The Crutch's Sister

Run-In

I had returned the dress to Miss Medda and I was walking back to the Lodging House with the boys. I was holding hands with Les, so he wouldn't get lost. I looked behind me and saw a man following us.

"Jack, who's that?" I asked, a bit concerned. Jack looked back and his eye's went wide.

"Sullivan!" the man shouted, starting to run after us.

"Run!" he yelled. Davey grabbed my hand and pulled Les and I alongside him. Jack and Crutchie broke away from us, but got away. The man was in hot pursuit of Davey, Les and I. We ran over a bridge and hid in an alley, and that's when we seemed to lose him. 

"Who...was...that?" I asked, catching my breath.

"That was Snyder." Davey explained. "He runs a jail for kids called The Refuge. Stay away from him and that place." he ordered. I nodded and bent down to Les.

"You okay, little guy?" I asked. He nodded sleepily.

"Well, well, well." a voice chimed in. I shot up and saw a boy around my age walk into the alley. I pushed Les behind me and kept my arm around him. The boy was very muscular and intimidating.

"We don't want any trouble." I said.

" 'Course you don't, doll." he said, grinning.

"Don't call me doll." I said. I could feel heat rising to my cheeks. He chuckled and Davey put his hand on my shoulder.

"Youse some of Jack's newsies?" he asked. I nodded. He walked closer to me and Davey moved arm so it was around my shoulders. "You definitely a new newsie." the boy said, looking me up and down.

"We're just trying to get back to Manhattan." Davey said, nudging Les and I towards the alley opening. The boy stopped Davey by putting his hand on his shoulder.

"Why you got your bag for papes, eh?" he asked, threatening. Les held my hand tightly. "As you should know, Brooklyn is my turf." Davey put his arm in front of Les and I and backed up towards the open street.

"We were out selling papes when Snyder started chasing us. Now leave us alone." I growled.  We started walking down the street when I heard a whistle.

"By the way, doll, the name's Spot Conlon." he shouted. I looked back, scoffed, and continued walking. We were about fifteen minutes from Davey and Les' home when Les stopped walking.

"Kicks?" Les asked. Davey and I stopped and bent down to him. "I'm tired." he said, rubbing his eyes. I gave a sympathetic smile and lifted him onto my back.

"Feel better?" I asked. He responded with a yawn. We continued walking until we reached the Jacob's apartment. Davey took Les into his arms and smiled at me.

"Have a good night, Davey." I said, turning around. He grabbed my hand and turned me back around. He kissed my lips lightly and I could see pink spread to his cheeks.

"Good night, Kicks." he said, smiling and closing the door. I walked away from their apartment with a stupid smile on my face.

"What're you doing by yourself?" a voice asked. I whipped around and saw Spot leaning against a lamppost. "Where's your guy?" he asked.

"Did you follow me?" I asked. He smirked. "Leave me alone, Spot." I said, walking away. I heard him jog up to me and walk next to me.

"I would, but I realized I didn't catch your name." he said. I stopped walking and turned to face him.

"You didn't catch it 'cause I didn't throw it." I retorted. He let out a light laugh.

"You are very witty, miss." he said.

"The name's Kicks." I said, walking away. I trudged sleepily to the Lodging House when I saw a familiar man.

"Ay! It's the goil newsie!" Oscar shouted. I ignored him and walked around the back to the fire escape. He followed me behind the building and I turned around.

"Stop following me." I said, starting to walk up the stairs and Oscar grabbed my wrist. I struggled against his grip. "Let go." Oscar pulled me closer to him and put his hands around my waist. "You're disgusting." I growled.

"And you're so beautiful." he said. He took my face in his hands and pressed his lips against mine. My eyes widened and I pushed myself away from him. "Again! You're disgusting! Stay away from me!" I blitzed up the stairs and through the window to mine and Crutchie's room.