#''Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box''

[memento-mori-memories]

53:12:00 - Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box

#unus annus #memento mori #memento mori memories #day 312 #amy sent us a mystery box #the banana surprise

[happybirthday-unusannus]

Happy 3rd Birthday to

“Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box”

#unus annus #markiplier #crankgameplays #ethan nestor #September 21

[kaylas-world-0]

𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘

Masterlist

𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃: Yes || No

Pairings: Tails x Reader

They/them // She/her // He/him // Other

Summery; Our gang went to a haunted house to celebrate Sonic's birthday. The thing is... nothing went as planned...

A/n: Does anyone want to be in the tag list?

Warnings: cursing, blood, abuse, kidnapping, possessive behavior, manipulation, deception, derealization, guilt tripping, scopophobia, etc.

Word Count: 2878

Have Fun!

"Y/n, Are you really sure about this?" Tails asked hesitantly.

You proudly posed outside of the ruined palace, "Of course! Last year we went on a train to play murder mystery for Amy. Now this year for famous blue blur's birthday.... we are going in a haunted house~ Don't worry guys this is not a real haunted house just a play that I pay to someone..."

Everyone glanced at each other.

You approached your friends confidently, "I sent a message to Sonic, telling him to come here urgently. So we need to be quick. Everyone go and find a place for yourselfs, hide and be scared. We will be the one to hunt Sonic down! Let's go!"

Espio stopped you unsure, "Wait. There is no rule or anything in this?"

You glance at him, "Just don't kill anyone."

Espio raised a brow, unamused that you mention the last party he poisoned Sonic because of his disability understanding the whole point.

Silver gasped, "Wait, you guys played murder mystery on Amy's birthday? Oh no, I missed a lot!"

Blaze patted his back, "Don't worry this year you are with us this time."

Amy smiled at him, "It's okay. We knew you were unable to! Right now let's focus on having fun!"

"Yeah!" You cheered, "This is the spirit!"

Vector stopped everyone before we could get in, "Wait, if the only rule is not killing anyone out of fear or... other reasons... what if some people end up in the same place or some of us get lost alone in this palace what we gonna do?"

Tails popped in, "We could call each other or message."

Rouge sighed, "Good idea genius. There is no signal here, remember? This place is really a good idea to drag us all the way here with no internet whatsoever, thanks Y/n."

"You're welcome. My idea is that we can all get in groups and split up. Easy. Right? One group guards one place another. How's that sound?"

Vector pipped in once again, "I am writing everyone's name in a paper!"

Shadow sighed, "This is going to take forever, let's just split up. Me and Rouge can go to the top floor. Vector and Espio can go downstairs. Silver and Blaze could be on the fourth floor. Amy and Knuckles could be on the third floor. Y/n and Tails could be on the second floor."

Knuckled shrugged, "That was in fact faster."

"Sorry Vector."

"Aww man..."

You waited for everyone to go in, glancing towards the horizon. With a hope maybe you would get a glance of the blue line.

Tails grabbed your arm, "Let's go to our place before he comes."

You nodded and followed him in.

You escort after Amy and Knuckles. Glancing at the old wooden stairs, carefully stepping along the creaking steps as you listen to others cheat. You reached out to hold the railing only to halt. They're really dusty... It needs to be a haunted house after all. They're doing a really good job here.

Instead you continue climbing until you and Tails reach the second floor. Where you probably first scare Sonic without him knowing it was you guys.

You bid your goodbyes with others and disappeared into the hall out of their sight.

"Whoa, look at this place! Where do you think we should hide?" You nudge his side with a grin as you observe the pictures hanging on the walls.

He hums glancing around, "Let's first start searching from the first door. I am sure we can find something to scare Sonic even more too."

You followed him along to the first door you two were next to. Tails reach for the door knob and open the door with a loud creak.

You two walked inside as your steps heard loudly in the room.

There wasn't much in this room. Just a few covered stuff and a few boxes on a table.

Tails approached the boxes and searched inside them while you removed the cover of the seat.

"Weird."

You glance at him, "What's up?"

"There are a lot of tools here."

"Maybe this room used to be a repair room or something?"

"It could be-- What are you doing?"

You grin under the white sheet, "What? Scared?"

"If you are thinking of scaring Sonic like that... try a bit harder." He shuffled away from you as you took it off, throwing it on the old couch.

"But I sensed some fear from youuu~ Your tails are stiff-- Wait, what are you holding?"

"You are funny, and what do you mean-- oh..."

You snickered, "You really lose yourself when you are near tools, don't you?"

"I swear I don't even remember picking this up." He laughed and put the wrench back in the box, "Let's go."

You two left the room and walked further in the hall, opening some doors and glancing inside searching for something useful.

As you heard a loud thud from behind, in the hall you glanced back, guessing it was Tails who made the noise but seeing he also turned around and glanced back, you freezed in quick fright.

"What was that?"

He turned to you shrugging, "Maybe the wrench dropped out of the tool box because I left it unbalanced?"

You sighed, repeating in your head. This is not a horror movie and you two are not characters in a book. This is just a silly game and this place isn't haunted. Ghosts aren't real.

"Maybe it was others?"

"Wouldn't we hear the creak of wood under their feet first? Besides, why would they come to our floor? We all parted on an agreement basis. You're just thinking too much into this, don't let your imagination take over, it's the wrench falling off."

"You are not making me feel any better right now Tails." You spoke in a paranoid way.

Seeing your tensed body he sighed and reached his hand with a smile, "If it's gonna make you feel any better wanna check that room again?"

You nodded quickly, taking his warm hand into your cold one. It would make you feel more at ease. But he must be right. You are just making yourself scared for nothing.

You two walked back down the corridor, to the first door while you were scolding yourself for being such a kid.

Tails opened the door with a relieved smile, "See? Just the wrench."

You glanced around the room. Everything looked just the same as you left it. The wrench was on the ground.

"Yeah..." you frowned.

"But how? I am sure you put it inside where it can't easily just drop down like that. There isn't even any window here that can make wind too."

"Maybe you just didn't pay that much attention." Tails walked inside the room and picked it up. This time carefully leaving it inside the box.

"There, our problem solved. Don't scare yourself alright? Let's continue searching. It's just gravity."

You sighed following him out of the room. You feel childish once again, tricking yourself into believing in something nonexisting....

"Yeah, listen to the logic and that is you. Mr. Fox."

You two laugh at that. Now you are once again at ease.

Tails paused, "When I think twice...." He let your hand go and rush into the room again.

He came back with the wrench, "Just to be sure. This can stay with us. You can't be sure what could be useful in any situation."

You rolled your eyes at his reasoning, "Sure. Stop being so cliche."

"This is me." He hummed a song as he opened another door in the hall you two were never in before.

He walked in, "Try to touch everything as little as possible so that anyone who enters the room will notice the impression that the place has not been stepped in for years."

"I'll try." This room too was dark like the last ones. You couldn't turn on the light because there was no electricity in the house, and some rooms were darker because there was no window inside either, so you left the doors open when you entered. You guys entered the palace close to sunset so you guys have very little timed sunlight and getting darker and darker every minute.

Tails walked inside the room further as he had better sight vision then you had while you waited next to the door, "Oh, I find a flashlight! And it is charged too! It can take us for a few hours. This will definitely be enough for us in the meantime! This is definitely gonna be a lot useful. Wish you told us we were coming here so I could bring more useful things from my workshop but what we find here will do fine too I guess." Tails talked to himself.

You glance outside the room, observing the paintings. The eyes felt like staring into your very soul. It's just a fascinating illusion artists make...

Hearing a shuffle behind, you quickly turned around, glancing around in the corridor, a little panicked and confused.

When a bright light came to your face, you yelped and covered your face.

"Whoa, Sorry. Didn't expect this think can work like that. It looks really old too!" He spoke fascinatedly as he turned the light away from your face.

You blinked your eyes with a groan, "Did you find anything useful then that light there?"

"Nothing. Let's look to the next door."

You glanced back one more time as he went further in the now half illuminated hall, "Okay..."

Now the sunlight's effects are nearly gone, our only light source was the flashlight.

"I hope others find something to lighten their way too." You muttered to yourself, "I can't imagine how it could be without light in here..."

"I am sure they find something." Tails reached for the door and opened it.

After you stepped in you two heard a noise.

Tails glanced at you as you two freezed to listen more closely. It was mostly silent but...

Tails' ear twitched, "Static."

"It's not coming from this room."

You screamed with an explosion sound and the light turned off.

"Crap. Amoul exploded."

You grabbed your chest with a heavy breath.

"Gotta find a new Amoul. We still can use the flashlight. It still has a lot of power."

"Why are you so calm?! The Amoul just exploded out of nowhere!"

"That's not true. It was old and getting hot. It's normal."

"Then at least you should have warned me..."

You looked towards where you assumed he was, a bit annoyed.

"Sorry, you are right. I should have told you." He grabbed your hand, noticing your lack of vision.

You softened, "Let's just find one. And get going already. Sonic must be already here and we haven't figured out what we should do."

He dragged you outside, "I think I saw one in the rooms."

"That's good to hear...."

You waited outside the hall as he searched in the rooms for an amoul.

You glanced at the end of the hall; it wasn't far away. You looked back at the room Tails went to.

"Hey, you continue checking these rooms. I am gonna go see if there is anything useful in the other ones we haven't been to yet."

His voice became a bit muffled, "Don't get lost."

"Haha funny. As if I could get lost on this floor. There is nothing but this suffocating hall." You muttered to yourself.

You quickly walked down the dark hall.

Coming to a halt at the end of it, you squint your eyes noticing there was no door but two more ways to continue the corridor on its right and left walls.

"Oh my god more places to get lost..."

You shuddered a chill running down your spine as you glanced back, suddenly the paintings are more dark for you.

You wanted to run back with the sudden chill but you turned back at the new corridors. You swallowed and stepped in towards the right one.

A light illuminated your figure, "Wow, you find more hallways! Let's search!" His eyes shined with curiosity.

You started his back as he walked in front of you.

You gasped quickly following him before losing the sight of his light.

You walked next to him observing the paintings on the walls.

"There aren't any doors here."

"There is one in the end." He pointed it out with his light.

You two came to the end of the hallway, he reached for the door.

"It's not opening." He tried a few more times, "This one is locked from the inside... weird."

"Maybe it's just stuck?"

He tried to open it with some force, hitting it with his shoulder.

"Nope and don't be fooled by how old it looks, it's really strong." He rubs his shoulder.

You huffed, "Man, what a waste of time."

"At least there are a few windows here. Look, it's already night."

"Yeah..." you glanced at the dark starry night. Moon's light was shining directly towards your figures.

Tails smiles at you, "Let's search the other hallway and hide in there."

You agreed to follow him. Until you halted noticing a mirror next to the door. You stare at your blurry reflection.

"You coming?"

"Yep."

When you got to the end of the exit along with Tails, you halted next to him, staring. Instead of an exit, there was a door blocking your ways.

"This is very strange. Did we go the wrong way?" Tails frowned, illuminating the other way.

He let out a gasp, "What the--"

You turn around to stare at what he was looking at. Your eyes widen. The hallway you two just walked down wasn't the same anymore. No windows, no paintings, no moon light, just darkness.

Your breathing quickened, "Okay.... Do you still think paranormal activities don't exist now?"

He swallowed, slowly turning towards the door, "Which one? Walking back down the darkness or the unknown door?"

You looked back at the darkness but quickly reached for the door and opened it, "The Door. Definitely the door." Tails quickly followed along as you shut the door back down.

The light flickered and you two freezed.

"No, no, no. You can't do this to us right now!" He groaned as he tried to fix it.

You halted glancing around, "Tails."

He hummed for an answer.

"Where are we?"

He looked up along with illuminating the room for you two.

"Dining room? What is this smell?" He groaned in disgust, closing his nose.

"Rotten, rust, dust and moisture...?"

"I just don't understand. How did we end up here?"

You steal his flashlight, "Stop trying to make sense in the ghost's life. This room is huge... and disgusting. Let's just find a way out."

"This place isn't haunted, Y/n. It must be because we accidentally opened a secret room." You two split up around the long table. It was donated with plates, forks, knives, spoons and old candles. In plates there were weird solid objects that you don't wanna pay much attention to.

You sighed, "Why would a dining room be a secret place? And why does it smell like shit?" You lighten up the walls, searching for a door.

"That is.... something I don't wanna tire my mind with..."

"Then tire your mind with finding another door!"

"I'm tryin' "

You two searched the whole room but found nothing.

"...maybe if we went back from the same door our hall would appear again?"

"It could work but.... where is our door?"

You illuminate the area where the door was.

"O-okay.... we are stuck in this smelly room. Do you wanna explain this with math and science too genius boy?"

"I threw math out of the window a long time ago."

"Great. How are we going to go back home then?"

Before he can say anything all the candles light up all of a sudden and your light flickered off.

You two screamed in terror.

On the table's biggest plate there was a fresh corpse of an animal, you could see the flys fluttering just above it.

Your hands were shaking so hard, you wanted to puke so much, you quickly covered your mouth.

You screamed when you heard a thud. You looked towards Tails, he was on the ground, choking.

"Tails!"

You quickly sprint towards him.

"Are you alright?!"

He nodded quickly, he was holding his nose. He swallowed and tried to slowly breathe from his mouth.

You tried to ignore what you just saw and caressed his back.

"It's okay... breath... calm down..."

A few tears slipped from his face, "Damn it... what was that...?" He gritted his teeth.

You didn't answer.

You heard a ear scratcher scream. You two closed your ears in pain. It was like no matter what you do that voice seem to went straight to your head, ripping your inside.

You two cried for it to stop and all of a sudden.... it was all quite.

Until...

You heard an echo.

"Isn't that in the nature of a fox? To eat the rabbits, rodents and birds? Won't you come and join the dinner with us little fox? On today's menu we have carrion!" It started to chuckle while its laugh slowly grew with a menacing tone. You glared at the ceiling.

What the fuck is this?

Tails bared his fangs with a whimper, tears slipping from his tightly closed eyes, he clawed his ears don't wanna hear, his tails swarming his shaking up body. You try to comfort him with your shaking hands.

"What's wrong little fox? It's just meat~"

You couldn't stay still when your anger outweighed your fear, "I don't know what or who you are but you can't play with us like that!!! Let us out RIGHT NOW!"

"Oh but we just have begun..."

#sonic the hedgehog #miles tails prower #tails the fox #sonic characters #sonic and tails #knuckles the echidna #sonic and knuckles #sonic #tails #knuckles #shadow #shadow x reader #knuckles x reader #espio #allenwrites #silver #silver x reader #x reader

[unusannusbracket]

#unus annus #unus annus bracket #markiplier #crankgameplays #polls

[nataliesnews]

to Zianda, Warren, Amy, Ros, Arthur, Jayna, me, Shirley, Charles, Daniel, Daphne, Glenn, Kelly

I know this letter is very confused but so am I . I swing between hatred and pity. My arm is better and I only have a plaster  on it but I woke up this morning with 38 temperature of 38 which has never happened to me. I spent most of the day sleeping. But I want to get this letter out. The only  thing I am sure of in my life is that I would like to see Netanyahu and his family suffering as they have made us suffer.   Hamas.....may they and Netanyahu fry in hell. But I loathe him more than Hamas. 

