𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 - A Davey Jacobs Story

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱: 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐥𝐲𝐧

"I've never been to Brooklyn," Davey commented as he, Les, Jack, and Laces walked across the bridge.

"I spent a month there one night," Laces joked.

Casting her a concerned look, Davey asked another question. "Is this Spot Conlon really dangerous?"

Jack and Laces exchanged amused glances, ultimately choosing to ignore the question.

"Davey baby, watch this," Laces instructed as she and Jack leaned over the railing of the bridge. The two took a deep breath before screaming loudly.

Les smiled and joined the two, his shrill shriek making Jack laugh.

"What was that for?" Davey asked once the screaming had stopped.

Laces shrugged as they continued the trek to Brooklyn. "For fun."

After they stepped off the bridge, they immediately took a turn into an alley. Jack and Laces kept scanning the buildings that enveloped them until finally a glass bottle next to them shattered, making Davey jump and grab Laces' arm.

Laces silently laughed at Davey's over-dramatic action. "Boots, stop scarin' the new kid."

"Laces? Is that you?" Boots asked, climbing down from his perch on a nearby fire escape.

"The one and only," she replied cockily.

Boots smiled and spit shook with the girl. "How've you been, girlsie?"

"Could be better."

The young boy nodded in understanding as he shoved his slingshot in the waistband of his pants. Then he turned to Jack. "Now, where do ya thinks ya goin', Kelly?"

"Ta see Spot. It's important," he answered.

Humming, Boots looked over to the Jacobs brothers. "Why ya takin' them to see Spot?"

"They're gonna help us convince ol' Spotty a' something," Laces explained, gesturing to the boys beside her. Les beamed proudly while Davey nervously tightened his grip on Laces' arm.

"Ya wouldn't happen to be talkin' about the strike youse is supposed to be havin' in 'Hattan, is it?" Boots questioned warily. "'Cause Spot has already decided to keep Brooklyn outta it. No one is gonna be changin' 'is mind."

Jack sighed. "We gotta try."

With a solemn nod, Boots let the four of them pass through the alley, leading right to a stack of crates by the Navy Yard Pier. Brooklyn newsies who had already finished selling were swimming and messing around in the water, seemingly unphased by the price increase. Something about their carefree attitude made Laces scowl.

"Well, if it ain't Jack be nimble, Jack be quick," Spot drawled. He sat upon a large crate labeled "fragile," legs hanging over the edge and slingshot in hand.

"Hey, Spot. See you moved up in the world. You got a river view and everything," Jack replied, walking up to Spot's so-called throne.

With a smirk, Spot hopped off his seat and made his way to Jack. They two spit into their palms before shaking hands. Then Spot turned to Laces. "Little Lacey. Where've you been?"

"Been in 'Hattan, right where I belong," she replied, mirroring his smirk.

Spot stared at her for another second before pulling her into a hug. "Brooklyn's always got a spot for youse if ya get tired of ol' Jacky boy here."

Laces rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Ain't no way Ise is leaving my boys, Spotty."

Spot smiled at her and pulled back. "So, Lacey, Jacky boy. Ise been hearin' things from little birds. Things from Harlem, Queens. They're chirpin' in my ear. Jacky boy's newsies is playin' like they're goin' on strike."