Savior [open]

[Doll]

Doll looked outside the window, and even then it was barred. This warehouse, whichever one it was, reminded her of a bird cage. One entrance, which also served as an exit, and no escape unless the master opened it. It was awful. Did any of them figure out where she was yet? Being stuck here.... she hated it. She wanted freedom.

But of course, she couldn't have that. Leaning against the wall under the window, she slid down so she was sitting, her arms resting on her knees, along with her forhead. She may not have looked like she was paying attention to anything, but she was. She was paying attention to all of her surroundings. Doll had to, she didn't want to be caught off guard. That would have been quite bad.

It was cloudy, she noticed, by how little light came into the room, and could hear the sound of rain against the window. There was a leak somewhere, and someone was walking nearby. Wait, someone... no, Doll was getting her hopes up. They probably weren't someone looking for her.

[Peep]

Peep was walking along the narrow alley in between the warehouses. It was raining and puddles were starting to appear. Peep leapt over them lightly, both for silence and the fact that his shoes were new, after losing them on the beach. Peep had been at the Staten Island Lodging House when he had decided to go for a walk. He had made it to a bar in Brooklyn were two people-two finely dresses people-were talking in the back of the room. They were talking about the woman taking Doll to the 'base' as she called it. And the man had asked which one, and she had replied 'Number three'.

This had put Peep's mind into frantic motion. What could have so many 'bases' that they needed to number them? Then on his way to the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, what did he pass but the Warehouses? As he looked at the number, he saw Warehouse Number Three. Of course Peep turned into the small alley way, looking for anything that might alert him to Doll's presence.

Peep saw a small pile of crates beneath a window with bars. With the agility of a cat, Peep leapt onto the crates and scurried to the top. He balanced precauriously and peered into the window. It was dirty, and little light got in. He could not look straight down, so to him the room looked deserted. To be sure, Peep tapped on the window gently, as a bird would. For equal measure, he whistled like a bird... Hopefully the Brooklyn bird's code.

Peep had not accounted for the crates being rotted, and the rain had not helped. They began to crack under his weight. To try and save himself, and the crates, he clung to the bars of the window, but they were slippery. "Please be in here Doll..." He whispered to himself, using his strength to hold onto the bars and not go tumbling down into the alley below. That would not be pleasant.

[Doll]

When she heard the familiar voice, she literally sprung to her feet and looked out the window. She could have cried tears of joy at the moment. "Peep! Oh my god you do not know how happy I am to see you right now." Ok, now Doll was crying with tears of joy. She thought she was a goner. Well, when someone had you at gun point you were bound to almost cry. Well, she was now, but if he told anyone he was a dead man.

"How did you find me? Please tell me Spot isn't going on a rampage." Well, when you knew someone who had anger issues, you were a bit bound to ask if they had gone on a rampage. Her first thought at all after being kidnapped? 'Oh crud Spot's gonna be mad.' who didnt think that at first? Spot was freaking King, you didn't mess with someone when they were that high up. Not unless you had a death wish. Doll had gotten used to that. But the kidnapping was blah to her.

[Peep]

Peep chuckled when he saw he excitement, but that caused him to slip. He held tighter to the bars and pulled himself up, trying to kick off his shoes. When he had, his rested his toes on the window sill and now stood up. He grinned. "Geez, Doll, can't you ever stay out of trouble?" He asked playfully. "Happy to see you too, it's been a while." he said. "You haven't come to visit me." he pouted slightly, then studied the bars, pulling on them. They weren't lose, that was for sure. And he was slightly glad for it, otherwise, he would have went tumbling into the alley below.

"How did I find you?" He asked himself out loud. "Oh yeah, I overheard some people talking about it in a bar. A man and a woman, nicely dressed. Woman was kind of nice looking, pretty I mean." He flushed. "But anyway, I overheard the woman talking about you, and taking you to the base or whatever, and the man asked which one, and she said three. So, I figured it was the warehouses, came here, and voila! Here you are." He looked at her. "Now to get you out..."

"Spot? I would suppose, but I've been busy... And I only woke up about noon." He said. "But, judging by the literal storm clouds gathering over Brooklyn, he knows, and he is not pleased. Remember to remind him that I am not competition. I'm half afraid he'll hurt me in a certain place..." Peep winced. "I'll get you out somehow and then we'll got right to Spot. Now... Is there a door in there?" He asked, his mind working hard.