So here it comes out in drips and drabs and thenI am going to lie down again

One of the hostages, recently released from Gaza, revealed on Wednesday that he was held for nearly 50 days in an attic by a teacher from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The story was published on X by Channel 13 journalist Almog Boker.

The hostage also said that the teacher who held him captive was a father of 10 children. He had barely been provided food or medical attention, and was locked away by the teacher, he said.

Together with this article you can understand how people are going through hell and one wonders if they will ever know the full truth. It also makes one wonder if this is why Hamas keeps on insisting that they do not know where people are. And just who these people are who work for the United Nations as there was also a man who wrote that he had been imprisoned by a doctor. |On the other hand if they were released then obviously Hamas knew where they were. It is like these horror stories one reads. Nearly two months after Oct. 7, for many Israelis, fate of relatives still a mystery

Israelis and  Palestinians ,women make peace gathered under the Rossing Institution send out food parcels to Palestinians of East Jerusalem...Why/? It was a rather chaotic situation and will have to be organized better next time but we managed. We gathered in an apartment and somehow in the middle of all the confusion managed to pack about 80 boxes of dry goods for families in need. It was organized by three groups, the Rossing organization, Women make peace,  and Kulna which means all of us and is again Jews and Arabs. We packed about 70 boxes and' what was rather cute was that, if there were children in a family, they were given colourful boxes of cereal. All this from contributions.  But the sad thing was that the next day there was a terrorist attack with three people dead. I find myself going from one extreme to the other.

But just now I got this from my friend, Mofida in Hebron and I know I have to hang on to my humanity. These are such basic foods. The Baskins and I sent her money through  a woman I met at the  Combatants. A photo like this and I know I have to help wherever I can.

Check Google for " Ir Amim's response to the deteriorating situation in East Jerusalem"

But against that is also the problem of what is going to happen to our own economy. At a time when so many Israelis are no longer working and the government is now dishing out money to the unworking ultra orthodox I can see us opening up soup kitchens. So it is no wonder that there are such caricatures.

. I can no longer wear my shirt which I had made as some of the children have been returned. And I again think that we should say, if you do not give us our captured people back, we will not send humanitarian aid to Gaza. If Hamas does not care what happens to them, do we really have to care for their people more than for ours. I look at some of the women who have been returned and the light seems to have gone out of their eyes. We will never know what happened to them . . My head goes round and round. And then two friends sent me this article by Thomas Friedman and this really spoke to me. 

"Israel should call for a permanent cease-fire that would be followed by an immediate Israeli withdrawal of all military forces in Gaza on the condition that Hamas return all the hostages it has left, civilians and military, and any dead. But Hamas would get no Palestinian prisoners in return. Just a clean deal — Israeli withdrawal and a permanent cease-fire in return for the 130-plus Israeli hostages".

Only thing is I can't see Hamas agreeing .....and even that will not be enough for the world to see who these animals are. I was with Gershon Baskin and family last night for supper. I asked what will happen with the rest of the hostages and he said that the main problem would be the soldiers. I don't see how we can just leave them there and then I ask myself if we will ever see the others alive. As it is we already have  heard of four who have been killed  in captivity. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/opinion/israel-gaza-ceasefire.html?unlocked_article_code=1.C00.Un2O.h1MbXfDlnsAU&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare This Is the 9/11 Lesson That Israel Needs to Learn

I wish he were our prime minister instead of ... I find it so hard to write, prime minister, about a prime piece of garbage. 

.

Thanks to friendly fire and the quick finger on the trigger a civilian has been killed ....he put his hands up but they had to shoot him dead as they do with anyone who they think is an Arab. So obvious that this would happen with every Moshe, Joseph and settler  being given a rifle. They could not shoot for the arm or the leg. No, They know that even when a "mistake" is made,  they will not be accounted for. It just shows how any Arab can be murdered at the whim of any soldier and as I always say, what happens in the occupied area is now happening here. And Netanyahu showed his usual sensitivity. He said that these things happen, that's life....can you believe it .  Now it has become a terrible tragedy. 

Facing public backlash, Netanyahu speaks to father of hero civilian killed by soldier

PM calls for investigation into death of Yuval Castleman, who was shot after taking out terrorists, calls incident a 'terrible tragedy' after previously saying only 'that's life'

https://www.timesofisrael.com/facing-public-backlash-netanyahu-speaks-to-father-of-civilian-killed-by-soldier/   ·

The tragic death of the hero attorney Yuval Doron Castleman is not a report, it is a terrible result of a bad culture fueled by populist and extremist politicians and an irresponsible media. , Let's start with the details, the two terrorists were eliminated in the attack by Castleman and a Golani patrol fighter who was on the scene within 28 seconds thanks to their courage. After that two other fighters wound the Golani patrol fighter in his hand and shot towards Castleman. It is difficult to judge their initial mistake in identification, it is an explosive event, but where does the problem lie? , In the published video, you can see how Castleman drops to his knees, puts down his weapon, takes off his jacket to remove fear of an explosive device, raises his hands and begs for his life. That doesn't stop the two fighters from shooting him anyway. Probably because they were educated that it is necessary to do a field trial, to get as many "X's" as possible, as the fighter said in his own language in an interview with Channel 14, or as Yanon Magal asked him yesterday: "Did you do a homicide investigation?" And here is the price of the opening fire instructions campaign, the life of a heroic citizen who saved human life and paid his due due to negligence and extremism. The opening instructions by fire, they were indeed written in blood, and now also in Castleman's blood. , For now, the IDF has decided not to interrogate the soldiers. It is not clear why and how. Yuval worked as a lawyer at the Civil Service Commission, today he was supposed to celebrate his birthday. Sending my condolences to his family. Of blessed  Karin Elhrer

Relative of freed captives say Hamas branded child hostages in case they escaped.....(Memories of the Holocaust. 

Aunt says veterinarian operated on captive niece's arm; hostages survived on 'minimal food'; doctor says returning captives had 'undergone hardship, physically and mentally'

Nofim Tel [phone]

Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages

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[newsiesarchive]

FF.Net Back Up:  A Third Class Prison by Gaelicchick

Originally Published Apr. 9, 2000

The second chapter in the East Meets West series, a street fight lands the girls in a dangerous factory...

Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Drama - Words: 12,518 - Reviews: 10 - Favs: 2 - Published: Apr 9, 2000 - id: 18566

A Third Class Prison by: Amy

"Hey street trash, 'who's da skoits? Bet dey's a foin way ta spenda even'!"

The whole group of newsies stopped and turned to see whose voice was coming out of the ally. They were coming back to the Lodging House after a night at Tibby's, and among them was a group of fairly recent additions to the Lodging House; a pack of six immigrant newsgoils that had joined the Manhattan Lodging House after the destruction of their old distribution center had left the orphans homeless. They were the "skirts" that the mysterious voice had been commenting on, and several of them were getting very angry.

Jack moved toward the ally, "Did you'se say somfin" His fists were tightened as he peered into the darkness to make out the offender's face. Following close behind was one of the girls, Maggie O'Rourke, along with Gloria, the two girls with the hottest tempers in the house. "Emma", Maggie said very calmly, her voice straining to remain so, "I tink ya had better take Annie back de other way and around ta get back 'ome."

Emma, a tall pretty blond girl, took the arm of Annie, a small, skinny, nine year old with golden curls, and pulled her down the street in the opposite direction of the ally at a very fast walk.

At this point the Delancy brothers revealed themselves by stepping out of the ally. "Youse got some new coimpany Jack. 'Ow cums youse hazn't intradoozed us yet?"

Jack looked at Oscar with utter contempt, "Cuz maybe deys good enough not ta want ta keep wit da loikes a you." Morris strode up next to his brother, face to face with Jack. "Now, dems fightin woids if evuh I hoid 'em. Youse lookin for a foit heah cowboy?"

By now Jack was flanked by not only the two girls, but also Racetrack, Kid Blink, Mush, and Sammy, a tall brunette with a killer right cross. He looked around him then back at the Delancy's. "In case you 'hadn't noticed, youse is de ones who seem ta be outnumboid. Is you shoir youse is up ta it?"

Both men laughed. "You nevah loin do ya cowboy. We'se always gots a little "help." With this he gestured behind him and five others sauntered out of the ally. A little alarm bell went off in Jack's head, but he ignored it.

There was no warning before Oscar threw the first punch, but Jack was ready for it. He blocked it and knocked the big man squarely in the jaw. After that all hell broke lose. Everyone was involved. Even quiet Katrina "Katsy" was induced to participate after one of the flunkies grabbed her about the waist and started to pick her up. She pinched him with all her might, then wiggled free enough to knee him in the groin before he could stop her. She was busing herself kicking him the stomach and shouting curses in her native tongue when Maggie looked over. She had just finished a sort of boxing match with the smaller of the goons. He was bigger than her but she was faster, and although she was bleeding out of a cut on her face, she had dealt more than she had taken. She smiled in spite of herself as she saw Gloria and Lacey catch Morris after Mush's punch sent him flying, only to knee him in the groin and curse and spit on him.

The rucus was so loud that no one heard the bulls. Indeed, by the time they took enough notice to run, it was too late. The police were coming up both sides of the street and the alleyways led to dead ends. Kats looked relieved, not realizing that the cops would undoubtedly lay the blame on the kids. The highly visible batons and a wink from Race and Jack induced the frightened girls to cooperate. They were put into a wagon and hauled into jail for the night.

"Don't worry about it, dey got nofin ta charge us wit. Everybody knows who Osacah and Morris are and wot deys up to. Most we can get is a fine, 'an Denton'll cover dat till we pay 'em back." Racetrack had seen the worried looks on the girls faces.

"And if dey do put us in da refuge, we gots da newsies ta bust us out. Don't worry, this happens all da toim." That was Jack's helpful advice. But Maggie worried all the same. She was glad Annie wasn't there. - "Order, Order, Order in the court!" The bang of the judge's gavel woke Maggie back to full consciousness. She had spent an uncomfortable night in a holding cell with the rest of the newsies, and was not feeling well at all. She looked out at the faces in the room, she saw Denton waiting anxiously, Emma and Annie were by the door, David and Less stood next to them. Maggie tried to calm herself down. "You heard Race, this happens all the time, you'll be fine." She looked around, the guys were calm and a bit impatient to be out, but Maggie could see her friends Gloria, Kats, even Lacey, were all on edge.

The proceedings, however, went just as Race had said they would. They were required to pay a fine of 3 dollars each, which Denton having been promoted at his paper, paid. They were waiting for the judge to close the hearing and let them go, when the judge was handed a piece of paper. He read it with a solemn face and immediately stared at Lacey. "I am not finished!" The newsies and most of the onlookers jumped. The judge settled himself down. 'The following people shall remain for further questioning: Teresa Felicchi, MargretO'Rourke, Gloria Lacayo, and Katrina Stak-Schtank-"

"Stankovich." Maggie finished for him. The judge just banged his gavel to quiet the ripple of laughter that ensued, and glared at Maggie. The hairs on the back on Maggie's head were standing up, something was not right here.

"The four mentioned shall remain, the rest of you are free to go." The boys filed out of the box, but most of them stayed behind to see what was going on. Jack went over to David and Denton, but both looked confused.

The judge began. "It has become routine procedure within this department to scan the records of juvenile offenders for previous criminal history. Upon this, we discovered that many of you were involved in a riot last year during the infamous newsboy protest." At this some boys began to hoot and clap, but several bangs of the gavel silenced them.

He went on, "This was not what interested me. It is well know that newsboys are a disrespectful rowdy lot, and therefore such behavior is not unusual among members of the lower class."

This was met with a few shouts and protests, but the judge went on. "What interested me about these four children is that they had no criminal history. In fact, they had no official records whatsoever. No birth certificates, no naturalization cards, no Ellis Island papers, nothing. Now, as you know, our shores are being assaulted every year by the gutter trash of every nation in Eastern and western Europe. And since these children have no documentation to provide proof of either birth in this country or legal immigration and naturalization, I can come to no other conclusion but that they must have, willingly or not, immigrated here illegally."

At this the girls began shouting at the judge, except for Kats who had not been able to follow everything and was, near tears, pulling on Maggie's sleeve begging for an explanation. The judge turned to the girls. "Well well, perhaps I am mistaken. Can any of you produce any form of documentation proving that your are a legitimate citizen of the United States, or at least hold a green card?"

Maggie spoke up. "Yer honor. We were all orphaned on way or another at a young age. We were taken, along with all of our documentation to da Little Sisters of da Poor Orphanage. Unfortunately, sir, dat institution burned ta da ground four years ago. All of our papers were lost in da fire."

The judge looked at them, and for one moment Maggie actually thought that they had been believed. But he raised his eyebrows and with a condescending look, launched into his next speech. "Well, I have to say that is one of the most original and convenient stories I have heard yet. But, I'm afraid that it won't help you. If you had really been at the orphanage, you would have been given some documentation upon admission to the Refuge. As you have none, nor have we found any in our records, I remain firm in my decision that you are in this country illegally, and will have to be dealt with accordingly. Of course, I am aware that since many of you were probably snuck in at a young age, this crime was not totally your fault, but we must set an example mustn't we?"

"Now," He gestured to the piece of paper in his hand, "I have been made a fine offer by a generous citizen of New York. He has drawn to my attention that at this point in winter, the Refuge is near maximum occupancy. It is filled with legitimate American children, and we wouldn't want to displace any of them. Therefore, Mr. Steven Blackpool has generously offered his mill as a place where you four may work to pay back the city of New York for all you have taken from it. If, after, say, six months time, if you have proven yourselves diligent, capable workers; able to benefit American society through your work, you will be allowed to remain in this country with green cards. However, if you do not work, or cause disturbances, you will, and I can promise you it will happen most swiftly, you will be deported back to your respective countries of origin on the next available boat." With that the judge hammered his gavel and the guards began pulling the girls towards the door.

Maggie's eyes were wild. She knew exactly what happened in the mills, she cried after the judge. "Ye can't do this! It's murder! People go in der and dey don't come out! Please, sir, anythin, anytin yer signing our death certificates I swear ta God!"

The newsies were shouting as were the rest of the girls. Maggie was struggling so much with the guard that two had to take her up by the arms so her feet couldn't touch the floor; and they carried her, swinging and raving out of the court. Outside a wagon was waiting to take the girls away. Maggie was still screaming, the newsies were pressing in to stop the guards but police held them back.

Maggie was finally able to swing her feet around and clip one of the guards in the leg. When he dropped her arm she made to swing at the other, but he had foreseen the action. The large guard pulled his baton from his pocket just as Maggie whirled around. *CRACK!* The heavy stick came down hard on Maggie's temple. Maggie's body crumpled to the ground.

Lacey, who was being loaded into the wagon after Kats and Gloria, screamed. Her guard just gave her a hard shove that sent her to her knees on the floor of the wagon.

The newsies surged again against the police, but they could not break through. David looked next to him at Annie, who was hysterically crying. Emma was sobbing as well, and she held the little girl to her chest so she would not have to see what was going on. He had held back, knowing that trying to break through was futile, but when he saw Maggie go down, a scream ripped out of him and he broke through to the front of the mob. He saw her lying, dazed, on the ground. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, and he thought she might have seen him, but by then the guards lifted her up and tossed her into the truck. Lacey, who had still not risen from her knees, held Maggie's head in her lap. Her tear streaked face was the last thing the boys saw before the door was slammed shut and the wagon disappeared along the busy street. - When Maggie woke up her head felt like it had been split in two, and she ached all over "If dis is a 'hangover," she groaned, "remind me never ta drink again."

