"That's it," Jack shakily broke the silence on the walk back to the lodge. "Wese goin' to the Bronx today. This meetin' can't wait any longer."

"I agree," Davey spoke up, voice still hushed from what he'd seen in the alley.

"So youse gonna come?"

"No," Davey said.

"Not even after seein' that?"

"Especially after seeing that. If they're capable of doing something like that, I don't want to be anywhere near them. I've got my family to take care of."

"I do to," Jack replied firmly. "Race!"

Race had been walking ahead of Jack and Davey, speaking soothingly to Mush, though he himself was quite shaken up too. At Jack's call he turned around to face Jack, walking backwards, but not leaving Mush's side.

"Yeah?"

"You wanna come with me on our visit?"

"Are ya crazy Jack? Course I do!" Race exclaimed. "Is we bringin' anybody else?"

"Yeah, we should probably bring one other with us. Got an idea?"

Race thought for a second. "Finch. He ain't been in any scrapes so he ain't hurt at all, and he's pretty handy with that slingshot."

Jack considered it and gave a nod. "When we get to the lodge, you bring him aside and tell 'im, then meet me outside."

Davey watched silently, worried about what would happen to his friends while they were in the Bronx.

When they reached the lodge, Race headed inside, a guiding hand on Mush's arm. Noticing that Davey hung back he said, "I'll tell Les that youse waitin' for 'im."

"Thanks Race."

Jack turned to Davey who had grown silent after the door closed. "I ain't mad at ya for not comin' if that's what youse thinkin'."

"You ain't?" Davey asked, confused.

"Nah, I ain't got enough time to waste bein' angry at you. 'Sides, I understand why ya won't come. You're tryin' to protect ya blood family, I can respect that."

Neither of the boys spoke after that until Race and Finch came out, Les chirping excitedly as he walked between them.

"Davey! Guess what I learned from Albert today!"

"Sorry 'bout that," Finch mumbled. "I tried to keep 'im away from Albert."

Davey shook his head and sighed before turning to Jack. "Good luck."

"I'll tell ya all about it tomorrow," Jack grinned, waving as the brothers left.

Race, Finch, and Jack immediately began walking towards the Bronx.

"So, you knows where this place is?" Finch asked as they headed through the empty streets.

"Nah, but we'll figure it out," Jack insisted.

They continued their several mile journey up to the Bronx, Race cracking jokes as he tried to keep everyone's mind off of what they would soon be facing. Finch joined the easy banter, but Jack kept quiet, trying to figure out how they'd find the leader of whatever was going on, and what he'd say when he got there. His first concern was answered as soon as they stepped off of the bridge.

A newsie stood there, apparently waiting for someone. Race paused slightly at the red hair that peeked out from under the cap, but he shook it off and kept walking. The newsie, about fourteen, slowly made his way toward them, glancing around suspiciously every couple of seconds. "Kelly, right?" He asked quietly.

"Depends on who's askin'," Jack replied calmly.

"Ise been waitin' here for ya, so Ise could tell ya where to go."

"How did you know we was comin'?" Jack asked cautiously as he scanned the boy.

"Hook said youse would be comin' sooner or later and I wasn't s'posed to leave 'til ya showed up."

"What if we hadn't come for a couple of days?" Finch asked.

"Then I guess Ise would've been standin' here for a bit longer, wouldn't I?"

"How long have ya been here?" Race asked, noticing the dark bags under the boy's eyes.

"Three days," he said yawning.

"Youse been here three days?"

"Yeah. Hook thought youse was takin' too long to show up. I thought that I'd be standin' here forever, but ya came. I guess that means ya found Timmy, huh?"

"Timmy?" Finch asked, confused.

"You mean the boy in the alley? The one who was...dead?" Race asked, the sick feeling coming back.

The boy nodded. "It was his punishment. He made Hook mad."

"You guys beat a kid to death 'cause he made someone mad? That's disgusting!" Jack spat.

The boy let out a low chuckle, "You really don't know nothin' bout the Bronx, do ya? Follow me."

