Note: I'm in the middle of trying to go through and edit this story. So when the point of view suddenly switches from third person to first person, that's where I stopped rewriting. I'll try to finish soon. Sorry about that.
No Man's Land
July 1, 1888
Alexandria brushed childish hands through her hair and pulled the thick mass into a pony tail with a worn green ribbon. She made her way down the dingy hall and reached her friend's apartment just as she finished tying a clumsy bow. She smiled in triumph and raised her hand to the door, knocking in her usual cheery manner. Christopher answered and a smile quickly spread across his features. Though still young, his sandy blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes held promise that someday he would be very handsome. "Hey Alex! Happy birthday!" He exclaimed as he pulled her into a quick hug.
She smiled and pushed a few loose strands of red hair out of her smoky green eyes, trying to hide her excitement. "Same ta you. So, ya ready ta go ta Central Park?"
He nodded and dodged out of view for a moment before walking out with a small box in one hand. "Yeah, I'm ready. So, how does it feel ta be five?" He asked as he carefully wedged his brown cap over his hair.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno. What's it like ta be six?"
He crinkled his nose up. "Ah, it ain't no different den any odder day."
As they walked through the door of the building she let excitement take hold of her. She grabbed his hand and the two began to run down the street. They reached park and collapsed on the nearest bench, out of breath from the long run and the laughter they had shared much of the way. He handed her the little box and in between gasps and chuckles she opened it to find a small silver ring engraved with the words, "Best friends". She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "It's beautiful."
He blushed a little as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a little package wrapped in newspaper. He unwrapped it and smiled as he pulled out a little brown patch. "Hey, now I can be a real pirate!" He stood up and poked at the air a few times with an imaginary sword before the look on his face darkened. "Ya know, now dat I'se a real pirate, da foist thing I'se gonna do is take ya away. No one ain't gonna hurt ya no more."
"But you don't have a ship." She pointed out sullenly.
He frowned. "Well, I'll get one some day, an' den you an' me is gonna get outta heya. Away from yer fadda', an' dis city, an' we can sail away ta find buried treasure."
"Spanish treasure?" She asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.
He nodded. "Yeah, an' Blackbeard's too. We'll find 'em all, den live in Jamaica!"
She laughed, letting her imagination carry away any real troubles. "Yeah... where is Jamaica anyway?"
He shrugged. "I dunno. But it's by da sea."
She bit her lip and asked hesitantly, "Ya think ma'll be okay?"
"Yeah, she can come wit us." He smiled reassuringly.
They spent the rest of the day talking about the different places they would go, and playing pirates with some of the kids their age. Around eight that night Alexandria finally ran back to her apartment and burst in the door. Her mother sighed. "You're late Alexandria. Go wash your face and get ready for bed."
She nodded and left the room to do as her mother asked. After she had finished up she walked back out to her mother. "Will ya tell me a story?"
She smiled and nodded, telling a story about a knight rescuing a damsel in distress. When she finished heavy footsteps could be heard walking up the stairs outside. Her mother looked at the door and seemed worried for a second before gently pushing Alexandrea towards her room. "Now go ta bed before your father finds ya awake."
Alex nodded and climbed into bed just as she heard her father walk in. Before long she heard yelling and she tried to block out the noise by hiding her head under the pillow, and eventually she fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 4
Alex was awakened the next morning by the bright sunlight that was streaming in her dirty window. She quickly crawled out of bed and dressed herself before walking into the kitchen. She was greeted by the sight of her father leaning over her mother, glaring at her dangerously dangerously. Alex froze, but he saw her still out of the corner of his eye and spun around to face her, his hand drawn back in warning. "What're ya lookin' at?"
She trembled with fear and took a step back, but stayed silent. Her mother sent her a stern look. "Alex, go play with Christopher."
She stared at her father nervously and then looked at her mom. "But-"
She pointed to the door. "Go now."
She nodded and ran out of her apartment, making her way across the hall to Christopher's place. She knocked on the door and after a brief hesitation, he opened the door and peeked out. She smiled, trying to forget the concern she felt for her mother. "Hi Chris. Can ya come play?"
He shook his head dejectedly, casting a glance behind him. "Can't play right now, but I'll come later if I can. Sorry."
