My Ray of Sunshine

Chapter 17

Unknown's POV:

"Dad, it ain't fair! Why do I have to do it?" I asked, sitting in the chair across the desk from my father.

"Because nobody would suspect you. Kara, I need this to win the election. Please do it, if you win over the Newsies who are mourning the loss of one of their own, the newspapers, and win me the election, you can be my secretary. How's that sound?" He uttered, making it sound urgent.

I huffed, tossing light red curls over my shoulder. "Fine."

"Thank you," he said. "You're dismissed."

I nodded, leaving the room and heading down to the kitchen where I fixed up a bowl of ice cream. 

"Meow." Sassy, my Ragdoll cat called, hoping onto my bed. 

"Sorry, Sassy, I can't give you ice cream," I sighed, shoving a spoonful of the frozen treat in my mouth. The animal flicked her fluffy tail, looking pleadingly at me with the wide blue eyes she inherited from her mother. Sassy's mother was my best friend's cat. She had given birth to a litter of kittens and asked if I wanted one. That was back in England though, I haven't been there for two years now. Dad moved us out to New York City to see if he had better luck in politics here rather than back in Great Britain, we were also visiting his brother; Good ole Nigel Snyder. 

(A/N: I FOUND HIS REAL NAME. HERE'S THE LINK TO PROVE IT.    https://newsiepedia.tumblr.com/post/181701619715/character-profile-warden-snyder )

"Don't tell your Dad we're giving her ice cream," Mum giggled, placing a bowl of vanilla ice cream in front of my Ragdoll kitten. 

I giggled, "I won't!" 

"Shhh!" I placed a hand over my mouth to stifle a giggle while the puff-ball flicked her delicate tongue across the icy delight. "I'll always love you, my little flower. And don't you forget it." Mum took her necklace off and placed it around my neck, the flower shaped Abalone shell thumping against my chest. 

I clutched the necklace my mum had given me just a few days before she died. The doctor had said it was a brain tumor that killed her, I just wished I had more time with her. Dad became a mess afterward, and he wasn't having any luck in government back home, so he moved us here. After her passing, he was more closed off, barely paying any attention to Sassy or I. 

"Come on, Sassy, we're going for a walk." I poked my head into Dad's study. "I'm taking Sassy out."

"Okay, be back before dinner," he waved me off and my cat followed me outside. Once the door was shut, my animal bolted, taking off down the street. 

"Sassy!" I screamed, running after her. I followed her down an alleyway, not noticing the prying eyes observing my every move. "there you are, good girl," I cooed, scooping her up. 

The cat meowed as I started out of the alley. Two boys jumped down in front of me. "Hello, Princess," the first cooed, circling me like a vulture. 

"Who are you and what do you want?" I hissed, swatting at the circling boy. 

"Where are my manners," the second placed a hand on his chest. "I'm Thomas and this is Donald. Now, are you familiar with The Refuge?" 

"Yeah. Governor Roosevelt had it shut down due to Newsie leader Jack Kelly's drawings," I recalled. 

"Good. Where are you from?" The taller asked, holding still finally. 

"England. We moved here to help Uncle Nigel with the new Refuge, and I have to get my father to win the upcoming election," I hissed. 

"And how are you going to get him that election?" Thomas pressed. 

"He wants me to win over the Newsies while they're still grieving." 

"Well, we need your help." 

"With?"

"Well, as you know, Snyder is opening up a new Refuge and wants all the Newsies in it. We need you, being a pretty girl, to lower their guard so we can swing in and snatch them up." 

"When do I need to do this by?" 

"Friday," Donald growled. 

"Got it." I started to leave. 

"If you need to, use this. I'm sure our dad would be pleased with a few less Newsies wandering the streets," Thomas tossed a knife at me. I clumsily caught it, nodded, and left. The sky was growing dark now and kids jutted around the streets, lighting the lamps. I hurried home, met with Dad's angry face. 

"Hi, Dad," I waved. 

"Where were you?" He tapped his foot, arms crossed. He only really "cared" about me if it was convenient for him. 

"Sassy got loose. It won't happen again," I muttered, placing the cat on the floor.

He noticed the knife sticking out of my pocket. "I see you've met your cousins," he nodded toward the weapon.

"Yeah."

"What'd they tell you?"

"That Uncle Nigel needs me to get as many of the Newsies in the Refuge as possible. And if they don't cooperate, I am to...." I swallowed the lump in my throat. The thought of killing someone sickened me.

"Kill them," he finished for me. I nodded. "Do the same if they don't help me win the election." I nodded again and ran up to my room.

"Wake up, it's time to go," Dad hissed, pulling me out of bed.

"Go where?" I groaned, sitting up.

"You have a job to do, remember?"

"Oh yeah," I sighed.

"Your cousin Thomas is going with you," he motioned to the older boy.

"Got it."

"Remember, if those boys aren't falling for it, kill them. Don't hesitate."

"Can I bring Sassy?"

"Whatever."

"I'm gonna change, I'll be down in a minute." The boys left and I quickly changed into a light lilac dress and black heeled boots.

"You finally ready?" Thomas asked crossly.

"Yeah. Let me get Sassy's stuff together."

"Make it quick. They'll be selling soon."

I quickly shoved my cat's bed into the cat carrier before placing her inside. I then put some of her toys, her food and water dishes, her food, and stuff to groom her with inside with her. "Okay, ready."