Then Came the Fire

By: Laney S.

Author's Note: Sorry that this took a bit longer than normal to update. I'm right in the middle of moving and transferring with my job. It's been chaotic! Moving is always a love/hate thing for me :p

Anyway, this chapter is pretty long but you get more of Spot in here! That's a good thing, right? A quick note about Spot in my story – I always saw Spot as this guy that was very serious about his position as leader and was sort of a no nonsense kind of guy. I think in the movie he demonstrates this by not immediately joining Jack when he approaches him about the strike. Spot struck me as the kind of guy that needs solid proof about something before he believes it and isn't about to mess around without a plan. He also doesn't like surprises and probably would hate for anyone to get the drop on him. That's why in the beginning of my story he may seem like a bit of a hard guy. I don't see Spot as the flirateous, drunk, charming, womanizer that I think a lot of stories paint him out to be. I'm not calling those that write him that way wrong per say, but rather that description does not fit the way I saw him. Just keep reading and I promise I won't make him out to be a complete jerk without reason ;)

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Five reviews and I am pretty stoked! xD

Water vs Fire – I'll keep 'em coming! :D

Eavis – Well, I can promise there won't be too many obscenities but unfortunately there will be SOME usage of foul language. I'm a believer that I can't write accurate and realistic descriptions of seventeen year old boys without there being some foul language. It's just how a lot of boys are! Even in the movie Jack swears. I also only like to throw swears into dialogue where I feel it will add more power to the statement. Keep reading and judge for yourself but I promise to not make it a total foul fest. Also, by an honest smile I mean it was also genuine. A smile can be false or dishonest depending on your intent behind it. Have you ever faked a smile? Maybe smiled when you didn't really feel like it? An honest smile is the opposite :0)

elleestJenn – I still have a special place in my heart for the original but you can tell that my writing style has changed so I'm a bit embarrassed by certain parts (lol). I plan on throwing in quite a bit more meat in terms of the plot. More will be explained in the re-write. I will take a look at your old stories. I love reading other stories as much as I do writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies or any aspect of the film, those rights belong to Disney. I am merely borrowing the characters for entertainment purposes only and for no financial gain. I do, however, own my own characters and no one is to use them without my permission.

Chapter Four

One Challenge Can Lead to a Dangerous Situation

It had taken exactly two weeks for Reina to fully recover. She had not been allowed to see a doctor since it would have been discovered that she was a girl staying at an all-boys lodging house. Instead, Kid had brought her medicine to reduce her fever periodically and had remained adamant that she not leave his bed unless necessary.

However, necessary had turned out to be almost daily. She had been forced to accompany Kid and Spot in their daily regime of selling newspapers to avoid suspicion back at the lodging house. After all, a boy who was too sick to sell newspapers couldn't hope to avoid a doctor's visit. In truth, Reina had not actually been selling newspapers at all. After much bickering and debating with Spot, Kid had managed to convince Spot to let Reina sit the daily activities out and Kid had generously covered her portion of the rent. This had all made Reina feel lousy and useless both at the same time. However, she had fast learned that Kid had a way of convincing others to go with his flow. It was his gift.

Many days she had spent seated within a small restaurant that was near to where Spot and Kid operated their business of pushing papers. The owner was a kind man of Italian descent. He was tall and wide built but very little was actual fat and he was mostly fit. While his frame was rather big, his face was kind and sincere. He had warm brown eyes and hair that adorned his head that was streaked with fine gray. He wore it pushed back in a professional manner but not slicked down. His name was Alanzo Cossimo but Reina had come to know him on a first name basis and had found his stories of old Italy and the trip to America fascinating.

It would have been two weeks that would have bored her to death if it had not been for Alanzo himself, who had kept her well stocked in free food (mostly soups as he had been as demanding as Kid in ordering her to take care of herself) and lessons in speaking Italian. She was now in no way fluent but she had picked up quite a few words in her two weeks with Alanzo.

"No minestra," Reina groaned in mock agony as Alanzo was presently setting out her usual bowl of warm vegetable soup. Alanzo clapped his hands together and a big, proud grin illuminated his face. "Bravo Reina!"

Reina smiled in return and raised her eyebrows hopefully. "Does this mean that I'm done with the soup?"

"Non una probabilita," Alanzo said in a kindly tone.

"What does that mean?" Reina asked in reply.

"Not a chance," Alanzo said and gave Reina a friendly squeeze on her shoulder as he chuckled softly. Reina nodded in defeat and picked up her spoon, staring at her own reflection in its back.