Alex nodded and walked towards Central Park on her own. She sighed and sat on a park bench when she finally got there and watched a newsie selling his papers. The day was quiet and the heat was damp. Without really meaning to, Alex dozed off on the bench. Later, the newsie tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey kid, ya mind if I sit down?"
She rubbed my eyes sleepily and moved over. "Sorry, didn't mean ta fall asleep."
He sat down next to her, took his hat off, and wiped the sweat off of his forehead. "What's a kid your age doin' in da park all alone?"
She looked at the sky, noting that it had been quite a while since she had left the apartments. "I was waitin' for a friend. I better be gettin' home now."
He grunted a response as she stood up and ran towards the building she lived in. She gasped as she neared home and saw flames leaping from the windows and firemen rushing around. "Mommy!" She yelled as she ran closer. A nearby fireman saw her and grabbed her arm to hold her back. She tried to jerk away as tears started streaming down her cheeks. "Let me go! I gotta find my mommy!"
"Sorry kid, can't let you go any closer." He said and pushed her back. She
watched the building burning and looked through the crowd for her mother or even
Christopher, but didn't see them anywhere.
After the fire was put out Alex's parents were never found, so she was sent to an orphanage. At first it seemed like a safe place, with a roof over her head and food to eat. However, as she got older she began to get the attention of the owner's husband, Mr. O'Reilly. He soon brought himself a little too close to her, and decided to teach her things no eight year old should have known.
Two months before Alex turned thirteen she discovered she was pregnant. When they found out about it, she was kept in the basement until the baby was born, and then it was taken away from her to be raised by O'Reilly and his wife. She
watched her baby boy grow up with someone else for two years, and cried herself to sleep most nights. In 1898 when she was fifteen she finally got tired of the beatings and being someone's whore, so she made plans to run away.
One night after O'Reilly had passed out she stealthily pulled her clothes on and packed a few things. She glanced at him to make sure he was still sound asleep and pulled some money out of his pants pockets. With only the hope that she might see her son again some day, she hurried away from the orphanage. She didn't stop until she reached Manhattan and spent the night sleeping on a hard park bench.
The next day I woke up and started walking around. Around one or two in the
afternoon my stomach growled but before I could steal any food, someone bumped into
me and I heard a whistle. I turned to see who had ran into me and I saw a boy with a red
bandanna around his neck and a cowboy hat on his head. I glared at him angrily. "Whatta
ya think yer doin'?"
He shrugged a little, but before he could say anything a police officer ran up yelling
for someone to stop "them". I frowned a little, realizing that now they was after me too.
The boy grabbed my hand and led me down a few streets until we finally lost the officer.
"Sorry 'bout dat." He said as we finally stopped, then offered a hand and smiled. "Da
name's Jack Kelly. Friends call me Cowboy."
I glared at him, refusing to accept his hand. "Alex." I said coldly.
He stopped smiling and stared at the bruises on my face. "Ya got a place ta stay,
Alex?"
I glared and backed up a little, immediatly suspicious. "I don't need yer help."
"I don't know where ya got dem bruises, an' I ain't gonna ask. But if ya need a
place ta stay, ya can be a newsie an' stay at da Lodgin' House. Dere ain't no goils dere,
but me boys won't try nothin' wit ya, I'll be sure of dat." He said solemnly.
I tried to hide my shaking hands and stared at him for a few seconds, deciding
whether I wanted to sleep on the streets again or take my chances with a bunch of boys. I
thought back to what had happened in the alley last night, and I realized that if I stayed
on the streets I would be more likely to run into the other two boys that I knew I couldn't
trust. "You better not be lyin' ta me."
"We'll be perfect gentlemen, promise." He said and stepped forward to put an arm
around my shoulders to lead me out of the alley, but backed away when he saw the look
of fear I was trying to hide. He motioned for me to walked out of the alley instead. "Just
follow me."
I nodded and followed him to a restaraunt. "This isn't a lodging house." I said
coldy.
He shrugged. "I thought you'd like ta meet some a da guys, an' get somethin' ta
eat."
I walked in and looked around at the room full of boys. They greeted Jack and one
or two gave me a curious glance. Finally, the one carrying a cane spoke up. "Hey Jack,
who's da goil?"
He looked at the boy and smiled. "Hey Spot, dis is Alex. She's gonna be stayin'
wit us."
The guys all circled around me to introduce themselves, but Jack seemed to
sense my fear and glared at them. "Fella's! Give da goil some room ta breath, will ya?"
