| Part 1 It was a cold winter night, the year 1900 and Jena was walking home. She remembered that she had left her scarf at the playhouse. Being that she was already late she figured she could go back for it quickly. Jena was 16, hardly old enough to fend for herself. Of course being a girl made the life of an orphan 10 times harder. Her father and mother had disappeared unexpectedly. Jena was to afraid to tell anyone in fear that she would be taken away from the only thing she had known-her life in Manhattan. She ran back to the playhouse to grab her scarf and found it lying on the table just where she had sat. She was thankful it was still there; for it was the only thing besides the clothes on her back that she had left from the life she lived before her parent’s sudden disappearances. On her way out she heard noises. Noises, which weren't normal. She began to run and in the midst of her run tripped and knocked her head on a nearby step. When she woke up she looked up to see 2 boys glancing at her from above and a sign that said "Newsboys Lodging House". "Hey would ya lookie here, she's wakin!" said the first boy. "Yea, I am, now how's about ya tell me where I am?" she replied "Hey you don't havta be so pushy. Lemme foist introduce myself. Da name's Mush. Dat there is me best friend Kid Blink. Ya were heah when we foist came out. Why ya layin there, huh?" He said "I’m Jena, er, i'se poity sure dat's da name they called me. I can't quite rememba what happened ta me las night?" she shivered "Man o man am I ever cold. Hey fellas, it was nice meetin ya but it's time i'se get goin." She began to walk away. "Hey, wait a sec! Where ya from, can we help ya in any way?" yelled Mush "Nah, I'se gotta go back...uh home, yeah, home! Thanks!" she yelled back Later on that day Mush and Kid stopped by Tibby's along with the rest of the newsies. With some of the money they had made from the day's pape sellings, they grabbed a bite to eat. "Gee I sure wish dat I could see dat goil again...I’d like ta get to know her a bit," he said "Seriously Mush, ev'ry goil you see you'se gotta be gettin' to know better." Kid Blink laughed "Ah, shettup, at least i'se not tryin to get wit da mayor's daughter. I go fer the realistic goils!" he argued. "Yea, ev'ry realistic goil you see!" he joked The rest of the newsies laughed. Suddenly, a girl walked in the door of Tibby's. She looked familiar but Mush couldn’t put his finger on it. She wore a hat with her hair tied back but it looked like she had been in a brawl. She had a black eye and cuts and bruises all over her. She looked quite disoriented. She sat down and sighed. "I hate dis life, ain't no one to care for me and all i'se got is a lousy alley ta call home." she muttered to herself Mush nudged Kid. "Is dat da goil we met this mornin?" "Nah, that goil had no bruises or cuts, dis goil does, trus-" he stopped dead sentence "Dat's her! I remember dat face anywhere, but why's she all battered and bruised?" Kid Blink asked "Dat's what i’m goin to find out!" Mush walked over to Jena, sitting down at the table she was seated. "How's ya doin, why ya all beaten. Are ya hoit? I cou-" She cut him off mid sentence "I'm fine- Mush, right?" "Yea, you rememba!" "I just had a little fight wit some of da street rats who decided makin fun of a goil wit no money was a good idea. They was wrong, though!" "So you'se gonna be fine, though, right?" "Yea," she hesitated "Say, how's about ya introduce me to da rest of the fellas?" "Sure thing. Hey! Guys dis is Jena. Me and Kid met her on da steps dis mornin." "Heya Jena, nice ta meet ya!" they all chimed A boy who looked like he was the leader of the bunch walked up to Jena and said, "Hey, da name's Jack, Jack Kelly. Jena, I'd say dat da name ya got now doesn't fit ya right. See us newsies, we give eachudda nicknames. Since me boys here found ya on da steps of our heah lodgin house, how bout we call ya Steps!" "Sounds good. So you guys are Newsies? I'se met da type before. I got a question for ya, can goils become newsies too?" she asked "No one ever said they couldn't!" Jack replied Mush interrupted, "Why, are ya thinkin' bout becomin a newsie, Steps?" "I'm not sure, my mudda and father they ain’t...” she drifted off for a second "They ain't what?" asked Jack "They ain't... too keen on me hanging out wit a