Oneshots || Misfits

newsie boys || mczuckles

|| Inspired by "Dear Mr Fitz" made by the lovely @aqueenofokay, love the author and the book! I'm a sucker for old-timey stories and sorry for the long-ish note at the end ||

New York City, 1926. Another day had come to an end, the city quieter than before. Stars hid away from prying eyes, the city's lights and pollution covering whatever twinkling beauty the night had to share. Street lamps glowed past the dirty glass its contained in, bringing the streets a new light to see. In the dark alleyways, footsteps pitter-pattered, debris shifted and moved from gusts of winds, people or animals. Occasionally, coughs and snores would echo from those unfortunate enough to be living on the streets.

"Ricky's missing," a boy said to another as they walked side by side, their feet scuffled against the pavement. Shadows danced around them as they moved past from one lit street lamp to the next—some occasionally flickered as bugs flew around them. The boys' messenger bags bumped against their legs, leftover newspapers slightly shuffling with each step. He glanced over to the taller boy. "Hasn't shown up on his corner for three days now." 

"How sad," the taller boy shrugged, a bored look etched onto his face as he kicked away a stray pebble. "He's lost a whole dollar, if not more."

"Mason," the shorter boy's demeanor changed to be serious. A glare directed towards the taller boy, Mason, as he showed his annoyance.

In return, Mason gave a relaxed yet taunting smile. "Jay."

"Kids have been going missing and turning up dead for weeks now. It's only a matter of time before Ricky does as well," Jay bitterly said. He exhaled, breathing out a sigh of defeat. "At this rate, we'll be next."

Mason scoffed. "Just because all the kidnapped kids have been homeless newsies doesn't mean we'll be snatched."

"You don't know that."

"I don't," an irritated look was thrown at Jay, "and you don't as well. There's a difference between them and us. Care to enlighten me?"

Jay hummed, looking towards the ground as he pondered. The shadows darkened the bags underneath his eyes and emphasized the look of exhaustion on his face. "All of... All of them were alone. We're not."

"Exactly, we're not. We've got each other's backs; you be my eyes on the back of my head and I'll be yours," Mason patted Jay on the shoulder. "Besides, there's thousands of other newsies for the killer to choose from. The chances of us getting picked off are pretty slim."

"Yeah but ya know," Jay muttered, a grave look on his face, "there's always the chance of us following the same fate as those poor suckers."

Thank you everyone for being patient with me and helping this book reach 600+ reads! It warms my heart people actually look at what I make haha. Here's part of the beginning of a short story I made for my Creative Writing class and I'm debating on whether to make this a series of oneshots or publish it as its own book. I'm not too sure what to do about that but I know I want to share it and see how it goes. I've got a good idea on how the story should play out and I like a good challenge. Also, spring break is next week so I'm excited to have time to sit down and type away ahh!

What are your thoughts about this? Oneshot series or new book? Constructive criticism is always welcomed and you can also request oneshots, I'll do my best to make them happen! Thanks again everybody :D