They backed off a little and I was introduced to them one by one. A boy with a
crutch who they called Crutchy tapped Jack on the shoulder. "Hey, does she got a
nickname yet?"
I frowned. "A nickname?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah, we all gots 'em. Dey come in handy when da bulls is lookin'
for ya."
"Oh." I said quietly.
Spot walked up and put an arm around me. I jumped back like I had been burnt
and he stared at me suspiciously. "Flicker."
I blinked. "What?"
He smiled a little and shrugged. "Yer eyes flicker."
I watched him like a hawk as he bid farewell to the other boys and walked out the
door. Jack sent me a concerned look. "Don't let him scare ya, he ain't as dangerous as he
looks."
I shivered a little. For a few seconds I felt like he was staring into my soul with
those blue-grey eyes of his. "He didn't scare me." I lied.
Jack smiled a little and sat at a table. "Come on Flicker, let's get somethin' ta eat."
I nodded and sat across from him. After we ordered and ate lunch, we walked
back to the Lodging House with two boys named Snoddy and Dutchy. When we walked in
we were greeted by an old man standing behind a desk. "Hello boys, who's dis?" He said,
warmly. He seemed to be very nice, but then my thoughts went back to Mr. O'Reilly, at
the time I had thought he was a nice guy too. I stepped away from him a little as Jack
smiled. "Hey Kloppman. Dis is Flicker, she don't got a place ta stay so I thought she could
stay heya an' be a newsie. Is dat okay?"
The old man, Kloppman, nodded a little. "I don't see why it wouldn't be. There are
girl newsies in other places."
I reached into my pocket to pay him for the night and handed him the money
before darting upstairs after Jack, Snoddy, and Dutchy. I heard the guys talking to some
others and when I walked in I saw three boys I hadn't met yet. Jack smiled at me and
motioned to them. "Guys, dis is Flicker. Flicker, dat's Racetrack, Mush, an' Kid Blink." I
glanced at them for a few seconds after muttering a greeting. I only looked at Racetrack
and Mush for a few seconds, Kid Blink was the one I couldn't help but stare at. I couldn't
shake the feeling that we had met before. I thought for a few seconds, staring at his blond
hair and blue eyes... no, eye. I froze as I noticed the brown patch, just like a pirate would
wear. My hand automatically flew to my neck where a little silver ring hung on a chain. I
had out grown it years ago, but I always wore it around my neck. "Jamaica." I whispered
under my breath.
He looked up at me. "Somethin' wrong?"
I shook my head as a chill ran up my spine. All these years I had thought he ws
dead. "No, I was just... thinking." He shrugged and handed a deck of cards to Racetrack,
who started dealing a game of poker.
"Ya know, we ain't neva' had a goil heya before. I mean, dey've had goil newsies
in da Bronx an' Harlem, but we ain't neva' had one." Mush said as he looked through his
cards.
I looked up. "Really?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah. But don't worry, dey'll be sorry if dey don't mind deir
manners."
Blink laughed a little. "Aw come on Jack, we always do." He said in mock
innocence.
I glared at him and found an empty bunk to lie down on. The next morning I
walked with the circulation center with the others, being careful to keep my distance. That
became my daily routine for the next two weeks. Get up in the morning, follow the guys to
the circulation center, carry the banner, go back to the Lodging House and read a book or
something. Eventually the guys stopped trying to talk to me when they realized I was
avoiding them. Two weeks later I walked towards the gates with my papes and heard
Racetrack say my name. Kid Blink laughed a little. "Flicker? Ya mean da Ice Princess?"
A few of the guys laughed but looked pretty uncomfortable when I walked up and
glared at Blink. "If you're goin' ta say somethin' 'bout me, ya could at least have da guts ta
say it ta my face."
He nodded solemnly. "Yer right. It won't happen again... yer highness."
A few of the guys stiffled laughs as I turned to look at Racetrack. "Mind if I play
poker with you guys tonight?"
He shrugged. "Nah, go ahead."
Blink laughed. "I didn't know poker was a game prin-" He stopped and started
staring at my chest. I shifted uncofortably and looked down, realizing he had seen the little
silver ring he had given me.
He paled a little and looked up. "Alex? Is dat you?"
