Also I did some research, $1 in 1899 would be worth $30.10 in today's money. So that's a big 'ol difference.

I'm currently on the train, watching people getting on an off while I wait for my stop to come. One lady gets on the train and she has a really fancy purse, which happens to fall right in front of me. I pick it up and tap her on the shoulder, ready to return it to her.

"Miss, I think you dropped-" I begin, but she just scowls at me.

"I'm sorry? Who said that a low-life like you can talk to me?" The woman says with a snarky voice.

"But you d-" I try to speak again, but she pushes me away with just the flick of her finger.

"Leave me be, you orphan," she says the last word like it's a curse and walks off the train. I'm stuck standing there with the purse in my hand. I take a seat again and look inside of it, seeing what she lost. Holy crap! Four dollars! Plus a bit of makeup, jewelry, and things like that.

My stop is next, and I almost jump off the train and book it back to the lodging house. Once I burst through the door, all eyes are on me.

"Guys, you'll never guess what I found!" I yell, holding up the purse, which collects all the boys around me.

"Is there any money in theh?" One boy asks, and I pull out three dollars and a couple dimes.

"Does four dollars count?" I ask, which makes them all stare in awe and take a bit of the money, which I allow. Jackie walks up to me and takes the remaining three dollars.

"Ash, did you steal this?" He asks. I shake my head.

"No, Jackie. A lady on the train dropped it and I tried to give it back but she wouldn't give me the time of day to even look at me before running off the train. So I wouldn't say I'm stealing from the rich, but I'm definitely giving to the poor," I say with a smile, which he returns with a kiss on the forehead.

"You're a good kid. Now, what should we get fah dinner?" Jackie asks everyone. All the boys shout at once, trying to get Jackie to consider going to their place.

But I can't help but think about how good I felt when bringing home money for them. I'll maybe try and do more things like that. Not stealing, but something close.

=================
Timeskip
=================

It's now November, and I've stolen about a total of $40 in just two months. ($1250 today). Earning so much money has earned me the nickname of, A.K., because I always slip a note into the person I stole from that just reads A.K., for Ash Kelly so I guess I'm pretty famous.

I even made front page news one day! The headline was "A.K. The mysterious thief". Not even the newsies know it's me. I hide the money in my mattress and only take out a bit of money every night to feed the boys. I told them that I have a part time job, but only I know the truth.

Sometimes I'll carry two dollars worth of money on me just to give to kids who are working on the streets. Like Robin Hood.

"Hey, Ash, be careful on the way tah school, a'ight?" Jackie says while we wait for the train, which confuses me.

"Why? I mean, I will. But why say that today?" I ask Jackie, who just looks to the ground and sighs.

"You know about A.K., the poirson who steals from the rich peoples 'nd stuff. You normally wouldn't be stolen from, but you dress real fancy now, sos I'se worried dat youse gonna be mugged," Jackie says, which makes me internally laugh.

"Don't worry, Jackie, the person only steals from adults. So I'll be safe," I say, which makes him quirk an eyebrow.

"Wait, how did you know dat they only steal from adults?" Jackie asks, I start sweating and think up an excuse.

"Well, I heard it from my friend, who's dad is a bull and he told her, and so she told me," I say. He nods, but I can still see that he's suspicious. Just then, the train pulls up and saves me. "But I will be careful. Love you, Jackie!"

I've never gotten on the train faster. I take my normal seat by the window, looking out it and at the wonderful world there is when I feel a soft tap at my shoulder. I turn my head to see a little girl who looks like she's a bit sad.

"Excuse me? Do you have any money you could give me? I don't have enough money to use the train, so I just need a penny. Please?" She asks. My eyebrows furl together in sadness.

"Of course, honey. Where's your mother?" I ask. She shakes her head and sits next to me.

"My mommy's dead. She died a month ago and I don't know where to go. I've just been begging for money and I dunno what I'm gonna do," she says and begins crying. I pat her back and hug her.

"Hey, baby, it's gonna be alright. How old are you?" I ask her.

"I'm six," she says.

"Jesus. I think I have an idea of where you can go. You'll need to get off in five more stops after this next one and then ask around for where the newsies lodging house is. If no one's there, then just wait. Someone will eventually be there. If they ask you why you're there, say that Ash sent you, then explain your situation to them. Got that?" I ask her. I watch the gears turn in her head as she eventually nods.