Their guide was silent the rest of the trip, even when the boys tried to ask him more questions. When Jack noticed how his eyes darted back and forth, sweeping across doorways and windows, he realized that there were probably spies and that their guide was most likely in enough trouble already.

The boy paused by a blue door, knocking four times.

"Is this it?" Finch asked carefully.

The boy smacked Finch in the back of the head and Jack stepped towards him threateningly.

"I don't think that was necess-"

"Match," a voice growled. It's owner stepped out of the door. He was a tall boy, much taller than Jack, with brown hair cut unevenly around his ears and pale blue eyes that glittered in the dim light from the room.

"Fist, Ise got 'em. My job's done. I'll just take 'em the rest of the way, then I'm goin' home." Their guide, Match, tried to speak firmly, but his voice was shaky.

"No you ain't. Youse gonna wait here 'til Hook finds time to take care of you again."

"What? I served my punishment!" Match hissed quietly.

"Yeah, but then youse couldn't keep you're mouth shut and ya said some things that ya shouldn't have."

Match paled. "How'd you already know that?"

Fist opened the door wider, using his head to motion toward a short, dark-haired boy who sat on a table, wearing a wicked smirk. Match's shoulders dropped.

"Well, Ise still gotta take 'em there."

"Youse think wese stupid enough to give you a chance to run? You're gonna tell 'em how to get there, then youse comin' in here."

"Now wait a minute," Jack stepped in. "If he wants to leave, you can't stop 'im."

"Shut up!" Match hissed quietly.

Fist leaned down toward Jack. "Youse better stay outta this. It ain't none of your business!"

Jack opened his mouth to protest but Match stepped on his toe quickly, causing Jack to reluctantly stop talking as he winced.

"Youse only got a couple blocks left. Just keep goin' straight 'til ya come out on a street, then turn right. Keep you're eyes on the buildings on the left. You'll see the watchman out there. Just take that alley straight 'til you come to the hideout."

"How is we s'posed to know when wese at this 'hideout'?" Race asked.

"Trust me," Match replied with a small smirk. "You'll know."

"Time's up Match," Fist said, grabbing the boy's collar and pulling him into the room, slamming the door a second later. The three boys quickly followed Match's directions, heading down the alley.

"You think that Match kid is gonna be okay?" Finch asked.

"Who cares?" Race asked, digging his hands in his pockets. "He knew about them killin' that kid and he didn't do nothin' to stop it!"

"Would you if you thought you're life was in danger if ya said anythin'?" Jack asked. Race shrugged. "Be serious Race."

"It depends on who was dead. If it was one o' you guys I would."

"What if it was someone ya didn't know? Then would ya tell?"

"Probably not," he admitted after a minute, kicking at some rocks on the ground.

"Do ya think they're gonna kill 'im Jack?"

"I hope we can get this settled before anyone else dies," Jack said as they stepped out onto the street.

They turned right, searching the alleys to the left of them as they'd been told. They'd walked several blocks before they saw anyone.

"There's no way that he's the watchman!" Finch exclaimed, looking at the small boy who stood at the entrance to another alley. "He can't be much older than Les!"

Finch was right. The boy was very short and no older than nine. He wore a cheery grin as he waved at them with one hand, the other behind his back. Race gave a small, confused wave back, and the boy's grin grew. He motioned for them to come over, not saying a word. They headed over, glancing around unsure of themselves.

"This has to be a joke!" Race laughed. "There ain't no way that kid could do any damage! What would he be able to do, talk my ears off?"

Jack stopped a few feet in front of the child. He smiled gently at the boy, "Can we get through?" The boy smiled again, showing off his missing front teeth, and he nodded as he stepped to the side. "Thanks," Jack said, stepping past. After all three boys were past him, his cute smile turned into a crooked smirk, extremely unsettling on his young face.

"Okay, so he's creepy, but I still can't see him bein' able to hurt no one," Race continued.

"Race, youse better take another look! You too Jack." Jack and Race turned around at Finch's frantic whisper.

The boy's back was facing them and they saw that the hand that he'd hid behind his back held a long, jagged knife.

"The kid's got a knife!" Race exclaimed.