bunch of boys, but they need me ta woik so i'se gotta do somethin, right?" "Welcome to da group, Steps" Jack said. "You can stay wit us at da lodgin house for tonight and then we's could show you da ropes tomorra!" "Uhh no i'd rather go home wit me mudda and father, they's gonna worry if I don't get home soon!" she quickly answered "Oh ok, I guess we's gonna see ya tomorra then?" said Mush "Of course!" "Hey wait, Steps?" "Yea Mush?" "Mind if I walk ya home? A goil shouldn't walk da streets at night alone and I don’t feel comfortable leavin ya alone at night." "Uhhh..." she paused for a moment. How would she get out of this one? She couldn't let them know she was an orphan. "Well?" he questioned "I guess but only so far, me mudda would kill me and my father would kill you if he saw me walkin home wit a boy they didn't know!" It was improvin da truth a little but hey, she was already practicin to become a newsie! "Ok, I’ll catch you guys back at da lodgin house!" He ran after her. Part 2 They began to walk. A silence swept the air as they walked side by side on a colder then most winter night. She wanted to say something, but she didn't have a clue as to how to say it. She hardly knew this boy. He hardly knew her. But something made her feel comfortable in his company. Finally Mush broke the ice "So uhh, Steps can I ask ya anudda question?" "Sure, whateva you want, just no family questions ok?" "Ok, I was wonderin, how come you was on our steps dis mornin? I mean not to sound rude but, isn’t dat a strange thing?" he gazed into her eyes "Well I’m not quite sure what happened but I rememba the playhouse, and I went back ta get dis here scarf. Then I think i’se hoid a couple a noises and ran. I musta tripped or passed out or somethin. Then I woke up ta you and blink starin at me. That was what was strange." "Oh, well we's had no intentions of scarin' ya Steps, we was just concoined!" "Don’t worry, no harm done. Listen, Mush? "Yea?" "Promise not to tell anyone but if I do tell ya you gotta promise not to leave my side for da night. I don't think i’m gonna go home tonight." "Ok, what is it, Steps, you'se only known me for a couple a hours but i’m always heah," he whispered "Da reason...” she began to cry. He hugged her. "It'll be ok, if it hoits too much to say, don't say it." He caressed her face and brushed back her long black hair "No i'se gotta tell someone. Da reason i'se all bruised an scratched, is cause..." she took a deep breath. "I was raped, Mush. Some guy found me a good prospect... dat's what really happened. There were no street rats, and I didn’t fight them. I-" He cut her off "Shhh, you'se gonna be fine, Steps, i'se only known ya a day and I already know's you'se da strong type." He held her and together they fell asleep on the alley she had slept on for the past month. Part 3 Mush woke up at the crack of dawn. He suddenly realized his arms were wrapped around Steps. Remembering what had happened the night before he smiled as he thought about him and her, together, just the two of them. Steps began to wake. "Mornin sunshine! Sleep well?" "Of course, I got da best arms in town to keep me warm all night!" She then realized what she had said. Was she really interested in Mush? "Aww shucks, dats da sweetest thing i'se hoid!" he hugged her and they got up. "Maybe ya should tell ya mudda and father you're ok. Meet me at da lodgin house. I gotta let the guys know i’se ok." "Ok, dat sounds like a plan." she said with a smile "Keep dat smile on yer face till I see ya again! Don’t be long, ok?" "Ok." She watched him walk off into the streets. She waited a good hour before she headed off to the lodgin house. She had to make sure no one would suspect her of lieing about her parents being alive. She then realized that she missed him even after being gone for just an hour. She headed off in a hurry hoping to get there as soon as possible. She walked up the steps where she was first found by Mush and Kid Blink. Memories poured back, but she kept her courage and walked inside. She saw a man standing at the front desk. There was no sight of Mush. She walked up to the man. "Excuse me, sir, but by chance is there a boy named Mush who lives heah?" "Yes as a matta fact, he should be upstairs, go right ahead!" She walked up the stairs listening to each one creek. She