Chapter Three

I kicked a rock, hearing it clack against the wall but also hearing footsteps behind her. I looked down an alley and out of the corner of my eyes, saw a group of guys following me. Rolling my eyes, I shoved my hands into my pockets. Stupid Newsies.

"Hey, Red, wanna-."

"No," I cut off the boy but felt a hand on my upper arm, "Get your mitts off me."

"Or what?" the boy smirked and I smiled sweetly. Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I punched him before my foot shoved him back so that he fell, and slammed my other foot into his gut. Leaning down, I pressed two fingers to his neck before looking at the startled followers. Then I walked off, back to my apartment with a slight smile playing my lips. As I jogged up the stairs, I felt my calf burn. "Shit I need to stop doing that." Closing the apartment door behind me, I quickly changed into a large button up shirt and some shorts that I had cut. I couldn't help but reach down to the floor, feeling the muscles in my legs extend and letting out a sigh of slight pain, I squatted on my right leg, switching every so often. Finally, satisfied with the tiny stretch, I straightened and turned. "Mother fuck, what the hell are you doing in here?"

"Wondering what a woman like you is doing, wearing something like that," the Newsie smirked, licking his lips but I gave him a 'bite me' look.

"How the hell did you get in here?" I growled, folding my arms, "And who the hell are you?"

"Oh, scuse me," he muttered, removing his hat, "The name's Jaws and Keys let me in."

"Lemme guess, he can pick locks?" I asked, bored. Jaws nodded and I rolled my eyes. "What're you even doing here? Why aren't you helping your pathetic boss, or whatever the hell he is?"

"That's why I'm here," he stated, sitting on the arm of a chair.

"Oh, well, by all means," I scoffed, throwing my arms in his direction, "Do make yourself comfortable."

"Are you always this," but he couldn't finish.

"Mostly," I smirked, folding my arms again, "What're you doing here, besides breaking and entering, Newsie."

"Well, you see," he started, obviously not knowing what he wanted to say, "We've been, well, watching you-."

"That's not creepy at all."

"Wouldjya shut up," he glared at me, "Queens ain't in good shape, you've prolly noticed that yourself."

"What'dya mean by Queens?" I asked skeptically.

"Queens," he said again, "The Newsies."

"Oh," I mouthed, "A blind and deaf person coulda guessed that. But what's that got to do with me?" He stared at me for a second and it clicked. "No."

"Aw, c'mon Stretch-."

"What'd you call me?" I seethed, "I ain't gonna lead your stupid band of kids. I already have a job, suits me just fine. It ain't my problem that you're fucked up."

"But you could help fix it."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Cause your brother would want it." I stood in silence.

"How," my throat was dry, "How do you know Patrick?"

"Greatest leader," he shrugged and I glared at him.

"It got him fucking killed. Why the hell do you think I'd follow in his footsteps?"

"Cause you're his sister and it bugs you as much as it would bug him."

"Oh yeah, how do you know that smart guy."

"We were close." I stood for a while, thinking it over but he sighed. "He was my pal, he always asked me to watch out for you. Always said to do what was best. I believe this is what's best for everyone."

"It ain't what's best," I growled, "Get the hell out."

"Look-."

"I will hurt you." This made him smile.

"You've got his temper." My glare sharpened and he chuckled. "Just think about it, huh?"

"Fine," I finally muttered, "Now get out, or I'll throw you down the stairs. All five flights." So he did, and I couldn't sleep that night, I pushed Patrick's life out of mine. How had it come back? Why was he doing this to me?