"Shh!" Finch hissed. "He'll hear you!"

The boy had heard and turned to look at them over his shoulder, giving them a dark smirk and another wave.

"Just keep walkin'," Jack muttered as he stepped slightly ahead of the boys.

Race sent one more look at the boy before following Jack on his right. Finch's eyes scanned every wall as they walked further into the darkness. Dread filled all three boys as they got further away from the only way out.

"We almost there?" Finch asked, biting his lip.

"He's said we'd know when we were close," Jack responded.

"We're close."

"How do you know Race?"

Race pointed up to a fire escape where one boy sat, watching them, his legs dangling overt he edge. He let out a low whistle when he noticed him. A few boys climbed out of the window and joined him.

More whistles rang out through the night air, the alley slowly filling up as each fire escape was filled. Finch rubbed his slingshot for comfort as they walked deeper into the nest of boys. Jack hid his fear, sticking his chin out as he walked, but he couldn't hide the shaking of his hands. It was no shame to be afraid, these boys had killed before, one of their own. Nothing would stop them from taking out Jack or his friends.

Jack swallowed at the thought of Race or Finch being killed on his insistence of coming here. Was he leading his friends into a trap?

Race watched the boys who sat on the ledges. Their legs swung in the light breeze, their arms hanging over the rails, or resting on their knees. A few boys rested their chins on their palms, elbows on their knees. The boys watched, their faces blank, as if they'd seen this happen many times before. Race's eyes caught on a familiar face, the redhead who'd beaten him. The boy obviously recognized Race, and his cold demeanor broke for a second as he sent him a malicious grin. It was all more intimidating than anything any of the boys had seen, but the most unnerving thing was the complete silence, not one boy made a sound.

"Don't be scared," Jack whispered, puffing his chest out a bit more as he gave his boys advice. The end of the alley was growing closer, they only had twenty feet left to go before they reached the door that was guarded by four boys. The two boys closest to them stepped back, giving them a better view of the two bigger guys that protected the door.

They were strong and tall. They didn't appear very fast, but if they did catch you, you wouldn't stand a chance. Those two moved as well, after opening the door. Jack, Finch, and Race were shoved inside, the door slamming shut, leaving them in a pitch-black room.

Jack felt a hand wrap around his wrist. "Race, that you?"

"Yeah, where's Finch?" Race flinched as something brushed his shoulder. "Finch?"

"Yeah, sorry." Finch moved his hand down until it was gripping Race's forearm. All three boys stood in the dark , hearts racing as they waited for whatever was going to happen next.

The sound of a match being struck came from in front of them, then a candle was lit, followed by two more.

"Ain't that cute?" A face sneered, illuminated by the glow of the candle. "All holdin' hands like little schoolgirls! Have a seat boys!"

"I think we'll stay here," Jack said, cockily, trying to keep the upper hand.

"Fine, we'll do this the hard way." The boy clapped his hands and hands clamped down on the boys shoulders. Finch let out a yell of surprise as he and the others were shoved into chairs, the boy watching with little interest from the other side of a desk. "Youse gonna learn that while youse here, youse gonna follow my rules, Kelly."

"Who are you?" Jack asked curiously, sounding much less frightened than he actually was.

"They call me Hook," the boy smirked.

"Why do they call you that?" Finch asked quietly.

The boy pulled a candle closer to his face. He turned, giving them a view of the right side of his face. It was mangled by a long scar, which started on his lower cheek and ripped up to his forehead, stretching the corner of his eye and splitting his eyebrow in half.

"Fishin' accident?" Jack asked, trying to start some civil conversation that might make the meeting go easier.

"Nah, my old man."

"Your father did that?" Finch asked, jaw dropping open.

"Yeah. We can't all have good fathers, can we? You understand what I'm talkin' about, don't ya?" Hook said, his eyes landing on Race.

The blond shook his head, a confused look on his face. "I don't know what youse talkin' about."

"Don't want to talk about it? That's fine too," Hook snickered.

"We ain't here to talk about our families," Jack said firmly, sending Hook a glare and squeezing Race's wrist beneath the table.