reached the top step, took a deep breath and somehow got the willpower to walk in. There she saw a bunch of boys getting dressed and a few still sleeping on their bunks. She timidly spoke up. "Excuse me?" No one answered "Uh, excuse me!" she yelled a little louder "Hey, it's our friend Steps" she recognized the face; it was Jack Kelly the one who had named her. "Heya Jack, seen Mush anywhere? i’se supposed to meet him." "Actually yea lemme go get him!" he quickly replied Jack quickly walked back to where Mush was gettin ready, making sure he looked good for the girl, which he was falling for. "Heya Mush, someone’s here to see you. Lookin awful pretty and anxious!" "Great, tell her i'se gonna be a few minutes and ta make herself at home!" Jack walked back out and said, "Hey he's gonna be a few and he told me ta tell ya to make yaself at home" "Ok thanks" She sat down on the bed, which Jack showed her and thought t Part 4 They got to the distribution center and lined up. Being new to the way of things she followed Mush's every move. "Hey, why's you actin like you'se scared outta ya wit?" "Cause' I'm new to da way of things and I'se not quite sure what I should do!" she whined "Here, I’ll go which ya!" "Hey weasel, give her 30 papes." "Kid no way am I lettin you pay for her, girls can't be newsies!" weasel laughed Jack stepped up, "You got a problem wit my friend here Mr. WEASEL?" The other newsies laughed. "Yea what's it to ya?" "You wanna find out?" "Ah here's your papes girl." He grunted. "Thanks Jack I owe ya one!" she smiled "Sure thing Steps". Mush was a little annoyed at Jack. He knew he could have done that too but at the risk of getting Steps mad, he decided to let it go. They were off to sell papes. Mush decided to take her to Central Park. He usually went to the harbor but this was a special day. He showed her how to sell papes and in no time they were out. They decided to take a walk in the park before heading off to Tibby's. "Hey, Mush?" "Yea Steps?" "Thanks for all you'se done. I'd be lost wit out ya." "Anythin' for the most beautiful goil in da woild." "Aww" she hugged him. As they walked in to Tibby's the rest of the newsies were already seated and well into their conversations but there were stares and glances from them all as they walked by and sat down at the table with Davey and Jack. "Heya Jack and Davey" Mush said "Hey Mush, who's da new girl?" Davey questioned "This here is Steps." David reached out his hand, "Nice ta meet ya!" "Same to you" she replied. "How'd da sellin go?" Asked Jack "Pretty good, she's a natural!" Mush said with a grin a mile wide on his face. "Well it's gettin pretty late. Mush mind followin me home again?" "Not at all!" he said excitedly "Foist I gotta ask Jack somethin' in private ok?" "Uh ok." Mush didn't feel secure with the idea but he trusted Steps. They walked outside "Hey Jack, I need your help." "Ok, shoot." he replied "I'se been liein about my home. I ain't got one. My parents disappeared bout a month ago and eva since then i'se been sleepin in alleys. I really like Mush, but I don’t wanna scare him away." she whispered "Steps, I'se known Mush for years an if anythin', he'll be there for you." "So you think i'se better tell him?" "Yea, he'll understand." he turned for a second but then paused "Heya, Steps?" " Yea?" "Be careful with Mush, he's usually always wit different goils, but wit you it's different. He's really into you, don't hoit him ok?" "Never in a million years Jack, never in a million years..." she drifted off and began to think. Just then Mush came out. He was still baffled at what she might have said to Jack but he decided in time she would tell him. "Ready?" "Yep, sure am!" They walked and walked until Steps found the alley she had been sleeping in. She decided that she might as well stop him here and tell him. "Dis is good. Hey Mush? I'se gotta tell ya somethin'." "You know you can tell me anything." " I have no parents mush, they disappeared a month ago and i'se been livin in dis heah alley since." "Oh Steps, why didn’t you tell me?" " I was afraid." He hugged her and looked her in the eye. She began to say something but he stopped her. "I'se got somethin ta tell you too Steps." "Ok what is it?" "I know i'se only known ya for a couple days, but I feel like it’s been a lifetime. Steps I..." he