The Story of Cassie Tuck (Newsies/Tuck Everlasting Crossover)

Chapter 6

"It's called Morse code. Cass taught some o' da boys it when dey was 'ere last," Spot explains.

"They?" Davey asks. Oh no.Spot's the only one I trusted enough to tell, I'm happy he's been okay with it but I don't want to tell anyone else, I don't wanna be judged I'se don' wan' my family ta cast me out–

"Da boys, Brains. Who else would I be talkin' bout?"

I breathe again. Thank you,I mouth, calming down. Thank god Spot's as good a liar as he is.

He smiles at me, then turns back to the boys, staring at them. "So why you'se 'ere bout dat?"

Jack starts stuttering. I mean, it is the King of Brooklyn after all. If I didn't know Spotty as well as I did I'd probably be doin' the same.

"We need your help," Davey says.

Spot scoffs. "Wow, da moighty Jack Kelly needs my'elp?"

"Yes...?" Jack sqeaks.

"With what exactly?" I roll my eyes. Now he's just playing around. He knows exactly what we need.

Davey starts, "We need–"

"I'se wanna 'ear it from Jackie."

Jack scowls, returning to his usual careless demeanour. "We're goin' on strike. We can't affoid da new price, you know dat, no newsie can. But we need more o' da boroughs if we'se wanna make a propah difference."

Spot crosses his arms and leans against the wall. "So why Brooklyn?"

Jack chuckles, thinking Spot's kidding. When he realises he's not, he grumbles. "Brooklyn's da largest borough, and therefore da most powahful. Da odah boroughs might not join us if Brooklyn ain't wit us, an' we need 'em."

Spot looks between us and sighs. "I'm sorry, Jackie boy, I'se can' help ya dis toime."

"Why can'cha? Don' forget, you'se owe me a favour, Spot." I tensed as some of the boys came into the room. Spot was expecting a fight.

"I can' let mah boys get 'urt, Kelly. I know 'Hattan's strong, but I need proofyou'se aint gonna fold when you'se see trouble comin' your way."

I step forward. Jack tries to stop me, but I put a hand up. Hotshot nods, acknowledging my presence. I nod back.

A word, please?I tap.

"Fine." Spot leads me through to a separate room. I wait till the door closes behind us, and I open my mouth.

"Why can'cha help us, Spot?"

"Oh, it's 'us' now, is it?" He spits.

I shrink back. I don't like making him mad. I shouldn't have said anything, I shouldn't have said anythi–

"I'm sorry, kid. We'se jus' had a lot goin' on wit da stroike. I'se didn' mean ta hurtcha..."

"'S'ok. We'se jus' need Brooklyn's help wit dis," I whisper.

He puts an arm round my shoulder, hugging me. "I'se sorry, kid. I'se shouldn'ta yelled."

"You'se sure you can't 'elp 'Hattan?" I tread carefully here, I don't want him yellin' at me again.

The short and scary boy sighs. "You'se know bettah dan anyone'se dat I'se won' risk da health a' my boys, kid. I'se got a good relationship wit Kelly, wit 'Hattan, but I'd trow it all away fah Brooklyn."

I nod into his shoulder. Ever since he found me that day, Spot's been like an older brother to me. I don't want to leave him when I see my folks in a few months, but I'm gonna have to. His muscles are tensed, so I decide to cheer him up a bit.