Unable to stay unwilling to leave
A/N Hey guys! It's been awhile huh? I tried to upload as soon as I humanly could, but that was pretty hard considering I just got back from Florida (which was awesome by the way! Thanks to all those who wished me a happy trip) and had to immediately start preparing for Easter. In between all that I have lines for my next show to memories. Word of advice, if anyone asks if you want to play 5 roles, you say "NO WAY!" So anyway, I'm going to try writing a longer chapter to make up for lost time. So anyway here we go chapter 18. Oh and I'm going to start with a recap of last chapter as a reminder. Enjoy!
Soon we heard the sound of 30 cheering Brooklynites. Our gazes cast down to the doors of the warehouse and saw the boys running down the streets, some occasionally flipping in the air. But I could only focus on one. Liam, who was leading the boys into battle and serious look plastered on his face as he held his gold, tipped cane in a death grip.
"We can't let then go alone." Nuala suddenly solemnly said still looking out as the boys made their way down the road.
As much as I didn't want to, I agreed with her. The boys needed us, they needed every man that they could get.
"What are we going to do?"
She turned towards me, a glint in her eyes and a smirk matching her brother's plying in her lips.
"I have a plan."
10 minutes later, Aoife and Nuala had finished wrapping their chests in old rags and had ditched the dresses and skirts they were wearing and had adorned themselves in the old worn clothing of Ryder and Spot. They tied up their hair with old cords from newspapers and tucked their thick tresses under their hats. Adding some dirt and ash on their faces finished the illusion they were playing. In their disguise, they had hoped nobody would recognize them. After Nuala had told Aoife her plan to dress as boys, sneak out of the warehouse and help the newsies in their fight, they quickly got to work agreeing that going out to fight was a better choice than staying behind, regardless of what they both had promised Spot.
"Now remember the plan Aoif. Tiger is downstairs guarding the door in the front, so we climb down the fire escape from Spot's room and sneak in the back where he won't see us."
Aoife nodding her head took the time to admire Nuala, and the wisdom and strength of the years she held.
The girls opened the door of their room as gently as they could and snuck down the hall to Spot's, being as careful as they could to stay hidden from Tiger's watchful eye. Once they were safely in Spot's room, they brought their plan to action, but a noise from the first floor distracted them. The hard bang echoed from the first landing and Aoife and Nuala looked at each other confusion etched on their faces.
"What was that?" Aoife wondered aloud.
"I don't know." Nuala answered.
But they would soon know.
"Let's hurry; I'm sure the boys are all at the fight spot by now, along with all the Queen's boys."
The girls turned towards the window and begun to pry it open, when they heard a voice from the doorway that stopped them.
"Well not all the Queen's boys." The voice mocked. The girls spun around and saw Mach along with four other Queen's newsie, two of them planking him on each side.
"I'se must say, you'se girls can pull off your little disguise pretty wells. Sept' or da fact I'se can see right through you'se. "Matches began walking closer to them, taking menacing steps forward as a lion would as it stalks his prey. "Da only question is, why would Spot leave his two best weaknesses here all alone? You'se knows what ta do boys."
And the last words before Aoife threw her first punch was "Nuala run!"
~*~ at the boarder of Brooklyn and Queen~*~
The Brooklyn boys had reached their destination after the Queens boys had. Spot led the ragged army to the fight and he was determined to win this battle once and for all. This was his chance to prove for the last time that he was the best leader Brooklyn had to offer, and he would do anything to keep his beloved borough safe, along with its newsies.
"Well, well." The slimy voice of Blade rung from the shadows. "Looks like Brooklyn did show up after all."
"You'se knows, I'se can say da same bout you'se. I was thinkin on my ways here if you'se was too much of a coward ta show." Spot retorted.
"Well Spotty boy, you'se may think of me as a coward, but at least I'se didn't leave some things at my warehouse…things that just might destroy you."
It took a few moments for Spot to realize that he was talking about Aoife and Nuala. Of course! He thought. He knew I was going to make them stay. Seeing the evil glint in Blades eye, with a battle cry Spot lunged towards his opponent, beginning the battle.