Peep would rescue her, and he would for two reasons; she was his good friend, and Spot would be indebted to him. Judging by the trouble that was brewing, he'd need a strong ally like the Brooklynites.

[Doll]

"Sorry for not visiting you more Peep," she replied, "But you know, work." Doll listened to him speak about who he overheard, and frowned. She knew who the woman was, but a man... she didn't know of one. The only thing she remembered was the girl. "The woman's name is Jack, Bloody Jack I think." Looking at the bars, she wished that the rain had at least made them rusty, it would be better than looking around for a door, because who knew if it was guarded or not? Doll would like to come out of this dilemna alive.

What he said about Spot made her frown. She hated being a burden for him, after all, he did have a borough to run. "I'll tell 'im. Hopefully he hasn't hurt anyone yet." Key Word: Hopefully. Doll looked around, nodding, "Yeah, and the side. It's locked, padlock. No comination. It should be able to bust open, or pick open. They locked from the outside and, well, yeah obviously I can't break down a door in order to get out. Be careful though, I dont know if anyone's out guarding the door or not. Good luck."

That was all she could say. A bird helps a bird, even if not in the same borough.

[Peep]

Peep smiled. "No problem, I totally understand." He laughed. But quietly. Peep adjusted his grip as much as he could. "Jack?" He asked, confused. "Oh. Bloody Jack. Doesn't sound like your grandmother's criminal, does it?" He said, trying for a slight joke. Peep frowned. If the woman was named something like that, he could only imagine what the man would be called...

"Good, I trust you. Completely. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. Okay, I would be here, but not in such a... Knight in Shining Armor way..." He said, trailing off. He tried to identify the door, only just spotting it. He nodded once, quick. "Okay. I'll try and find something that I can use to break the door down with." He said, dropping from view momentarily. A slight crunching sound and his cursing meant that he did not land gracefully on the already damaged crates.

He searched the ground carefully, then stuck his hand into a pile of old tools. He came up with a deadly looking axe that was only slightly rusting. He held it carefully as he climbed back up the crates. "Will this work?" he asked, breathing heavily.

Peep nodded. "Thanks, I'll need it." He muttered, then dropped the axe and then lowered himself carefully. His landing was more graceful this time. He wondered why Entertainer could not see him now, when he was all... Daring and stuff. Peep skidded around the corner of the building and found the door. There was a guard.

Peep carefully lifted the axe, so that the man would be hit by the dull end, the back of the axe. He brought it down once, swiftly. The man crumbled silently. Peep glanced around and began to hack at the door. He made a gap in the door and peered in. "Doll?" He whispered. "Can you hear me?" He asked quietly. He did not want to alert anyone. "Come on, Doll, quickly now, girl." He urged nervously.

[Doll]

Following Peep's voice, she ran over to the door, where he was noticed the gap in the door. It was a small gap, but Doll was short. She could probably fit through, "Yea, yea, I'm here, dont get your panties in a bunch Peep," she replied quietly. Ok, maybe that was a bit uncalled for, but still, his nervousness wasn't helping her in anway, what so ever. In fact, getting kidnapped never did Doll any good. It was like being a damsel in distress. Distress was something she could do, but damseling? Not quite so much as Distress.

"Move," she said, putting her hands on the sides of the gap, noting she was probably getting splinters at the moment, and started pulling herself out, moving so her body was sideways, seeing as the gap was wider going vertical than horizontal. Her shirt got caught on part of the wood, and she growled a little. She couldn't let go, otherwise she'd fall and hit her head. So, with whatever strength she could muster she pulled herself out, hearing the shirt rip a little. Lowering her feet to the ground, she let go of the wood, and looked down. Yep, there's a rip.

Looking over at Peep, she hugged him, "Thanks for saving me." Yep, Doll was trying to not let a bit of an ego she had get in the way of admiting that she needed saving. Well, what Brook didn't have an ego? Well, some didn't, but that was because they kept to themselves. She sometimes wished she could do that, like those other kids, but she couldn't. It kind of sucked, sometimes, cause, well, life sucked sometimes. But that was only cause that tended to happen somtimes, well, a lot. Oh well.

[Peep]

Peep frowned. She was so hasty. He had intended to widen the gap for her, so it would be easier. But she just shoved through, ripping her clothes. Peep was nervous due to the fact that he had just hit a man over the head with an axe... Even if it was not the sharp part. He tried to help her by offering his hand, but then decided to let it drop. She was a Brooklyn girl, she could take care of herself. He said very softly, "Do you want my shirt to cover up with?" He had two shirts on, one to sleep in and one that he wore over top the other. He was offering her the top shirt.