"Oh, I don't think you got all this from drinkin sweetie."

When Maggie's eyes focused she realized she wasn't in her bunk in the Lodging House, and she wasn't passed out in a corner of O'Connor's; where was she? Then the memories came flooding back: the fight, the jail, the judge, being hit on the head, David, Gloria, Kats, Lacey, everyone screaming. She tried to sit up, but as the world spun and her stomach turned she realized that wasn't a good idea.

"Easy now. You'll be up in plenty of time, just give yourself a couple of minutes to recover."

Maggie looked toward the voice. As her vision cleared she saw that she was in a dormitory, about ten single beds lined each wall, no bunks. She was lying on the bed second from the end, and next to her was a tall girl of about seventeen, with long strawberry blond hair. Maggie shook her head to clear her thoughts, then cursed when she realized, that also, was not a good thing. The girl laughed.

"Now I see why they had to work you over a bit. Not that they should have mind you, but- well never mind. My name's Jennifer. Jennifer Anderson. Everyone calls me Jenny."

Maggie very very slowly eased into a sitting position, and with her left hand on her head, she extended her right hand. "Margaret O'Rourke. Maggie, delighted, really."

Jenny shook her hand. "You're a terrible liar, but its nice to know you have a sense of humor. Welcome to Addy's."

Maggie looked puzzled, Addys? "Where am I exactly."

"Exactly? You're on the second floor of Miss Addy's Boarding House for Ladies. Or at least, it used to be. Now the place is like jail. You have to be in here by seven every night or your fired. 'Course, girls who are in forced labor, and that's about half of the ones in this house, they have to come straight home after we get off work, which is at 6:30. So it's not like they give us a lot of free time."

Maggie nodded, then cursed, and gave Jenny a weak smile. "I really need ta start listenin' ta people. Where are we in New York?"

"We are pretty much smack in the middle of Brooklyn if you want to know the borough. I haven't been outside the neighborhood long enough to know exactly where we are, but I know that we are in Canarsie, if that helps any."

Maggie groaned, "I take it, den, dat we are no where near Manhattan?" Jenny laughed, "Not unless you are up for a long long walk." Maggie sighed, "Dat's what I figured. Did dey, by any chance, bring in any other girls with me?"

A wrinkle appeared in Jenny's forehead as she thought. "Come to think of it there were three other girls in the wagon, but they probably put them in different houses."

"Different houses?"

Jenny nodded then pointed out the window. "This whole street is Boarding House Row. See, these places are pretty old, this dormitory takes up the whole second floor of the house, and Miss Addy lives on the third floor, and she rents the fourth out. Its the same all down the street. There are boarding houses all the way down. The next three on our left all take girls for the Blackpool Mill. Way I figure, there's probably one of your friends in each, they like to split up the "trouble makers", you know keep you from 'conspiring' together."

Maggie thought of Kats all by herself in a house, she often got nervous and forgot a lot of the words when she was around strangers, what was she going to do?

"Hey, relax." Jenny could see the worry on Maggie's face. "We all know what its like, everyone is gonna help them out. We figure we're all prisoners together, by force or by need, we all have to go to that godforsaken place everyday, the least we can do is lend a hand." As she said this she pointed out the single window which face the street, down the left, where a tall building loomed in the distance. "That would be your local deathtrap, catering especially to immigrants, orphans, runaways and anyone else the bulls don't like." The bitterness in Jenny's voice was audible.

"Well," said Maggie, "Sounds right up my alley." -

"So where'de they take 'em Jack?" "Where are dey?" "Is dey still in Manhattan?" "Did anybody see which way da carriage went?"

"Quiet! Geez, lemme think will yas?" Jack sat on his bunk, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. They had looked all day for the girls, but no one had seen them. It was as if they had disappeared. He looked across the room at David. Both he and Les had refused to go home and had been looking all day as well. Jack had never seen his friend so angry.

David had never felt so helpless in his entire life. It didn't help that Denton kept saying there was nothing he could have done. There must have been something. And then that look... that look of utter defeat and resignation he had seen in Maggie's eyes before they threw her in the wagon. It was the last thing he had ever wanted to see on her face. Maggie was always proud, feisty, angry; she was a fighter. She never gave in. That look was in his mind whenever he closed his eyes.

He was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound of sobbing coming from upstairs. Annie, he thought with a pang. Those girls had been the only parents she had ever known. Emma was a strong girl, and she was careful not to break down in front of Annie, but both of them had lost their entire family and neither was doing well.

He heard the door open. As if it was possible for the room to get more quiet, now it was absolutely silent. Emma stood in the doorway. Her eyes were red rimmed and although they were dry, there were wet patches on her blouse were someone had been having a good cry. "Les?", Her voice was soft and a bit hoarse. "Could you try and coax her down here to play? She needs something to take her mind off of this, and everywhere she looks up there she sees-" She stopped. She sees Maggie, and Lacey, and Gloria and Kats was what she meant to say, but she couldn't finish. "Would you try please?" Les nodded, and walked slowly upstairs.

Emma, sagged against the doorframe, and slowly let her back slide down it until she was sitting on the floor. Sammy got up from where she had been sitting on a Blink's bunk, went over to her, and put her arm around her. Emma just leaned her head against her shoulder, too exhausted even to cry.

Soft footsteps signaled the return of Les, Annie followed him. They silently sat down in the middle of the floor. Race joined them and dealt the cards out. Mush, Blink and Crutchy came over to play. They played in silence till Annie fell asleep in Race's lap and Les started drooling on Mush's shoulder. -

Work in the mill started at seven o'clock sharp. Maggie's head still ached, and she rubbed it as she pulled on her clothes and made her way to the washroom. "I'd give me right arm fer a good pint o Guinness."

A red haired girl elbowed her in the ribs as she moved in next to her at the sink. "We all would. Blackpool girls aren't allowed ta drink alcohol. Even anyone seeing you do it is grounds fer dismissal. That's why not too many of us Irish make it here." Both girls laughed, Maggie stuck out her hand. "Maggie O'Rourke." The girl shook her hand, still sudsy, "Colleen Flanagen, please ta meet'cha. Sounds like you came right off the isle herself. Where were ya from?"

Maggie dried her face and she and the girl walk together toward the stairs. "All over really. After da famine my family moved around a lot. But I was barn in county Clare, Doolin ta be more specific. My mother's got family on the isles an we grew up around der."

"The Aran Islands? My aunt used to talk about them. Is it true they don't speak a word of English?" Maggie laughed. "Some of 'em don't. Me grandmother didn't, but me grandfather did. Oh how she used ta glare at him whenever he dared not ta speak in Gaelic! I still tink he did it just ta vex her. She was absolutely livid when she herd we were leavin'."

"We're things really that bad.?" Maggie shrugged, "I was little more den five when we left. But jobs were scarce an farmin' poor. Me father was a fisherman, and a fine one at dat. But the competition from de big company boats was makin it hard on de isles. We didn't go far. He 'had cousins in Galaway and we were doin' fine der. Until..." Maggie broke off as a hand reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Yeah, this is the one. OW! Cut that out. Brutus!" A very large man with massive arms came over. "What is it?" The man holding Maggie thrust her toward Brutus. "Little scrap is giving me trouble. From the look of her face I'd say she's the one the had to knock out just to get in the truck."

Brutus looked Maggie up and down in a cold an calculated manner that she did not at all like. "I'll take her Bill. You take the little idiot over there. Don't speak a word of English and timid as a mouse. I'm sure you can handle her." He gestured over to where he had left Katsy, who was too frightened to move. Maggie tried to make contact, but Brutus grabbed her by the arm and dragged her off.

"You and I," he said into her ear so closely she could feel his stinking breath on her face, "are going to become good friends. From now on you don't leave the factory or the boarding house until I come for you, understand. You wait. If you don't," he snapped his fingers, "it's back home for you. And I don't mean Manhattan, I mean a very long and crowded boat trip. So keep moving." With that he gave her a shove and took off at a pace Maggie's feet could barely keep up with. Far down at the end of the street was the mill, and her guard didn't leave her side until her thrust her into the sweaty arms of the mill foreman. "Here's the last one, Brice. She's the troublemaker so keep a good watch." With that he turned around and walked off down the street whistling.

The foreman said not a word to her, but shoved her through the cloakroom ,barely leaving time to drop her wrap off, and into the main room. It was a huge vast place, with dirty windows that stretch from floor to ceiling. It was divided in half. The in the front half there were about a two hundred looms, and all ready girls were tending to 'em. The building was divided in the middle, and in the next large room was filled with spinning machines, about a little higher than the top of the foreman's head. Little children of about eight to eleven tended these, carefully sticking their tiny fingers into the machines to tie knots. Maggie got a knot in her stomach just looking at the place. She knew exactly what happened here. She didn't have time to contemplate too long before the foreman shoved her in front of a loom near the back of that half of the room. He gestured to the four around her. "These for are yours, get to it!" Maggie was about to open her mouth and ask just what the hell he intended her to do, when she felt a hand on her arm. It was Jenny.

"He won't tell you, he enjoys watching girls struggle, here it's not that complicated." And Jenny quickly showed her how to run the shuttle an constantly move the dash back and forth with her arm, how to thread the shuttle by putting your mouth on it and sucking the end of the thread through. "Kiss a death is what we call it. Careful you wipe it as best you can, this is how girls get sick here." Maggie nodded, and after Jenny watched her to make sure everything was done right, she went back to her looms, which were right next to Maggie's. Maggie sighed and place one arm on the dashes of the looms on either side of her and kept pushing them back and forth tightening the strings. This was going to be a long day. - Lacey wiped the sweat off her forehead with her sleeve and slumped against her machine, with one arm still pumping the dash. Always moving that cursed dash, she swore under her breath. She could see Gloria working across the room. The foreman had placed them as far as possible from each other. She and Gloria were in the front of the looms, her on the right and Gloria on the left. Kats was placed right in the middle.

Lacey had to hand it to her, playing the dumb foreigner was a smart move, she heard about it from a girl in Kats's boarding house. She had played dumb with the guards and as a result, they didn't bother keeping her as far apart from her friends; she as within shouting range of Maggie and Gloria. Kats' English was broken, that was for sure, but she had been the pupil of years of teaching from both the nuns and the girls, and she did fine.

Lacey smiled as she spied Maggie. It was impossible to hear her over the drone of the machines, but it was obvious she was cursing up a storm when her loom stopped for some reason. She watched her bend over and tinker with something, then finally kick the machine. It must have started because Maggie gave a satisfied look and went to tend to the other three. Lacey missed Maggie, she hardly ever got a chance to speak with her. The lunch breaks were rotated so not everyone ate at once, that way there were always looms going. There were three shifts, so it was rare that any of them got together. I t was impossible to talk in the factory, and they never got to speak on the way home thanks to their watchful guards. Speaking of which, Lacey spied the foreman staring at her and went back to her work. - "Gretel! Gretel could ya come 'ere fer a moment?" Maggie was sitting in the stone "courtyard" outside the back of the factory. There were benches on the stone pavement where the girls were eating their lunch.

A tiny little girl with black curls tied back in a red bow bounced up to her. Gretel was a "tier", she worked on the machines in the back of the factory, climbing on them and using her tiny fingers to tie broken threads together and pull out clumps that were knotting up the machine. As a part of the rotation meant to keep the girls apart and prevent them from organizing, their duties changed by the week. One week might be at the looms, and then for the next two weeks they might be in the machines, lifting bobbins and loading new ones. Maggie hated it. Her arms were already sore from constantly running the dash, but the bobbins were huge, the size of hat boxes, and getting to them meant climbing around on the machines. This was Maggie's third week at the mill, and her sixth day in the spinning room. Gretel had been phenomenally helpful in getting her acquainted and warning her about keeping her hair tied back, tucked in, and out of the machines.

"Yeah?" Gretel had a roll in her hand and she was anxiously biting off hunks of it. Gretel, " Maggie began, "do any newsies ever come around here? I haven't seen any since I've come." Gretel shook her head. "There's nobody ta buy. All of the houses lodge factory workers, and most of them can't read. Plus the get hassled by the foreman and the guards, so they sorta stopped comin. Why?" Maggie smiled, "why" was always tagged onto the end of whatever Gretel said. She had an infinite curiosity.

"Well, ta tell the truth, I was hopin a find some way ta tell my friends were I am. Dey don't know, ya see." Gretel nodded soberly. "The only times I'se ever seen 'em around here is-" Gretel was cut off by the loud clanging of the bell. She quickly shoved the rest of it in her mouth and dashed inside. Maggie followed hard on her heels. Girls had been beaten for coming in late, and both Maggie and Gretel had the bruises to prove it. - There was a commotion when they got in the cloak room. The guards had one of the girls Gretel's age, about seven or eight, by the arm. he was shaking her so hard Maggie wondered that her hadn't pulled it out of it's socket completely. The girls were filing past in a hurry, everyone knew what happened when you got involved, and no one wanted another reminder about "keeping her place."

'What did ye think ye were doin ye little scamp? Tryin ta cheat me were you? We pay you ta work here, not sleep, just what were ye tryin to pull?"

"I'm sorry, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep really I was just t-t-t-tired!" The little girl burst into tears and tried to pull away. "That's Cora, " Gretel whispered. "She's in the bed next ta mine."

"Oh no you don't brat!" The foreman raised his fist and prepared to strike the girl, "There's a penalty for what you done and by god your gonna-"

"Let her go!" Maggie silently cursed herself as she leaped towards the foreman and pulled Cora from his grasp. The little girl's eyes grew wide, and then Gretel grabbed her hand and they escaped into the mob heading into the workroom. Maggie made to escape when she felt a large hand grip her arm. "Yer gonna pay fer dat ye little piece a trash." Before Maggie knew it there was another set of arms that whipped her around and slammed her into the wall. Maggie spit out the dirt as she tried to clear her head, but she barely had time to get her bearing before the foreman started lashing her with his cane, which had a metal tip; his weapon of choice. Maggie bit her lip and refused to make a sound. Fortunately after about eight he grew tired and shoved her off toward the workroom with a grunt.

Maggie limped into the room, her head still dizzy and her back screaming, and without looking where she was going, walked straight into Gloria.

"Maggie!" The girl swept her into a hug, which caused Maggie to scream.

"Careful what are ye try'n ta do, kill me?" At Gloria's confused look she shook her head, then gently hugged her friend. 'I'll tell ya about it some other time, but it's good ta hear yer voice again." She stepped back to examine her friend. Gloria looked thin, but they all did. Although her face was dusty and dirty, the shiner on her left eye did not escape Maggie's notice. "What's dis?" Gloria shoved her hand away. "I'll tell you about it some other time, but its good ta hear your voice again." At Maggie's exasperated look she sighed, "Lets just say that my daily escort is a little less than charming. Watch it! The foreman's back, you'd better go." With that she gave Maggie a quick kiss on the cheek and shoved her gently towards the back.