"Nuala run!" Aoife yelled as two of the Queen's newsies came at her. She swung her fist around and punched one boy in the face causing him to tumble to the ground. The other boy who attacked her grabbed her arm, but she quickly jerked it back elbowing him in the stomach. The other two newsies had gone after Nuala, who had made no efforts to try to run away despite what Aoife had instructed. She punched one of her attackers in his nose, smirking when she heard a crack, and she kicked the other in the shin. When they were both down nursing their injuries, Nuala ran over to Aoife and helped her fight her own attackers.
"Nuala, you have to get out of here!" Aoife said as she shoved a boy over to the other girl. Nuala grabbed the boy's shoulders and rammed her knee into his gut causing him to double over. "Go with the plan."
"Not without you. Má cheapann tú mé ag fágáil tú go bhfuil tú dÚsachtach." If you think I'm leaving you you're crazy.
They spoke in their native tongue so the opposing boys would not know of their plans.
"Nuala, ní mór duit dul chuig do dheartháir agus cabhair a fháil. Beidh mé go breá. Téigh!" Nuala, you have to go to your brother and get help. I'll be fine. Go!
With an understanding and determined look in her eye, Nuala took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and tightly nodded her head.
"Tuigim. A bheith sábháilte, le do thoil." I understand. Be safe, please.
"Bealtaine Naomh maith leat a chosaint agus a bless tú lá atá inniu ann, agus d'fhéadfadh Trioblóidí tú neamhaird gach céim ar an mbealach."May the good Saints protect you and bless you today, and may troubles ignore you each step of the way.
With one last burst of anger, Nuala pushed back the boy holding her and made a dash towards the fire escape to execute the plan. She jumped through the frame of the window rolling over the ledge so she landed on her back. Quickly she got up and started to climb down the metal ladder.
"Well don't just stand dere! Go afta er!" was the last thing she heard before running off into the streets of Brooklyn, desperate to find someone who could help.
Meanwhile the fight in Brooklyn was heating up. Boys on each side were fighting with anything they could; broken bottles from the street, wooden planks, their fists. Anything they could.
Spot and Blade were at each other's throats, quite literally. Blade had Spot pinned to the ground, his hands clasped around his neck. Spot's oxygen was running low until he reached in his belt loop, pulled out his slingshot and hit Blade on the side of the head with it, causing him to tumble to the side. Grabbing his collar, Spot stood up dragging Blade with him, and punched his face, once, twice, a third time.
Back in the warehouse Aoife watched Matches pace back and forth in front of her. Two Queen's boys held both of her arms as the other two slipped out the window after Nuala.
"Whateva you'se was planning, it won't woik." Match finally said referring to the secret conversation the girls had before. "Me boys will find dat girl, and do what Blade did, only dis time, they'se won't leave her to be found. And we'se is goin to take ya ta Blade, and you'se is gonna watch your leader die." He finished as he stopped pacing in front of her. After seconds of glaring, Aoife leaned forward and spit directly in Matches face.
"Saol íseal!" she insulted as she was restrained form lunging at Matches by the boys who held her. With his chin tilted down glaring menacingly at Aoife not bothering to wipe the saliva that slowly dripped down his face, Matches brought back his hand and backhanded Aoife causing her head to snap to the side her hair fanning over her face and an involuntary cry escape from her lips. He moved forward and grabbed her chin in his large calloused hand pulling her head erect.
He pulled her face close to his, and he whispered in her ear.
"You will watch Brooklyn fall."
He walked past her, finally wiping the side of his face with his sleeve. "Do it."
"Whatever you have planned it won't work!" Aoife said using Matches words.
Seeing Matches turn around and grin at her was the last thing she was before a blasting pain erupted on the right side of her head and she slid into darkness.
A/N Hey again. So first off, I hope everybody had a Happy Easter and ate lots of chocolate! I sure did. Secondly, I want to apologies for this taking so long to upload a new chapter. The next one should be out soon but no promises. And most of it will be in Nuala's POV, so that should be interesting to write. Some facts about the story, the "boom" that Nuala and Aoife heard from downstairs was Tiger trying to fight off the invading Queen's newsies. "May the good Saints protect you and bless you today, and may troubles ignore you each step of the way" is an old Irish goodbye blessing, and I think it fit Nuala/Aoife's situation well. And the insult Aoife says to Matches (Saol íseal) means low life. Well that's it for now. Ta-ta! Hope you enjoyed. Please follow/favorite and review, it really makes my day!