Chapter 9

I sniffled as I wiped stray tears from my sodden eyes. Why did he kick me out? What did I do to deserve this? It was not like I jumped on Sinker and tried to have his babies!

I walked about a block away from the lodging house and the air was chilled. I had found a pile out crates outside a restaurant and thought I would sleep behind those for the night.

It was not like I had never slept outside, actually most of my life I spent living outside. In Queens and on Long Island, but never, never had I dared to sleep in Brooklyn. It was too dark, mean and dangerous.

Guess I was going to take my chances this night. I found some pieces of newspaper around and used them as a pillow.

I took this time to think about my past. My father left my mother and older brother when we were kids. I was three and he was eleven. He left us no money, no home, and no support. I thought I was going to die, but I was lucky.

My mother had given my brother and I every scrap of food she had ever found and in two years time, she died. Just didn't wake up one morning. I was now five and my brother thirteen. I went to sleep one night in an alley on Long Island, and when I woke up, he was gone. He up and left, no note, no nothing. Just like my dad.

Ever since, I've had my ins and outs of orphanages and living on the streets. Now that I think about it, my life has all been a waste of time and commitment.

I am a failure.

I laid behind the crates in the alley at the side of the store, and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath and rolled over.

What I heard next made me want to die, "Well, well, what's a sweet young thing like you'se doing out heah alone on a fine night like dis?" Questioned a man. He looked drunk, but strong and tall. He would easily over power me.

I decided to try to play it cool and sat up, "Ya know, jus' tryin' ta find somewheah ta sleep," I said in a shakier voice than I hoped.

The man stepped closer, "In an alley? I dun' know, seems a lil' dangerous," he this time much closer to me.

I shot up and backed against the wall, "Don' hurt me!" I pleaded, "I'se is havin' a hard day, I jus wanna go ta sleep," I was now practically crying.

"But I wantcha ta come play wid me, even if I have to make ya," he growled. Just then he jumped at me and pinned me to the wall. I tried to kick against him but he had my legs pinned down with his knees. That's when I heard it. The scariest thing I heard in my life. The flick of a switch blade.

He pressed it to my neck and I lifted my chin up as high as I could in order to avoid being nicked by the blade. He growled, "Get on da ground."

I didn't comply. I saw the bluff in his eyes with the knife. Thank God for Sinker. If he had never taught me poker, I wouldn't have known. "No," I said defiantly.

He growled and snapped the switch blade closed. He grabbed me by the hair and harshly yanked me to the floor. I yelped in pain, and then clutched my head as it bound hard off the floor.

My vision blurred and I decided to give up. Was it really worth the fight anymore? I laid on the floor, expecting him to jump me but it never came.

I heard a knock, like a big rock thrown at a door, and looked up blurrily. The last thing I saw before I blanked out was the second most surprising sight in my life.

Spot Conlon.

End of chapter 9!

I know it's short, but I hoped you like it! Please keep reading and Please REVIEW!