Queen's And King's ~Third book in my Newsies stories

Chapter Seven

I climb down off the fire escape and stroll down the street. 

Footsteps softly follow behind me.

Thinking its nothing, I keep walking.

"Well, Well, Well," A sninister voice sneers

Oh no.

I spin around and my ears meet with no other than Oscar and Morris.

"What do you want?"  say, trying to sound brave.

"You. Back in the refuge." Oscar replies

"Well, too bad. I ain't goin'"

"We'll see about that." Morris sneers, grabbing my arms and wrenching them behind me.

I kick him in the gut and whip out my slingshot, loaded with a rock.

"A former Brooklyn newsie. Right." He replies

"Leave me alone or I'll fire" I aim the slingshot.

Oscar tries to smack it out of my hand, but I fire, hitting his leg.

He falls over but Oscar grabs me, causing me to drop the slingshot.

"You're coming with us. Your little boyfriend isn't here to save you now." He says.

Blink.

Where is he?

As if on cue, Spot shows up, slingshot in hand.

He shoots Oscar, and I grab my slingshot and stand next to him.

We fire at Morris, who scrambles and runs off.

I turn to Spot.

"Thanks." I mutter 

"No problem. Anythin' for ya, Brooklyn." He smiles "Oh... And Blink is looking for ya."

"He is?!" I gasp.

I grab my crutches and go as fast as I can to the lodging.

Blink sits alone on the fire escape.

I climb up and sit by him.

"Aye, Blink."

He turns to me, shocked, and wraps me in a big hug.

"Brooklyn!" He gasps

I look at him, surpirsed.

"I was only gone for a few minutes."

He kisses my cheek.

"Spot told me what happened though."

"Oh.. Well, its behind us now." I look up at him and he kisses me, this time on the lips. 

After he pulls away, I cuddle close to him.

Spritz comes though the window and sits by us.

"You're too cute." She smiles

"Spritz stop invading my privacy!" Blink playfully shoves her.

I giggle and sit up, Blink's arm still wrapped around my shoulders tightly, like a protectivre barrier.

"I'm serious, though. You both are just adorable!" She sighs "I wish Crutchie and I were like this.."

"What do ya mean?" I ask in confusion

"It's just- Crutchie and I are kind of..... Awkward... And you two are so open to each other." She replies

"I've seen you guys though. You're very open to each other." I respond

She sighs again.

"Yeah I know but- I don't know if my feelings have gone away for..." She cuts off

"For who?!" I press

"Forget it. Nevermind"

Shes trying to cover something up.

"Spritz... come on" Blink says

"We won't tell. Promise." I add

"Okay fine.. A while back, When Brooklyn was still a Brooklyn Newsie with Spot, I- Kind of had a thing for Spot.."

She did?

"You did?!?!" I gasp, astounded

she nods.

"You two have to promise not to tell anyone."

We both promise.

"Thanks, guys." She smiles.

"No problem." 

After she leaves, we're back to being alone again.

A cold gust of wind causes me to shiver.

Blink takes off the jacket he was wearing and drapes it over my shoulders.

 I smile.

"Thanks, Blink."

He kisses my forehead.

"Don't mention it."

Jack comes up on the fire escape.

"Aye, lovebirds. You should probably come in now. We got somethin' to talk about."

I nod 

"Okay." 

Blink and I crawl through the window to the lodge.

All of us newsies share indistinct conversations until Jack stands up on a crate and talks over us.

I look up at him, and listen.

Blink does the same.

"So, I dunno if anyone noticed, but someone is missin'" He begins.

My eyes search the crowd for who it could be.

Then i realize.

Spritz sits alone in the corner, crying.

Crutchie.

I speak up.

"Crutchie." Is the only word to come out.

Everyone simultaneously  looks around the room.

Spritz silently sobs.

Specs and Race try to comfort her, but she continues to cry.

"I bet he's in the refuge." Blink states

I look at him, and he nods 

"Well, one of us has to save him.." I reply

"I know," He answers "I will."

"There's no way I'm lettin' ya go alone." I gasp

"Then come with me."

"O-okay"
"Both of ya will go in the mornin'. You sure you want to do this alone?" Jack asks, hopping off the crate.

Blink and I look at each other, then to Jack.

We both nod.

"Okay. Tomorrow, Brooklyn and Blink will save Crutchie." This time he looks directly at me "Don't get caught, Brooklyn. And Blink," his eyes shift to Blink "Protect her."

He nods.

"I will, Jack"