I froze for a second before I ran out of the gates with my papes. I stopped running
after a while and started walking around. I cursed when I finally took the time to look
around and saw I was standing in front of the orphanage. I automatically spotted a little
boy, just over a year and a half old. I winced a little as I realized how much he looked like
his father. He had the same black hair and the facial features were alike, but I smiled a
little when I saw he had my smoky green eyes.
A few seconds later a dark haired man walked out of the orphanage. While I was
trying to decide whether I should run and maybe draw his attention, or stand still and hope
he wouldn't see me, his eyes met mine and he started walking my way. I hesitated for a
fraction of a second, and then ran as fast as my legs could carry me towards Manhattan.
Two or three blocks later I ran into someone who grabbed my arms. I kicked and hit him
trying to get away but despite his small size, he was too strong. I burst into tears and
made a few more weak attempts to get away as he put his arms around me. "Hey, it's all
right. I ain't gonna hurt ya."
I looked up and had to take a second glance when I saw those intense blue-grey
eyes. I knew who he was right away, but the last time I had seen him he practically
radiated arrogance, and now he only looked concerned. "Spot?"
"Ya okay?" I tried to pull away again but he only held me tighter. "Hey, it's okay. I
don't know everything that's happened ta ya, but me an' da guys won't let no one hurt
ya."
I frowned. "Let me go."
He nodded a little and stepped back. "So what were ya runnin' from?"
I sniffed as I kicked some dirt and looked away. "Ah, nothin' important."
He frowned a little and looked behind me. "Dat guy at da orphanage, was he da
one dat gave ya dose bruises ya showed up wit?"
My head snapped up. "What?"
He smiled a little. "Yeah, I saw him. I followed ya when I saw ya runnin' outta da
circulation yard. Anyway, da look on yer face when dat guy saw ya was enough for me ta
figure out who he was."
I glared. "He's da guy dat's married ta da lady dat runs da orphanage."
He nodded. "I ain't stupid. Jack brought ya inta Tibby's an' ya looked like ya'd
been soaked pretty good, an' ya still won't get anywhere near da guys. I'se seen it happen
before."
I glared at him. "Yeah, well if you don't keep your nose out of my business, it'll
end up where your eyes is supposed ta be."
He glared back and grabbed my arm. "I don't like bein' threatened."
My eyes widened and I shivered a little. "What are ya goin' ta do ta me?"
He let me go and pointed to my papes. "Well first I'se gonna help ya sell dose, an'
den I'm gonna take ya back ta Manhattan."
"I can take care of myself." I snapped.
He looked annoyed for a few seconds. "Just stop arguin' an' give me some a
dose."
I reluctantly handed him some papes, and together we sold them by noon. After
we got something to eat he told me to follow him. I frowned when he stopped in front of a
warehouse. "Dis ain't Manhattan."
He turned around. "No, it ain't. I'm gonna teach ya ta fight."
I started to object but he wouldn't listen, and he spent the rest of the afternoon
teaching me the basics of fighting. Around sunset he finally stopped. "Well, yer doin' okay
for da first day, but it's time ta get ya back."
I nodded and walked back to Manhattan with him. When we walked in the
bunkroom Blink jumped up. "Alex!"
I glared at him. "Alex? Whatever happened ta da Ice Princess?"
He looked hurt for a second. "Don't ya remember me? Jamaica an'-"
I rolled my eyes. "Of course I remember ya! I noticed dat patch a mile away."
He blinked. "Ya mean ya knew all along? But why didn't ya say anythin'?"
I shrugged. "What was I supposed ta say? 'Hey Chris! How ya doin'? So, yer not
dead huh.. well dat's good. Cause all da time in dat crummy orphanage I always thought
da reason I neva' saw ya again was cause ya died in dat fire an' heya ya are alive an-"
He glared at me. "Woah! Hold it! Don't get mad at me, I didn't know you were
alive!"
I shrugged. "Yeah, well I am. Unfortunately." I said and started to turn away but
he grabbed my shoulders. I glared at him and tried to get away. "Let me go!"
Spot leaned out the bunkroom door and then turned towards me struggling with
Blink. "Flicker will ya stop dat! Flicker!... Blink, for cryin' out loud, let 'er go!" Blink stepped
back and Spot motioned for me to come over to the door. When I got there I started to
ask him what he wanted, but he motioned for me to be quiet and I heard a man's voice
downstairs. "She has long red hair, about so tall, I think she had green eyes. She pushed
my son out of the way of a carriage and I'd like to thank her. Is she staying here?" I bit my
lip and looked at Spot who walked down the stairs. "Hey Kloppman, who's dis guy?"