"I'm not ungrateful Alanzo, I'm just," she paused and looked away from the spoon and to Alanzo. She hesitated but then gave it to him straight. "A week of soup, the same soup, it just makes a person yearn for a sandwich," Reina said with a look upon her face that suggested she was in great pain. Alanzo just laughed and smiled fondly at her.

"I wasn't aware sick, lonely and poor girls could be beggars," he teased and Reina shrunk in her seat slightly and furrowed her brows. He had her there. If she was being completely honest, she was just happy to have some sort of food in front of her, even if it had gotten a little tiresome. "What if I asked nicely in Italian?" she countered playfully.

"Your friend is here," Alanzo announced, ignoring her joke.

Reina looked up and saw Kid heading towards her. The look on his face was not his normal, charming smile. Instead he looked downright mad and aggravated. He crossed the room and nodded his head just slightly, greeting Alanzo. Alanzo smiled warmly, "How are sales today Kid?" he asked from across the room. Kid headed over to her table and took a seat in the side of the booth across from her. "Slow and dull, like mud," Kid responded and then turned to face Reina.

"What's wrong?" she asked quickly and set her spoon down, leaving her soup untouched in the process.

"How are you feelin' today, Reina?" Kid asked and briefly gave her a look of concern.

"Better, but I told you that I've been feeling good for the last couple of days and I think the fever is completely gone now," she answered truthfully and loud enough so that Alanzo might hear. At that moment the door to the small restaurant swung wide open. She and Kid looked over and immediately heard Alanzo announce the new arrival.

"Well, what a pleasure Spot! Are you done with sales already today? Veloce!" Alanzo said and threw Spot a thumbs-up. Reina sighed and looked back to Kid and suddenly understood why he was so upset. She gave Kid a look that seemed to say, "I understand."

She had found that dealing with the young man known as Spot Conlon had been rather difficult. It had been clear since day one that Spot was in no way shape or form happy with her staying with what he called, "his boys." They had only shared a couple of brief interactions since her arrival and they had not been pleasant ones, in her opinion. He had almost always had something to say about her presence being a distraction and how a girl wouldn't be able to handle herself among them, how she'd always need looking after and rescuing. She hated his speeches because in turn they made her feel guilty for the way she had imposed on Kid, even if it had been at his insistence.

"It's the killjoy," she muttered under her breath and realized that Kid must have caught it because he shot her a brief little smile before Spot reached them.

"Well, she's lookin' quite well and rosy," Spot said to Kid and put his hands, palms down, on both corners of the table and leaned over the pair. Kid gave Reina a slightly nervous look before looking back to Spot.

Reina felt her blood begin to boil. Her tolerance for Spot talking about her in the third person while she was right there had grown very thin over the last two weeks. More than anything that he did or said, she discovered that was his most irritating habit.

"Reina," Kid addressed her calmly. "How are you feelin' today?"

Reina looked to Spot who was sizing her up like she was a mouse and he was a hawk. Her jaw tightened as her teeth clenched together in an attempt to keep her temper in check. "I'm actually quite well," she said evenly and didn't even bat an eye.

"Oh, well that's lovely," Spot said with false niceness. "Because now she can be on her way," Spot said to Kid as his voice turned serious. Kid calm that he'd managed quickly evaporated back into the aggravated look he'd come in with.

"So you're gunna just kick her out with no place to go?!" he demanded, gesturing with a single hand to Reina.

"Give me a break Kid. Your bleedin' heart is making a mess," Spot shot back and Reina stood up from the booth. Alanzo had remained behind the counter but watched them with a keen eye. He knew better than to get involved but Reina was certain that if Kid and Spot started a fight that he'd be there immediately to break it up and usher them out. She didn't want Alanzo to have to do that.

"I would like to stay," Reina blurted out, hoping to diffuse the tension between the two.

"I know it isn't my place to ask that but Kid-"

"You're damn right it isn't your place," Spot said quickly and stepped in on her. "I run a very serious business here, something I don't think you understand, and I don't need-"

"Spot leave her alone," Kid interrupted and went to grab him but froze as Spot shot him a look that could only be compared to that of a wild animal about to strike.

"I don't need a girl here messin' with a good thing," Spot said with a slightly softer tone but still severe. Reina's heart was beating furiously fast and it took all her courage to force the next words out of her mouth. "I wouldn't mess anything up. Anything you can do, I can do," she said confidently and tried her very best not to break eye contact with Spot. She felt confident in her words but she was not a person who took any delight in confrontations. In fact, she sort of failed at them altogether and somehow always managed to come out as weak and under handed.

