Chapter 8

(A/N) Sitting here with my Starbucks and beef jerky, I thought I would treat you guys for an update. I apologize for not updating sooner. Stupid school gets in the way, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do about it. I would also like to thank my wonderfully loyal readers. I do this for you guys! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

The next few days passed in a blur. The Delanceys hadn't made any moves since the alley incident, which was starting to make me paranoid. But then again, maybe Daze had scared them off, and surely Morris and Oscar aren't stupid enough to pull anything in front of the boys. I hadn't told the boys about it yet. I know, I know. Sounds stupid, right? Well, some things are better left unsaid. I haven't seen the need to tell them yet, and I don't want to be a nuisance, after all they are nice enough to let me stay with them in the lodging house.

It was nearly dawn outside, the air crisp and the sky a hue of red, along with rays of yellow from the rising sun. A break from the monochromatic gray sky we have had in the recent weeks. I could see my breath in front of me, which told me it was at least freezing outside. It brought back memories of an old saying my dad had told me:

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.

I had gotten a head start, but the boys soon caught up to me.

"It's a beautiful day to be carryin' the banner!" Jack exclaimed with a bounce in his step, trying to rally up his fellow newsies. He was met with an echo of agreement.

They all started their various conversations, while I fell into step with David, who had just got here, Les, Mush, and Kid Blink. The boys were having a discussion about some baseball game, which was one thing I had no knowledge of, so I turned and started conversation with Les instead. He always has something completely crazy and random on his mind, which is why I love him. He's a kid, ya know, all innocent with big hopes and dreams.

"Sarah is going to a dance tonight. Have you ever been to a dance, Kate?"He asked. I shook my head no in response, his dropped his jaw exaggeratedly, outraged at the thought of me never having been invited to a dance before.

"This hoity-toity guy asked her to go with him. I don't like him very much," Les continued, saying every thought that was on his mind.

"You should be happy for her," I playfully scolded him, slightly angling my head down so I could talk to him properly.

"I guess. But she deserves a guy better than him, like a knight or something!" He exclaimed, and drew his sword. His attention span was depleted as he began to duel with his invisible opponent. I smiled at how sweet that boy was, just another reason to add to my list of why I am so fond of him.

The boys had gathered around the platform, waiting for the gaits to swing open, marking the start of a day filled with selling newspapers to the citizens of New York. I kept my head down and let my hair hide the side of my face, trying to stay out of sight from the Delanceys. I was still accompanying Jack on his daily paper routes, and I was even learning the names of streets and shortcuts in the big city. I was handed a copy of today's editon, and began scouting for interesting headlines to hawk, and to see if I needed to make up any. One particular headline caught my eye, and something told me I wouldn't need to improve the truth about it at all because it was full of lies anyways.

REBELLIOUS GIRL VICOUSLY ASSAULTS DEFENSELESS FOREMAN

In this wake of child advocacy, a horrendous tale has come forth about an uncalled for attack by a young textile worker in the Flat Iron district of New York. This leads to the controversy of whether children should be considered victims, or simply reckless juveniles harassing their supervisors, thus inflicting the consequences on themselves.

Managers on the scene describe that their boss, Mr. James Dunnigan, was found unconscious in his office after a confrontation about the girl's tardiness earlier that morning. Immediately after, the girl fled the scene. Due to child protection laws, we will not disclose the name of the girl at this time. Eyewitnesses describe hearing the noise of shouting and an unidentified object shattering. Upon further investigation, we have found that the girl in question is not a first time offender. Eight years ago, she had been charged with stealing and assault, both against some of the poorest inhabitants of New York, its local newsboys. In court, she pleaded that she only pick-pocketed the boy's earnings to buy food for that night, and had fought back after he retaliated to retrieve his money, when she was caught by a police officer. She was later bailed out by a group of nuns who owned the local orphanage.

"These children are lucky that we offer them a place to work in the first place and to have the ability to bring home extra money for their families," explains the foreman in a recent interview. "We try and teach these kids responsibility, and when a worker steps out of line, such as what happened in this recent situation, it is our job to discipline them for their actions."

While many are fighting for the rights of unrepresented children, they may be looking at the wrong end of the stick. Several accounts of unruly children back lashing on their supervisors have been reported. One depicts a scene of an out of control worker, only the age of eight, pushing his administrator into a pile of lint, causing pieces to fly into the nooks and crannies of the machinery, and start a fire that ended up burning down the entire building. There are stacks of cases similar to the likes of this one.