He did not really expect her to take it. He stepped over a bit, trying to hide the man with his slight body. It did not work. Peep was quite surprised when she hugged him, but he accepted it with good grace and hugged her quickly back. "That's what I'm here for, to follow people and then rescue others." He shrugged, like it was no big deal. But... It kind of was, and it made him feel good hearing her thank him. "Now... Let's um... Tell Spot you're okay." he suggested, glancing down the alley. "Besides, we still have to get out of here."

He looked around the corner of the building before entering the alley completely. Then he looked back at her, "And I don't wear panties, by the way." He said, trying not to laugh. He winked at her, to show it was all good fun before tugging her gently into the alley after him. "Come on. There are a few windows down here, so... Be quiet, k?" He asked nervously. His senses were sharp, listening for anything that would tell him someone was coming after them. Just what he would need...

[Doll]

Doll nodded her head in response, "Yea, I'se think I oughta borrow your shirt. Ya know, so people dont get the wrong impression." Well, a girl with a torn up shirt and a boy walking together, well, she would have gotten the wrong impression also. That, and... this was one of the only shirts she had left. Maybe she could get Toots to patch it up for her, but then again, Tootsie and Bear... well, that was literally unbelievable, but still, maybe she wouldn't mind much if she asked for her shirt ot be patced up, since Doll didnt trust a lot of adults.

Listening to Peep, she agreed, "Yea, let's go. I dont wanna be here when they'se come back." Doll honestly wanted to get out, it was probably the best thing at the moment. Laughing a little at what he said about Spot, she replied, "Tellin' Spot somethin's ok dont make him believe it, ya gotta show him. How it was with the strike and all." Following him, she walked quietly, almost copying his walking. There was a reason they were friends. They both did the same things, snuck around, spied on people.

Rolling her eyes a bit, she followed him, becoming more and more quiet as they walked past the windows. It was one of those silent things about her and Peep, once they had to be silent, they could still communicate. If Peep hadn't been a leader, Doll would have him as a bird. He was good, like her and Bear, he would fit in perfectly, really. Except, he wasn't prone to as much violence as her and the other Brooks. What could she say? You pissed her off she was bound to punch you, or maybe if slap, you across the face. hard.

[Peep]

Peep nodded knowingly and striped off his top shirt, handing it out to her with his right hand as his left hand attempted to smooth down his always springy hair. His undershirt was almost see through, it was so worn. Sure his parents sent him a large allowance every month, but since becoming leader, he had used that money for the Lodging House. Fixing leaks, buying blankets, buying treats for his newsies, hiring people to come in and teach the ones who wanted to learn... It ate up your bank account.

Peep nodded. "Yeah, well... It can be quite a walk to Brooklyn. And..." He glanced around. "I really want to avoid any dangerous, murdering thieves if I can..." He paused a bit, making sure she was following him before he continued walking. He glanced at her carefully. "You know... I was always wonderin' what would've happened to me if I had stayed in Brooklyn. You know, if I hadn't moved to Staten Island. Would I be a thief, would I be a bird, would I be a newsie?" He shrugged. "Maybe I think to much. Curse of the Jews." He said, winking at her.

He was quiet as he walked down the alley, avoiding the puddle and dangerously leaning tower of crates. He glanced around the corners of the buildings and tried to plan it so that when he exited the alley, he blended into the crowd. He patiently waited for Doll. "All these people look like criminals. Is that just me, or is it Midtown generally?" He asked quietly, chuckling softly.

[Doll]

Nodding back at Peep, she put on the shirt, buttoning it and then rolling the sleeves up. She had never liked having the sleeves all the way down in this type of weather, she liked feeling the rain against her skin, it cooled you off on those nice days out. Well, that and Doll loved the feeling of water against her skin. She grew up on the water, in the literal sense. Was she even born on land? Well, that was something she'd probably never know, because she absolutely hated her mother. No joke. There was no love between her and her mother dearest.

When he mentioned murder thieves, she couldnt agree more, murmering back, "Yea." Punching him in the arm lightly, she smiled at him and said, "You'd work for me. Be a boidy, and you'se would be tougher." Peep was one of those guys you could talk to, without worrying about them hitting on you. Doll knew about Peep's.... interests. And they werent in girls. Maybe that was why it was easy to talk to him. That, and it was easy to get a guy's opinion from him. Yep, every girl needed a friend like Peep.