Once she had said those words, Spot's expression changed noticeably. He took on a look of disbelief and then began to chuckle – it made Reina uneasy. He shook his head slightly and then eyed her with a look that made her unease worse. He was smiling but the smile he wore was not sincere and somehow seemed condescending. "Do you even know what it is that I do?"

"Sell papers," Reina said as though the answer was quite obvious.

"I sell papers. I manage the Brooklyn newsies. I defend my turf," Spot said, now grimly serious and advanced on her. Reina took a few steps back as he invaded her comfort zone and Spot, for his part, continued to move in at her.

"I take down anyone who challenges me. I don't let anyone mess with my boys. I make sure business gets done and I don't run from no one," he continued with a serious and firm tone in his voice. Reina swallowed hard then stopped back stepping. She felt the same timid girl that had been huddled against the cold rain in the empty house, cowering deep inside of her.

"What is it that you do?" Spot demanded and Reina failed to notice now that he had her backed up against another table. Both Kid and Alanzo looked worried and ready to step in but Reina didn't see their either of them. She shut her eyes and felt her blood rushing through her body from the furious beating of her heart. She struggled to calm herself down and a million thoughts ran through her head but somehow she managed to hear only one.

"I'll make my way." Her own words echoed in her memory.

"Now I suppose that you're gunna cry?" Spot asked with a slight cynical tilt of his head. "Save it 'cause tears don't work here in Brooklyn."

Reina drew in a deep breath and she could taste the stale atmosphere of the restaurant and the delicious smells from the food that mingled with it. She filled her lungs and tried to mentally soothe the scared, cowering girl inside of herself.

"Enough of that," she thought. She slowly opened her eyes and stepped into Spot so that her own nose was practically touching his. "You listen to me and listen good," she began calmly. Her heart still was mercilessly beating in her chest but now it beat with a new rush of adrenaline instead of nervous fear. That cowering girl would have to be strong now.

"You have no idea what I've been through-"she began. Spot growled and answered snappishly, "I don't care-"she cut him off in return.

"I don't need to tell you but I am sick of you judging me. You don't know me or what I am or am not capable of. At least Kid was willing to give me a chance before he even spoke to me! You already had your mind made up before you even saw me!" she said, unaware that her voice had risen considerably. She struck a hand out and shoved Spot's shoulder brashly. Spot stiffened and Reina saw a look of rage fall upon his face.

"You want to act like this big tough leader? Then quit giving yourself away and be a leader!" she spat and Spot looked genuinely surprised and he let the physical jab slide momentarily. "What do you mean 'give myself away'?" he asked skeptically.

"You're afraid," Reina shot back, nodding at her own words. "You're afraid of me, afraid of a girl."

There was a silence for a moment from the three involved, Alanzo and even the few patrons in the restaurant. Spot then withdrew a long, black cane that had been tucked into the belt loop of his pants. In the blink of an eye and a slight whoosh of air, it was suddenly in front of Reina's face in a threatening manner.

"I don't hit girls, it goes against my rules but if you call me a coward again-"Reina didn't let him finish. The girl inside of her was terrified and wanted to block it all out. She wanted to run and leave Spot and his awful self behind. However, Reina stood her ground, determined to not let that girl inside of her win. "I'm not calling you a coward. I'm saying you're scared of me but in no way does that make you a coward, it's just the truth," she corrected him.

"It ain't the truth! I ain't afraid of no one! I am definitely not afraid of some poor, little, rich girl who was beaten or abandoned by mommy and daddy or whatever sad tragedy you're preddlin'. You think you're a victim? Here's a breakin' story girlie; we're all victims. We all got sob stories. Why is yours so special?" Spot retorted and Reina took a single step back, still not breaking eye contact. The answer came to her immediately and quite simply.

"I'm not," she said honestly and shrugged. "I'm nothing special. I don't deserve any pity anymore than you do."

"I don't need pity!" Spot said angrily and Reina could see that her answer was not the one he'd been expecting.

"I'm not claiming to be special but I am telling you that I can hold my own," she said and left it at that. It took a moment before Kid felt it appropriate to speak. He cleared his throat and clapped his friend on the back. Spot quickly and roughly threw his shoulder up slightly, shrugging Kid's hand off in the process.