paused to collect his thoughts. "I love you. I know I may sound crazy but-" She put her fingers over his lips "You'se not crazy." she said She kissed him gently for what seemed like an eternity. She looked him in the eyes. "You'se wrong Steps, I'se crazy alright..About the most beautiful goil eva. I'se crazy about you." They kissed again. "I'se gonna take you back to da lodgin house an you can sleep there wit me." "Ok" she whispered. They walked off hand in hand. When Jack and the other Newsies woke they found Mush and Steps wrapped in each other’s arms, sleeping peacefully. "Looks like the two loveboids finally got togetha. You owe me five bucks Race." "Ah, man, i'se gotta get rid of my bettin habbit. It's killin what little money i'se got!" Mush woke. "Hey I hoid dat!" he untangled her body from his. "I'se lettin her sleep a bit longer. She had a rough night. Don’t wake her k?" " So you'se score Mush?" Jack joked "Come on Jack, she's different then da uddas!" "How you know?" asked Race "Gut feelin. Those are always right." He replied. Part 5 Steps began to wake. She awoke to the sounds of the other Newsies gettin ready for another day of sellin papes. She felt herself drift off. Suddenly she felt herself toss and turn. She was dreaming of the last time she saw her parents. So why was she tossing and turning? "Steps Steps! Wake up! you'se havin a nightmare!" "Wha?" she awoke to Mush's hands shaking her. She was sweating and tears were rolling down her face. "alright alright, stop shakin me, i'se as awake as i'se gonna be!" "Sorry you ok?" Mush asked "Yea just a bad dream. Hey Mush mind if we ditch sellin papes today, i'se not feelin up ta it." "Sure. I'se keen on that idea." They walked hand in hand. For what seemed like eternity they walked in silence. Finally they sat down at a nearby park bench. Steps leaned her head on Mush. "Eva seen a sun so beautiful? Its so bright and lively...it looks so happy. I used to be like dat sun Mush. I was happy, I was lively and I was da brightest thing. I'se different now." "You'se gotta stop livin' in da past. You can still be dat way Steps.” he glumly said "No, it's different now. Before, I had a life. I didn’t even have da time to realize how lucky I was to have dat life before it was ripped away from me. I had no one Mush. No one to hold me, no one to care for me. I had no one!" she began to cry. "You'se got me now" he replied and brushed her tears away. He gently kissed her forehead. "I know dat, and i’m grateful. But somethin' just ain't right. That bad dream? It shouldn’t have been a bad dream. I was dreaming of my parents, the last time dat i'se seen them. It shoulda been da happiest dream i'se had since they disappeared. Somethin just ain't right. I dunno what it is. A gut feelin I got..." "Yea I know what ya mean when ya say gut feelin" "Whadda ya mean?" "I'se got a gut feelin you'se gonna be just fine and i'se also got da feelin dat you'se gonna find out what is botherin you when da right time comes." "I'se sure hope so. Maybe I should just hold off on sleep till i'se find whets up wit me." "Nah cause then I can't watch you sleep" he joked "Ya know, if I wasn't already which ya I might think that was a cheesy attempt at a pickup line!" "Who said it wasn’t!" he laughed Just then she stole his hat and ran off. He began to chase her when all the sudden she tripped and fell. He ran to her side. "STEPS! STEPS! Are you ok? Wake up!" There was no reply. He picked her limp body up and brought her back to the lodgin house. He sat by her side till the other newsies came back from the day of sellin papes. "Heya how's it roll- ut oh, dat don’t look so good" stuttered race "We was out in da park when she took my hat. I was chasin her and den she tripped and hit her head. She hasn’t woken since. Its been hours. She’s got a huge cut on her forehead! What can I do?" Jack pushed forward, "lemme look at her. Someone go get somethin cold ta put on her head. She don't look good. If she doesn’t wake up in a few we's gonna havta do somethin." "Dis can't be happenin." For two days she layed without movement. Everyone was getting worried that she wouldn't wake but noone would show it. They didn't want to let down Mush. Suddenly she began to move! "Hey Jack! She’s wakin!" he yelled "Yea i'se awake but if you'se gonna yell any louder i'se