A lone newsie

The dream

June 15th, 1891

____

(Y/N) was young at the time, only nine years of age. Still, though, she was aware of her surroundings then. She was an observant girl, quiet and with many thoughts. She was also literate, something especially rare for her time. Despite her intelligence, her family could never afford to send her to school.

But that was alright, she didn't mind. From the moment she turned six, she had been a newsie. Unlike the others, though, she didn't live in the lodging home.

That was, of course, before the incident occurred. The incident that cost her more then she could afford.

As the years droned on, things changed around her. The city evolved, and before she knew it, her mother's factory job was taken away, only for her to be replaced by a machine.

So, (Y/N) and her mother were alone together, jobless for the most part. If you would call her (Y/N)'s mother, that is. Yes, she had given birth to her, and yes, she loved her, but her parents were not married at the time of her birth, and her mother had been but fifteen when she was impregnated.

Her father was not in the picture, a common thing for newsies. He left after a breakdown when he realized (Y/N) had not-so-good vision in her left eye. In disgust of having a 'crip' he left.

But this wasn't about family. No, the incident was what this was about.

She didn't remember much of the day, except that she was in her room while her mother was down the hall making dinner for the two of them.

(Y/N) saw something, though, in the corner of her eye. It wasn't anything special, no, but to (Y/N) it was fascinating.

It was a lighter, one with a smooth plated surface with flower designs on it - one that her grandfather had used in the Civil War, according to her mom.

(Y/N) walked over to the lighter, her thin hands going around its surface. It felt right in her hand, like it was meant to be there.

She walked over to a candle, and lit it. It was later in the day, and it was getting dark after all.

That's when she heard it. A smash, a deafening scream, and the sound of a pot hitting the floor. (Y/N), by instinct, ran down the hallway to see what the commotion was.

She silently gasped and flinched when she saw the scene before her.

Her mother was pinned on the floor by a burly man, holding a knife to her throat and yelling obscenities at her, something about money.

He was yet to notice (Y/N), but that wouldn't last. (Y/N) had to do something! She had to run into the man, and stop him immediately!

But something stopped her. She looked at her mother, who's helpless eyes connected with her, giving her a pleading look.

This pleading look, however, wasn't pleading for her to help.

It told (Y/N) to get the hell out of there. (Y/N) shook her head frantically, tears springing in her small eyes.

Her mother gave her a stern but sympathetic look. In some sense, it was like a goodbye.

So, (Y/N) turned around, and silently as she could, got out of the house.

_____

By the time the police had shown up, it was too late. Her mother was on the floor, her face frozen in scream with grotesque and fatal stab wounds in her chest and temples.

The police had also found her stripped of her skirts, a common thing in sexual assault victims. The man was never caught, but (Y/N) always remembered his face. Evil, twisted eyes, thick eyebrows, and a scraggly beard.

They wanted to get (Y/N) out of there immediately, seeing as she was an orphan now. They were planning on sending her to the nuns, perhaps, but soon enough the small girl was out of their sight.

Truth be told, (Y/N) had no clue where she was going. She was little and had no hope in surviving alone on the streets.

But soon enough, she found herself in front of a big building with the shadowy figures in the windows. At first she was hesitant to enter, but she did, she recognized this place. It was the lodging house all the newsies gathered at to sleep!

Once inside, she dashed up the stairs, hiding a closet with her knees to her chest, hoping that nobody would try to make her leave. She did not want to go to the nuns at all.

A soft thump came to the door. She didn't answer, fear overcoming her. She had already been through so much in the past three hours, she didn't know if she was ready for interaction yet.

The door creaked open, and she expected the man from before to enter, after her. It wasn't a rational fear, but keep in mind (Y/N) was young.

Instead of a man, though, it was a small, shaggy puppy with big eyes. The dog trotted towards her, sniffing her and eventually curling up against her.

(Y/N) looked at the puppy and instantly fell in love. She had always had a soft spot for animals, but they didn't often like her very much.

But this canine was different.. she was content with being near (Y/N).

(Y/N) decided she would protect her from then on. She would always have her near her, never letting her out of her sight.

She stroked the dog's scraggly fur, trying to comb it through with her fingers. Despite the tangles, it was soft and warm.

(Y/N) had to think of a name for this dog!

It would have to be something good that she wouldn't regret later in life. She knew all too well about how often you could regret things.

Then, out of nowhere, she remembered the flowers that her mother had worn in her hair during summers. Flamboyant, purple flowers with dozens of buds with a sweet scent.

Lilac. The dog's name would be Lilac.

_____

At first, things were rough for (Y/N). The other newsboys had little interest in helping her, often mocking her and her frail dog who would growl a meek growl at her.

Money was short, and (Y/N) could barely afford papers. She pick pocketed often, swiped food from food stands, and any other ways to stay alive.

But as she grew, and the former newsboys moved away from the lodging center to carry on a new life as adults, she bloomed, as did her dog.

Her features grew in, along with her hair. She cut it every now and then, sure, but other then that it was mostly the way it was.

Though, her eyesight didn't improve a bit. It went from blurry in that eye to the point where she could no longer see from it.

But that was alright.

Things improved eventually, and she got a cap to cover her blind eye, which was a milky white. She occasionally had Lilac help her around, but other then that, she could see fine.

She kept her observant nature, of course. She was still smart as ever, maybe smarter. She read her Shakespeare every night. (Don't ask how she got the book, it was more or less illegal.)

But she always felt as if she was missing something. Of course, she didn't know what this was.

She just knew she was missing it.

What was it?

She was missing people who loved her, people who cared about her.

Then came along Crutchie, her closest friend.

And weather she realized or not, he changed her.

He changed her a lot.

A/N

Sorry not sorry

mental health sucks

whats new?

anyways i have instagram yeah

just pm me for it ;)