"Vin."
"Stop. I'm gonna get youse to a doctor. Jus' breath."
She shook her head weakly.
"I won't live that long, Vin. Just stay here with me."
Vin's eyes traveled down her chest and stomach. There were several long, deep red stains in her dress. He felt his jaw clench too tight for words. Oddly, she smiled.
"I was hoping you'd come... Do you remember that night we walked together and you said... 'Sometimes people don't tell you things'..."
"It ain't 'cause dey don't think youse ain't strong enough to take it." He nodded.
"I have something I wanna tell you... But I don't think... I should... "
Vin's eyes widened. He felt his heart leap into his throat and pound there as if it were trying to get out. The back of his eyes burned, but he blinked the tears back. He didn't want to appear weak. He didn't want his crying face to be the last thing she saw. So he hefted a smile onto his face. It was one that did not reach his eyes, but she smiled back at his effort, until it became too much and the life left her eyes.
