A/N: sorry this took so long to update..i had some issues deciding where I wanted this chapter to go…I hope this worked out ok…its not the best especially the end but I wanted to post something so here it is! I hope you guys enjoy it…this story seems to be writing itself now and so im not sure where it is goin either but don't worry ill figure it out and update soon!

-Thanks to all my reviews you guys really push me to keep going with this!!, imjustagirl0077, racerchick, enchantedpencil, kttakes, and

Ellestjenn: thanks for the review, and sorry that part was confusing but I meant that she was walking back from the washroom...which wasn't that far away form the bunkroom and overheard them talking. Sorry bout that hope that makes it a little better, and ill try to make some parts less confusing, just let me know!

I hurried through the streets trying to get back as fast as possible to cover up my absence. As I rounded another corner, I frowned, we weren't usually open this early, but for once I hoped someone had woken up to clean up and it wasn't Brady.

I slowed my pace as I reached the front door, pausing I took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open. I smiled noticing it was unlocked as it moved inward. I silently stepped into the doorway, carefully looking around the sunlight room. I shut the door behind me, when I realized there was no one around.

Letting go of my breath I headed towards the front stairs, with the intention to go back to sleep until the afternoon…and my normal time of waking up. As the bottom steps creaked in the silence I heard a voice.

"Out for an early breakfast Autumn?" I turned my head trying to hide the fear I felt. Brady was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed in front of him.

I nodded not trusting my voice at the moment. He inched closer dropping his arms to his side, "You are never up this early Autumn. And I told you not to leave yesterday…and you go out for the whole night?" His voice stayed steady but the calmness of it was what scared me. Somehow he always yelled at you with out actually raising his voice.

"I stepped out side last night for some fresh air and I got locked out" I answered slowly.

"And I'm supposed to believe that you didn't make any money on the side, you're a whore Autumn, MY whore, so you work where I tell you to." As much as I tried not to, my anger flared in my eyes. I gripped the railing of the stairs tightly so that I wouldn't move towards him.

"I own you…don't forget that I took you in, and your debt ain't paid yet. You're not working tonight, and if I find you leaving again you'll be in worse condition." He started to turn away, signaling he was done with me and the conversation.

"What how am I supposed to pay ya back if I can't work?" Before I even finished he had turned back and the slap hit my cheek full force.

Bringing my head back forward I looked into his angered eyes. "I'll find a way" That was it, the conversation stopped as fast as it had begun. I took off up the stairs, quickly shutting my door behind me,

In the comfort of my own room I lay down on the bed and slowly curled into a ball. What had I done, leaving last night had turned out worse than I had feared. Now I was out of a job for the night, not even getting the chance to make small change at the bar.

Years ago joining Brady was the best option I had…either that or starve on the street. But now….now I wanted out and I was stuck in an unknown debt. I knew I owed him for taking me in, but he never told me a price to pay back.

Sighing I let sleep take over me for a few more hours before the afternoon sun would reach high enough in the sky to wake me back up.

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The nap helped calm me down, but everything seemed to come back when I saw Spring walk into my room.

She offered me a small smile and handed me a bag. I opened it to see some bread and other left over food.

"Thanks" I said grabbing the roll to begin with. She sat down on my bed next to me, "Brady told me to bring ya back somethin'"

I growled as I chewed on the bread, "Well ain't he the Good Samaritan"

Spring laughed and looked at me with worry, "I haven't seen anyone on his bad side in awhile, what happened?"

I shrugged a little, "I don't know I got locked out last night, and he caught me sneakin' back this morning. He claims I was sleepin' around outside." I huffed in anger as I remember him yelling at me.

Spring nodded slowly, "Did ya sleep on the street all night?"

"No I ended up at the newsies lodging house, since Jack was my reason for gettin' locked out." Spring's eyes lit up as I mentioned the newsies. I shook my head as to stop any other questions from coming.

