Brooklyn Baby | Spot Conlon ¹

Chp. 23: Wally's Death

"Kenny, why's ya lookin' so glum? You's actin' like Skittery." Race says to me.

"Shut up," Skittery says from his bed, where his face was buried in his pillow.

"It's nothin', Race," I say. "Jus' this whole 'John Luciano' thing got me worried is all."

"Listen, Kenny. I's known Spot for a long time. He's a tough one. Spot can take care of himself, trus' me. I dunno what that criminal wants with Spot, but he ain't gettin' him without a fight."

"Yeah, I guess so,"

"Ya know Spot wants you here ta keep ya safe," Race says. "So don't be wanderin' around, especially at night, okay?"

"Okay, okay."

Spot's Pov

Bucky paced in front of the crates I was sittin' on.

"Buck, wouldja stop pacin'? You's givin' me a headache."

"Spot, what do ya plan on doin' if John Luciano gets closa'?" He asks me. "What's ya strategy?"

"He ain't gonna find me, he thinks I's dead."

"You and I's both know that he ain't believin' that. Why's ya think he's comin' afta you all tha time?"

At this point, I don't know who I'm fooling. Of course he knows I'm alive. Maybe I'm telling myself that to keep myself motivated, but I ain't sure. Maybe it's fa Kenny's sake.

"Listen, Spotty, I don't know when he's gonna strike, but he's gonna. You's need ta be ready."

"I's ready for anything."

"Talk ta Kendall Sullivan 'bout it?" He asks.

"Why'dja call her that?"

"Dunno. Hoid Fetchy call 'er that earlier, though it was catchy." He chuckles. "So, have ya?"

"Yeah, she knows. I's told her ta stay in Manhattan, ta keep her safe."

"Spot, Kenny's fine. He don't even know who she is. It's you that I's worried about,"

"Don't be. I can handle me-self," I said.

I's lyin' if I said I ain't nervous. But I know that I's prepared for anything that should come me way. First things first, Kenny is safe. Now, I need to make sure me boys is safe. I'm the last priority.

"Buck, round up the newsies." I say and he walks off with a nod. Soon, the newsies of Brooklyn are standing in front of my crates with expectant looks on their faces.

"Listen up, boys. John Luciano is targetin' Brooklyn, so we's gonna play this one safe. No one leaves the dock afta' sunset. No exceptions. If I need ya to do somethin', you'll go in a group. Next, Wilde and Johnny, you's joinin' Wiz on guarding the dock. Clear?"

They all nod, and I dismiss them.

"Ace, all the spies are to be on full alert from now on," I say.

"Already done, Spot."

"Fetch, if ya need any assistance, Dunk can--"

"Spot!" Pop was running with K.C. onto the duck. "It's Wally! Hurry!"

Kenny's Pov

"No, Santa Fe is not in Nevada." Jack said to me.

"We's still on this?"

"I'm goin' someday."

We walked into Kloppman's, where all the newsies were gathered in one room, talking loudly over each other.

"Yeah, it was someone fruh Brooklyn," Skittery says.

"What?" I ask.

"A newsie from Brooklyn was killed, we dunno who," Boots says.

I start for the door, and I hear Jack run after me.

"Kenny, stop!"

I kept running until I felt his hand wrap around my arm. I was stopped right outside Kloppman's. Jack pulled me to face him, and I tried to wriggle free from his grasp.

"Jack, please!" I cry. "I need to know he's okay!"

"Kenny, Spot told ya to stay inside at night. I don't want you gettin' hurt,"

"I'd take a bullet ta know he's okay," With that, I yank my arm out of his grip and sprint off into the night.

I made sure I took every shortcut and back way to Brooklyn that I knew. I wouldn't ignore Spot's warning completely. But, I wouldn't just stay inside while he could be dead. I wouldn't take that chance.

I was still running when I reached the dock. Wiz, Wilde, and Johnny were all guarding the dock. At the rate I was running, I somehow pushed through them and onto the dock.

"Peak!" I stopped to approach him. "Please tell me he's okay,"

"Spot is fine, he's just banged up. Wally's tha one who's gone,"

I sighed in relief. "Can I see Spot?"

"He ain't gonna be happy, but he's in his room,"

I nod in thanks and ran over to the building. All of the newsies were in a big room, but I noticed Bucky wasn't there. I pushed past them, ignoring the greetings, and up the ladder.

"Kenny?!" Bucky whisper-yelled.

I ignored him and looked at Spot. His face was covered in cuts, he had a black eye, and his arm was wrapped up. I walked over to his bed, where he weakly opened his eyes.

"Kenny?" He asked. His eyes opened even more when he realized it was me. "Is ya stupid?!"

"What?"

"Did you come here alone?"

"Yes,"

"You coulda gotten killed out there!" He says loudly. "Look what he did to me; what if he had seen ya?"

"Spot, I had ta know you was okay," I say, brushing hair away from his eyes. "I couldn't sleep if I didn't,"

"I'm just happy you's fine,"

"John Luciano did this to ya?"

"Yeah, he killed Wally and then when I was coming over to see Wally, he attacked me. Went for my stomach, but I blocked it with my arm," He said, slowly holding up his bandaged arm. Knife wound.

"Wally was just bait.." I trail off. "Spot, you gotta be more careful, look how easily you fell for it."

"If you won't listen to me, listen to her." Bucky spoke up. I had almost forgotten he was there. "She's right,"

"Spot, come to Manhattan, you's safa' there,"

"What about the otha' newsies?"

"I'll take care of 'em." Bucky says. "He ain't afta' me."

"Okay," Spot says. I smile, and gingerly kiss his lips.

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spot, WAKE UP