Back to the Past (Newsies)

8. The Messenger

Chapter 8

Kit enjoyed the conversation she was having with Messenger on her bunk. After a little bit, he started to outgrow his shyness and warmed up to her. She soon discovered a bit about him. He told her that Spot would send him to deliver messages to other boroughs and that's how he got his name.

"Da foirst time, I jus' happened ta be 'round an' Spot told me to delivah a message to Jack." Messenger explained, "Dis was 'round the time when I'se foirst became a newsie. Aftah dat, Spot kept tellin' me ta deliver messages, an da rest is history."

"Well, you must've been pretty good at delivering messages if he kept picking you," Kit commented. Messenger shrugged in response.

"I'se guess so."

Messenger told her that he had some exciting adventures while delivering important information. One story he told was when there was a newsies war between a few boroughs, he had to go through underground tunnels

"I didn't know that there were tunnels underground New York City." she said

"Yeah, most people don't. They was used back in da 1700's tah sneak militia 'round to attack de British soldiahs." Messenger explained

"What kind of messages and information did you deliver?" Kit questioned.

"Info 'bout the war." he answered.

Kit looked at him, urging him to go on. He didn't seem to understand or chose not to acknowledge her look.

"Like...?" She urged.

Messenger rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "Its confidential."

"Oh c'mon, please." she begged, giving him her best puppy dog face. He glanced at her.

"I- I'se can't. Spot would kill me." he stated, avoiding her powerful puppy dog face.

Kit huffed in disappointment and crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, be that way." Messenger chuckled in response.

"Don't be a baby." he said with a smile. "Da information ain't dat important."

"Yeah sure. It's important enough that Spot doesn't want you to tell me." Kit said. Messenger sighed.

"Whatever, don't tell me whatever top secret information you're with holding from me." Kit huffed.

She uncrossed her arms and looked at Messenger who seemed saddened. Does he really think that I'm mad at him? Kit wondered to herself. That's adorable.

"Can you tell me more about the tunnels?" she asked with a small smile. He looked up at her and talked happily about the tunnels.

"I'se found de tunnels by ac'ident a lil' 'fore da newsies war. One o' da entrances was by me favorite smokin' spot. I went in an' explored. Most o' de tunnels are blocked off by some rocks, but a lot o' 'em still work." Messenger looked at Kit who was listening intently. She nodded at him to go on.

"When da war began, Spot asked me ta delivah a messenge to some o' our allies 'cross da bridge. Many newsies know dat I delivah Spot's messages an' dat most o' 'em are important ones. So we'se concluded dat some o' our enemies would be aftah me. So I'se decided ta use de tunnels ta get where I'se needed tah go. De tunnels go all 'round New York. Wit' da tunnels, I'se could sneak 'round to delivah messages, and I could also snoop 'round fo' information on da enemy to tell Spot."

"Wow that's epic, you're like James Bond or something." Kit responsed excitedly.

Messenger looked at he with confusion. "What?"