My Shooting Star

Chapter 9 - Turning point

(Mush POV)

I walk home alone after what happened. I know the fellahs saw and I couldn't bear to answer their relentless questions. I feel a sharp pain in my lower back. I stumble forwards, shocked and turn to see who hit me. Uh oh, it was Darcy.

"So I heard you've taken a liking to my girl." he sneers and walks towards me.

"She's not your girl. You took her for granted and you took advantage of her. I just happened to be next in line and I am better to her than you ever were."

"What did you say to me, Lousy piece of trash?"

I really didn't want to get into it with him so I turn to walk away, but I run headfirst into Snyder. He pushes me to the ground and I feel a blow to my stomach with his metal bat. I am paralyzed with pain and I can't fight back as he puts cold handcuffs on me and drags me by my already hurt leg. I can't do anything to fight back so I slowly close my eyes as they take me away. Soon after I feel my leg fall to the ground and I hear a commotion nearby.

(Y/N POV)

I see Mush's tired and bloody body being dragged out by Snyder. Without thinking, I try to throw myself at Snyder, but feel arms holding me back.

"LET ME GO!" I scream as Race and Jack are holding me.

"Y/N, we hafta to go!" Jack yells to me.

"I won't leave him!" I've noticed I have tears streaming down my face. When did the tears start? How long have I been crying?

I try to break free once more but they just hold me tighter.

"We have to go before they get us too! We can't help Mush if we are in the refuge!" Race pleads.

I let out a sob before we leave Mush beaten on the ground. He got the worst of the fight and it was all my fault. I knew Darcy, I knew what he was capable of. "Why did I have to be so stupid and get him involved with this"

We made it back to the lodging house. All of us feeling so drained and looking rough. The only thing I can think of is Mush. Seeing his beaten body on the ground did something to me. I hate that he's hurt. "How could I just leave him there?"

"Hes going to be okay" Jack says to me seeing the scared look on my face and trying to make me feel better. But it doesn't help.

"Yeah we're going to get him out of there I promise" Davey says.

I can feel my face heat up.
They are such hypocrites! How could they do this to him.

I get close to Jacks face and snap. "ITS NOT GOING TO BE OKAY! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GUYS! BROTHERHOOD, REALLY? BULLSHIT, YOU DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO SAVE HIM!" I say as I hit him repeatedly. He just stands there with a shameful look on his face.

Tears are flooding out of my eyes as he wraps me in his arms, not letting me go.
"It's okay." He says over and over.

"What if they are hurting him right now?" I sob.

All the boys watch me with fear and pity. I have never lashed out like this before. I don't think they knew how much rage could be bottled up in such a small body.

I release from Race's arms and begin to run.

"Y/N wait!"

I stormed out and onto the rooftop, breathing in the cold air trying to calm myself. My safe place. I thought to myself, maybe I was too rough on the boys, they were just looking after me and they would never have left him if they didn't have to. I look up at the stars. New York really is an amazing city if you have a strong door to lock it out. I take a few deep breaths. We need to save him. After I've stopped crying I go back downstairs.

The gang looks scared when they see me but relax when I calmly sit down.

"Newsies, assemble, we need a plan to get Mush out of that horrible place." I say confidently as the group crowds in.