Christina

Jack, Race, Mush, Crutchie, and I were walking for no apparent reason. Maybe we were just waking to help us keep our minds off the fight that was about to occur.

"Jack, I think we should go get Brooklyn's help." Race suggested. Even though I can't stand Spot Conlon, I couldn't help but agree with Race about needing Brooklyn's help.

Crutchie hobbled next to me. "Yeah, Jackie. I think we should get Spot's gang to help us."

"Fine. We'll all go to Brooklyn together." Jack took out a cigarette and fumbled with it before lighting it and putting it in his mouth. Jack and Crutchie stood on either side of me.

"Ooh! After the fight, we could go to Tibby's as a celebration," Mush licked his lips and stared wistfully ahead. "They have the best steak ever."

I adjusted my hat on head. "What's Tibby's?" I faced Mush.

His face turned to shock. "Tibby's is only the best restaurant in New York!"

I scoffed quietly. "Oh."

***

"But, Spot! You gotta help. You...well, you gotta!" Jack tried to convince the best newsie in Brooklyn.

"Wow, Jackie-boy, you sure got yourself in a hell of a pickle." Spot shook his head, licking his pink lips.

"I know. I hate to admit it, but this why we need your help!" Jack desperately said.

"C'mon, Spot." Crutchie adjusted his crutch under his armpit.

Spot stood up and pointed his cane at Jack. "How do I know you guys won't run when a goon comes at you with a club?" he tapped Jack on the chest. "How do I know you got what it takes to win?"

"'Cause I'm telling you, Spot." Jack scratched his arm nervously.

Spot let his cane drop as he gazed down at his feet and said, "That ain't good enough, Jackie-boy. But..." he paused. "I'll get Brooklyn to help you if you get in trouble."

***

"When are they gonna get here? I ain't got all day!" Race impatiently paced in front of the doors of the distribution center.

The newsies and I were waiting nervously for the Delancey gang to show up.

I stepped up next to Race. "Maybe they are afraid to-"

I didn't get to finish before the wooden doors were pushed open. They screeched horrifically on their hinges, causing everybody to wince at the terrible sound. Oscar and Morris were front and center and at least thirty other scruffy-looking guys were behind them. They all held weapons of some kind: chains, sticks, metal rods, etc.

Jack hopped up next to me. "Woah, woah. No weapons allowed, Delanceys."

Oscar smirked. "You said nothing about no weapons in the deal. It's fair play." He inched forward with the other boys following intimidatingly at his side. He took out his brass knuckles and slid his fingers in the holes. Without warning, he suddenly swung at Jack, hitting him square in the jaw. Jack tripped backwards.

A guy started running towards me with metal chains in his hands. He swung them around like a lasso. I barely managed to dodge his whip, but couldn't regain my footing, and I fell backwards.

I landed back-first on the ground and some newsies looked down at me in shock. It was difficult for me to breathe again; the fall knocked the wind out of me.

I felt somebody's hands wrap around my arms as they yanked me off the ground. "Get up, Chris! C'mon!" they said. My vision was too blurry for me to decipher who was holding me.

My vision cleared up a bit, and I saw Mush being dragged across the pavement by his legs-a Delancey guy held on tight to him. Mush kicked and fought against his grip, but he was too strong for Mush.

"Mush!" I yelled.

He saw me. "Chris! Help!"

I charged at the bad guy. "Let...go...of...my...FRIEND!" I made contact with him on 'friend'. I tackled him to the ground. "Stay down." I growled.

I helped Mush off the dusty ground.

"Thank you!" He said to me before we both went to help the others.

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