a purposeful past | s.s

Chapter Six

"Tell me more."

Domino looked up from where she'd been tracing the wood on the table with her finger, raising an eyebrow. "So ya believe me."

Specs sighed. "Well, not entirely, but I still wanna hear 'bout what me life was like before, even if it's all a lie. It's bett-ah den nothin'."

Domino nodded, understanding his point. She didn't bother trying to convince him that she really wasn't a liar- she'd just be wasting her breath.

"Should I leave?"

Both turned towards Lane, who'd been hidden behind some book. She raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Shouldn't ya be workin'?" Domino asked in exasperation.

"I don't work at dis time 'a night on Wednesday's," Lane replied, frowning.

"She can stay," Specs decided. "I don't care 'bout what she hears."

Lane smirked and put the book aside, looking like she was getting ready for another story.

"Well, yer muddah used ta be real stubborn," Domino recalled, remembering the way her father talked so fondly about her. "I mean, it was crazy. Ya couldn't talk her outta anythin'."

"Ya knew his mum?" Lane questioned in disbelief.

"I wish I remembered her," Specs said quietly. "I wish I remembered us."

"Ya knew each other?" Lane demanded, even more surprised.

"I wish so, too," Domino continued, ignoring her, "Maybe someday, sometime, ya will."

"Where's yer faddah now?" Specs asked after a moment. "Ya said he found ya aft-ah you was sent ta Flushin'. Do ya still see him around?"

"He's been real busy lately," she said, her heart clenching. "Busier than he's been in a while. Since news has gotten out 'bout The Unknowns comin' back fa what dey stole, he's been runnin' himself into the ground ta make sure dat don't happen. I've tried ta stop him, but he don't listen. I nev-ah really expected him to, anyway."

Specs was silent. "Tha things dat was inside 'a tha houses 'a tha newsies dat died... D'ya think The Unknowns have already taken 'em?"

Domino blinked, having never pondered the question. "I don't think so. It ain't like 'em ta only take what dey want when a few people ain't dere anymore. What would tha difference be if a lead-ah was dere when dey went in ta steal?"

"So what is it dey's waitin' fa?" Lane questioned.

"Lane, you of all folks should know," Domino told her. "Think 'bout it: all tha most important newsies is gone. What d'ya think dat would cause?"

"It would be complete chaos," she replied after a moment. "It already is, really. Dey wanna come in when everythin' is outta sorts ta take tha object things, 'n be completely ignored when dey do."

"I imagine dey'll do much worse den dat." Domino winced. "Dey wouldn't be goin' through all dis trouble if dey was jus aft-ah some violin."

"But ya said-"

"I know what I said," she sighed. "But I ain't dem. I have no clue what dey's really plannin'."

"Well, I do know dey want me," Lane supplied bitterly. "Frisks made dat quite clear."

"Well, if dat's really what dey's aft-ah, dey ain't gettin' it," determined Specs.

"No, 'a course dey ain't." Lane scoffed. "I'll nev-ah join those savages again."

Domino listed her head and turned to look at the boy. She was surprised by his statement, at how defiantly it was delivered. It seemed he'd taken a special sort of liking to the girl, like how a brother would to a younger sibling, and Lane remained oblivious to it as ever as she glared down at the ground. So perhaps he really hadn't changed. He was still the boy who cared more than he ever permitted anyone to see.