Gretel and Jenny were already on the machines working when Maggie climbed up on the frame to replace a bobbin. Jenny, had apparently heard everything that happened. She leaned over to Maggie, "I don't know whether you are incredibly brave or just plain stupid. We've all had to take hits for the littles before, but no one has ever taken on a full caning."

Maggie managed a grin, her back still hurt like hell. "Its dis thick Irish skull I've got. Don't leave much room fer common sense." The girls chuckled and went back to work, but all day Maggie noticed approving smiles coming from kids in the factory she didn't even know. I just hope dis doesn't become a habit a mine, I don't think me back can take it. - Maggie's beating seemed to have the opposite effect of he one intended by the foreman and his guards. More of the older kids were starting to stand up to the goons, especially when they picked on the younger kids. Unfortunately, this meant less sympathy for their backs, and their arms and heads ribs. But there was a lessening of fear among the workers, a sense of camaraderie, and what Mr. Blackpool had worked so hard to avoid was starting to happen. Kids were talking about organizing.

It started small, Maggie asked Gretel to introduce her to the 16 "tiers"; all children from ages seven to eleven. Most of them, like Gretel, came from poor families that needed the extra money putting the kids to work brought in. There were five boys among this group, the only male workers in the factory, and they were all orphans, sent over from the Refuge. Maggie wrote down all the kids' names, and each of the girls working in the spinning room on a certain day was assigned a child to watch, and to protect from the guards. Since everyone went into the spinning room at some point, they had, after about a week and half, a census of the name of every girl in the factory and her boarding house. It was a start. But soon something happened that catapulted the girls plans into full gear. - It was a long day. Mr. Blackpool had started work at six in the morning and was running the machines till eight in an attempt to demoralize what he considered to be an unhealthy situation among the girls. It was four in the afternoon, and the girls were getting tired.

Maggie was working in the spinning room again. On the other end of her machine she could barely make out the figure of Kats through the fuzz and dust in the air. She saw Cora next to her, her eyes straining to make out the strings she needed to tie. She could hear girls coughing all over the mill, especially Jenny's cough. The lively girl was coming down with something, and although Maggie couldn't see her, she could hear her on another machine down the line. She couldn't see Gretel anywhere.

"Maggie? I'm tired." Cora's eyes looked up at Maggie pleading with her to tell her that it was almost eight.

"It's just after four Cora. A few more hours an we can go home."

The little girl's sigh almost broke Maggie's heart. Suddenly, she hit upon an idea and smiled. "You jest sit down against the wall over der, an I'll wake you when I see the foreman comin all right? Get a little rest." Cora's eyes lit up. She dropped off the machine and sagged against the wall, she was asleep before her head hit her chest.

Maggie was thinking that she could use a little rest like that and looked around to see if someone could keep a watch when the shrill scream of a child pierced through the hum of the machines. The room erupted in shouts. - Maggie leaped from her machine and ran down the line till she came to the room where a crowd had gathered. The shouts were deafening. "Shut it off!" The crowd turned. Maggie couldn't see what had happened, but the machine was making to much noise. she turned to the first girl she saw, "Shut off the bloody machine now!" The girl was too frightened to argue and ran to obey. That was when Maggie pushed through, and saw a sight that made her want to throw up right there.

Jenny knelt on the floor in a puddle of blood, sobbing. In her lap was a little head of curly black hair. Gretel.

"Jenny?", Maggie's voice was shaking as she fought hysteria. "Jenny, what..." The tall girl raised her face. "It was her hair. She was reaching too far too try and grab a knot and when she tilted her head the machine... I think she broke her neck when..." Jenny collapsed. At that moment the hum of the machine died and the girls where left with nothing but the sound of muffled sobbing.

Maggie knelt down and took Gretel's head in her lap. Jenny was right, the fall off the machine with her head being pulled at such a way must have broken the small girl's neck. "Gretel...Gretel, please lass, please don't..."She couldn't control herself any longer and broke down into sobs.

The girls' mourning was interrupted by the arrival of the foreman. "What in the hell is goin on here? Why have the machines stopped? I gave no such order!" He parted the crowd to see what was goin on. Maggie looked up at him, her grief replaced by pure anger.

"You killed her. You killed her you heartless bastard." She spoke in a voice unnaturally soft, especially in a room where normally it was a necessity to shout to be heard.

The foreman just stare at her. "Clean this up. The truck'll be here in an hour." With that he turned on his heel and left without a second glance.

Maggie looked around, "What his he talking about?" A small, strong girl from Queens, Nelly, spoke up. "Its da only way deys can keep da bulls from gettin suspicious. Ya know, funeral carts pullin up every couple a months kinda tips 'em off. Blackpool bought dis truck dat says 'Stuart's Laundry,' cept dere ain't no Stuart's Laundry. Dey put da coffins in dere and take em over to a potter's field somewhere's. Dats how dey keep all dis a secret."

Maggie's face darkened in anger. She looked down at the bundle in her lap. "Get some water and cloth, we're goin ta give dis girl da best burial we can."

Within the next hour, the girls Moved Gretel onto a blanket in the back, away from the puddle which was mopped up, but marked off so the girls knew where it was. In fact, everyone avoided that whole row of machines. they brought water to clean up the little girls face and hair, but her clothes still had blood on them, and no one knew what to do. Then Cora appeared.

The child had disappeared shortly after the accident, and everyone assumed she was mourning privately for her close friend. But Cora had more practical purpose. She tapped Maggie on the shoulder, and when she turned, held out in her arms a clean dress and pinafore, nicer than any of the girls wore.

"Cora dear, what's dis?"

"The guards were all busy, so I had a little time to signal over Mary Larson, the vegetable woman. I asked her to run back to our boarding house and bring back some things. This was mine and I want Gretel to have it." With that she held out a pretty white dress with whit eyelet lace about the collar and red ribbon. "See, its got red ribbon, like Gretel used ta wear." Tears trickled down the cheeks of all the girls, and several turned away. Maggie pulled Cora to her in a fierce hug, hearing the little girl start to cry against her shoulder. When she had clamed herself, she held the girl out from her with a hand on each shoulder.

"I am sure this would make Gretel very happy. You are a good friend Cora." the little girl nodded soberly. Kats lead her away as Maggie, Nelly, Lacey, Colleen, Gloria, and Jenny put the new dress on Gretel. Someone produced a red ribbon, and the girls put it in Gretel's curls. They had just finished when several men burst in, carrying with them a pine box.

As the girls carefully lifted Gretel and put her in the box, Jenny abruptly grabbed a pair of scissors and left. She returned in a few moments with the coffin lid. Inscribed on it, above the stamped number, was the name "Gretel". "She ought to at least be buried under her own name." The girls nodded soberly.

At this point the men started to push them away to carry out the box. Maggie shoved them back. "Get off me." She said in a slow and calculated manner. She nodded to the girls in the crowd, and picked up the head of the box. The girls surrounded the small coffin and lifted, it was pitifully light. Without saying a word, they bore their friend out into the fading sunlight and the truck. - Spot Conlon had five papers left. He was in a hurry to sell them so he had time to get over to a poker game going on in Crown Heights. He was, therefore, highly agitated when a hand clamped down on his arm. "What do ya-" He broke of the curse as he saw the face of one of his newsies. He looked upset. "What's goin on Squints?"

Squints sighed. "I probably shouldn't be boderin you, its just dat...dat.."

"Come on spit it out!"

"All right. A Stuart Laundry wagon just drove by."

Spot's face went unreadable. "Which way was it headed, da docks?"

Squints shook his head. This would be no aging Blackpool steel worker. "Looked like it was headed towards Boardin 'House Row." Spot cursed under his breath, the mill was on Boarding House Row and that meant that whomever had died was probably a kid.

"Dat ain't far from here, come on, da least we can do is pay our respects."

Although the police didn't catch on, most of the working class of Brooklyn knew what the Stuart Laundry truck meant. It was customary to at least stop business till the truck left the neighborhood. Sure enough, as the boys made there way towards the mill, they saw store owners standing outside locked shops, hats off in respect for the dead. Looking for answers, Spot stopped next to a group of his own newsies, rather young ones, clusterd on the street outside the gates where the wagon had pulled in.

"So who was it?" One of the little boys picked up his head in awe at being addressed by the mighty Spot Conlon. "I-I-We don't know. But it was a real small box dey took in."

Further conversation stopped as the street went silent. The doors opened and the strangest sight Spot had ever seen came out. Normally, two of Blackpool's big, burly goons carried the boxes, but today the coffin was borne out by a large group of girls. The goons followed, speechless, in their wake. They silently and gently slid the box onto the wagon, the last girl, a short dark haired thing, kissing the top of it before shutting the doors. It was puzzling. The girls were held back as the wagon drove out, but crowded the gates after they closed again, their hands wrapped around the bars, following the cart down the street till it was out of sight.

"Come on, " Spot said to his newsies, "der ain't gonna be no more sellin here today."

He thought he had said it quietly, but the dark haired girl had apparently heard him. She got very excited, "What did you say? Did you say you sell newspapers?"

Alarmed, Spot quickly explained, "Listen Miss, my condolences really. We don't mean no disrespect, we'se leavin see. I'se very sorry-"

"Wait! Wait please ya hafta do something. Come here. COME HERE!"

The last command was so demanding that Spot could do little but obey. The girl reached through the bars and grabbed his arm, Spot tried to wrench it away. "Hey let me-"

"Listen to me!" The girl looked over her shoulder. She was the only one left in the yard and some men by the factory door were staring at her. "Listen you, dis little interview is gonna cost me more den ye can imagine, so do as I say." She presses a folded piece of paper into his hand "Ye have ta get did ta Jack Kelly, in Manhattan. Jest leave it at da Lodgin House, but ye have ta make sure it gets der." Spot stared at her in disbelief.

"Just do it!" She whispered harshly, then turned and walked back towards the door. Spot then understood what she had meant by 'paying for the interview' as the men moved forward and began to smack her around and kick her as she made her way inside. Then she vanished into the darkness of the factory, the doors were shut, and she vanished. - Maggie was dragged back into the factory by two of the guards, she fully expected to be beaten right there, but suddenly her captors stopped and let out a gasp. Maggie picked her head up. They had loaded the wagon out the back entrance, and standing on the other side of the room in a crisp three piece suit complete with gold watch chain was a tall gentleman Maggie had never seen. He had jet black hair with just a hint of silver around the ears, and the coldest gaze of anyone Maggie knew.

"Mr. Ba-ba-Blackpool!" The foreman startled in surprise. He rushed up to newcomer, babbling apologies and welcomes and generally making a pest of himself. "To what do we owe this honor?"

Mr. Blackpool gazed at the crowd of girls that had stopped near the door. He then turned to the foreman in disgust. "You owe it, you sniveling incompetent fool, to your failure. Your failure to keep today's little "incident" more discreet. Every shopkeeper in a five block radius is talking about it. If I didn't have my ways of keeping police attention directed elsewhere, I might have an investigation in here! I can't stand for incompetence, Brice, do you understand?"

The foreman began to stammer, but Blackpool cut him off. "Why were these girls outside? That's what everyone was talking about. Their little funeral procession is the talk of the neighborhood. Why were they not strictly confined to the main floor?"

The foreman's eyes went hard and he pointed a finger at Maggie, who was still held between the two guards. "It was 'er fault sir. I couldn't stop her. She 'ad 'em al organized and broke through sir. We didn't want to shout and make a commotion once it happened-" He was cut off again. Blackpool had been staring at Maggie.

"Bring her here. Now!" The guards stumbled out of their shock and dragged Maggie over to him. Blackpool reached his hand under Maggie's chin and jerked it up so she stared at him. "What is your name. Speak up! What is it?"

Maggie stared back at him coldly and replied with deadly calm. "O'Rourke."

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble today, do you know that Miss O'Rourke?"

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble as well, ye killed my friend."

Blackpool slapped her quickly across the face. Maggie just turned back and gave him the same cold stare. Obviously discomforted, Blackpool turned to the foreman. "Where there any other trouble makers?"

Relieved that the attention was no longer focused upon himself, the foreman glanced around, his eyes stopping on Jenny. He pointed an accusing finger. "That one. She's always been causin' trouble."

"Bring her here."

Jenny was pulled forward by one of Maggie's guards. "You're name?"

The same defiant gaze. "Anderson."

"Well, Miss O'Rourke, Miss Anderson, you've both cost me no little embarrassment and money today. People are talking, I will have to compensate the police for that, and the machines have been stopped for several hours. This is not at all as it should be. Therefore, everyone will remain in the factory tonight, no one will return the boarding houses. I expect he machines to be kept running. This way you will be able to repay me for the damage done today."

Maggie and Jenny burst out at once. "Ye can't do that!"

"If you keep the machines running that long they'll overheat!"

"You'll blow us all ta bloody kingdom come!"

"Silence! Both of you!" Blackpool turned to the foreman. "Brice, if you expect to keep your job after today's events, every word of my instructions must be carried out." He put on his gloves and started to leave, he paused at the door and turned. "I leave those two for you to discipline as you choose, but make sure this never happens again." He called back over his shoulder as he left, "May I suggest, The Kat."

Maggie turned to Jenny, "What's da Kat?" -

'The Kat', was a gruesome object kept on a shelf in the foreman's office, where Maggie and Jenny were taken. It consisted of a six inch wooden baton, which had about twenty thin leather thongs attached to it, at the end of these was a small lead pellet. It made a harsh whistling noise as it cut through the air. Maggie and Jenny were positioned six feet apart, their backs to each other. The foreman stood between them, The Kat in his hands. The girls' shirts had been stripped off and they knelt, Jenny in a camisole, and Maggie in one of the boys' sleeveless undershirts. As the Kat hit them, it ripped right through the fabric. Maggie inhaled sharply, but vowed not to cry, and she heard Jenny do the same. At the fourth lash she bit her lip, hard. She tried to focus on something else, but all she could think about was the fire on her back.

It took the foreman twenty five lashes a piece to satisfy the rage he felt at being humiliated. He threw the girls their shirts and shoved them out of the office and back into the mill.

"Bastard," Maggie gasped weakly. Jenny, her face blanched with pain, managed a weak smile. Neither had uttered a sound, the other girls had no reason to suspect anything other than a mild beating. They took a minute to compose themselves, and walked back into the room. - "All right pace yer bets places yer bets. How many in on dis hand?" Racetrack, a cigar sticking out of his mouth, gazed around the circle at Snoddy, Skittery, Jack, Blink, Sammy and Mush. The newsies nodded and placed their money in the pot, and Race dealt He was just picking up his cards when Spot entered the room.

"Jackey-boy you got some explainin ta do! I don't care who youse is didlin around wid in Brooklyn, that ain't none a myse concoin. But since when do I 'av ta be yer messenger? De only reason I listened ta dis skoit was dat I got dis very unpleasant feelin she could back up what she was sayin, an den I'de have ta hit a goil. So what's dis all about?"

Jack, who had risen at the tone of Spot's voice when he spoke, looked understandably confused.

"Spot, what are you talkin about?"

"Dis!," Spot handed him a folded piece of paper. "Some little slip of a skoit in Canarsie shoved it in my face and told me on penalty of death dat I had to deliver it to a Mr. Jack Kelly in Manhattan. Tough little thing wid a Irish accent and one hell of a tempah."