gonna be deaf too!" "Sorry are you ok?" "Yea, i'se poity sure I’m gonna live. Ah my head tho, it hoits!" "Well dats cause you'se got a cut on your forehead." "O boy, i'se gotta be the most awful lookin thing!" "Nah, you'se still as beautiful as eva!" Part 6 It was Christmas and Mush had been planning for a Christmas present for Steps. He kept quiet about what it was that he was going to get her. Everyone knew he was planning something. Every time someone brought it up he would laugh and say, "What present?” It had been a year and a month since they first met. Jack and Race made a bet that the present was a ring asking Steps to marry him. Kid Blink knew better. It wasn't Mush's style, although he was a romantic he wasn’t one to do the expected. He was a follower, yet deep down inside he had his own plan for doing things and given the chance, he used it to his advantage. Supposedly Mush wasn’t the only one with a secret to hide. Steps had been planning something too and she had spent a long time doing whatever was necessary to make it the best present ever. "Hey would ya look at dat!" piped Kid Steps came out in her Christmas dress. It was the first time she wore a dress in front of the boys. "Yowsa's! You sure look poity in dat dress Steps!" Race said All eyes were on her. The boys were used to Steps by now but not Steps in a dress. Mush walked over to her and held out his hand "I remember a coiten comment you made last year ta me the foist time in da lodgin house. Boy you clean up well!" Joked Mush "Yea, Scary ain't it?" she replied with a smile Memories poured back from the first couple days they had met. "Shall we go?" "Of course! But ladies always go foist" he said She walked out on to the street and they were headed off to Central Park for a walk. Just like old times she thought to herself. Later on they would meet the others at Medda's for a Christmas celebration. "Lovely evenin ain't it? Cold, but there's a certain warm feelin I get from dis heah park." She said They sat down on the bench, the first bench they ever sat on together. "Mush i'se gotta show something to ya!" she said with excitement. "Ok, go ahead." She pointed to a carving in the benches wood. It said "Mush and Steps always. Da sun's still shinin'" "I'se wanted everyone to know how i'se feel for you." "Aw steps" a tear rolled down Mush's cheek. "Dats da most wonderful thing anyone's eva done fer me!" "Dat's cause they could neva love you as much as I do." Their lips met and in no time they were off to Medda's. "Heya fellas" Mush said "Heya guys." they all replied. The Newsies referred to them as a couple. There was no Mush without Steps or vice versa. They sat down at a table along with Kid and Race. Soon enough Medda came out. She sang her Christmas songs and all the other newsies sang with her. It was just like every Christmas. But this time something was new to her show. "We have a knew act...welcome one of our very own, Mush!" All the newsies looked surprised. They looked at each other with a questioning look, then at Steps with a smile. They knew he was up to something...this was the present they were all waiting to see. "Heya steps did you'se know bout dis?" questioned Race "Dis heah is for my one and only Steps. Merry Christmas my love." He began to sing. Black, black, black is da color of my true love's hair Her lips are like a rose so fair and da prettiest face and da neatest hands. I love da grass whereon she stands She wit da wondrous hair. Black, black, black is da color of my true love's hair Her face is something truly rare. Oh I do love my love and so well she knows I love da ground whereon she goes. She wit da wondrous hair. Black, black, black is the color of my true love's hair Alone; my life would be so bare. I would sigh, I would weep, I would neva fall asleep my love is 'way beyond compare She with da wondrous hair. Black, black, black is da color of my true love's hair. There were cheers everywhere when Mush finished. Everyone looked at Steps to see what her reaction was. She smiled and cried out of joy, but without any notice, she started having memories. These were the memories that she had once said she couldn’t remember. Mush came down and gave her a hug and a kiss. He was waiting for her reaction but when she said nothing he decided he would. "I love you." "I- I