The Crutch's Sister

Run

(Hello peeps! This is one of my first stories so I'm still a little new to this. Please comment and give any suggestions for ideas in this story or any other stories you want me to write. LOVE YOU ALL! LET"S DO THIS THANG!)

Katie's POV

I felt the fresh, early morning air settle on my face. I sat up in the wooden crate and stretched. I climbed out of the crate and looked around the small alley and smiled. My small corner of New York. I adjusted my shirt and pants. Hand-me-downs from my brother. I pulled my hair up into a low bun and slipped my hat over my head. I put on my jacket and shoes and sat down in the middle of alley. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a pencil and a map of New York. I flattened the map against the cold ground and scanned the paper. I crossed out the parts of the city that I had checked. I had cleared the Bronx, Long Island, Harlem, Queens, the Hamptons, and most of upper Manhattan.

"I'll look in lower Manhattan today." I decided, folding up my map and putting it back in my pocket. I stood up and walked into the bustling sea of New Yorkers. It was late afternoon when I made it to lower Manhattan. I walked down the slightly crowded streets, hearing the commotion of trolleys and the shouts of newsboys.

"EXTRA! EXTRA!" They cried. I glanced over at two, one young boy and another maybe a few years older than me. The older one pointed subtly at me and I kept walking. I felt a tug on my shirt sleeve and I turned to see the young boy.
"Buy a paper, miss?" He asked with big eyes. I smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, kid. I don't have no money. Maybe next time." I turned back around and kept walking. I walked about three more blocks and came to a church. I approached one of the nuns who was standing outside.

"Excuse me, Sista?" I asked, tapping her shoulder. She turned around and smiled. "Have you evah seen a boy around here? Dirty blonde hair? Greenish-brown eyes? Has a limp and a crutch?" After I gave the last part of the description, the nun's face changed from confused to understanding.

"Yes, I've seen him before. Such a sweet boy." she took her arm and put it around my shoulders. She turned right and pointed down the street. "Go down that way for about fifteen minutes until you get to a large brick building that says Lodging House. He should be there." I started getting excited and bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"Thanks, Sista!" I replied, running down the street. My mind filled with happy memories as I ran, but they were stopped when an arm reached out and grabbed me, pinning me against an alley wall. I grunted as my back hit the wall. I looked up and saw two older boys who were much taller and stronger than me.

"Give us all of your money." One of them demanded. I kicked him in the shin and started to run. The other grabbed my shirt's collar and lifted me five inches off the ground. I grabbed onto his balled up fist.

"Let go of me!" I shouted. He slammed me against the opposite wall, causing me to shout in pain. He still kept me off the ground while the other boy walked over with a very slight limp. The boy who I kicked started punching me in the stomach and face. I could tell that my eye would be black tomorrow. I let out a yell and started to cry. The boy holding me let go and I collapsed into a sobbing lump.

"Awww. Is the little girl gonna cry?" he asked. He and the other boy started kicking me and hitting me. I could only curl up into a ball and shield my face and neck.

Jack's POV

I was walking down to my usual spot when I heard a commotion in the alley. I stretched my neck over and watched what was happening. It was a kid, a girl, no older than 15, being pinned to a wall by some 18 year olds. I watched the girl kick her attacker and then saw her get slammed onto the opposite wall all the while being held five inches off the ground. By this time, I was in the mouth of the alley, right in front of the muggers.

Katie's POV

"Hey!" a voice shouted. The beating stopped and I could hear the boys walk away. I stayed curled up as I heard more punches being thrown and grunts. "Scram!" the new voice yelled. I heard other feet approach me and I brought my knees closer to my face. I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I flinched. 

"Hey, kid. It's okay. I ain't gonna hurt youse." I peered up and saw a boy smiling sympathetically. I uncurled slightly for a better look of him. He was wearing a cap like mine, a blue shirt and a vest. I sat up a little bit, but winced when I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I grabbed my leg and pulled it close to my chest. "They busted up your leg, huh?" he asked. I looked at him and nodded. He put his hand to my ankle. "Can I check your leg, kid? Just to make sure it ain't broken or nothin'?" He asked. I rolled up my pants and nodded. He felt around my ankle and on my foot. He rolled my pant leg back down and patted my knee. "It's just bruised. You'll live." I chuckled lightly and gave a small grin. He looked around the alley. "It ain't safe for a kid to be out here alone." He looked down at me. "Are you alone?" I nodded again. "For how long?"

"T-Ten years." I whispered.

"Aw, jeez." he replied, eyes widening a bit and sitting back. He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair and placed his hand on his neck. He thought for a moment and looked down at me. "Come with me. You can stay with me and my friends." He held out his hand and helped me up. I leaned against him and walked as best as I could. "The name's Jack Kelly, but my friends call me Cowboy." He smiled. I smiled back slightly.

"I'm Katie."

"Naw. We needs to give youse a newsie name." He looked at me and though for a minute. "I got it." I looked up at him. "Kicks." I titled my head when he started chuckling. "'Cause you gots a bad leg." He snickered. I grinned.

"Har har." I joked. He smiled and looked to the left.

"Welcome home." he said. I looked up at the sign.

Lodging House