Spot stopped rambling at the sight of the queer looks on the newsies faces, they looked like they'de been hit in the face with a board. Then at once the spell broke and they dove for the letter. Jack grabbed it first and turned away.

He began to read it aloud. "Deah Jack. Foist of all, be aware dat I am writin dis four days aftah da fight, so tings may have changed from what I have to tell you. We are woikin in da Blackpool Mill in Canarsie Brooklyn. I won't lie ta you and tell you evertin's all right, beacause its not. I hate it, as you can well imagine. But dats not important and not why I'm writin' you. I wanted you to know where we are in case, I dont know, in case sometin' happens. I can't speak for Kats, Gloria, or Lacey since dey keep us apart, but dey look ta be doin all right. Yeah, we get worked over now and again, but in de end its no woise den what we get aftah facin' off wid da scabs and da bulls, so da bruises are da same. I gotta go now, give Annie and Emma a kiss for me. Love, Maggie. And dats de end of da letter."

At this point someone had alerted Emma, and she shuffled into the room, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?"

There was silence till Sammy spoke. "It's a letter from Maggie sweetie." Emma went from mostly asleep to fully awake in a heartbeat and quickly snatched the letter from Jack, moving t the window to read it.

Jack turned back to Spot, "So how exactly did you get dis?"

Spot shrugged, and took a seat on a bunk. "Its like I told you Jackey-boy. She saw dat I was a newsies and went beesoik. Called me ovah, shoved dis at me, and demanded dat I take it ta you. She seemed desperate, and judgin from de situation, I figured it was da least I could do."

Racetrack gave him a puzzled look, "What situation?"

Spot explained about the laundry truck and the death at the factory. The boys stared at each other, "So how did she look when you saw 'er?" Was Blink's question.

Spot sighed, a little unsure of how much to tell them. "Ta tell da truth, a lot woise den she makes out ta be in de lettah. Now, all dose goils are too thin, dat wasn't unusual. But she had a lot a bruises, on her face an arms. An she 'ad new bruises formin ovah de old ones. Dat an aftah she talked ta me, a couple a goons started ta kinda woik her ovah in da yard, den dragged her back inside. I'm tellin ya cowboy, it ain't uncommon for goils ta go in der and not come out." - Maggie was disoriented when she awoke. She wasn't in her bunk at the Lodging House, and she wasn't in her bed at the Boarding House, where was she? As she heard the rumble of the machines in the background, she realized, and the events of the past day flooded back into her memory. Gretel, she thought with a pang. She looked around to get her bearings. She was is the middle of the looms, her head resting against the frame, half a dozen girls sleeping around her. It was the middle of the night, and they had worked until they dropped. Apparently their guards had gotten tired as well, as Maggie didn't see any of them trying to keep the girls working. In fact, she strained her eyes through the darkness, she didn't see any of them at all.

"Dirty rotten bastard just wait till I..." Colleen was talking in her sleep next to her, Maggie gently shook her awake.

"Colleen, what happened to the brute squad?" The girl stared at her, dazed, then remembered what Maggie was talking about.

"Bout an hour ago they got sick a watchin us. They locked and chained the door and left. Probably went out ta the bars, shouldn't be back too soon."

Maggie nodded and let the girl drop back off to sleep. She unbuttoned her shirt and rolled up the cuffs, the machines were making it awfully hot in here... She jerked her head up at the thought. Too hot. If those have been on since this morning... it was a nightmare waiting to happen. She looked toward the spinning room. The door was shut and she couldn't tell what was going on in there, but something wasn't right.

As if reading her mind, Gloria and Lacey crept up to her. "Maggie, I hate ta be da bearer a bad news, but sometin' ain't right in der." At Lacey's words, all three girls got up and crept to the door. The handle was hot, and Maggie wrapped her hand in her skirt to touch it, they peered in.

Hot smoke blasted into their eyes and sent them into a fit of coughing. Maggie shut the door with a bang.

"Dose machines are overheatin', we gotta get outta here before sometin' serious 'appens."

The girls nodded and went to find Jenny. - They had two major problems. The first was how to wake up about two hundred people and get them out quickly without causing a panic, the second was how to get out. They solved the first by having Gloria, Lacey, Colleen, Nelly and Kats gently shake people awake and start moving them towards the door, just telling them that it was time to leave now, not mentioning the potential disaster in the spinning room. Maggie and Jenny set to work on the second problem.

The main door was locked, chained and bolted from the other side, so any hope of using it was to no avail. But Jenny remembered something she had seen during the girls memorable fifteen minutes in the foreman's office. The door itself was easy to break through, and once inside they caught their break. The windows were blissfully bar free. Not particularly caring what Brice would think, they tossed his chair through the glass, carefully breaking off the shards on the bottom and laying cloth over them so not to cut themselves when they climbed out. Then they started moving people out, the little ones first.

They had moved about half of the girls out when an explosion sounded through the wall in the spinning room. All of the girls woke out of their half-asleep dazes and charged out through the window. Jenny was just helping the last girl out when she saw Maggie elbow her way through the throng and back inside.

"Maggie! What do you think you are doing? There's a fire in there!"

She didn't here anything, but Maggie's arm reached through the window and pulled her back in.

She entered a dark, smoke filled world, coughing and gagging. "Maggie! Are you out of your mind!"

"Over here, and hurry will ya!"

She found Maggie over near the bookshelf, down by the floor. "What is so important that your gonna get yourself killed.?"

Maggie was busy pulling something off the shelf Something very heavy. Jenny helped her, and the two girls sagged under the weight of a heavy iron box. A safe. Maggie grinned, "Trust me darlin, dis is worth it." The sound of crackling coming from the mill room was all they needed to induce then to throw the safe through the window and follow suit. - "Read 'em and weep Race, royal flush. Now pay up." Spot sat, a cigar he had won in a previous game in his teeth, grinning from ear to ear at a very sour Racetrack. The boys had decided to let Spot spend he night and return with him to Brooklyn in the morning.

"Well, dat cleans me. Whadda ya say we calls it a night eh?" The boys agreed and were about to turn in when a tapping came at the window. Someone was throwing rocks.

"Spot! Hey Spot! You still in der? Spot!"

They leaned out the window to see one of Spot's newsies, Squints to be more specific, standing in the street.

"Squints? Whadda you doin here? What's da mattah?"

"Der's a big rucus in Canarsie! People is goin nuts! Didn't tink you'd wanna miss it!"

"So what's goin on?"

"Its da Blackpool Mill! Its on fire! Dey tink it may spread down da street! Its chaos down der, peoples is goin nuts!"

Spot rolled is eyes at the overexcited newsies. "Yeah you said dat. We'll be right down."

He turned to the boys, "So is you'se comin or what?"

They were out the door before Spot could get his boots tied. - It was utter chaos on Boarding House Row. Shopkeeper had comedown from there apartments over the stores to try and protect their homes with bucket brigades. Women in nightgowns and shawls clutched their children to them and stared at the blaze. Men shouted at each other but nothing was being done.

And nothing could be done for the mill. By the time a neighbor had seen the flames coming out of the windows it was to late. Parts of the building had already collapsed and even if the ire was put out, the factory could not be salvaged.

The boys arrived on the scene expecting to seen a couple hundred girls in the street. True, the other boarding houses had been evacuated, but the young women standing in bare feet clustered together were not the Blackpool girls. None of them.

Spot stopped one of his newsies who was running by. "What's going on?"

The boy shrugged. "I don't know. Da machines were on all night is all anyone can repoit. Da bulls are goin nuts, dey can't find any of da goils!"

Jack grabbed him by the collar, "Whatta you mean dey can't foind any of da goils. Deys in der boidin houses right?"

The boys eyes opened wide in alarm, but he shook his head. "Dats just it. Woid on da street is dat dose goils nevah went home tanite. Deys was locked in da factory an told ta woik till mornin."

Mush stared up at the inferno, "You don't mean deys still in der, do ya?" - The girls, were actually clustered near the river, under a bridge. Their biggest problem now was where to go where they wouldn't be found. Although it was highly unlikely that Blackpool knew any of their faces, he knew some of them. Nelly and Colleen both had homes, Nelly in Queens and Colleen in the Bronx. They each agreed to lead whichever girls came from there back to their neighborhoods safely. Colleen was also goin to take four of the little boys who had worked in the spinning room home with her. Her family had lost her twin brothers on the way over, and she knew her mother wouldn't mind. "Even if she did, der's plenty a families who have lost children who would take 'em in." The fifth boy had already formed a serious attachment to Cora, who was his surrogate sister, and she declared that she was taking him home with her to Brooklyn Heights. No one was going to argue with her.

Of the rest of the little tiers, three quarters had families and lived in Brooklyn. Jenny agreed to lead the Brooklyn kids back home. They planned to spend a night or two in a mission on the Manhattan side of the river, then walk back in small groups after the bulls stopped looking for them so hard.

The little ones without homes had all been adopted quickly, and most older girls were going home with friends who had families. Of the remaining forty or so with nowhere to go, they were given the names and locations of churches and missions throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx that could give them a hand. Kats was even good enough to remember Medda'a as a possible work option, and a few girls showed some interest.

They wanted to get moving before it got light out, but before they broke up Maggie stood on a box and made an announcement.

"When you all get ta were yer goin, when ye get a chance, write us a little note, an give it to a newsie. Dose are da boys dats always sellin der papers and tellin gigantic lies. Der good people do, and if ye buy a paper I'm sure dey wouldn't mind takin da note back ta der Lodgin House. we're gonna go around den and collect em all, so we knows we ye are. We jest want ta make sure dat everyone came out all right." This was greeted with nods and smiles, then Maggie went on. "Also, 'ow many people 'ere were farced ta wark cause a missin papers?" About thirty or forty hands went up. Maggie nodded. "Ye come wit me."

She hopped down off the box and led the way over to where Kats was sitting on the safe on the riverbank. Next to her stood a little boy, which Cora had a protective arm around. Maggie smiled at him. "Danny, if ye would do us de honor."

Danny looked up at Cora, who nodded, and he knelt down and put his ear next to the safe. He turned the dial this way and that, and soon it opened with a little ping. The boy sat back on his heels, very pleased with himself, which earned him a hug from Cora.

Maggie reached into the safe and pulled out a large stack of files. She read the name off of the top. "Virginia Dorset?" A small girl with lots of freckles piped up in a British accent. " Thots me!"

"Well come 'ere girl! I believe dis belongs ta you. Ye put dat in a safe place all right? A bank or sometin where it won't get lost." The girl nodded, and Maggie proceeded to read off more names, returning to the immigrant girls the lives that Blackpool had bought from them.

After the papers were returned and the safe thrown in the river, it came time for the girls to get moving. They promised to see each other soon, and all went their separate ways. Nelly led her little pack east into queens, and the rest of them all trooped across the river into Manhattan. From there Colleen headed east into the Bronx with her crew. Jenny and the Brooklyn girls that were going to hide out for a while, including Cora, split from them at East 40th and second avenue. They went all the way up 40th to 10th avenue to get near the mission in Hells' Kitchen where Maggie knew people. Maggie only had a few workers to see home, most of which lived around Tompkins square park, so they weren't too far from Duane Street.

After they delivered the last girl into the arms of her family and watched the door close, Maggie, Gloria, Kats, and Lacey were alone on the street. They looked at each other, smiles slowly creeping around the corner of their faces. Then, as the first rays of dawn peaked over the horizon, they turned and ran for home as fast as their feet could carry them. - Not wanting to wake any one up, and sort of relishing the surprise, they boosted each other onto the fire escape, and slipped in through the window that Maggie always left open near her bed, and which hadn't been closed in her absence. All the girls were asleep, and soon Kloppman would come in, yelling at them to go out and sell the papes.

They had originally planned to wake the girls up and greet them, but they each cast longing looks at their beds as they entered the room.

Beds won out in the end, but neither Maggie or Lacey had the will to climb up to the top bunk. So Maggie hopped into Gloria's bed and Lacey squeezed into Kats'. They fell asleep in a heartbeat.

Only to be awoken ten minutes later by Kloppman's wake up call. Reacting purely on instinct, Maggie uttered a curse and launched her pillow across the room, hitting Kloppman in the head, and collapsed back onto the bed.

Kloppman hadn't been assaulted with a pillow since the girls went away, but before them this had been Maggie's ritual to starting the day. He merely chuckled and closed the door, then realized just what a pillow thrown at him meant, and jerked it open again.

"Maggie? Is that you girl?" His shout rose the other girls who had ignored the wake up call, and soon the newly discovered interlopers were surrounded.

Annie, who had always been a heavy sleeper, sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What is it- Maggie?" her voice went from a startled confused sleepy question to a high pitch, hysterical shriek.

"MAGGIE! LACEY! GLORIA! KAAAAAATSY!"

On the last word she launched herself off of Emma's top bunk where she had been sleeping, and landed in the middle of the bed where the girls had gathered. For the next ten minutes it was pure bedlam as the girls laughed and cried and Annie tried to kiss and hug everyone of them a the same time. Kloppman just stood in the door smiling. he was tapped on the shoulder by a drowsy Racetrack.

"Hey Kloppman, can't you tell dose goils ta keep it down a bit? Some of us was tryin ta get a few extra winks down der."

Maggie threw a sock at him. "Agh, shut yer 'ole Race."

"Yeah good mornin ta you too Irish." he turned to go downstairs, then did a double take, "Irish?" But Maggie had turned back to Emma and Sammy who wanted every detail of their experience.

Racetrack just stood there dumbfounded as Kloppman chuckled and walked back downstairs.

"Race?" Jack, seeing him staring into the girls' room, called to him from the landing. "You just gonna stand der? Youse gonna be late and if ye don't close da door one of da goils is gonna slap ya. Race? Come on ye pervert lets go."

Mush paused behind Jack, "What's wrong wid Race?" Jack shrugged , "Dont know, its like 'ese hip-na tized."

Finally, Jack went up stairs to pull Racetrack away from the door, "Come on Race, lets-"

"I'm tellin' ya, Jenny just started breakin windows an we were free."

"I beg yer pardon? I believe I had a little ta do wit us gettin out! An jest who was it dat found da safe huh? Me dats who.."

Jack heard Gloria and Maggie's voices floating out of the room, and he saw why Race was staring. He was frozen a minute himself before Mush came up behind him, jaw on eh floor.

They were broken out of their daze by Lacey, "Well, are ya just gonna standa der like perverts or are ya gonna come say hello?"

That broke the spell and it wasn't long till most of the newsies were in the room, picking up the girls and swinging them around. But it was when Jack picked up Maggie and she screamed in pain, that they realized not all had gone well at the mill. Sammy, whose father had been a doctor, took of Maggie's shirt and sucked in her breath at the sight if her back. Jack swore and his face grew dark and angry. Everyone was ordered out of the room as Sammy cleaned Maggie's back, although she told her they would have to call a doctor. All the boys could hear was Maggie's cursing, but she came out in a clean shirt, her back cleaned and her torso wrapped in fresh linen strips.

Jack looked at her, his fists clenched. "I'm gonna-"

Maggie cut him off. "Yer gonna do a whole lot a nothin, dats what yer gonna do."

Jack looked confused, "Whoevah did dis desoives ta be-"

"I already gave 'em what he deserved."

"An how did ye do dat?"