love you too." "What’s da matta Steps you look like you'se seen a ghost." "I think I have." "Lets go back to da lodgin house and talk about it ok?" "Ok." Her and Mush left while the rest of the newsies stayed behind for the rest of the show. When they reached the lodging house Steps lied down on the bed. "So what's up? Didn’t you like my Christmas present?" "I loved it Mush, no ones eva done such a nice thing fer me. But somethin happened when you'se sang coiten words." "What happened?" "Rememba those memories i'se told you I couldn’t remember. Rememba the gut feelin?" "Yea, whadda bout it?" "They came back Mush." "Whadda ya mean? You'se rememberin everythin all a da sudden?" mush asked "Yea, and i'se not sure if dis's a good thing or not." "What are da memories you have bout?" "I'se sitten in da house wit me mudda, and me father storms in all mad at da fact dat he got fired. When me father got mad he got violent, so i'se ran into a corner and hid- da corner I always hide in when he does dat- and I jus sat there and hummed to keep from hearin da awful woids he was sayin. I rememba closin m'eyes an' when i'se opened em back up, me mudda and father was gone. All dat was left was me mudda's black scarf....dat's when da memories stopped." she could feel a knot in her stomach as she recalled the memory. Fighting back tears she bowed her head. She wanted Mush to think of her as a strong individual. He had said so himself that was what she was. "Is dat why you'se wearin dat black scarf in yer hair?" "Yea, its da only memory I have of me mudda." She smiled at the thought of her mom who loved her scarf so dear. "Dat musta been da woid dat triggered ya memory.." he replied "Black..?" she questioned "Yea, but i'se wouldn’t say it right now, I think you'se had enough memories for one day." he said with a concerned look on his face. Mush knew she couldn’t take much more of those memories. Something about the story was missing. It was one of those gut feelings- the ones they had always discussed. "Mush? do you'se think me father did somethin to me mudda?" "I'se hopin' not Steps, keep positive thoughts in dat head of yer's. I'll be right back k? Don move an inch!" he said "I won't" Mush went over to his bed, the one he hadn’t slept on for a while. Most nights he slept with Steps. He pulled out a small book from underneath his mattress and walked back over to Steps. "I know dat dis isn't much, but if it makes ya feel any betta, you'se can read about what happened to me mudda and father." he said with a slight smile "I'se got no right intrudin on yer life Mush. Dat's yer past and you don hav'ta share it with me..." she drifted off "No, steps, I want ya to know where i'se come from, who I am, my past. Its only fair dat you know." "Ok I’ll read it later" she replied "But only because you want it, not because I need it, ya hear dat?" "I hear dat" He kissed her forehead. "Now you'se get some sleep, you need it." "Ok goodnight... mush? "yea?" he replied "I love you" "I love you more" he said With that she fell asleep. All of the other newsies started to pile in to the lodging house. They all kept quiet and wondered why the two lovebirds had left so abruptly. Kid began to ask questions, but all Mush would tell them was that she was excited and pleased with his performance and they decided to just have a heart to heart Christmas conversation alone. The newsies were upset that he wouldn't unleash any details but they finally let him be and went to sleep. Late during the night Steps woke up. She tried desperately to fall asleep but couldn't. She decided to step out on to the roof. As she sat on the roof she gazed at the stars. She began to think about how da stars where like da good parts of the sky an' da dark midnight blue were the bad. Suddenly she heard someone coming out onto the rooftop. She saw the figure and realized it was Mush. "Heya Hun, why's you out heah in da middle of da night?" he questioned "Thinkin" she replied "About?" "Everything." "Mind if i'se sit with ya for a while?" "Nah two's always betta then one. Mush, have you ever looked up at da midnight sky..da stars?" "Yea, when I foist came heah dats all I did." "I was jus thinkin' before you came...the stars seem so happy. The rest of da sky seems so sad. I guess i'se tryin to say, its sorta like life, all da stars