All the Newsies ran to the paper carts, forcing some guy to open the gate.

A group of boys were already standing in lines, buying papes.

Everybody circled the exit and as each new newsie passed, they threw their papers down, joining the party.

That is, until one big guy came down the stairs. The wooden beams squeaked under his weight as he held the papes high.

"Looks like we gotta big one, fellas." Lucy laughed.

"Drop the papes." Jack demanded.

"Is he a Newsie or what?" Race wondered aloud.

The boy tried to step around the group, only resulting in him being pushed by Race and Jack.

"Fellas fellas." Davey warned.

The giant continued to try to get around, but Blink stepped behind him with Skittery.

"Blink." Dave pleaded. "No, Jack. Just don't."

Apparently David's words had gone in one ear and out the other. Jack quickly slapped the boy's papers out of his hands. The boy then reached down, acting as if he was gonna pick em up, but swiftly pushed Jack backwards.

Everyone jumped on the boy in anger. They pushed around poor Davey and Lucy as they looked at eachother, having no clue what to do.

The Newsies climbed up the stairs toward Weasel and the brudders, tearing newspapers and throwing them at the men.

Some boys gotta hold of rotten tomatoes and started throwing them at the windows.

Jack hopped on a ledge and made it up to a window, squishing his face onto it. Mocking the brudders.

The Delancey's opened the door to try to stop the fight, only causing them to slam it shut, moments before the door was hit with tomatoes. Weasel cheering on his nephews to fight.

Lucy shrugged. "What the heck?" She said to herself as she tipped her hat at Davey and ran off, helping others push over a cart.

"Oh come on, Lucy. You're supposed to be the responsible one." He shouted out.

Once the cart was pushed over, Lucy helped Crutchie onto one of the wheels, they started tearing papers together. Laughing in bliss.

The brudders had finally decided to make a run for it. Their uncle locking the door behind them.

David sighed before running up to Jack and laughing. A whistle could be heard.

"Hey it's the bulls! Cheese it! Cheese it, it's the bulls!"

Lucy hopped off of the wheel, she looked at Crutchie before saying. "Come on, Crutch. We's gots ta go." She helped him off the wheel and started walking him to the gate. As the bulls got closer, Lucy let go of his hand and started running. "Crutchie. Come on!"

As she turned around, she could see Crutchy get hit in his bad leg before being dragged off by the Delanceys.

"No, wait!" Lucy screamed as she started retreating, an arm shot out in front of her, causing her to stop. She looked up to see the reporter that was speaking with David earlier that day.

Before she could stop herself, she grabbed the man and hugged him. "It's all my fault."

**

Once all the Newsies met back at the lodge, Lucy walked in. Moping.

"What's de matta, Luce. We beat their asses." Race chuckled. The girl was too tired to correct her brother.

"They got Crutchie." She wheezed out.
"I-I let go of his hand. I didn't realize at the time." She sobbed as her brother made his way over to her, giving her a hug.

"It's not your fault. It's no ones fault." Jack said sadly. "Don't worry, we will get him out."

"Outta where?" Skittery asked.

"The Refuge."

****

It was now dark out. David and Jack had left to attempt to get Crutchie. Lucy sat in her bed as the boys talked about nonsense.

"H-hey guys, I'll be back." She said before hopping up and running down the stairs. A few boys followed her down.

"Where's ya goin?" Specs asked.

She looked right at them. "I'll be back." She repeated before hurrying out.

She started her way toward Brooklyn. There were a few passerbys that gave her strange looks.

Once she reached the Brooklyn bridge, she started walking towards a group of boys.

"Hey pretty lady, what are youse doin here?" One boy asked.

"I came to speak to Spot." She said, barely above a whisper.

"And who might you be?" Another boy asked.

"I'm-" she started.

"She don't need to tell youse nothin." A voice came from behind the boys. They all visibly jumped and snapped their heads around to identify the person. They stepped into the light, it was Spot.

"S-sorry Spot.." the boys bowed their heads before making room for Lucy.

Spot nodded before walking off, Lucy awkwardly walking behind him.

"So why youse back?"

"Uh, I needed to talk to you about the Strike." She mumbled.

"What about it?" He grumbled.

"O-one of our guys, he got nabbed. Spot, we really need your help." She laughed nervously and looked down.

He sighed. "Hey,"
Lucy looked up. "You guys really are committed aren't ya?" He smirked.

Lucy smiled. "Yeah. We are."

"I'll see ya soon." He winked. "Maybe.." he then smirked.

A big smile made its way onto her face. "Thanks." She nodded.

Spot nudged her shoulder with his elbow. "Now get outta heah."

Lucy chuckled before stalking away.

She didn't get a great nights sleep, but it was the best it could be considering their situation.

**

"Open the gates and seize the day. Don't be afraid and don't delay. Nothing can break us, no one can make us, give our rights away."
The Newsies sang as some of the smaller ones started drumming on tin cans.

The older Newsies began dancing behind the little uns.

Lucy jumped up and bumped chests with a Davey before spinning around with Blink.

Everybody ended up linking arms before a carriage with a horse came charging at them. They all scurried off to the sides when a bunch of new Newsies walked out.

"Come on you Raffers, cross the line." Race huffed.

"Alright, everyone remain calm." Davey smiled as everyone quieted down.

"Let's soak em for Crutchie!" Jack yelled as everyone cheered and ran at them. David stood dumbfounded.

Everyone ran into the circulation center and started banging on the big wooden doors.

The doors opened, revealing a bunch of Scabbers.

"Oh, Jack! Jack, the cribs!!" Race called out.

All the men walked out with chains and batons.

As they made their way through the crowd, they slammed the gates shut.

"Oh my god." Lucy choked out.

"Let's get outta here, go!" Race screamed at Lucy.

A man started swinging a chain at Jack as everyone yelled.

Lucy however seemed to miss the unknown boys on the roof pop up. Because when Spot Conlon jumped onto a balcony saying the phrase "never fear, Brooklyn is here." She was beyond shocked.

"Brooklyn!" Mush yelled in relief. Lucy smiled as the boys of Brooklyn started readying their slingshots and shooting pebbles at the Scabbers.

Mush climbed into a news cart as a Scabber followed after him, right before getting shot in the butt.

"Hey I give up, alright? All right?!" Race said from beside Lucy. He sat down in defeat.

Race winked at her before kicking the man in the crotch and delivering a swift uppercut to his face. They quickly highfived.

Lucy felt a hand grab her forearm and pull her around. She grabbed the man's hand and started yanking on it, trying to pry him off of her, but he wouldn't budge.

He soaked her in the stomach before punching her right smack dab on her left cheek.

She turned to Race, who seemed to be helping Specs with another guy.

She then looked up at Spot, he seemed to be smiling as he caused chaos. He looked around before his eyes landed on Lucy.

"Spot!" She yelled hopelessly as the man punched her again, hitting her right in the lower lip.
Spot grabbed on to some kinda makeshift zip line and rode down it, quickly kicking the man in the gut, causing him to let go of her.

Lucy turned to Spot breathlessly before giving him a tight hug.

"Thank you." She said into his shoulder.

~~~~
Edited
WC: 1358