Maggie looked at Lacey who looked at Gloria, who looked at Katsy, who grinned devilishly. Maggie looked back up at Jack. "Well, who do ya think made sure dat der was plenty a flammable clothe near ta da blaze? Who fergot ta alert da fire department? Who got ta stand er an watch dat hell hole barn ta da ground, knowing no one would ever suffer der again?" She patted Jack on the shoulder. 'Don't worry yer little head Jack. We Irish always make sure we pay our debts. In one way or another."

THE END

[starrtoon]

ethan, blindfolded eating a banana with sauce: why’s it spicy

my stupid tiktok-loving self:

#starryshiz #starrywatch #starrywatch: unus annus #''Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box'' #Sep/21/2020 #313th vid #I LOVE THAT TIKTOK

[ant-man98]

Imagine going grocery shopping and you just randomly see Mark talking to himself in the passenger seat of a car...

#unus annus #markiplier #mark fischbach #amy sent us a mystery box

[orangechickenpillow]

I think we now see where marks adhd comes into play the most

In empty cars

#from amy sent us a mystery box #markiplier #unus annus #crankgameplays

[twonusannus]

Day 311/365: “ Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box”

The drawing was almost Amy, banana expert, but Mark’s confusion over capers sent me.

Tomorrow: mark knows

#memento mori #twonus annus #unus annus #unus annus art #unus artus

[ghostadventuresstuff]

Zak Bagans x Reader (Request)

Requested by @gacbabe45​

ZAK

‘The next interview is with a worker here called y/n, we used to be neighbours and they are friends with Amy,’ Aaron rattles on as I get my microphone set up, seemingly a lot more energetic when mentioning this y/n person. Were the two of them a thing?

‘I see that look on your face Zak, that’s gross, y/n’s like a little sister to me,’ Aaron gags.

The two of us head over to where Jay was talking to a girl. Aaron’s energy levels seemed to skyrocket the closer we got as he rambles on about y/n’s likes and dislikes. y/n looks over Jay’s shoulder and makes eye contact. I’d dated a lot of girls over the years but never once did I find myself frozen to spot with a single look. y/n had big e/c eyes, and there was a twinkle of delight mixed with mystery behind them.

‘OH MY GOD AARON!’ y/n squeals, the once grating sound not sounding as annoying when coming from y/n.

‘Come here fun size!’ Aaron calls back, and y/n all but tackles him into a hug laughing.

I didn’t understand the nickname until I did, y/n was a lot smaller than Aaron but somehow managed to knock the wind out of him.

‘y/n I’d like you to meet Zak, he’ll be interviewing you and be with you on the walk around. Zak this is y/n but you already know that’ Aaron speaks up as y/n pulls out of the hug.

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Zak, if you want any dirt on Aaron then I’m the one you come to,’ y/n jokes.

I had to snap out of my trance or y/n might think I’m strange. I shake my head and smile, ‘any dirt you have on this idiot would be appreciated. Shall we begin?’

y/n nods and I see a faint blush on their cheeks when I place a hand on their back to begin guiding them towards the scaretraction we were investigating. Over my shoulder, Aaron grins like a mad man mouthing ‘I ship it’ before making a heart gesture with his hands.

Y/N

It wasn’t lost on you when Aaron insisted to your management that you had to be interviewed and give the guided walk around, that a particular Goodwin was trying to play matchmaker. You let slip to Amy once that you found Zak attractive and now here you were with Zak touching you. The Goodwin family better watch their backs if any of this goes south. All the while Jay was putting a mic on you you stole glances at Zak who had his back turned to you speaking to Aaron, who kept wiggling his eyebrows in your direction.

It was hard focusing on the interview while Zak stood inches from you listening intently to your stories, and how gentle and concerned he was when you showed him the last wound inflicted on you by whatever haunted this place. His touch sent shivers across your whole body.

The scaretraction was quite claustrophobic and you had to go single file at points, with Aaron insisting you first followed by Zak. At points the two of you brushed against one another, making eye contact before quickly looking away. No way could he like you.

‘This is the hanging room, at night the nooses are secured to not come loose, but if you watch CCTV they come loose and start swinging on their own when there is no air or breeze inside the building. It’s given a handful of security guards near heart attacks as they walk around,’ you rattle off, touching one of the loose nooses.

Zak clears his throat, ‘is there any other activity in here y/n?’

You nod, ‘we’ve had customers and staff feel like they are being choked, and a tall shadow figure likes to push people into the nooses as some sort of warning or game. I refused to come to this room after I was choked a month ago, I have a photo.’

Zak’s eyes widen in horror so you pull out your phone and get up the picture that shows clear red rope burn marks around your throat, ‘I’m not the first and I won't be the last,’ you shudder at the memory.

‘I’m really sorry this happened--’

‘GET OUT!’ a loud male voice hisses in between you and Zak, cutting Zak off mid-sentence.

Instinctively you jump and find Zak protecting you while he shouts at Aaron to get the spirit box. Some of the still tied up nooses come loose and behind swaying uncontrollably. You hide your face in Zak’s back as the air in the room turns ice cold and you feel like you’re not alone.

‘Jay get y/n out of here,’ Zak shouts.

You gulp and look up at Zak who was staring down at you with intent to protect at all costs, ‘will you guys be okay?’

He nods as Jay approaches cautiously through the swinging nooses, ‘it’s what we do y/n now go with Jay, I don’t want you near these things.’

In the flurry of hectic activity, you manage to hug Zak before Jay guides you away. You prayed that Zak, Aaron and Billy were safe.

TIMESKIP

You pace outside the building until you see the three emerge looking excited, shocked, and in awe at what the building had to offer. Jay goes off towards Billy before you walk over to Aaron and hug him, ‘are you guys okay?’

Aaron ruffles your hair, ‘your knight in black shining armour over there was not thrilled with the harm done to you. I’m pretty sure he’s in for hell during the lockdown.’

Next thing you know Aaron is pushing you in Zak’s direction. You walk up noticing how distressed he looked, and hug him, ‘Aaron told me what happened Zak. Did you really stand up for me? Thank you.’

In your arms, Zak visibly relaxes, ‘I’m not going to standby and let harm come to anyone y/n. I know we’ve just met and I can’t tell you what to do, but both Aaron and I would be more comfortable knowing you weren’t working here.’

You sigh, ‘I handed in my notice after the rope attack. I’m no longer an actor, but I love this place so run their social media pages instead, and until today nothing has happened to me.’

Zak nods in understanding, ‘would you also maybe like to get dinner with me tonight y/n?’

You can’t keep the smile off your face, ‘I would love to Zak. Though I’m unsure if we should be thanking Aaron or the spirit.’

Zak hugs you a little tighter, ‘let's say a bit of both y/n, but if Aaron asks he gets all the credit.’

You throw your head back and laugh. When you woke up this morning you wouldn’t have expected to end up going to dinner with Zak. Aaron and Amy were going to have a field day with this.

#ghost adventures #ghost adventures imagines #ghost adventures imagine #ghost adventures fanfiction #ghost adventures fandom #ghost adventures preferences #zak bagans #zak bagans fanfiction #zak bagans imagine #zak bagans imagines #fanfiction #fanfiction blog #fandom blog #fandom #paranormal #imagines blog #imagine blog #imagines

[deancas-fanfiction]

A Daydream Away - Chapter 4

Word Count: 19k+

Summary: After multiple couples go missing from a resort in northern Minnesota, Dean and Cas are forced to pose as a couple to investigate the mysterious entity. As Dean and Cas navigate their fake relationship, it leaves Dean questioning what's real and forces him to confront his feelings for Cas.

A story in which Cas is human, Dean is sometimes an idiot, and Sam acts as matchmaker.

Tags: fake relationship, case fic, sharing a bed, human!cas, Sam ships Dean and Cas, fluff, eventual smut

also available on ao3

Dean awoke to his phone buzzing on the nightstand next to him. He squinted against the morning sun filtering into the room. He could feel that it was still early but he carefully reached for his phone nonetheless. Much like the day before, Cas was practically entangled with Dean. Today he was pressed against Dean's back, with their legs intertwined. Cas' arm was resting over Dean's waist. It all felt very possessive. That thought sent a thrill through Dean. Cas has always seemed like a possessive bastard but knowing he felt possessive over Dean unlocked a lot of complicated feelings that made Dean nearly blush.

The phone buzzed again, and Dean reached for it, careful not to move so much as to jostle Cas. He managed to reach it with his fingertips and dragged it to the edge until he could grab it. Dean unplugged it and saw he had a few texts from Sam.

'I found a potential lead last night at the staff happy hour. Call me tonight and I can fill you in after I finish some research.'

'Don't forget about your dinner reservation tonight at 7. Go to the main lodge and they'll direct you.'

Just as Dean was starting to type out a response, one last message came through. 'Hope you lovebirds are enjoying your honeymoon. Make sure you use protection' followed by a bunch of heart and kissy face emojis.

Dean rolled his eyes and typed out a bitchy response but ultimately assured Sam he'd call him before their dinner reservation. After sending the message, Dean glanced at the clock and saw it wasn't even eight. If they got up now, they may even make it to breakfast in time for the cinnamon rolls Jake and Amy raved about.

"Cas, wake up," Dean half-whispered, shaking him. Cas remained unmoved and fast asleep. "Cas." He said more urgently this time. "Get up." Still no movement. Dean tried a new tactic and shook him a little harder.

Cas frowned and rolled away from Dean, grumbling to himself but still fast asleep. His hair was sticking in different directions and his shirt was bunched up, revealing a tan expanse of skin on his lower back. Dean poked him a few more times but Cas was unmoving and snoring lightly.

Dean rolled his eyes and decided to just get the damn cinnamon rolls himself. He wasn't going to miss out because Cas is a grumpy bastard in the morning. To soften the blow of attempting to wake him before 9, Dean started a pot of coffee in the cabin's kitchen for Cas to enjoy when he awoke. Then he threw on his jacket, grabbed his keys, and was off towards the lodge.

Sure enough, Jake and Amy were correct -- this was the perfect time to grab breakfast. There were few couples and families milling around, otherwise most of the tables were empty and there was no line at the buffet. Dean grabbed two to-go boxes and filled them with eggs and bacon for himself, pancakes and syrup packets for Cas, and of course a few of the large mouthwatering cinnamon rolls set up by the coffee station. He was attempting to close the lid on the full box when he made eye contact with Amy.

"I see you took our advice to get the cinnamon rolls," She smiled and grabbed one for herself.

"You two made them sound so good, how could we resist?" Dean flashed her a victorious smile as the lid gave in and finally shut. "Besides, Cas has a total sweet tooth, there's no way we would ever leave without him trying them."

"Yeah, Jake is the same way. If it were up to him, he would have pure sugar for breakfast. Before we started dating, he would have mountain dew and twizzlers for breakfast."

Dean wrinkled his nose. "That sounds like a college student's wet dream."

Amy threw her head back and laughed. "Precisely! I'm going to use that. The man is in his thirties, sometimes I think he even forgets that." She shook her head, a wistful smile forming on her face. "He wanted to have a candy buffet at our wedding. It took forever to talk him down from that idea."

"A candy bar sounds awesome," Dean pointed out. He paused and looked at her expression. "Oh God -- you don't mean as dessert, do you?"

"No, he wanted that for the dinner buffet!"

Dean laughed loudly. "That's something Cas would do. If we had a wedding -- I mean, a large wedding -- I'm sure he would have preferred if we just serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. They're his favorite."

"That's actually adorable. And it would make for a cheap reception dinner."

Dean nodded in agreement as he poured coffee in a to-go cup in case the cabin coffee isn't up to Cas' standards. "Careful, if he were to hear that, he would totally hold that against me and be all pissy we didn't actually do that. Then I would have no choice but to tell Jake his candy-dinner-buffet is genius."

"Okay, okay truce! I won't say anything about the sandwiches." She responded, laughing.

Dean returned her smile. "Good thinking. You wouldn't want twizzlers and mountain dew as your wedding dinner."  He grabbed the to-go boxes and coffee carrier, carefully balancing them in his arms. "Well, I better bring this back to Cas before the cinnamon rolls cool down. I know he'd want to experience them in their warm and gooey glory."

"Of course, enjoy! Tell him I say hi and that's it -- nothing else at all relating to sandwiches." She winked.

Dean playfully rolled his eyes and slowly made his way back to the car, without catching sight of Sam. Probably for the better anyway, he'd likely make some kind of dick comment about bringing Cas breakfast in bed. Which -- okay, may be true. But that's only because Cas refused to wake up this morning and he didn't want to miss out on the famous cinnamon rolls. And sure, if he was with Sam, he wouldn't have brought him anything back and would have just said "you snooze, you lose, Sammy. You can eat oatmeal and yogurt like the rest of the late sleepers."  But that was part of being the older brother -- you get free reign to be a dick sometimes.

And! Cas is his fake husband! This is totally something a married couple would do for each other, Dean reasoned. So it's not weird or a romantic gesture. And okay, maybe there was a moment last night after they went sledding down the hill. At least, to him it felt like there was a moment where he wanted to kiss Cas and Cas -- well, it seemed like Cas wanted that, too. Or maybe it was just part of the case. There's really no way to know, except y'know, talking about it. But that sounded about as appealing as eating one of Sam's "nutrient rich" meals, whatever the hell those consisted of. All Dean knew was that it was mostly of veggies and no meat, so he didn't want any part in it.

Regardless, Dean wasn't going to be the one to bring it up. If he was imagining something between them, he'd never be able to recover from the embarrassment. Besides, he didn't want to ruin their friendship. For the first time, Cas has agreed to stay with them, and Dean refuses to do or say anything that would make Cas uncomfortable, thus driving him out of the bunker and away from Dean. Not for the first time in the last few days, he bitterly wished he knew what was going on in Cas' head.

By the time Dean returned to the cabin, Cas was sitting up in bed, blurry eyed with a frown etched on his face.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Dean chirped, setting the food down on the bed.

"Do I smell coffee?" Cas grunted.

"Sure do. I put a pot on and brought you a cup from the lodge. Here you go," He handed over the cardboard cup and settled next to him on the bed. Cas' frown eased as he began gulping down the coffee. "I tried waking you so we could get cinnamon rolls, but you were not having it."

"Sorry," Cas said sheepishly. "I don't even remember."

"You and your damn sleep," Dean muttered, opening the cartons of food. "Good thing you have a really thoughtful husband who ventures out into the frozen tundra that is northern Minnesota to obtain cinnamon rolls."

"Yes, good thing." Cas agreed softly. He tipped his cup back, draining the remaining of his coffee.

"Jesus, Cas. It's been like two minutes."

"It's good coffee. If you want me to also be a 'thoughtful husband,' then you should be thankful for my high caffeine intake first thing in the morning."

"Yeah, I remember that time we ran out of coffee at the bunker. You were on a warpath. Sam hid in the dungeon because you nearly called him an 'abomination' again."

"Yes, Dean. I recall. I already apologized to your brother for that."

Dean took a bite of bacon, amused. "Hey, I thought it was funny. I'm just glad you didn't turn on me, too."

"You're the one that went to the store to supply me with more coffee."

"Jesus, you make it sound like I'm your dealer or something."

"You may as well be," He pointed out, grabbing Dean's cup of coffee and taking a long drink of it.

"Yeah, yeah. Eat your damn breakfast. Those cinnamon rolls better be worth the trouble."

