Queen of Brooklyn

Chapter 12

As I walked down the street, I wondered what we were going to do. Jack's gone, Denton's gone, no one listens to what we say.

Then, Oscar Delancey pushed me into an alleyway.
He held up a knife to my face,"I'm back."
"Get off me creep!" I pushed him back and he cut my cheek. I screamed. "What's the matter with ya? Are you insane?!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, hoping somebody would hear me. He pushed me to the ground and started kickin' me.

Thankfully, someone did. It was a newsie. One that was from Brooklyn. He punched Oscar so hard that he passed out and grabbed my arm.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I think I sprained my ankle."
I put my arm around his neck and he picked me up.
He did a double take,"You're Spot's girl, ain't ya?"
I showed him the key and he nodded.
"Can ya take me to my room. I'm live at-"
He cut me off,"I know where ya live. Spot told us all about ya."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. He talks about ya nonstop."

I smiled. He talks about me to his friends? He really does like me.

As we were walkin' down the street, I saw Jack drop his papes and run towards us.

"What happened?" He was breathing hard.

"Ask ya friend Oscar. He's knocked out in that alley over there." They boy snapped.

"Oscar did this to ya? I'll soak 'em!" He grunted.

I looked at the boy holding me,"What's your name?"

"Mason."

"Mason, take me home please." He nodded and continued to walk.

Jack followed us home and helped me up the fire escape.

Mason carried my to my bed and put me down.

"I'll get Spot." He jumped out the window and zipped down the fire escape.

"I know what your thinkin' but it's not true. I only started sellin' papes again because they offered to pay me. I have money in my pockets, nice clothes."

"I get it. You need to take care of yourself. Thing is-" I started coughing real bad. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Lexi? Lexi. It's okay. Just try to take deep breaths." Jack rubbed my back and I started to breathe better.

After a minute or so, Spot came rushing in.
"What happened? Lex?" He climbed up on the bed and sat next to me.
I tried to talk, but I couldn't. My body was so weak.

"Oscar Delancey beat her up pretty bad." Jack spoke up.

"Was I asking ya? What are ya doing here anyways,–"
If they kept talkin', I was gonna kick 'em out. I put my hand on Spot's leg,"Shhh."

He looked at me and rubbed my back, "Okay sweet cheeks."

After a while, I heard more voices.

All I could make out was Race, Sarah, Crutchy, Les, David, and a few other newsies.

I tried to open my eyes. They were open for a minute, but then it went black.