Ryan Delancy or better known to the newsies, Tumbler was the youngest newsie. He had joined when he was only 6 years old and immediately began to be like a little brother to the rest of the newsies especially Skittery. The boys knew a little about the young boys past because he talked in his sleep and had consistent nightmares. Tumbler had two older brothers and no parents and lived with his uncle who were all busive towards him. It started when his parents died. His mother died giving birth and his father was so overtaken by grief that he killed himself. His brothers blamed him and were abusive towards him from then on out. Tumbler was lucky enough to escape but he was left with no money and an extreme fear of tall men and loud sounds which made it hard for the older newsies to connect with him. All except Skittery who had a similar past that left him with similar reactions (hence the name skittery because he was very jumpy and skittish). This made Skittery a safe person in the eyes of tumbler because he was quiet and more reserved while the other boys were loud and rowdy. Tumblr clung to skittery like a koala on a treee and looked up to the older boy and relied on him to protect him. They were an unusual pair wto anyone walking down the street. A small 7 year old boy trailing so closely behind the older 17 year old boy that he was almost stepping on his feet and both of them jumping at the smallest sounds. The pair sold more papers than even jack Kelly due to people taking pity on the small boy and the pairs jumpy scared nature. One night when all the boys were fast asleep tumbler was plagued by another one of his nightmares he yelled out uncomprehensable words istartling the other boys awake. Skittery was almost immediately at his side trying to wake the younger boy up but Tumble kept shrinking away from his touch. When he finally woke he was drenched in sweat and curled up in a tiny ball at the farthest corner of his bed form the rest of the crowding newsies. His small body still shudddering with tears he finally let Skittery close enough to engulf him in a big bear hug and sing softly until the young boy finally went back to sleep. This happened every night and every night Skittery was always there to soothe the small boys nightmares. As they went to the distribution center the next day tumbler didn't want to talk to anyone and barely made eye contact with Mr.Weisel or the Delanceys who glared thregteningly through the metal bars separating them from the boy. The Delanceys always seemed extra threatening towards the young newsie but the rest of the boys assumed it was just because he was the youngest and the best target. At least thats what they thought until one day.
Skittery was walking back to the lodging house with Tumbler on his trail as usual when the Delanceys saunter out of a side alleyway obviously drunk. Skittery instinctively stepped in front of the young newsie blocking him from the view of the brothers and slowly and quietly moved into the shadows. Skittery held his breath and held his hand over Tumblers mouth. Suddenly Tumbler stapled back and tripped over an empty milk can and fell with a soft thud to the cement drawing the attention of the Delanceys."well if it ain't our baby brother" Morris said jeering down at the pair. Skittery looked down shocked at his young friend and Tumblrs eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorrry" the boy whimpered out to Skittery who's heart immediately softened. "It's ok we just need to get you out of here then I'm going to need you to tell me what there talking about ok" he said in a soothing voice before picking up the smaller newsie and began running to the lodging house. The Delanceys were hot on their trail due to the extra weight on Skittery back slowing the pair down. They reached the lodging house and Skittery shouted up at the rest of the boys who immediately came running down the stairs. A fight broke out in the street as the Delanceys called for backup as well. Unfortunately for them the newsies still outnumbered them with at least two newsies for every one scabber. They ran away yelling promises about coming back in the morning and that this wasn't over. For now though it was and the newsies had a different problem to deal with. They all sircled around Tumbler who was curled up on Skitterys lap his face nuzzled into the older boys soft shirt. "Tumbler, what were they talking about when they called you their little brother" Skittery questioned and all the newsboys leaned in expectantly as Tumblr took a deep breath before explaining everything. How his mother died giving birth to him and shortly after his father killed himself and how he and his brothers moved in with their uncle and they blamed him for their parents deaths and started to be abusive so he ran away and joined the newsies and now there he was. The boys looked at him in shock before they all came in for a huge hug around the small newsie. Tumbler had never felt more loved and like he had an actual family before in his life.