Kid held up his hands in defense. "Just give her a chance Spot. Who knows? A girl could be good for sales. Word is Manhattan is teaming up with a couple of newsgirls now and then and it's been pretty successful," Kid said, trying to convince his friend. Spot saw straight through it.

"This isn't Manhattan," he said coldly and then turned back on Reina. "Fine. You want a fair shake? I'm gunna give you one hour to sell fifty papes. Then we'll see if you can run with the big dogs."

"Spot no beginner can do that! Hell, I can barely do that" Kid said in protest and Spot shook his head and held up a hand. "I could do it, I have done it. She says anythin' I can do, she can do? Prove it," Spot said and shot Reina a cold and challenging look. Kid opened his mouth to interject once more but Reina spoke first.

"Fine, it's a fair deal," she agreed.

Kid looked at her with his mouth still open as if to speak but no words came out. Spot spit on his hand and held it out to her. Reina looked at his hand and then back up at him and then her own hand. She put it towards her mouth as if to mimic the gesture but then turned her lip up in disgust and instead slapped Spot's hand to the side. "That," she began and gave him a patronizing look, "is just plain sick and childish. What are you? Nine?" she said asked and pushed past Spot before she could see his reaction. She was on a roll and there was no point in stopping now.

"Kid, can you help me get started?" she asked, still ignoring Spot and Kid nodded in response and began to follow her out.

"You are NOT to help her sell them papes. You got it!?" Spot said, still not turning to face either of them but he did place his cane back into its rightful place on his pants. Kid put a hand gently on Reina's back and ushered her out. Reina smiled in return and gave him a reassuring nod.

As they headed outside Kid released a deep breath that he had been holding. "That did not go so well but for Spot, that could've been worse," he said. "A lot worse."

"Don't worry about it. I can do this," Reina said firmly and stopped walking then turned to look at Kid. "Even if I fail, which I won't because I want to make Spot eat his own words," she said and paused to give Kid a confident little grin. "I want to know that I tried. I didn't just give in and give up. Does that make sense?" she asked.

"Perfect sense but Reina have you ever sold papes before?" Kid wondered and Reina noticed the worried look on his face.

"No," she replied in full honesty and her confidence wavered only slightly. She didn't like the look on his face. His worry made her worry and she didn't need worry right now. "Kid, just help me get started, I only have an hour. I am aware that I kind of ran my mouth back there and I'm aware that I maybe bit off more than I could chew but I got to try. So please," she asked him, facing him and putting on her best pleading face that she could manage. Kid furrowed his brow and then immediately grasped her hand and pulled her off onto an empty part of the sidewalk.

"Okay. All I can do is get you set up but remember this; headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes. That means that you gotta be creative and use your head. Do what you gotta do and don't hesitate, even if people don't listen and pass you by. Keep tryin', you got it?" Kid asked and Reina nodded, taking in all of his words and trying her best to commit every one of them to memory.

"You're a girl, use that to your advantage," he added and Reina stiffened up slightly. "What does that mean?!" she snapped and tilted her head, awaiting an answer.

Kid chuckled and waved her off, "Relax. I mean that, well you know, you got a better chance at the sympathy play than we guys do. Girls and kids always got that sympathy thing goin' for them. What did you think I meant?" Kid asked her playfully and Reina felt slightly flustered. "Well, you know, that I could, well, you know!" she stammered and drew in a small breath and held it. Kid began to laugh and Reina released her breath.

"Reina, they're just papes. You don't get paid THAT much," he said, still laughing. "Don't go to extremes, just be creative!"

"Right," she said and Kid grabbed the cap off her head and let her wavy hair spill down around her face. "No more hiding that pretty face," he said and used his thumb to brush something off her cheek. Reina felt a little awkward at the gesture. She caught his hand in her own and gently removed it. Reina had never known how to take compliments, they struck her as odd. She just never felt right going along with them and allowing herself to praise her own attributes.

"Don't," she began. "I could use the dirt. Helps with the sad, pathetic look, don't you think?" she asked with a mischievous smile, trying to change the subject. Kid laughed again but then quickly became serious. "Come on, we gotta get your started."

***

The challenge issued had certainly been tough. However, Reina's hour was nearly up and she still had about ten papers to get rid of, give or take. From her selling spot, the sun beamed down and was hot and unforgiving. Her voice was hoarse by now from almost constantly shouting and she was sweaty. Her hair clung in small strands to the sides of her face and she continually had to wipe the sweat from her forehead. She was nowhere near as well put together as she had been when she'd started.