At this time, Mr. Dunnigan is in stable condition and has resumed working. The case is being investigated, and the foreman will be pressing charges. This may be final straw that ignites the brewing debate over child labor laws.

To say I was disgusted at the article would be an understatement. It was completely biased, but that's not what the boys were upset about. It was the event that happened eight years ago, the one that almost landed me in the Refuge. I began to feel even sicker as I heard the headline ricochet from shouting newsboys on various corners around the square.

The only thing on everyone's mind right now was the fact that I had stolen from a newsie. Of course, I would never do that now, but I was desperate at the time. It was those few years when I was living on the streets after my parents had died, still trying to find a way to make it from day-to-day. Jack looked at me as if to ask if what the article had said was really true. He shook his head and just walked away, to disappoint to say anything. Some of the boys almost had a look of sympathy on their face, but it soon changed to confusion, and then anger. Eventually, I was left standing alone in the square. Sure, the article didn't say my name, but it didn't need to for everyone to figure out who it was about. And with their perfect timing, the Delanceys chose this moment to saunter over to me.

"Looks like ya famous now, sweet cheeks," Oscar taunted.

"Listen, I am really not in the mood right now," I snapped, almost too irritated to actually reply.

"Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or should I say newspaper," Morris joked with Oscar, laughing amusedly. When I couldn't take any more of this, I turned and left. "I bet she has anger management issues," Oscar added, calling after me, still trying to push my buttons.

I decided I would spend the day in the peaceful company of Central Park. Rage was boiling inside of me while I reflected on how this day had gone from good to atrocious in the matter of a newspaper article. It made the only people I actually cared about and were nice enough to take me in, turn on me and ruin the relationships I had formed. It may seem silly that the boys would get mad about something that happened eight years ago, but it was the fact that I had stolen from the least deserving people that really got to them. They understood the hardships of being a newsie, and what it felt like to go a night without food from being mugged earlier in the day. Oh, how I wish this whole thing had never happened. At times like this, it was really nice to have a mother figure to talk to. I felt my head throbbing from the oncoming headache. Apparently, I am awful at keeping track of time because once again I realized that it was already evening, and I had spent the entire day in Central Park. I sighed, and thought about heading back to the lodge .But, you know what? I bet the boys don't even want to see me. The more time I give them to blow off steam, the better.

I made my way towards the library. I was in urgent need of new reading material, and what better way to pass time than settling down with a good book that can take you on an adventure, making you forget all of your petty problems?

When I entered the library, I could see it was huge, with several help desks located in the vicinity.

"What can I help a fine young lady like you with?" A boy about my age, who had similar features to Mush, asked.

"Any suggestions? I want to read something that has a good hook to it," I requested.

"What are some of the books you have been reading lately? Just so I can get an idea of what you might like," he inquired.

"Recently, I have been fascinated by the Sherlock Holmes Series, but I am open to pretty much anything else," I answered.

"Lucky for you, we have the newest edition hot off the presses. It was released yesterday, and I picked up a few copies figuring it would fly off the shelves anyways. Personally, I love the books too. Once I begin reading it, I can't stop until I've finished.

"Well, it is nice to meet someone with the same passion for books. My name is Kate, by the way. I didn't happen to catch yours," I said, faltering at the end.

"My goodness, my manners just flew out the window! My name is Julian. Julian Guzman." He said, and kissed my hand. He pointed me in the direction, and I quickly found the book. I sat there reading for a while until I deemed it was time that I made my way to the lodge, waving goodbye to Julian. I quickened my pace as I notice the rapidly darkening sky. Upon arrival, I was met with silence and cold stares. I guess I wasn't out for long enough.

"Brooklyn's coming over tonight to play some poker," Jack told me in a monotone voice, not even looking me in the eye.

"Sounds fun," I said, smiling, trying to lighten the mood. "I'll finally get to meet the King o' Brooklyn."

Again, the same awkward silence. I sighed and walked upstairs. I estimated that I had another three hours until Spot Conlon's boys showed up. In the meantime, I need to figure out how to make things right between the boys and me.

Thanks for reading! Make sure to leave a comment or suggestion if you have any! How do you think Kate and the boys will make up? Will they fix things, or will she get taken before they get the chance to? I will try and update again over the weekend, but no promises.