Not Want, But Need (A Racetrack Higgins Love Story) COMPLETED

Chapter 42: Attack

Meg P.O.V.
It was the day to go show LI what it means to mess with New York City. We were prepared. Everyone that was injured was treated. Everyone worked as hard as they can. Everyone did it right.

We woke up extra early that morning, got our papes and sold them on the way to Long Island. We met the other towns and burrows at the Verrazano Bridge. New Jersey joined us as well as Staten Island. I don't even know how they even got here but oh well, more the merrier.

The leaders spit-shook in the middle, and each group of Newsies had their own signs and stood with each other. I walked to the middle with Jack, Mitch, Ace, Map, and Quizzy. Quizzy is the Midtown leader, who is twins with Tips, who is the Flushing leader.

"Heya fellas!" Jack says as he steps into the leader circle. "Heya Jacky-boy!" As a way of respect the boys take off their caps for me, "Meg." "Nice ta see ya Mitch! Glad ya came on the good side!"

After all the greetings, all of the leaders stood on a fire escape to an abandoned building. "Welcome Newsies of New Yawk!" Jack yells. They start to cheer. Once they quiet down I speak, "Foist off, Id like ta thank y'all for comin out hea today. It has taken us a while ta train. Let's hope dat our training came ta good use." I look at Mitch. He speaks next. "Heya Newsies! Ise Mitch. Ise transferred sides because Ise thought that me brudda... Dunn, was not fair. He forced me and me newsies inta this, put the terrible idea of takin all of New Yawk inta me head. Ise sorry and Ise love to have you all forgive mese?" They nod followed by mixtures and shouts of "Yes!" and "Of course!"

Every leader gets to say something and by 5:30am, we wait for the first newsie to come out onto the fire escape to have a smoke. Cheats sees it open and whispers to people not to distract the Newsie. After finishing the cigarette, he puts it out and leaves the window open, while walking back into the lodging house. Muddy and three other newsies climb up the fire escape. They wait and listen to what's going on inside. Ace whistles and catches my attention. He disappears with five other newsies around the side of the building. Quizzy and around eight newsies block the doors, as I send in Sniffy and Snotty inside the building asking for newsie jobs.

Inside the LI Lodging House
Snotty and Sniffy enter the Lodging House, all heads turn towards the door. "Uh, hi." Newsies start to gather around them. "Who youse?" "What are these, shrimps?" LI Newsboys start to question the two.

The Newsboys of LI are very big, bigger than any of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Newsies. Snotty and Sniffy combined, is up to one guy's shoulder.

Dunn, the LI leader pushes through all of his newsies and takes a good look at the two boys. "Heya, are you looking for jobs?" He asks.

The leader looks around seventeen, very tall, with a big build. He has proper grammar, probably went to primary early in his life. His accent sounds a bit like a normal Newsboy from Jersey.

The two answer, "Yeah." Sniffy takes a whiff of the air and sneezes. All of the newsboys jump back. "Ew! I think he got me!" Dunn yells. He turns around and pushes back through his boys and into what looks like their bunkroom.

Meanwhile Outside:
"People! Settle!" Jack tries to calm everyone down. "CALM YA SHIT!" Map yells. He faces Jack and crosses his arms, smirking. I laugh. Jack rolls his eyes. I turn my head towards Blink. He is next to Mush, big surprise, and I watch him blush. (ha see what i did there?!?? ;))))) ) They are so cute together. Perfect couple, only I wish they'd meet differently. Meaning as people out in the country, grazing crops, or meeting in a store. Not as a newsboy living in cramped quarters.

I turn my attention back to the Lodging House. One newsie comes out and we all attack. Nobody sees Dunn. "FIND DUNN!" I scream to Muddy and Cheats. They nod and we three run into the house. Chaos and fists are flying. I am able to get through half of the boys until someone stops me. "I'm afraid youse cannot come beyond here, so beat it or I'll beat you." I roll my eyes. "Youse dunno who youse talkin ta." I say. I throw a punch in between his eyes and kick him in the gut, throwing him backwards.

I run into one room and see a tall newsboy standing over a mirror. "What the fuck is going on out there?" He says. He turns to me, "Do you-" I knock him over. "Hello Dunn!" I whistle and through the window comes Ace. "Take 'im!" I scream to him. Race and Ace drag him out the window. I tell them I would meet them outside when everyone retreats. I look towards the door and turn the knob. A big newsboy is in my way. "You!" He screams. I duck under his grasp and crawl out from between his legs. I run for the door and whistle for everybody to get out. The ones that hear it, repeat it, and within three minutes, all of our boys are out.