A Way Home

Chapter Four: Stranger- Hillary Duff

Joy had returned to the lodging house that night, not long after Jack had returned, quietly agreeing to stick with the strike.

Spot had slowly begun the walk back to Brooklyn after she'd disappeared, wondering why he'd said he'd help so impulsively.

Now, as dawn rose on a new day, he was finishing counting, making sure that no matter how many days wages he'd lose over the strike, he could make sure the youngest boys didn't go hungry.

He sighed, stashing his money back into the old soap tin before going to start getting ready.

Fiddling with the key around his neck, Spot moved to look out his window, watching the sun peak over the buildings.

What would his beloved think of the strike?

God, she must have changed so much by now, Spot could hardly make a guess.

Quickly he turned back to the door, tucking his cane into his suspenders as he listened to the sounds of the other kids getting ready for work.

As he threw his hat on his head, he pulled open the door, starting down the hall, "Hotshot! Myron! Vince! In 'ere I gotta talk ta ya."

The boys stopped in getting ready, following Spot back into the room that served as an office.

"What's goin on boss?" HotShot asked.

Spot sighed, crossing his arms, "Wes joinin the strike. And before youse go flippin your lids about keepin everyone fed, ise got it figured. Seems like Jackie boy might actually have a chance here, if not, we back out and let them get picked off."

Myron stared at him for a moment, "Are you insane?"

"Probably," Spot admitted, "But I says what goes."

Vince grinned, "Following a lunatic inta war, I like those odds."

Hours later the newsies of Manhattan stood silently, watching the scabs intently.

"Everyone stay calm!" David warned.

Jack balled his fists, "Lets soak 'em for Crutchie!"

Spot watched, from his place above, as the newsies ran in, the girl who'd he'd spoken too pushed along with them.

"Jack! Jack the crip!" Race yelled as a huge door opened, revealing men with clubs and chains.

The gate quickly swung closed, and the newsies found themselves trapped.

Spot's chest seemed to tighten as he saw Jack push Joy behind him as the crips closed in.

One of the men forced Jack into a circle of them as the fights began, and Joy was pushed from person to person, clearly freaked out by the fighting and the noise.

One of the Delancy's shoved her into the circle, "Let's see 'im fight while 'es tryin ta protect 'er!"

Joy balled her fists, ducking out of the way as one of the men pushed Jack toward her.

She jumped back out of the way of a swinging chain only to be thrust back into the circle by another man.

Immediately she turned and threw a punch at him, knocking him square in the jaw.

"Oh you little bitch!" He went to swing on her, but frantically, Jack pulled her back out of the way.

At the same time someone shoved him again, knocking him back into her.

Joy ended up sprawled back on the steps from the distribution window, kicking at any man who came near her, "Don't you fuckin touch me!"

Spot could make out something more panicked and frantic in her eyes, so quickly signaled his boys, and they all began to emerge from their hiding places.