"Mr. O'Reilly. He's looking for a red haired girl, says she helped his son and wants
to thank her. Seen any girl newsies with red hair?"
I walked out of the bunkroom and snuck a look down the stairs just in time to see
Spot shake his head. "Dere ain't no goils stayin' in Brooklyn, an' da guys woulda said
somethin' if dere was one heya."
I leaned on one of the floorboards too much and it creaked loudly. I hid and held
my breath, breathing a sigh of relief when the man thanked Kloppman and left. Spot
walked up the stairs and stared at me seriously. "Ya oughta be more careful."
"I wanted ta see what was goin' on." I said softly as I stood up and walked into
the bunkroom. Blink frowned. "What was dat all about?"
I shrugged. "Some guy from da orphanage is lookin' for me."
He nodded a little. "Den I'll sell papes wit ya tomorrow."
"I took care of myself just fine for da ten years I thought ya were dead, in fact I
got used ta da idea, an' nothin's changed. I still don't need yer help." I said coldly and
climbed out the window to sit on the fire escape.
A few minutes later the window opened and Jack sat beside me. "Hey Flicker. I
was just wonderin' how ya know Blink."
I glared at him. "Long story."
He lit a cigarette. "I got all night."
I shrugged and started to tell him about living a few doors down from Blink and
the fire that had separated us. He listened and nodded when I finished. "So what
happened in da orphanage?"
I glared at him. "Hey, I don't go pryin' inta yer life, stay outta mine. I thought dat
was one a da unspoken rules of da newsies."
He sighed. "Yeah, I guess it is. Well, I'll just have to make it even. My mudda'
died when I was born, my pop was a no good drunk and got thrown in jail for assault an'
resistin' arrest. Now dat ya know my story, what about yours?"
I clenched my teeth. "It ain't none a yer business."
He shrugged. "I didn't think ya'd tell me. I got my own theory."
"I don't wanna hear it." I snapped.
He nodded. "Didn't think ya would. But ya should give Blink a chance, he just don't
want no one ta hurt ya. He don't know what happened in dat orphanage, so don't blaim it
on him."
"Fine, I'll sell papes wit him tomorrow." I said coldly and climbed back into the
bunkroom to get some sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day I was selling papes with Blink, just like I said I would. It started out
going pretty good, but around noon Blink had his back turned and was selling a pape to
some guy. While he wasn't looking someone put a hand over my mouth to stiffle my
screams and dragged me into a carriage.
No one told me where the carriage was going, but it was all too simple. In the
back of my mind I was hoping that maybe Blink had seen what had happened and would
follow behind, but I kicked myself for believing something as foolish as our dreams of
Jamaica had been. One thing I did know at that moment, was that I hated reality. I mean,
if it wasn't for reality, life would be great! Reality was just some big stupid concept that
should have never been invented.
I remember someone once told me something about people being actors and the
world being one big stage. I probably got it mixed up a little, but it was just as stupid. All I
knew was that if people were actors in the play of life, the hero in my story needed to be
fired because the idiot kept missing his cue! I drew a shaky breath as the carriage finally
came to an abrupt stop. I winced as Mr. O'Reilly grabbed my arm and dragged me into
the orphanage, and down into the basement. He slapped me and I fell down. "Ungrateful
little whore." I shivered and a few involuntary tears ran down my cheeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3rd Person
The guys all looked up as Blink ran into Tibby's with a concerned look on his face.
"Hey Blink, somethin' wrong?" Jack asked after a few seconds."
"I was sellin' papes wit Flicker an' I was sellin' a pape ta dis guy, an' when I turned
around she was gone."
Jack shrugged. "Look, don't worry bout it. She didn't want no one lookin' out for 'er
anyway. If she ain't back by tonight we'll go look for 'er, but it's probably nothin'."
Blink nodded a little and waited for Flicker to show up. When they went back to
the Lodging House at about nine o'clock and she wasn't there, they decided to go look for
her. Spot and Blink went to the orphanage she had passed by the day before. Spot
motioned for Blink to stay quiet as the walked to the back and crawled through a window,
then opened the door for Blink, who looked around a little. "I'll look down heya, you go up
there." He said as he found the door to the basement.