"I gotta go get ready for work, I'll bring ya some food later" I nodded my thanks and fell back onto my bed, unsure of what to do with myself.

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That day seemed like the longest in history. I wasn't in the mood to even go to the bar for a drink, so instead I found myself sitting around helplessly in my room. Soon I heard the noise level below me decreasing, signaling the night was coming to an end. I sighed and changed as I got ready to sleep for the night.

As I settled into bed, I jumped as my door was pushed open. Looking up, expecting to see Spring or even Brady, but to my surprise it was one of Brady's friends I had seen around before. I looked questioningly at him, waiting for an explanation for my door being thrown open.

He staggered into the room, "You Autumn?" he answered staring at my bed more than me.

"And who wants to know?" apparently he took that as a yes and stepped forward more.

"Brady sent me as um…how did he put it…payment." My eyes opened wide, I wasn't expecting to work tonight and here was Brady's drunken friend moving closer to me. I sighed, this was my job, and apparently I needed to still pay Brady back for it.

I did as I was told, falling into the job role, pushing my personal feelings away. And someone when he left later on, I wasn't too surprised to see he didn't pay. I just hoped I wouldn't have to pay Brady this way for long; I wanted money for myself, money to eat and even the freedom to go back outside.

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The next evening Spot found himself in Manhattan. He had seen Race earlier at the tracks and he decided to stop by for a poker game later on tonight. He usually played poker at his own lodging house but him and Race needed a rematch from a pervious loss, Spot's loss.

Spot headed over to the lodging house figuring most of the newsies would be there by that time. As he made his way into the bunk room he was greeted with a chorus of hellos. Spot nodded to them in return and noticed Jack had stood up to spit shake with him.

"Heya Spot, what brings ya to hattan?" Spot returned the shake and shrugged looking around the bunk room.

"Came to get some money" he said smirking to Race who was lounging on his bed chewing on his cigar.

He laughed as much as he could with the cigar, "Yeah right Conlon. 5 to 1 says I beat ya tonight, whos betin'?" everyone groaned in response. Race stood up and started to set up the makeshift poker table.

Some others started to move around, counting their money to see how much they could start with.

"Good thing ya didn't stop by last night, we wouldn't have had a bunk for ya Spot" Blink said as he pulled up a chair

Spot looked at Blink with confusion, and then looked back to Jack, "What is this Jack, ya giving up my bed?" Spot smirked as he looked at Jack. But Jacks face didn't have a smirk, instead it looked nervous.

"Wouldn't dream of it, we just had some unexpected company." Jack flashed a quick smile hoping it would work. Spot seemed skeptical as he looked back to the forming poker game. Their faces seemed to have a playful smile on them, and Mush laughed at little at Jacks comment.

Spot raised his eyebrows at Mush, hoping he would explain. Mush paused his laughing when he noticed the glares from both Jack and Spot.

"Well, its just she didn't seem too unexpected to Jack, especially in the clothes she was wearing" Mush answered softly, afraid of any reaction from them.

"They better not be talking; bout who I think they are Cowboy" Spot asked as Jack lowered his head.

"She got locked out last night, what did ya expect me to do?" Jack asked slightly raising his voice. The other newsies soon busied themselves with a poker game, knowing this conversation turned serious.

Spot remained silent, not sure how to answer Jack,

"She needs help Spot, whether ya want to or not she does, so I helped her our last night. If ya gonna get mad at me for that, that's ya own choice."

Spot looked around taking in the comment, and trying to figure out where that left him. "Did ya give her my clothes too?" Spot asked casually as he noticed they weren't on his bunk anymore.

Jack nodded and without any other word Spot turned on his heel and left the lodging house. Jack let out a sigh and joined the others in the silent poker game.

A/N: again sorry for the wait, sorry this isnt the best chapter,….or at least im not that thrilled about the turn out of it…I will do better next time..and now im off to write some more so I can update soon