"Yeah. But who am I looking for?" She asks.

"Anyone. The kids there work as newsies, or people who sell newspapers to people who can afford it. It's tough work, but you get used to it," I say. "What's your name?"

"Anna," she says. I feel my heart leap, knowing that we share the same name. Well, we would if I didn't go by Ash now.

"Well, Anna, I'm Ash. And I promise that you're going to be alright. No more begging for money," she says. I internally think of how much money I'll need to steal in order to make sure that she's alright, specifically for food and education. The train comes to a slow halt as we come to my stop. "Well, I need to go. Remember, five more stops."

"Okie dokie, thank you!" She yells as I get off the train, skipping my way to school. I walk to the front and see girls slightly hiding. I find Sofie and Kathrine in the corner and make my way over to them.

"Hey, guys. Why's everyone hiding?" I ask. They look at me like I have two heads.

"Haven't you heard about A.K.?" Kath asks. I nod while rolling my eyes.

"Come on, you guys. Do you think that they'd rob us on school grounds? No. Besides, they mainly strike adults, heard that from one of the papers," I say.

"Maybe you're right, but I don't wanna take any chances," Kath says.

"Well, I say that if A.K. tries to come at me, I'll beat their ass into next week," Sofie says, making me smile.

"See, why can't everyone be more like Sofie, she's got the right idea," I say, knowing fully well that A.K. won't attack her.

The loud bell rings sentencing us to class.

All throughout class, I can't stop thinking about everything. So many people are afraid of me. Well, not me. But they're afraid of my alter ego. But I like being A.K., she's not afraid of anyone or anything. She'll take money from the richest of men and give it to the poorest children seen.

After school, I go to a public bathroom and change into my male outfit, which is what I wear when I'm A.K. because it draws less attention. I also wear Jackie's old bandana he gave to me back when we won the strike, and use it to cover my nose and mouth, making sure nobody sees my face.

Walking out, I spot a really rich lady, whose purse is practically bouncing off of her. She turns to talk to a friend. I pull up my mask and hold the note that reads, A.K. in my hand and walk by with my head down as to not draw attention.

As I walk by, I slyly slip my hand into her purse and quickly swap out the cash for the note. I then shove my hands into my pocket and take off at the sound of her friend gasping at me.

"Thief! Get him!" She yells. I quickly duck into an alley to avoid being seen and hide behind a dumpster. Just as soon as I'm hidden, a police officer runs by, sending fear up through my veins. I then quickly take off my mask and casually walk out from the alley, having no attention drawn to me. I walk into a different bathroom and change back into my regular clothing.

In the bathroom, I count out a total of 80c, which is a steal. Literally. After I'm finished, I make my way to the train station, where the train has just pulled up.

I hop on the train and take my seat, where I feel a burst of euphoria just knowing that I stole enough money to keep every newsie alive even if they didn't work.

"Hey, Ash. What's up?" The train boy, who I now know as Jacob, asks me. I look up at him and smile.

"Pretty good. I just worked a bit late for school to help get my grades up," I say. He takes a seat next to me, which makes me slightly uncomfortable.

"So you're really smart, aren't you? Well, then, what do you say that I take you on a nice date?" He asks. Before I can say anything, I feel his hand starting to rub my knee in a very inappropriate manner, especially since I just have underwear on underneath my dress. "Then maybe we can head back to my place?"

"No thank you, Jacob. You seem really nice but I'm not interested," I say calmly, even though I'm really scared. His hand starts to move up my leg, which makes me move into the corner even more.

"Why not? I'm a nice guy. What's there not to like? I've got a nice personality, nice appearance, nice dic-" Jacob says, and with each word his hand moves more up my leg. I feel tears start to prick at my eyes, but then someone coughs and cuts him off.

I look up to see none other than Renner.

"Excuse me, why do ya have your hands on me goilfriend?" Renner asks Jacob, lying. Jacob stand up and moves away. Renner takes a seat next to me and wraps his arm around me. "If I see you wit' me goil anymore, youse as good as dead. Got dat?"

"Got it," Jacob says, his voice cracking with every word. I instantly wrap my arms around Renner, letting out a sigh into his shoulder.

"You're a life saver, Renner," I say, but then pull away. "Wait, why are you here? You weren't spying on me, we're you?"

