I forgot to answer this last time but a dyke is a really offensive term for a lesbian, Spot was supposed to sound like a jerk that's why I made him say it.

My bum leg was going to get me killed. I couldn't run without it dragging behind my other foot.

"God Dammit!" I heard the crash behind me. He was getting closer.

I turned the corner and hid behind some crates. The knife in my hand was becoming slick with sweat. My chest was heaving and perspiration dripped from the sides of my face.

His footsteps thundered on the worn wooden planks.

The thick humid summer air made it harder for me to breathe and my pants filled the air space around me.

"Violet!"

Was that Spot? I had to find him. I couldn't just be a sitting duck. I started down as fast as I could, trying to make minimal noise.

I found myself navigating through the docks, trying not to fall into the water .

"Violet! You need to know the truth! Please just come with me!"

The mans voice loomed closer. How did he know where I was going? I didn't even know what I was doing.

I came to a stop. The pier was at a dead end to my right but to my left the mainland opened into a factory. At the time I didn't realize the mistake I had made.

"All right. Where is she?" George Salem took of his hat, unbuttoned his tweed jacket and sat down on the chair behind the desk.

The overweight man stared at his briefcase. "You can't cash these until I sign them."

"Of course. Feel at home. May I invite you to some scotch?" The portly and disgusting man started smile and moved about the room with a newfound grace.

"No. I don't drink."

"A smoke?"

"Never. Would you please bring her out?"

"I'd hate to be rude to a man of your standing Mr. Salem but-"

"Then don't be and bring her to me."

George was growing impatient they weren't going to make it to the train station if this man took his time.

"Forgive me Mr. Salem. If you'll just excuse me I'll get Jimmy to get her."

"Make sure the boy knows."

"I will." The fat man went out the door and shouted.

Whatever he said was muffled and irrelevant. George opened his suitcase and took out the first of the checks and took the pen that was left for him and started to sign it.

It was moments before the door opened again.

The obese man and a boy came back in. Violet tittered behind them.

"What is he doing here?"

The door was shut by the boy and he blocked it with his body.

"Violet I've come to fetch you. Its time to get you somewhere safe."

"You're not taking me anywhere."

"Don't be difficult. Its for the best."

"You can't make me do anything so just leave."

She had been so corrupted by the city, she couldn't see what was good for her. George stood and picked up the suitcase.

"Would you like a tip for taking her to the train station for me?"

Spot heard the shouts. They had taken Violet and left him here to wait. This wasn't protocol, they weren't trying to scare him. They were plotting. Spot stood from the couch and twisted the knob to the door.

Jimmy was an idiot, he never locked anything.

Spot headed through the hallways were he had been raised. Nothing had changed since Joe found him and brought him to Ralph.

The punch made him spin and fall flat on his rear. Finn could feel the blood from his lip. The tears wanted to run away and down his cheeks.

"Little Runt." The cop kicked him in the chin and sent him back straight on his back. "Next time I'll cut your hand off for stealing. Now get out here."

Finn knew better than to stick around. He scrambled up as fast as he could and ran with the blood pouring and the tears blinding his eyes. He ran down the block and farther still until he crashed into a man.

"Woah. What you got there bud?"

Finn wiped his nose and stood back up again before trying to sidestep the man."Hold it kid. Where are you're parents?"

Finn started to cry harder and harder.

"Calm down, calm down. Here" The man handed him a white handkerchief. Finn took it and started to wipe his nose. He returned it full of mucus and blood.

"Keep it. I've got plenty."

Finn stuffed it in his pocket before looking back up at the man.

"Say, you got anywhere to stay?"

And that's how it started but it didn't mean it was a breeze.

"C'mon Spot! What was that? My grandmother hits harder than you!"

Spot tried swinging again but Jimmy sidestepped him and delivered a blow to his stomach. Spot ended up staring at the gravel on the ground.

"Cut it. I don't want you to kill him."

Joe pulled Spot up by the collar.

"I swear you better bring it next time. You're not getting dinner tonight maybe tomorrow if you bring it we might talk about supper "

It had always been like that. Who was better, who was faster, who hit the hardest. During the winter, Ralph wouldn't let them come in unless they had made enough money from picking pockets. Spot had caught on to the reward system a short while after he arrived at his new home . They made him sweat and get frustrated for what he wanted. Hard work for survival was a principle that had stuck with him long after he left.