Kid, for his part, continually checked in with her, and Reina had found it slightly distracting but could not bring herself to be cross with Kid.

"How's it going?" he asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Fine," Reina replied shortly. "I'm almost there."

"Spot isn't one to be late and when there's a challenge involved, expect him to be here exactly on time," Kid warned her and Reina's lips pursed in annoyance. "That's fine and dandy but it's also all the more reason I got to get these papers out," she hinted in annoyance, hoping that Kid would catch her drift and let her focus on her work.

"What's your plan?"

"Arrrgh!" Reina groaned and snatched up another paper. "I don't know Kid! I'm just making this up as I go!" she snapped and began to shout once more. "Family takes in strangers and they don't come out! Family practices weird rituals! Come ON PEOPLE! READ ALL ABOUT IT!" she yelled with all her remaining might.

Kid raised both eyebrows and picked up a paper. "Family practices home religion and baptisms? Nicely done Reina!" he said with wide grin and set the paper down as a passerby stopped to grab a copy. "Thank you sir," Reina said sweetly and pocketed the change.

"It's not enough," Reina said, still focused on the crowd. "I got to get rid of these papers," she said with her desperation growing. She surveyed the crowd around her and saw an oncoming carriage coming down the street. It was pulled by two beautiful brown horses and was a cherry red color with fine gold paint around the doors. Reina licked her lips in preparation as her plan quickly formulated. She glanced at the driver who seemed bored and tired. "With any luck, this might just work," she thought.

"Relax Reina, they'll sell-"Kid began but was interrupted as Reina snatched up her remaining papers and began to walk straight forward into the street. Kid watched as she put herself directly in front of the carriage and his eyes widened in shock. "What the hell are you doing!!?" Kid yelled and chased after her. Reina stood her ground and the horses whinnied as they approached her. She took a slight run at the horses and screamed which caused them to rear up on their hind legs. As the driver's visibility was then limited, Reina seized the chance and tossed her papers in the air and then threw herself down upon the ground. She squeezed her eyes shut and silently hoped that the distraught horses would not run forward and trample her.

She heard the driver struggle to calm the panicked horses with cries of "Whoa!!" and "Easy!" and she felt strong hands help her up. "Reina, have you lost it!!!? What the-"

She interrupted him with a loud and dramatic groan and pretended to take a step and limp. "Aaaah!!" she cried out and collapsed to her knees. "I think it's my ankle. I think it's really hurt," she whined loudly. At that moment the door of the carriage swung open to reveal a man dressed in a fine black suit with a top hat upon his gray hair.

"Oh lord, dear child! William what happened!?" the gentleman snapped at his driver. The driver had just about gone pale upon realizing his predicament and stammered as he tried to explain how he had not seen her crossing.

"It's okay Kid, I think I'll be okay. It's starting to feel a little better," she said, again being deliberately loud enough for the driver to hear. She tried to stand and took a few more steps, being sure to limp pathetically.

"What's all this?" a new voice asked. Reina looked over to see Spot approach them and she had to resist the urge to smile triumphantly.

"Young lady are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?" the gentleman asked as he approached Reina. Reina turned to face him, still fake limping. "Oh no, I'm okay, r-really," she stammered and put on her best nervous act. Spot raised a single eyebrow and turned to face Kid for an explanation. Kid looked back to Spot with a clueless expression.

"But you're limping!" the gentleman insisted. Reina smiled sweetly and waved her hand. "No, really it's already feeling better! I've gone through much worse. Plus, I don't wish to cause you or your driver any trouble. It's really okay but where are my-" she trailed off and suddenly looked dismayed and horrified. "My papers!!" she cried and limped towards the mess of papers that now lay dirtied and spread across the street. "No! I'll never make my money back now and I am so tired of going without dinner!" she complained and did her best to drum up fake tears. She began to sob. "What am I going to do now?"

The gentleman hurried to assist her and gently helped her up. "Now, now don't cry my dear. At the very least let me make up for my driver's carelessness. Here," he said and hurried back to the carriage. He came back with a small purse and withdrew two whole dollars from it. "This should cover this whole messy business and your papers, yes?" he asked hopefully.

At that moment Spot's mouth fell open and Kid grinned widely in sudden understanding.

"Oh, I-I couldn't," Reina said, playing demure. "A-are you sure sir?"

