Hey! Whew, finally time to update. I've been busy with soccer and stuff. Monday is my only free day now.

Thanks for the reviews! Review and Read On!

Emily

Braid didn't stop running until she made it a block away from the Manhattan Lodging House. She slowed her pace to a slow walk and ran her fingers through her hair.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! She thought. Why don't you have any guts? You just dug a hole that could possibly blow your cover! Idiot! She continued to scold herself. Sighing, she sat down on the steps of the Lodging House and watched the sun begin to set behind the buildings. It was a pretty sight, sure, but she had always wondered what the sunset would look like if it set behind a grassy field rather than a polluted skyline. Braid closed her eyes and held her knees close to her chest and created a mental picture. She saw the green grass blowing softly in the light breeze, dandelions swaying and blowing into the air. She saw the mixture of a orange and yellow sun set along the horizon behind the field, creating a sense of peace. The air was cool. It wasn't to hot, but it wasn't to cold. It was almost as if she were truly there.

"Braid?" Said a voice, shocking her back into reality. She looked up to see Jack standing behind her with his hands in his pockets.

"Oh, hi." She said, turning back to the sun.

"Look," Jack started, sitting down on the step beside her, "I'm sorry if I've seemed to be a little uptight and all. It's this war Brooklyn drug us into. It's got all of us a little frazzled, but we are beginning to pull together. Anyway, I wanted to apologize if I've said anything to hurt you. I know you haven't been around that long, but trust me, I'm usually more laid back."

"It's okay. Battles between friends take a toll on anyone, no matter how strong you are. Even if you were never close to someone who are fighting against, it's going to affect you." She said, not taking her eyes off of the sun. Jack chuckled softly.

"That's pretty wise for your age." He said.

"Hey, 14 year olds aren't as dumb as society thinks." She smiled and looked over at Jack. He had a look of calm on his face, and a wistful look in his eye.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, bringing him back to the conversation.

"It's not important." He said, turning red.

"Nah, tell me."

"The sunset. It would be so much prettier if it wasn't setting over pollution and this dumb city." He said. Braid laughed.

"You're not going to believe this, but I was just thinking the same thing. It should be setting over a green, grassy field with a light breeze filling the air. Maybe a few birds chirping in the distance."

"Like in Santa Fe. I'm going to get there one day. Once I get enough money…" He said, drifting out of his sentence in thought. After a few moments of silence, the sun finally disappeared. Braid stood up.

"Well, it's getting dark. I'm going to get to bed." She said.

"I better get some sleep too. Up and early, carrying the banner." Braid stuck her hand out to help him up and he took it.

"Yeah, carrying the banner." She said, turning inside and walking to her room.

The next day Braid woke up to the noise of the newsies arguing and creating complete turmoil down in the main room. Braid groaned and glanced out of the window...the sun was high in the sky.

Why didn't Kloppman wake me up? She thought, jumping out of bed and quickly throwing her clothes on. She braided hr hair and ran out the door and down the steps. She caught sight of Race and Mush in the corner of the room talking frantically.

What's going on? Why isn't anyone selling?" She asked, running over to them.

"Jack isn't letting anyone out without a group today." Race said. Braid rolled her eyes.

"Why?" She asked.

"We don't know. Jack won't tell us." Mush said, clearly annoyed.

"Hold on, Jack wants to say something." Crutchie said, walking over by them and leaning on the wall.

"Listen! I mean, it no one is to be seen walking around New York without a group of at least four!" he said, yelling above he noise.

"Why?" Boots asked, causing more ruckus from the newsboys.

"Something happened in Brooklyn. I'm going over there today to talk to Spot to find out what's going on! Now, get selling!" Jack ordered. The newsboys, while still annoyed with their leader, obliged. Braid turned to leave with Race, Mush, and Crutchie when she felt a hand pull her back.

"Braid, I need you to come to Brooklyn with me and Blink." He said.

"Me? Why?" She asked. If anything, she would have thought she would be the last person Jack would go to.

"Because, you could be useful. Now come on, we need to get there quick." He said. Braid hurried behind him out the door and they met up with Blink. He tipped his hat at her and they began walking down toward the bridge.

"So, what exactly is going on?" Blink asked.

"I don't know." Jack replied.

"Seriously?" Blink asked again.

"All I know is that something happened in Brooklyn and Spot is ticked." After hearing this, Braid nearly stopped dead in her tracks.

What if High-Brow did something? I swear if he did anything stupid... She thought, but was interrupted by the growing sound of the Brooklyn boys. Jack rapped on the door three times before it was swung open by one of the birdies, Jumper.

"Good, your here. Spot is upstairs with Tweet." He said above the news. Jack pushed past Jumper and ran up the stairs.

"Tweet is the youngest birdie Spot has. He's only 8 and is like a younger brother to all of us, especially Spot and Jack." Kid Blink explained to her as they followed their leader up the wooden steps.

"Oh," was all she could reply. The knot in her stomach was growing bigger and tighter. Blink opened the door and they slowly stepped inside. As soon as Braid saw the little figure laid out on the bed, she instantly knew her suspicions were correct. She instantly turned away and closed her eyes tightly. She couldn't bring herself to look at the child.

Spot was sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the bed, clutching the young boys bloodied hand. His face was covered in big bruise on both cheeks and cuts all over his chin and forehead. His nose was swelling up, and his right eye was already turning a nasty shade of black. His shirt was of, revealing painful shades of purple all over his rib cage. There was no doubt that at least a few of them were broken. Finally, his right pointer finger was bent at a strange angle, proving that it was broken.

Braid couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility she felt at that moment,

I hope that wasn't to bad! Review please!

Thanks!

- Emily