"I didn't think youse came all this way just to talk bout that."

"Good. Wese hear about somethin' a little more important."

"More important than family? Youse got my interest," Hook leaned forward in his seat, folding his hands on the desk.

"Wese here 'cause your boys have been messin' with mine. Theyse been stealin' from 'em and theyse been attackin' 'em."

"So why are you here?"

Jack paused, staring at him. "Youse jokin' right? Playin' dumb?"

"Youse better not imply that I'm dumb ever again Kelly. I knows hundreds o' ways to kill someone and Ise only used about half of 'em. I'd be more than happy to try out a few more."

Finch's head swung over toward Race, who was watching with widened eyes, his lips pressed tightly together.

"Look, Ise here 'cause all this needs to stop. You need to get your boys outta 'Hattan. I ain't afraid to soak anyone, and if I see your boys anywhere near my boys, that's exactly what's gonna happen."

"Don't make me laugh, Kelly!" Hook chuckled, holding a knife up to the candle. Shadows danced across his face as he smirked at them, then he motioned behind them.

Jack turned in his seat, finally remembering that they weren't alone with Hook. Squinting, he was able to see three guys standing against the wall.

"Youse ain't in any position to be makin' threats."

"Look, do whatever youse want here in the Bronx, but that's where your business needs to stay. In your borough."

"Ise gonna do what I want where I want to do it," Hook glared. "I don't know what youse thought would happen by you comin' here, but you ain't gonna change my mind on nothin'. Now get outta here, youse wasted enough of my time. I'm sick of lookin' at youse three."

"I ain't leavin' 'til you agree to leave my boys alone!" Jack argued.

"Yeah, we ain't goin' nowhere!" Race supported.

"You don't leave, and Ise gonna make sure your boys get it even worse than they is right now! If Ise send out the order, your friend with the glasses ain't gonna live to see tomorrow mornin'."

"I'll kill ya!" Race jumped across the desk, but Jack pulled him back by his vest.

"Youse better keep your friend here on his rope, otherwise I'll send Red after 'im again, and he'll find himself hangin' from the end of a rope."

"Don't you say nothin' like that again or else Ise gonna-"

"Youse gonna what?" Jack immediately stopped as Hook examined his knife more closely.

"If Ise get back and Specs is hurt-"

"Don't worry 'bout him. He ain't dead. I told my boys to take it easy on him."

"You will leave my boys alone," Jack growled lowly. "If youse don't, my boys will be fightin' back, and your boys'll be comin' back even worse than mine do."

"That's where you and Ise are different," Hook laughed. "I don't care!" He calmed down after a minute, looking Jack straight in the eye. "You wanna know what youse gotta do for me to leave your boys alone?"

"That's what I've been sayin' for the past few minutes," Jack huffed.

"I'm not askin' for much. Just a token, really, a trifle, Kelly. What I wants from you is Manhattan."

"What?" Jack's eyes widened. Race's cigar dropped out of his mouth and Finch almost toppled out of his chair.

"Youse jokin' around! Jack, tell me he's kiddin'!" Race begged, looking at Jack with wide blue eyes.

"I don't kid," Hook said. "It ain't unreasonable. I just want youse to give me the lead of the Manhattan newsies. So, what do ya say Kelly?"

"No deal." Jack didn't even have to think about it. No way would he allow his brothers to work for Hook, especially after seeing how the boy treated his newsies.

"Then I guess I ain't gonna leave youse alone, and since we was unable to make a deal, the three of youse is no longer welcome here. Kelly, you and your friends have thirty minutes to get out of the Bronx or else I'll kill you, starting... Now!"

***
There you have it folks! Chapter 1 of Part 2!!! And we've finally met the guy who's behind everything!

What'd you guys think? Too crazy? Not crazy enough? Evil jerk?(I'd agree with that one.)

And I'm sorry if the fear from the boys seems a little out of character, I know that they're brave and they get in fights a lot so they're tough. I do also think that there's a difference between that and having a meeting with a killer while in his territory with dozens of his followers surrounding you. It's smart fear, cautious fear.

Thanks for reading!
-Anna