"Well, it's the very least I can do. Are you absolutely positive that I cannot offer you a ride to the hospital young lady?" he asked kindly and Reina shook her head to deny him. "I really don't wish to get you in any trouble and honestly, my foot will heal. This is generous enough," Reina said sincerely and took the money from his hand.

The gentleman helped her to the sidewalk and bid her a few more well wishes and apologies before crossing back to his driver and angrily berating him for steering so recklessly.

Kid and Spot crossed the street to where Reina was and Kid was the first to speak. "That," he began and grinned at her, "THAT was crazy and genius at the same time. I can't believe you!!" he cried and Reina hushed him and gestured with her eyes back towards the nearby gentleman and his driver who were still in the range of hearing. "Right," Kid said and pretended to assist her as she limped away. "I still can't believe you did that Reina," Kid said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I can't believe that chump fell for it," Spot added. "That was a cheap trick."

"Like you've never resorted to a cheap trick to turn a few papes," Kid reminded him. Spot rolled his eyes and Reina chimed in. "I did it. I got rid of all the papers and I won your challenge. This means I can stay," she added.

Spot opened his mouth to argue but the trio stopped when they bumped into two burly large men.

Once they stepped back all three realized that the two men before them were in fact police officers who didn't seem too pleased. They had their clubs out and ready and looked disapprovingly at the trio.

"It isn't very kind to con the good folks here in Brooklyn, but we're sure you know that by now," the first said.

Spot stepped forward and held up his hands. "Officers no one is tryin' to con anyone here. My friend's girl is genuinely hurt-"

"Save it Conlon. We saw the whole thing. I'm assuming she's with you," the second inquired. Spot slowly turned his head toward Reina and shot her a look that could have killed and Kid gave him an equally dirty look in return. No one said anything.

"Alright, if none of ya are going to take responsibility here then we'll just go ahead and assume it was a team effort and take you all in," the second said and reached for Spot. Spot jumped back, dodging him and held up his hands. "Under what charges officers!?"

"Disturbing the peace," the first responded and reached for Reina. Kid threw her behind him and whispered to her.

"Run!"

Before she knew it Kid was suddenly yanking her along by her arm and she was running. Spot followed them closely and caught up alongside Kid. "Now look what ya done!!! Bein' arrested is not how I planned to end my day!" Spot yelled furiously. The three ran into a back alley and their feet slapped against the pavement causing an echo as they ran.

When they reached the other side they took a sharp turn and ran a little further before stopping momentarily. "I got a plan," Kid began.

"No! Now you both listen to me. We're goin' to split up! They can't catch all of us," Spot said, wiping his hair back from his forehead and catching his breath.

"Reina-"Kid began but Spot stepped between them. "She got herself into this mess, she's gotta learn to get herself out," Spot said and Reina rolled her eyes. "Fine!" she snapped. "We split up."

It wasn't long before the two cops came out of the alley and caught sight of Spot, Reina and Kid. "Meet up at the lodging house but don't let them follow you back there!!" Spot ordered and took off running. Kid nodded and gave Reina a last worried glance but she waved him off and took off running down another nearby alley.

Once halfway into the alley she glanced around anxiously. She saw a fire ladder dangling above some trash cans and immediately ran over. She steadied herself as she climbed atop the trash can and then jumped lightly and caught hold of the end of the fire escape. The trash can crashed onto its side and Reina winced at the loud noise. She pulled herself up onto the fire escape as she heard one of the cops yell, "I got one of them!!"

Her heart beat so violently now that she could feel it against her ribcage. She hurriedly climbed upwards until she found an open and inviting window. Inside it was darker and dank but she seized the opportunity. Once inside she hurriedly shut the window, being mindful to do so quietly and then hurried towards the door of the seemingly empty apartment.

All she heard was a creak beneath her feet and suddenly the ground had given way and she was falling. She threw her arms out and barely managed to catch hold of the edge. She clung, dangling, for dear life. Reina grit her teeth and clawed at the floor. There was no way of knowing how far she would fall if she lost her grip.

She listened to the outside as the one cop passed her by and continued up the fire escape. Once gone, things went quiet yet again. She was alone now. She struggled to pull her body weight up from the gap but it was no use. The floor groaned beneath her grasp and she whimpered slightly as she struggled once more. She quickly realized it was a mistake as the floor she was clinging to suddenly caved and before she could fully grasp what was happening, she was falling. She watched helplessly as the floor she fell from became further and further away from her.

She felt a momentary blossom of pain as her body connected with a hard surface and her head hit with a sickening crack sound before everything went black.