"No," Renner says, badly lying. I give him a dead stare and he breaks. "Okay, maybe. Listen, Spot has jus' been worried how you'd be now dat youse goin' tah school, sos he sent me tah jus' watch over ya." Renner then leans into my ear, whispering. "Youse also a real good thief, A.K.."

"Shit," I say, ready for my world to come crumbling around me.

"No worries, I ain't gonna tell no one. Not even Spot. Speaking of Spot, have you spoken wit' 'im?" Renner asks, and I look away.

"No. I want to just sit down and talk with him about the incident, but Jackie won't even let him go near the Brooklyn Bridge. I understand why, though. Spot really is a jerk," I mumble into my hand.

"I know it's not da same as him tellin' ya himself, but he's real sorry. I haven't seen 'im dis regretful since he hoid dat his fam'ly was dead. He regretted not seein' dem before they 'died'. And I'se never seen 'im regret somethin' that much. Until a couple months ago. He realized how much he loved you, how it hoits him every day when you isn't around. I completely undastand why you'd be upset wit' him. But please get dat he fully knows his mistakes," Renner says.

"I do miss him. I miss him more than anyone else. Every night, I'll dream about him, that we're back at the docks, that we kissed again. I miss him so much. But I'll probably never see him again. How's Leo doing?" I ask Renner.

"Leo's fine. He misses ya more den anythin', but he's fine. I highly suggest jus' talkin' tah Spot. Find a way. Please. Not jus' fah you, but fah him. Because he's gotten so sad, dat us boys' worried 'bout him not bein' fit tah lead us anymore," Renner says. I think for a moment.

"Is he free tonight?" I ask. Renner smiles.

"He's free every night," Renner says. The train pulls up to my stop. And as I stand up, he grabs my arm for a moment. "Jus' know dat... He ain't had no otha goil since youse left, if that makes you feel bettah."

I smile at him, nodding before hopping off the train. I skip my way back home where Jackie is waiting for me on my bunk. Glaring at me.

"Hey, Jackie. What'cha doing?" I ask. He lifts his hand up to show that he's holding up about three dollars. My eyes go wide knowing that he knows.

"Ash. Where did ya get this?" He asks, I know I can't lie my way out of this. Or at least, I shouldn't.

"I stole it," I mumble loud enough for him to hear. He stands up and walks up to me, towering over me.

"Are you... A.K.?" Jackie asks. I can only nod. "How much money have ya taken in total?"

"About forty dollars..." I say. I can feel him glaring at me. Then, unexpectedly, he pulls me into a big hug.

"How could you have kept this from ya brudda?! I'se so prouda ya! But no more!" Jackie says with a firm glare. "Oh, did you also invite a little friend tah here?"

My eyes widen as I remember the little Anna. I nod.

"Anna? Yeah, I sent her here. She was begging for money on the train and she's only six. She needed someone to stay and a better way to earn money," I explain. Jackie nods.

"Yeah, well she's takin' a rest on onea da spare beds," Jackie says before combing his hand through his hair. "I just can't believe my sistah has been in the pape more than me. Front page news, too! I'se so proud! Now I don't have tah worry 'bout A.K. stealin' from ya."

"Yeah. Well, I'm going out tonight," I say. Jackie quirks an eyebrow.

"Where?" He asks.

"With my friends, Sofie and Kathrine," I nod. Jackie looks at me with glee.

"Hey, I rememba Kathrine! She was the real pretty one who wanted to be a reporter, huh?" Jackie asks, and I nod. "She was a good kid. A'ight, you can go."

"Good. I love you bro."

"I love ya too, sis."

================
Timeskip
================

I start walking to the Brooklyn docks, when someone in the alley coughs and calls for help. Immediately distracted, I carefully walk into the alley.

"Hello? Is someone in here?" I ask. There's a shadow of a person hunched over in the corner.

"Help, please," The person asks, their voice so hoarse. I walk up to them and place my hand on their shoulder. In the blink of an eye, I'm pinned to the ground and the familiar face of Luis is above me, holding me down.

I try to let out a scream, but I'm punched in the face. I watch as Luis pulls a rag out of his pocket and holds it to my face. The last thing I hear before I pass out is:

"You're gonna pay, girlie."

Sorry that this chapter was short, I can only hope that the next few chapters won't be.