She's the King of New York

Chapter 4 Heartbreak At the Rally

As soon as she regains her balance, she walks to the dark part of the street. Suddenly, she runs into something and topples over. Or rather someone. It's one of Jack's Newsies and she sighs with relief.

"Ey, Plumber. You'se alright? Why'd you jump from da fire escape?" asks a worried voice of a boy who Katherine can't quite remember the name of.

"Shhhh," She interrupts and the boy quiets immediately, "Keep your voice down. I can't be caught by them."

"Why not?" The newsie whispers softly. His brow furrows with concern. Katherine sighs and looks into his big brown eyes.

"I'll tell you everything as long as I get two things from you first. One, I cannot, for the life of me, remember your name," Katherine begins.

"I'se Mush. And it's okay dat you'se don't remember. Dere's a lot of us to remember," Mush interrupts, "Jack ain't real good at introductions and I'se gets shy around goils. How I got me name." Katherine giggled slightly despite her situation.

"Two, please keep whatever I tell you between the two of us. Jack already knows some of it, but I just need to talk to someone. We need to get going and preferably not past the window. I'll explain everything on the way. Promise. And also, please don't be mad at me for what I'm about to tell you. I'm doing the best I can for Jack and the rest of you," Katherine finishes. Mush nods and puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Promise. To all of it. Let's go dis way," Mush says, guiding her back down the way he had come. As they walk, Katherine begins to tell Mush everything that has been happening. She cringes when she gets to the part that she is scared to tell him. Mush becomes suspicious when she suddenly stops talking.

"What's wrong, Kath?" He asks.

"I'm Pulitzer's daughter." She answers. Mush's big brown eyes get wide and he adjusts his Newsies hat over his brown curls.

"Oh. Does he know you'se been writing de articles about us?" Mush asks.

"Yes. Mush, he got me fired from the Sun. So, no more articles. He's been pushing me for fuel that he can use to get rid of Jack. I tried not to give, Mush, but he threatened to throw Jack in the Refuge if I didn't comply. This afternoon, Jack showed up to talk to my father about the rally. My father kept insulting Jack and he made me stay in there for the whole encounter. He had people hiding in there who wanted to get their hands on Jack. Then he told Jack who I was and made it seem like I told him everything when I only told him that Jack was an amazing artist. He didn't like that and told me to leave. I tried to hide as much as I could, but that stupid threat was hanging over my head. That was tonight. Then he trapped Jack and when I tried to leave to come tell you boys what was going on, he locked me in his office. So, I was sneaking out and that's when you came. If he finds out that I left and Jack is still around, Jack will be going to the Refuge. I just hope Father forgets about me and only deals with Jack," Katherine says and tears come pouring out of her eyes, "Are you mad, Mush? Jack probably hates me now." Mush, feeling a little shocked at this, pulls Katherine into a hug.

"It's gonna be okay, Plumbs. Promise. We'll get you through this and I'se will help as much as I'se can. First of all, Jacky's gonna be angry for a while, but he'll get ovah it once he hears your story. Second, I'se not mad. Ya did what ya could and I'se still tinks dats honorable. You'se really was tinking of Jack and not just ya self. Thoird, you'se our King of New York. How could we be mad at ya? Ya saved our skins at least once and maybe twice. As for da rally, hide out in da balcony. Do ya know if Jack's comin?" Mush asks kindly. Katherine nods.

"He'll be there. I can guarantee you that much," She says. Mush gives her a funny look. "It's a long story, Mush. You'll see what I mean," She explains. Mush nods and leads her down another street. Suddenly, they reach the theatre. Mush gently pulls her to a side door and nods to the stairs.