Spot and Jimmy were never allowed into Ralph's office. Joe had dragged them away from a fight and into the two chairs that were placed in front of Ralphs brand new desk.

"What do you two little mites think you in here for?"

Spot shrugged and Jimmy copied him . Spot was the leader of the two.

"How old are you two?" Ralph asked, puffing form his pipe.

"Twelve." Spot answered.

"I thought so." Ralph stood and started to pace the room "I've taught both of you skills, I've fed, clothed and taken care of you to the best of my abilities. Now, you are both at an age in which you must prove yourselves. From here on out, you can't live here. You have to find a new home and a place to make a name of for yourselves. You can't come back here until you've achieved something. I'll soak you 'till Friday and then kick you back out."

That was Ralphs way of saying he wished them the best of luck. Joe herded them out but Jimmy went back in, he was going to beg Ralph to let him stay.

"What am I supposed to do Joe?"

"Find your place in the city." He took out two cigars and handed one to Spot.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"Don't know."

"Joe."

"What do you want me to say? Something sappy?"

Spot shrugged.

"All right well, make Brooklyn your own or something. Is that sappy enough?"

Joe had now idea what his words had done. Spot left and found himself selling papers and climbing ranks. He stood outside the same door that night. Whatever was behind it wasn't good. That much was evident. Violet didn't just scream for recreation.

He opened the door to find Ralph looking over some papers.

"Where is she Ralph?"

"She ain't good for you Spot. Stick to the hookers. That girl made you vulnerable."

"I swear I'll rip your throat out if you don't tell me where she is."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm not writing you a love letter that's for sure. "

Ralph looked him over, a disappointed look shadowing his emotions.

"Spot why would you throw everything away for a skinny wench like that? You have so much ahead of you."

"I don't care. Tell me where she is."

Ralph sighed. "Somewhere. Their heading for Grand Central station."

Spot bolted and rushed through the docks. He could hear Violet. Spot took a short cut through the maze of crates, he needed to get to the opening before them.

A loose plank would suffice as his weapon. Spot could see them from where he was, a couple of crate lanes ahead.

A man with a suitcase was walking in front of Violet and Jimmy. When they got closer Spot recognized him.

If Violet had only listened things would have been easier.

He knew what he had to do, his timing had to be right.

The minutes ticked by a dreading pace when they were close enough Spot made sure to hit the man. He didn't expect him to block it with his suitcase. The wooden plank clattered to the floor and Spot took the split second of surprise to swing at the man. He couldn't block that. It felt good to hit him. The plank broke in two and fell to the floor.

Spot didn't waste time and landed as many blows as he could before the man hit back. It was a jab to his ribs, the pain exploded and started to spread out but Spot knew better than to concentrate on it. He didn't get to hit the man as much as he wanted to. Jimmy got in the way.

"Get her out here. I'll handle this."

"You've been waiting for this."

"Not really, I think very little of you." Spot denied the claim and shoved Jimmy into the old crates behind him. He fell through the wood and a horde of rats sprung out.

The man and Violet both shrieked.

"Violet do what I told you to do and get out here." Spot turned towards Violet and distracted himself from the punch that made him almost lose his balance.

"I didn't think you'd get up so fast."

"Don't underestimate me Spot." Jimmy was ready with his hands at his sides, eager to strike him once more.

Spot ducked when he swung his left fist. Jimmy had never switched his fighting style. Jimmy would try to punch his throat and he did. Spot wasn't worried about beating Jimmy and he should have.

His jaw felt like someone had dipped it in oil and then set a match to it. The blows came left and right. Spot reacted and like a bull rammed straight into Jimmy, they both fell to the floor. Spot hammered his right fist into his face. Jimmy moved his head to the side and Spot hit the planks. He felt the pain vibrate up his arm.

Spot cursed and Jimmy took the opening to land a sucker punch and send Spot off of him. Spot scrambled up and kneed Jimmy in the face while he tried to stand. That had done it or at least that's what it looked like. Spot wasn't going to stick around to find out. He needed to find Violet.

This story is hitting its final chapters, finally after ages. I smelled my hand and its smelled weird. I'm regretting not washing my hands after Chemistry.