Cas opened his mouth, surely to respond with some sassy comment but at the last moment thought better of it and took a large bite of the cinnamon roll. The sound that emitted from his mouth was absolutely sinful.

"Oh my God, Dean." He moaned. "This is amazing."

"You want a room for just the two of you?"

"What do you mean?" Cas tilted his head as he chewed thoughtfully. "We have a room, we're in it right now."

"I -- never mind, Cas. It was a joke. It's that good, huh?"

"Yes, you must try it." He tore off a piece of his cinnamon roll and held it up to Dean's mouth. "Eat it." He ordered.

And wow, okay. The demanding tone from Cas was really working for Dean. He hesitantly leaned forward and took the piece into his mouth. His tongue momentarily brushed against Cas' finger and he swore that he saw Cas' pupils dilate. Huh.

"Yeah, 's good, Cas."

Cas looked pleased with himself and continued eating it in silence, the only sounds in the room were his small moans as he finished it off. Dean felt dazed and forced himself to finish his own breakfast.

"Dean, you have --"

"What?"

"Just, let me -- you have icing on your mouth." Cas leaned forward so he was in Dean's space and slowly dragged his finger along Dean's bottom lip. Against his lip, the pad of his finger felt calloused and rough. Cas' gaze flickered to Dean's lips before they focused on Dean's eyes.

Wait. Is he going to -- ? Dean's brain immediately stopped working as Cas held his gaze and put his finger in his mouth, sucking the frosting off it. Holy fuck, if that wasn't the hottest thing he'd ever seen. Dean knew his mouth was agape and he probably looked like an idiot but he couldn't find the strength to care. Cas basically licked frosting off of him. His pink, plump lips were wrapped around his long finger and Dean's brain not-so-helpfully supplied a lot of fantasies relating to that.

Cas pulled his finger out of his mouth and went back to drinking Dean's coffee with a little smirk on his face. Asshole.

"I, uh -- I'm going to take a shower." Dean mumbled and hurried out of the room.

Dean hurried from the room and locked himself in the bathroom. He leaned against the heavy oak door and took a deep breath. Was it his imagination or was Cas flirting with him? Why else would he suck the icing off his finger like that? Sure, Cas used to have that whole 'innocent angel' going for him but now he's human and he actually acts like it. Probably Dean's bad influence, but whatever. The point is Cas had to know what he was doing, right? No one in their right mind would clean icing from their friend's face and then lick it off if they didn't want to be more than friends.

The worst part is that it was really fucking hot. Dean was already struggling to suppress his feelings for Cas and that nearly pornographic display was really not helping. But maybe he didn't need to actively suppress those feelings, not if Cas felt the same way. But did he? Dean still couldn't be sure. If Cas truly was messing around or didn't understand the connotation of his actions, then Dean would be fucking mortified. Regardless, he couldn't keep sitting around waiting for something to happen between them. So he'll push their boundaries a little and see how Cas reacts. Hopefully then he'll get a better idea of where they stand.

Dean rolled his eyes at himself for how complicated he's making this. If only he felt comfortable straight up asking Cas, but that's never been his style. At last, he peeled himself from the door and turned on the shower. He undressed and briefly considered taking an ice-cold shower to calm himself down, but he changed his mind. Turning the temperature dial to hot, he decided to address his not-so-little problem. After all, he would need to have his mind clear if he was going to read Cas for any indications of his feelings.

He stepped under the shower and nearly groaned as the hot water washed over him. The water pressure was excellent and soothed his sore muscles. His thoughts immediately turned to Cas as he began to stroke himself. The image of Cas’ pink lips sucking on his finger filled his mind as he expertly flicked his wrist around the tip. He imagined those lips around him instead and within no time he was groaning Cas’ name as he spilled into his fist.

---

Dean and Cas spent their afternoon lounging on the couch watching movies. Once Cas became human, Dean compiled a list of movies that Cas needed to watch. Most were movies that came out after Metatron uploaded all of the pop culture references into his mind so that way Cas could truly watch something for the first time. However, Dean snuck a few of his favorites onto the list like the Harry Potter series, Lord of the Rings, and a few spaghetti westerns. When Dean saw there was a Star Wars marathon on tv (another series on the list) Dean declared they would be having a lazy afternoon until it was time for the bourbon tasting.

This brings them to where they are now: sitting with their backs against opposite arms of the couch, legs tangled together under a large shared blanket and the box of chocolates from their honeymoon package sitting half eaten between the two.

Cas grabbed another piece of chocolate out of the heart shaped box, humming happily as he chewed.

"Which character is your favorite?" Cas asked, as he swallowed the candy.

"Han Solo, hands down."

"I should have known."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on, Dean. The parallels between you and his character are so obvious. You have the whole 'I'm better off alone' thing going for you, even though deep down you're really caring and would do anything to save your family."

Right. Cas has always been able to read him perfectly. "Whatever, man. Han Solo is cool. And Harrison Ford is a good looking dude." Dean snuck a glance at Cas to see if he'd react to that.

"I suppose," Cas acknowledged, tilting his head as he surveyed Dean. If anything, he seemed curious with a glint in his bright eyes.

"So, uh - let me guess. Your favorite character is Princess Leia?" Dean ventured.

"Actually, yes. She's always out for the victory of many, rather than personal gain. Leia is very brave and independent, too."

"Yeah, I can see why she would be your favorite. It's like you -- always working towards the greater good."

Cas smiled at Dean and his eyes crinkled around the corners. He looked so happy and so human in this moment that Dean was almost tempted to just blurt out his feelings for the man. Almost.

Instead, he threw a piece of chocolate at Cas, which he caught in his mouth, looking very pleased with himself. "You're a dork," Dean said fondly, rolling his eyes.

"I know."

"Did you just Han Solo me?"

Cas looked amused and just turned his attention back to the movie. That asshole totally Han Solo'd him.

- - -

By the time the movie ended, it was nearly time for the bourbon tasting. Dean forced himself up from the couch that had no business being so comfortable, so he could get dressed for the day. He quickly threw on some dark jeans, a t-shirt and a blue button down, which he left open. Deeming it satisfactory for the day, he threw on a coat and waited by the door for Cas to be ready.

While he waited, Dean shot off a text to Sam asking how research was going. Sam immediately responded with 'slow' and an eye rolling emoji. Dean was about to reply and rub it in Sam's face that he gets to go drink bourbon while Sam is stuck reading tomes, but it was at that moment that Cas came out of the bathroom. He was clad in black jeans that were mouthwateringly tight and one of Dean's Zepp shirts. He had become so accustomed to Cas' pristine suit and tie ensemble that sometimes seeing him dressed so casually in Dean's clothes, nonetheless, causes Dean's brain to stop working.

"Am I underdressed?" Cas asked, eyeing Dean warily. "Should I throw on a button down like you?"

"God, no." Dean said, internally wincing at the hoarseness of his voice. "I mean -- it's just a bourbon tasting. You don't have to dress up or anything." Besides, it would be an absolute crime to cover those arms. They were tanned and muscly and Cas should always wear t-shirts to show them off because damn. Dean so badly wanted to run his hands along them, feeling the muscles flex under his touch.

Cas threw on his jacket, interrupting Dean's train of thought. God, it's like he reverted back to a 14-year old's body with the way it constantly responds to Cas.

"Ready?"

"Ready," Cas confirmed, sliding on his Grand View mittens with a soft smile.

The bourbon tasting wasn't very crowded. High-top tables filled the room but only about seventy-five percent were filled. Dean and Cas grabbed a table towards the back of the room so they could keep an eye on everyone. Each table only had 2 chairs which were facing towards the front where the speaker would be. Dean realized this must be another 'couples only' event. The room was dimly lit with dark wood paneled walls, making it feel very warm and intimate. Small table lamps were on each table, along with two flights of bourbon glasses with 5 shot glasses each.

"Cas, are you going to be able to handle this? 5 shots of bourbon is a lot, this shit is strong. I don't want to have to carry you out of here."

Cas sat in the chair to the right and rolled his eyes. "I can handle my liquor just fine, Dean. You've taught me well."

"Hell, I suppose that's true." Dean joined him, sitting in the remaining chair. He scooted his chair closer to Cas and rested his arm on the back of Cas' chair.

"Right," Cas murmured. "We better get in character." He leaned in against Dean's side and rested his hand on Dean's upper thigh. It was enough inches above the knee that it certainly wasn't an innocent placement. His hand was a welcome weight on his thigh and Dean moved his arm so as to rest his hand on Cas' shoulder. He got a small smile in response, letting him know that was okay so Dean rubbed his thumb in circles against it. A soft sigh escaped Cas' mouth which was frankly adorable.

"Did Sam say he found anything else about his lead?" Cas asked, leaning into Dean's ear. Goosebumps prickled along his neck in response.

"Not yet," Dean muttered. "He said he's doing research but hasn't found anything concrete. We'll give him a call after this, we'll have some time to kill before our dinner reservations."

Cas nodded. "I feel like we haven't done much to help move this case along. I do not want Sam to feel like he's doing all of the work."

"I know. But we knew we were unlikely to get any information from guests. All we can really do is try to lure whatever it is and go from there."

"I suppose." Cas chewed on his bottom lip and Dean wanted nothing more than to release his bottom lip and kiss it. Maybe bite it, then smooth it over with a swipe of his tongue. What kind of sounds would Cas make?

"Dean."

"Hmm?" Dean dragged his eyes from Cas' lips to his eyes. His pupils were blown wide, leaving only a small ring of blue.  Another look he wasn't used to reading on Cas.

"Kiss me."

"What?"

"We need to move the case along. Kiss me."

Right. The case. That's why Cas wants to kiss him. No other reason. Dean sighed, a little dejected. He was hoping to avoid this because he knows once he does, it's going to be torture knowing what it's like to kiss Cas without being able to do it again whenever he wants.

"Are you su--?" Dean didn't get to finish his sentence because with a frustrated growl, Cas grabbed the collar of Dean's shirt and pulled him in, pressing their lips together. It started chaste.  A dry press of their lips, soft and warm and innocent. Then Cas sighed into Dean's mouth and made a small sound in the back of his throat. And that made Dean absolutely feral.

His fingers pressed into Cas' hips as he licked into his mouth. He was warm and tasted like honey and chocolate. The smell of his aftershave surrounded him, and it was all just so delicious. Their lips perfectly slotted together, and the kiss was slow and languid, like they all had night and could take their time exploring each other. Dean always imagined their first kiss would be frantic and rough, filled with the unresolved sexual tension from over the course of ten years. He never imagined it could be so sweet, yet so hot. It was everything he'd been waiting for and so much more. Except that it still wasn't enough. He needed more -- he needed to feel Cas against him, he needed to explore every part of him and kiss him so hard that he becomes dazed and all he can do is chant Dean's name like a prayer.

Distantly, a door slammed shut, reminding the two that they were in a very public place, and not in the privacy of their cabin. They jumped apart, flushed and hearts pounding. Dean stared at Cas, his lips were parted, red and swollen, as he breathed heavily.

Dean momentarily closed his eyes, breathing through his nose as he tried to calm his body down. The last thing he needed was for someone to see he was rock hard at a bourbon tasting. He peeked at Cas, who looked just as debauched.

"Jesus, Cas." Dean groaned. One kiss and he was completely hooked. How the hell would he ever be able to look at Cas and his mouth and not think about kissing him?

"Sorry," He nervously licked his lips. "I may have gotten carried away."

"You -- ? No, man. If anything, I got carried away. It's just -- ah, it's been a while since someone kissed me like that. That's all."

Cas nodded, his small smile back. "I'm glad I didn't make you uncomfortable."

Dean laughed humorlessly. In reality, it just solidified his attraction for the guy and he's pretty sure that kiss is going to be the thing that ultimately kills him. "If anything, we just made sure we're target number one."

Something flickered on Cas' face, but it was gone before he could get a good read on it. Before he could analyze too heavily, the speaker greeted everyone and began giving an overview of the brands of bourbon poured out in front of them.

Dean half-listened as he introduced himself and gave his credentials. He told Cas it had been a while since he'd been kissed like that, but truthfully had he ever been kissed like that? He didn't think so.

"The first glass in front of you is Old Forester 1897. From Kentucky, Old Forester is known for making affordable high-quality bourbon," The man explained. "Tasting this first glass, you should note rich vanilla with roasted coffee notes and spiced overnotes. This one is big and bold, with a dark caramel finish. Take the next few minutes to try this one and discuss it with your partner. I recommend trying it in sips, focusing on each of the flavors I mentioned. Enjoy!"

Quiet conversation broke out in the room. Dean sniffed the amber liquid and his mouth nearly watered. Typically, he drinks the cheap stuff because that's what is always around. So, having the opportunity to taste some high-quality bourbon put Dean in an instant good mood. Any awkwardness from the kiss quickly faded and Dean was grateful for the distraction.

"Cheers," Dean said happily. He clanked his shot glass against Cas and drank it all in one go. It burned down his throat into his chest and instantly he felt the warmth spread through him. And now that the guy mentioned it, yeah, he could taste the hint of caramel.

"You were supposed to sip it." Cas frowned. "Not drink it all at once."

"It was just a recommendation, Cas. You can drink it however you want."

Cas didn't look happy with Dean's answer and took another sip of the bourbon. Dean watched as Cas' throat swallowed the bourbon and suddenly he was regretting drinking it all in one go. Watching Cas savor the drink made him wish he had something to distract himself with.

He quickly tore his eyes away from Cas' mouth for the millionth time that day. "What do you think, Cas?"

"I like it. It makes me feel...warm."

Dean laughed. "Yeah, bourbon will do that to you. It's the best drink to have in winter for that exact reason."

The bourbon man clapped his hands together to gather everyone's attention. "I see most of you have finished the 1897, so I'll move forward onto the next one. This next one is perfect for the colder months - "

Dean lifted his eyebrows at Cas as if to say see, I told you so. Cas smiled and turned his attention back to the speaker.

" - it is another Old Forester bourbon, but this one is the 1910. It has notes of cherry, dark chocolate, maple syrup and a hint of spice. For those of you who prefer sweet to spice, this is the bourbon for you." He continued sharing trivia about the Old Forester brand and the barrels used to make these bottles. "Now that I've given you all time to clear your taste pallets, enjoy the 1910!"

Dean focused this time on savoring the glass instead of drinking it in one large gulp. He had to admit, Cas was right. When he took the time to savor the flavors he could actually pick up on the cherry and dark chocolate. Before all he tasted was the burn of it.

"I really like this one." Cas announced. His cheeks were a little pink from the alcohol which Dean thought was endearing as hell. "I like the maple syrup flavor."

"When we get home, I'll have to introduce you to the finer bottles of whiskey I've been saving for a special occasion. You'll love it."

Cas titled his head. "But you said you're saving it for a special occasion?"

"Hell, Cas. We saved the world and we're all together. It can't get more special than that."

"I suppose not."

The rest of the tasting continued the same. The speaker would explain the bourbon they were tasting and include some interesting facts (all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon) and sometimes some gross ones (like before there were strict FDA regulations, distilleries used to include substances like tobacco spit and dirt in their whiskey barrels for flavor) and by the time they finished their fifth and final glass, Dean and Cas were feeling the effects of the bourbon. Cas more so, his speech was a little slurred but he could hold himself upright just fine. He was in that perfect tipsy zone and Dean wasn't far behind him.