out in da sky are like the happy times- da darkness is like da bad times." "Yea, I heah ya." "Mush, how come there's so much more dark sky then bright stars?" "I dunno Steps. I wish I could tell ya, but i'se ain't got a clue. Alls I know is dat , you're sky- our sky- is gonna be all bright stars. You know why? cause there’s more love in dis heah heart of mine for you, then there is hate in da world." Steps put her arms around Mush and moved in for a kiss. It wasn’t just her way of saying thank you, it was her way of saying, I love you. Jack came out to the rooftop and noticed the two sitting. "Heya, am I interupptin anythin?" "Nah ..da more da merrier." replied Steps. "So why's you two up heah at dis time a night?" asked Jack "Enjoyin da scenery I guess." said Mush "It is beautiful ain't it?" "Yea, beautiful ain't done no pleasure to it, no woid can describe nature." remarked Steps "Steps, if ya don’t mind me askin', was everythin ok at da celebration. I'se noticed you was a little upset...I mean I know you'se might not wanna share and ya don have ta but if I can help I wanna." Jack uttered "Jus some bad memories bout me mudda and father Jack, things I guess i'se been supressin for a year since it happened." "You'se gonna be ok though right?" "Yea like Mush says, i'se da strong type, ill make it." They all returned to their beds and finally got some sleep. The next morning they awoke to a new day of selling. They gathered their papers and went out selling. "Ahh, now dat Christmas is ova, people will start buyin more papes,” said Steps "Why's you say dat?" asked Mush "In winter, not many people buy, they all saving up for da presents." "Well there shouldn’t be any problem sellin today. Plus how can anyone resist dat there face of yers." Steps laughed and blushed at Mush's comment. Months went by. Each week Steps had more and more memories of what had happened on that fateful day. The pieces were being filled in. She had come to realize that her father had yelled the day before their disappearances and she had hidden. Her parents had fought but she wasn’t there at the time. Her mom had told her about what had happened. Then her memories would shift to the next day and that was when she was in the corner again humming a tune and keeping her eyes shut. But she couldn’t remember why she was humming the tune if they hadn't fought that day. She began to wonder if that was a different day. There was still one piece missing. Then one night when everyone was asleep Steps had that dream, the one with the missing pieces. She could see a vague figure standing above her, it was her father. He was looking down at her but she couldn’t see his eyes or his face. It was nothing but a blur. He was asking "why?" over and over again and in the background she heard her mothers faint cries. Over and Over he kept asking "Why, why did you do this to us Jena, we loved you...we loved you." Then she saw her father drop to his knees and hit the floor. She then saw herself digging two holes in the ground in back of her home. She saw herself lay her parents in the holes, one for her mother, one for her father. She threw rose petals on top of her parents and then proceeded to cover them with dirt. When she was all done, she returned to her corner where she had always hidden in the house. She began to rock back and forth humming a tune and shutting her eyes. She saw herself running- running away. Then she woke up. She was breathing heavily, and sweat dripped down her face. She began to cry but didn’t want anyone to hear her weep. She stood up, quietly walked down the stairs and left the lodging house. The next morning the newsies woke up to the sounds of Kloppman like usual. Mush got up in a good mood as always. His tradition was to go over and wake up Steps every morning with a kiss. He sauntered over to her bed and realized she wasn't anywhere to be seen. He tapped Jack. "Jack, seen Steps? She's usually in her bed but she ain’t there dis mornin." "Nah I ain't seen her. Hey guys listen up!" all the guys stopped talking and listened. "Anyone seen Steps dis mornin?" They all replied "Nah, not dis mornin" "Dat ain't good, everyone split up and look around, it ain't like her ta be leavin without tellin anyone." Said Jack "I don’t understand Jack, she wouldn't just leave would she?" Mush cried "Nah