Bound To Rain

Snyder Escapes.

"I's gonna cut my hair." I decided once we were in our room upstairs.

"Specs can do stuff like that." Elmer suggested.

"I'll ask 'em in the mornin'." I nodded, sitting down on his bed and leaning against the wall. He did the same thing. Honeybelle climbed up onto his lap and fell asleep. I took the cap off my head and handed it to him. He shook his head and pushed it back.

"Keep it." I grinned. "You's need it more than I do."

"Thanks." I returned the smile. 

"I's got a question." Elmer stroked Honeybelle.

"What's up?" I put my knees to my chest.

"Why'd ya choose this room?" He asked.

"Well, remember when I's gone up to da roof with Jack and Crutchie?" I started. The boy nodded. "They's was askin' me if I thought any of da boys was appealing."

"Ya said me, didn't ya?" He laughed.

"Technically, I's said dat you weren't ugly." I said pointedly.

"You's chose me ova Race? Or Jack?" Elmer checked in awe. I nodded slowly.

"Then Jack had me stay in here." I told him, smiling.

"Well, good ta know dat you's got great taste." The black haired boy joked.

I scoffed and looked away, grinning.

"Ya didn't deny it!" He beamed, nudging me.

"Who's sayin' I wanted to?" I nudged him back. His chocolate eyes flickered for an instant. I could even see the glint in the dark.

"Ow!" Elmer squeaked. I saw that Honeybelle was making muffins on his lap, (a/n: thats when a cat does and undoes their claws when they're happy), so her claws were going into his leg. His hands were up a little bit, like he didn't want to move her.

"Need any help?" I laughed, reaching over to pick up the kitten and placed her on his shoulder. She just sat down and began licking her paw.

"Thanks." He smiled. 

"No problem." I smoothed Honeybelle's fur. The clock read 3:19. "I's thinkin' we's should go to bed."

"Yeah." Elmer nodded as I stood up and went onto the top bunk.

"Goodnight." I whispered as we both began to fall asleep.

"Goodnight." He responded from the bottom bunk.

I woke up  on July 20, 1900 to the Morning Bell chiming. I sat up, stretched, then climbed down. Elmer was asleep on his back, Honeybelle curled up directly on his face. I snickered and gently lifted her off. Before he woke up, I filled up her bowl with some cream. Then, I brushed out my hair and remembered that Specs could cut it. I quietly opened the door to see the boys milling around.

"Hey, Olive!" Romeo shouted from downstairs. Next to him was Mush, Jojo, and Specs. I quickly made my way down to talk to them. 

"Mornin'." I smiled politely.

"Mornin'." The group said in union

"Hey, Specs, Elmer said dat you's can cut hair?" I asked.

"Ya want me ta cut yours?" The boy guessed.

"If ya will." I nodded. Specs cracked his knuckles and grabs a pair of scissors. 

"Have a seat." He pulled a chair from the table, and I sat down. "Got anythin' in mind?"

I shook my head. "Maybe a little higher than my shoulder?"

"Noted." I felt the blade pass through my hair in one clean swoop. "Mission accomplished."

I turned and saw Specs with the hair that's been cut in one hand, and scissors in the other.

"Thank you." I stood up as he put the hair in the garbage can.

"No problem." He nodded, and I went back upstairs. Elmer was still asleep and Honeybelle had finished her cream.

"Elmer!" I shook him a little. His eyes cracked open.

"Mornin' Bell?" He asked groggily.

"Yup." I told him,  brushing out my new hair. The boy sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Specs cut ya hair?" Elmer muttered.

"Uhuh." I smiled. He stood up and put on his suspenders, shoes, and tossed me his cap. "I forgot."

"I didn't." He grinned. I slipped my boots onto my feet, and we both headed out together.

"Hey, look!" Mush shouted. "They're puttin' up da headline!"

Snyder, Former Refuge Owner, Escaped from Prison: WANTED

Gasps erupted all around the Newsies.

"Who's Snyder?" I asked Elmer quietly.

"He- He ran the Refuge, and was horrible ta da Newsies." He whispered, voice trembling with fear. I glanced around the boys, and saw that Crutchie and Jack were both ghostly pale.  

"Interestin' news, huh?"Oscar said smugly as he was opening the gate.

"Whadya mean?" Jack shouted. "That there is a dangerous man!"

"We neva said dat he ain't." Morris grinned sickly. Then he made eye contact with Elmer for a moment too long.