The lodge offered a free shuttle service for everyone back to their cabins so the guests wouldn't have to stumble back to their cabins in the cold. Dean happily took them up on that service because he knew he wasn't in the right state to drive. The shuttle was a small bus with only a few rows of seats. They grabbed a seat in the back while a few of the other couples from the class climbed in.

With a low rumble, the shuttle started and lurched forward. It headed along the road towards Dean and Cas' cabin, making stops along the way for the other guests. Cas leaned into Dean's side and sighed happily, nuzzling his face in the crook of Dean's shoulder.

"Mmm, 's nice." His voice was muffled against Dean's coat. "You're warm."

"You're drunk."

"Just a little," He pressed a kiss to his shoulder and Dean's breath hitched. Was this part of the act or was this Cas with his guard down? He leaned more into Dean and gripped Dean's arm. To any onlooker, there would be no doubt they're a couple. That thought sent a little thrill through Dean, secretly pleased by that idea. Who knew he was so possessive?

The bus stopped at the access road leading up to their cabin, so Dean nudged Cas and ushered him off the bus. They stepped out into the cold and Dean felt it sober him up a little. Cas must have felt the same because he was holding himself up straighter and his eyes seemed a little less cloudy. They trudged up the road leading to their cabin and Dean grabbed a hold of Cas' hand, noting the small smile which formed.

"Should we call Sam?"

"Yes, good idea." Dean pulled out his phone with his free hand and dialed Sam's number. It rang a few times then went to voicemail. "Did he reject my call?"

"That seems very out of character for Sam."

Dean tried again. On the second ring he picked up, sounding out of breath. "Dean?"

"Dude, did you reject my call?"

"Uh, sorry. I was - uh in the middle of something."

Dean and Cas exchanged a confused look. "Why are you out of breath? I know you're not running in this weather."

"No reason. I just -- what's up? Are you guys alright?"

"Dean and I drank bourbon at the tasting and now I feel really warm," Cas announced.

"Are you guys drunk?" Sam sounded amused.

"No!" They both said in unison.

"Just, tell me about the lead you found."

"Oh, right! I don't really know much yet. But last night at happy hour the staff was talking about local legends and there was this one that targets young people in love. I don't remember the name of it, but it sounded like it fit the bill. The locals didn't know much that sounded helpful so I'm having Donna look into it."

"That sounds promising," Cas agreed. "Do you remember any other details?"

"Not any that are helpful. I had to really sift through a lot of stuff that isn't our kind of thing. You know how these legends get so twisted over the years."

"Well, keep us posted if Donna finds anything."

"Yeah, will do. Just hang tight until --"

A loud crash echoed over the phone and a woman's voice carried through, saying something intelligible.

"Sam." Dean warned. "Who's there with you?"

"Um --"

"So help me -- if you are with another woman I'm going to be pissed. Eileen is so beyond your league and the fact that you're even willing to risk that..."

"Shit." Sam sighed over the phone. "Switch to facetime."

Dean did as Sam said and was greeted with Sam's anxious face. "So uh -- Eileen is here." He turned the camera and was greeted by Eileen smiling sheepishly.

Cas signed something to Eileen and she laughed in response. Dean focused the camera back on his face so Eileen could read his lips. "What are you doing in Minnesota?"

"My hunt in Iowa wrapped up early, so I came up here to join Sam."

"I thought your hunt was in Ohio?" Cas questioned.

Eileen had a look that was equal parts sympathy and panic on her face as she handed the phone back to Sam.

"Sam, what the hell? Was Eileen not actually on a hunt?"

"No." He admitted. "She wasn't."

"Then why the hell did you send us on this hunt when you two could have done it?"

Now Sam just looked uncomfortable and Dean suddenly realized what was going on. "You've got to be kidding me." Sam opened his mouth to respond but Dean cut him off. "Nope. Not discussing this with you. Not now, not ever. We have to go, keep us updated on the case."

"Bye!" Eileen yelled from the background before the screen went black.

"I don't understand what just happened." Cas said, looking genuinely confused. "What did Sam do?"

"He set us up! To take this case when he and Eileen could have done it."

"But what did he set us up with?"

"Each other, Cas." Dean said strained.

"Oh." He squeaked and blushed furiously.

Oh.

Oh.

Maybe he wasn't going to kill Sam after all.

#destiel fanfiction #deancas #destiel #destiel fluff #destiel fanfic #fake dating #dean and cas #fanfiction #supernatural #spn

[happybirthday-unusannus]

Happy 2nd Birthday to

“Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box”

#unus annus #markiplier #crankgameplays #September 21

[koolkat9]

In the Deep (Ch. 3)

The Gift

I didn’t get much sleep that night. Ludwig’s pained eyes and deep frown flashed behind my eyes every time I closed them, leading me to spend most of my night tossing and turning. I eventually fell into a light sleep, only to be woken a couple of hours later by Francis calling me for breakfast.

“Fuck off,” I groaned, but got up nonetheless. Despite how tired I was, it was obvious my option of restful sleep was out the window. I got dressed hastily, not even bothering to tie my hair up (at least for breakfast, I’d probably have to put it up for work, but that would be future me’s problem).

“You look terrible mon ami,” Francis tsked at breakfast. I couldn’t be bothered with anything more than a grumble and instead focused the little energy I had on eating. Today’s meal was croissants (homemade most likely) with some fruit and juice. As much as I hated to admit it, Francis had a way with food.

“Trouble in paradise?” The Frenchman went on.

“I told you I’m  not  seeing anyone. At...A-At least not like you’re implying.”

A mischievous glint crossed his eye. “Oh ho? So there is someone?”

“Don’t look at me like that! He’s just a friend.”

“But there is an issue?”

I should have shut up right then and there. Why I had said so much prior is still something I don’t understand, but there was nothing I could do about it at that moment other than keep quiet. Whether it was because Ludwig's sad face was still ingrained in my mind or the pure exhaustion I was feeling, I just kept going: “I don’t know...I guess I pried a little too much and made him upset. H-He said it was okay and I apologized, but I worry I may have pushed him away. There was so much pain in his eyes when we parted ways last night.”

For the first time since I met this man, his usual smirk melted into that of a soft, comforting smile. “Perhaps an apology gift is in order?”

“What good will that do?” I bit back.

“Sometimes a physical action is better at conveying how you feel over words. If that doesn’t work, at least he should be happy with the gift.”

Part of me felt he was trying to dig at me in that second half, but I brushed it off, taking out my frustration on an unsuspecting piece of fruit. “I don’t even know what to get him.”

“Don’t worry dear Arthur. You are in good hands! I’ll take you around town to look after I finish cleaning up here.”

Great, now I was going on an outing with Francis of all people. Could this morning get any worse? Indeed it could because by the time we had cleaned up the dishes from breakfast and were heading out, it began to rain. At least Francis could provide us with the umbrella, but at the same time, it forced us too close together. He smelled stereotypically French, reeking of wine and cheese mixed with the scent of some flowery beauty product.  

I tried to focus on it, turning my gaze to the shop windows, showcasing all kinds of knickknacks and products. ‘What do you even get a merman?’ I thought as we looked over a particular display of books, all of which piqued my own interest. Could he even read? Even if he could, he spent most of his time underwater so a book would not work. Now that I was thinking about it, that crossed off a whole bunch of items: clothing, flowers, blankets, stuffed animals, all out of the question. Every store we went into seemed to only lead to dead ends.

Eventually, we had to stop for lunch empty-handed. Francis took me to a local pub in the town square where he ordered us some potato-based dish, though I was too distracted to catch the actual name. “This is coming out of your paycheck,” He warned, “it's the least you could do for me after all our wild goose chasing today.”

“You’re the bastard who suggested this in the first place.”

“I didn’t realize how troublesome it would be. Usually, you get them flowers or chocolates and then you make up, but your lover seems to hate everything.”

There he was going again, calling Ludwig my ‘lover.’ My cheeks turned red at the statement, not helping my case. “For the millionth time, he’s  not  my lover.”

“Whatever it is, this seems like a lost cause.” For the first time since meeting him, a tired frown replaced his usual cheeriness. It didn’t fit him even though it often annoyed me.

Though I was uncomfortable, I wasn’t good and comforting people (especially those I barely know), so I let my gaze wander to the window. A group of children were chasing each other around the fountain while their mothers talked amongst themselves. Other couples and families were walking from store to store, mostly just browsing in the windows. It was calming looking at the mundaneness of it all while my life was turning into anything but. As I scanned the square, I noticed a jewelry shop just across the way from us and something clicked. Ludwig seemed to like sparkly items considering how much he took to the pendant.

“I think I found something,” I said, turning back to Francis. He gave me a quizzical look, but nonetheless, requested for the bill, paid, and we were on our way.

I led him to the shop I had spotted, admiring the window display once we were there. Something particular caught my eye, a beautiful silver chain with light blue jewels hanging from it. It appeared to be a bracelet of some sort. This was it, this was the gift. It was shiny, blue like Ludwig’s eyes and scales, absolutely perfect.

“You’ve got expensive tastes mon ami...or I guess it's more of this mysterious man. But by the look on your face, it seems perfect.”

I hadn’t even realized I had been smiling. Feeling suddenly exposed, I gave an awkward cough and tried to cover my tracks. “W-Well yes. It looks just like his eyes. I-I’m just...yeah...um...going to go in and buy it. Y-You, don’t have to wait up for me.” So much for covering my tracks. Without another word, I made my way into the shop, ignoring whatever tease came out of that damn Frenchman’s mouth.

---

It wasn’t long before I was back at the inn. Francis gave me the rest of the day off, so I retreated to my room for some rest before going out to meet Ludwig. As I collapsed onto my bed, I grabbed my purchase from the nightstand. Taking the bracelet from the box, I lifted it above my head, allowing it to sparkle in the sun. Ludwig’s scales were far more beautiful, shining even brighter than any jewel, but this would have to do. At some point, my eyes began feeling heavy, my exhaustion returning once everything had calmed down. It wasn’t long before I had fallen asleep.

The sun had almost set by the time I got up. I blinked in a daze before realizing I was late to meeting Ludwig. “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck” I angrily whispered to myself as I collected my things, hoping Ludwig had waited up for me.

When I finally got there I found our spot deserted. “God damn it,” I sighed, taking a seat in defeat. At least I could watch the end of the sunset and admire the waves. Like for most of the day, luck was not on my side as dark clouds began rolling in and the breeze picked up. With a sigh, I got up and began making my way back to the beach. As I walked, the weather only seemed to get worse, especially the wind that was whipping me every which way. Like history repeating itself, a particularly strong gust of wind sent me crashing into the water.

Of course, I had been blown in in a deep area, leaving me once again flailing unsuccessfully to keep my head above the water (at least the waves weren’t as bad as last time). As I became more and more desperate and fear took hold I surprisingly found myself shouting for Ludwig. He probably wasn’t around or able to hear me above the storm that was setting in, but he was my best option for help at this point. Soon the cold and exhaustion was getting to me and my world was slowly becoming dark, but before I passed out I heard the faint call of my name.

---

I was back in my room at the inn when I came to. My mind was fuzzy and everything felt sedately warm. It was as if I was wrapped in a soft flame that didn’t burn, but instead wrapped me in a comforting grasp. Although I felt a strange weight around my waist, I paid it no mind as my head was pounding and my nose stuffy. I felt miserable so when sleep began to tug at me once more, I was content to accept it. That was until I felt something move beside me. I immediately shot up, spooking Ludwig who was laying beside me.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I screeched. When I noticed I was naked, I immediately pulled the covers up to my chest.

Ludwig’s eyes went wide and his cheeks went red. “I-I’m sorry...I just...your friend said this would help.”

“What?” My scowl deepened when I realized who had put him up to it. “That damn frog,” I seethed, though more to myself than Ludwig.

“I’m sorry. You were freezing...I-I’ll just go,” Ludwig blabbered as he clumsily untangled himself from the sheets and got out of bed.

“Wait...H-How are you…” My mind had finally woken up enough, realizing Ludwig was here, on land, without a tail or scales.

“Oh...I never mentioned we could become human?”

“No.”

“Oh...uh...well I can. I don’t usually, but you were shaking so much so I knew I had to get you home..er… where you were staying so I took it upon myself to get you here. It wasn’t easy, but...shoot I’m rambling aren’t I?”

My gaze softened. Ludwig was far sweeter than any man I had ever met. I couldn’t stay angry with him even if we woke up in a...compromising position (if anything it was Francis’ fault who told him to do it). “So...what exactly happened this time?”

“Well, there was a storm. I found you just as you were about to go under, so I immediately grabbed you. When I got you to shore you were freezing and… I-I didn’t know what else to do so I grabbed my spare clothes and began searching for the inn. That blond man was standing at the door and he recognized you and urged me to bring you inside. He explained I had to get you out of your wet clothes and under the blanket. Th-That’s when he suggested for me to lay beside you...t-too warm you up. I’m sorry again for that. And now we’re here.”

“Well, I-I suppose a thank you is in order,” I said, laying back down on the bed. My wooziness was finally catching up to me. It was clear I was starting to come down with a cold.

Ludwig loomed over me, an unreadable look on his face. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Some water would be nice. Why don’t you go ask Francis.”

He gave me a small nod and made his way to the door. “Oh, Arthur. By the way, that box you were holding onto so tightly is just on your nightstand.”

“Oh.” I looked over to see that velvety, blue box that held Ludwig’s gift perched safely on the table beside my head. “Thank you. For everything”

“Anytime.”

As the door closed, I snuggled into the blankets once more, still chilled either from the ordeal, my cold, or both. Tomorrow for sure I would give him his gift. Right now I was tired and sick, not wanting to do much more than sleep. However, it did not come so easy as the bed felt empty without Ludwig there and that warm, comforting feeling seemed to have gone with him. But sooner or later, my eyes closed and the lingering feeling of Ludwig’s embrace lulled me to sleep.

Ch. 2

Ch. 4

#hetalia #hws #gereng #engger #geruk #mermaid au #hws germany #hws england #mermaid!ludwig #privateer!arthur #fanfiction #hetalia fanfiction

[sm0lprism]

Okay so I was watching unus annus and uh, the part where Ethan goes grocery shopping with the camera in the basket gave me huge g/t vibes. Like imagine being a borrower/tiny and you find yourself in someone's grocery shopping.

Edit: the video is “Amy Sent Us a Mystery Box” :)

#prism speaks #i mean this just screams gt #g/t #gianttiny #giant/tiny #ethan nestor #unus annus

[dreamonminecraft]

Which UA videos do you think have the biggest Ethan/Mark/Amy vibes?

OoH!

This video will never make sense

Amy sent us a mystery box

Brick Soccer

We create pottery without Amy's help

Ultimate Horseshoes

A serious conversation under the stars

Recreating Mark's childhood

Tasting weird food combinations...

DIY geriatric simulator

Hiding our sins from Amy's holy peepers

(the only order these are in, is date posted. I will say that Brick Soccer, Hiding our Sins, and this video will never make sense, are some of the best for that dynamic)

Happy (respectful) shipping!

#unus annus #crankgameplays #markiplier #ethan nestor #mark fischbach #youtubers #crankiplier #mark/ethan/amy #asks