somethin happened, and if it means not sellin papes for a day to find her and find out, dats how its gonna be." For 2 days they searched for Steps. No one could find her. They looked everywhere from Manhattan to Brooklyn. They even asked Spot to keep an eye out. On the third day Blink and Race were about to give up when they saw a body lying on the ground against a wall. "Please tell me dat ain't Steps and if it is, dat she's jus sleepin'." Said Race They ran to her side. She was limp, and no matter how much they did they couldn’t wake her. Race stayed with her while Blink ran to get Mush and Kloppman. A hospital was needed- and fast. "MUSH MUSH! Come quick we found her and it ain't lookin good!" Yelled Blink They rushed to her and took her to the hospital. For 3 weeks she was in a coma. She hadn't moved or shown any signs of improvement. Mush stayed by her side every night and sold papes to make a livin during the day. One night he decided to talk to her. "Steps, you'se gotta come back ta me. I can't live wit out ya." He choked back tears. "If I lost ya, I don’t know what id do. Please oh please come back. I love you wit all my heart, and when I said dat, I meant it, and I always will." He kissed her lips and lied down and fell asleep. The next morning he went out to sell papes. Steps was surrounded by darkness. All she could do was walk along a path, which was bright and colorful. It was the only light she had to guide her on her journey. It seemed like she had been walking for days. She suddenly began to see a bit of brightness. As she got closer and closer the brightness replaced the darkness. Soon the brightness was all around her. She turned to go back, in fear of what was ahead. A gut feeling told her to move on. That same gut feeling had told her that it was time. She walked on, until she disappeared in the light. Mush raced back to the hospital to spend more time with Steps. He had finished selling his papes in record time. He walked up to where her room was and noticed the bed was empty. All the newsies were gathered around in the waiting room. He ran over to Jack "Jack, where is she? Is she all betta? Are they releasin her?" "Mush, she was released. She was released from all dat pain she's been feelin for 3 weeks. She's gone." "Funny Jack, haha fellas, Jacks a real joka huh!" he laughed "If I was jokin would I look like dis?" asked Jack Mush hadn’t noticed the tear stained face of his pal, and all the other newsies. "NO! It ain't true it can’t be true!" he cried falling to his knees. "Think of Steps Mush, ya can't be denyin it, she woulda wanted ya to be strong, like she said you told her she was. Be strong for her Mush." For days Mush didn’t talk. He refused to say a word and went about selling his papes. One day after a long hard days work he visited her bed like he had since her death. He remembered that she had his book. He searched for it and found it. There was a note written on the front saying, " Read last page...Steps". He turned to the page. It read: Dear me beloved Mush, It's Steps heah. I'se read yer story, i'se real sorry bout what happened Mush. If you'se readin this i’m probably long gone. I'se had to run away. I had a dream dat finally told me what happened to me mudda and father. I killed them Mush, and I suppressed those memories. I ran away from my pain. Now i’m running away to save you from dat pain. Da pain of knowing dat I did somethin dat i'se never gonna let go of. I couldn't let ya see me like dat and I wasn’t about to fill your heart with pain. Like I always say da more da merrier, two is betta then one...but not this time. Dat Darkness, its an overwhelming thing. You deserve da stars and more and I only would bring dat darkness into you're life. I understand now, why there is more darkness then light an' someday you will too. I love you Mush, I always will. Always rememba dat I’m here with you. In dat heart of yer's shining bright. Meet ya at da light Mush. Love always, Steps- da girl wit da black hair P.S- Say goodbye to the guys and thank them for all they've done. Look under you're mattress. There's a gift for you. Tears were streaming down Mush's face. His eyes were beet red. He walked over to his mattress and lifted it up. There he found the black scarf. The End Back to Fan Fiction/Back to the Happy Newsies Minivan |