Spot nodded and started walking away but before he could get out of the room
Blink saw a flash of red at the bottom of the stairs and called him back. When they walked
down the stairs they saw Flicker laying in blood and broken glass. She had been soaked
and her clothes were torn into tatters. Blink kneeled beside her and noticed her wrists were
slit, probably with one of the pieces of glass. He took off his shirt and ripped some strips
off that he wrapped as tightly as he could around her wrists.
Spot and Blink carried her upstairs and then to the Lodging House as fast as they
could. When they got her there Kloppman called a doctor to fix her up and Blink watched
her all night and the next day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Flicker's POV
My eyes fluttered open and I was surprised, and a little happy, to find that I was in
a bed in the Lodging House instead of in a cold basement, although I was disappointed
even to be there, I hadn't slit my wrists for no reason. I saw Blink out of the corner of my
eye yawning. He smiled when he saw me giving him a skeptical look. "Ya feelin' okay?"
I glared at him. "What do you think?"
He looked away. "Why'd ya do it?"
"Do what?" I asked, wondering what I had done.
He looked at my hands. "Try ta kill yerself."
I turned away as tears started building up in my eyes. "When I was a kid, my
fadder beat me, when I got rid of him, dat creep beat me an' he raped me. Den last night
it was just like old times, only when he was through wit me I could hear him upstairs wit
some odder goil. I knew dat she was goin' through da same thing I had ta go through just
a few weeks ago, but I didn't feel sorry for her, I was just glad it was her an' not me. I
knew no one would come get me, an' I couldn't take knowin' dat da next night he'd have
his doity hands all ova' me again. So when I saw dat glass da only thing I could think of
was endin' it all."
He looked upset for a second, well, about as upset as he could look. His mouth
always turned up at the corners a little, even when he frowned. "We did come lookin' for
ya."
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Well it ain't neva' happened before."
He set his lips in a determined line. "From now on ya don't 'ave ta worry bout dat,
cause I'll always help ya when ya're in trouble."
"Maybe I didn't want to be rescued, ya eva' think of that?" I said bittery.
His forehead creased in confusion. "What do you mean?"
I glared at him and started quoting something I had once heard. "You do me
wrong to take me out of the grave Thou art a soul in bliss But I am bound upon a wheel of
fire That mine own tears do scold like molten lead." (Don't know who said it, I'd have to
ask my English teacher, think it was Shakespeare)
He clenched his teeth and for the first time he seemed angry. "Look, I know
what's happened to ya, but ya ain't da only one ta get a rotten deal in life. Ya don't 'ave
any clue what kind a' life any of da guys've lived or what mine's been like, so don't tell me
my life's all great, cuz it ain't." He said with a cold note in his voice and walked out of the
room.
I blinked back tears, but couldn't keep a few from rolling down my face. "He's right
you know." I heard a voice say from the shadows. I jumped as I saw Spot Conlon walk
out from behind the door.
"What're ya doin' heya and what would you know anyway?" I snapped.
He smirked mockingly. "I came heya ta see if ya was doin' okay an' I know a
heck of a lot more den you know sweetheart."
I glared at him. "Don't call me that... and you don't know as much as ya think ya
do."
He put his hat on and smirked. "I know dat yer a selfish witch fer treatin' Blink like
dat when he's just tryin' ta help cause he cares 'bout ya. He'll be da last ta see what kinda
person ya are, but he'll figure it out eventually, an' one day ya'll need 'im an' he won't be
dere. Den ya'll be sorry." He said coldly before he walked out the door.
I let out a strangled sob as he slammed the door behind him. A few minutes later
the door opened again. "Alex?" Blink said, concern in his voice. "Ya okay?"
I wiped away my tears and glared at him, Spot was wrong, I would never need
Blink, never. "Go away, I don't need you."
He looked hurt. "I'll be here if you ever do. I'll always be here Alex."
I looked down away as he walked out the door. 'He had said he'd always be
there, Spot said he wouldn't.... but it doesn't really matter, I'll never need him. I'm fine on
my own, just fine... who needs friends and family and laughter and love... not me, I'm
fine.' I thought, trying to convince myself I had done the right thing. I looked up at the door
again. 'I don't need Blink, or the others, I'm fine on my own... but still, it would be nice to
have a friend...' I shook my head, trying to forget the thought and fall asleep into a
peaceful, if not eternal, oblivion.