Keeping up with Peep, walking silently, smirking a little at what he said, "Probably. Wouldn't surprise me. That, and 'arlem's full of 'em. Seems Brooklyn aint the most criminal, just the most dangerous." Doll liked Brooklyn, even if dangerous. It was just nice to be out of a warehouse. Looking around, she murmered, "Almost out of Midtown, then all we gotta do is get to the bridge and we're home bound... well, I'se will, at least." The thought of seeing the Bridge made her heart pound like mad with excitment. It just had that effect.

[Peep]

Peep kept an eye on each person, looking at them, studying them. He would remember them. He always did. Peep had a photographic memory. He could remember everything. He could read twelve hundred words a minute. That was why he was such a good peep, and that was where he got his nickname. He became leader because (as he figured it) he could make connections through the information and usually end up right. Or close. But it was his upbringing that made him a good person. Raised in a well-off family of Jewish-German shop keepers and professors and land owners, he was close to his parents and his siblings. Too close. That was why he volunteered to go and take care of Uncle Alfie. And he liked his freedom so much, he even hide the fact that his uncle died a while ago from his family. He liked his freedom. That and he actually belonged in Staten Island.

Peep smiled when she playfully his his arm. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, messing up her hair, laughing all the while. "Be a birdy." He repeated, his eyes lighting up. "Couldn't I still do that? Give you information?" He asked carefully. "I mean, Staten Islands brand new, we need allies and Brooklyn's the toughest and best borough there is..." He trailed off then shook his head. "Never mind." As much as he loved Doll-like a sister-he did not know that much about Spot. And Spot knew one of Peep's most guarded secrets. The one that involved the fact that he had a huge crush on the Entertainer... And the fact that he also had a crush on Drifter... But he did not think anyone knew that. But still, one thing went wrong and everyone would know and Peep would be ruined... But his mind was sprialing out of control and he stopped himself. Doll would never let that happen, of course.

Peep nodded. "Yeah, Harlem... Drifter's borough, right?" He asked, trying to be casual. He did mean to stop by and see if they still had that spark. He was torn between wanting a connection and wanting to avoid her. He looked at the bridge, liking the feeling of knowing that every step he took toward it, the further he was from Midtown and Harlem and everyone who wanted to hurt him and Doll. Well, mostly Doll, but he would probably die before he let someone touch her again. Yes, yes he would.

Peep smiled. "Sure. Home." He said, almost wistful. He was far away, thinking of Massachusetts and what his mother and father would be doing around this time. Probably gathered around the family dining table in the large house, writing him and Uncle Alfie another letter. One only Peep would recieve. One Peep would have to lie in. He suddenly stopped, feeling ashamed. He touched Doll's arm. "Doll... Do you think I should tell my family that Uncle Alfie died a long time ago and that I've been stayin' here, lyin' to them?" He asked anxiously, feeling as if he was five years old and wanting five cent cotton candy when he only had a penny.

[Doll]

Shrugging at his question, but didn't respond. Doll didn't have to respond. She knew things between Spot and Peep were... a bit tense. He knew Peep's secret, and that could be used against Peep at any time. When he mentioned Harlem, she couldn't help but scowl, "They're a neighborhood, a big neighborhood. Never a borough." At first, she had never truly cared about Harlem, they were just newsies who couldn't handle being a neighborhood, but now... they kept acting up. It was tiring, and she was getting tired of all their threats. That, and she didn't like Drifter, at. all.

Thinking over his question, she looked at him, "If you tell them, what if they make you come home? I'se dont know, Peep, with me, it's easier if I'se dont know where my mom lives, or if she's married. I hate her and she hates me. I can't vouch for your family though, so that's up to you'se. Go with what you want." Doll had no problem telling her friends she hated her mom. Sure, it sucked because she felt bad if that person was an orphan, but she had to vent about her sometimes, otherwise she'd explode from anger.

Looking down at her feet as the walked, she watched a few people from the corner of her eye, making sure they werent following them. Looking back up, she grinned like a little kid who just saw their Christmas present under a Christmas tree. "I'se spy wit' my little eye, something large, made of metal, and my gateway to heaven." Doll was happy to be able to now see the Bridge, even if it was still a few neighborhoods away, it was comforting to be able to see the comforting sight of what led to her home, to the docks and beams and the lodging house roof.

Grabbing Peep's hand, she started walking faster, practically pulling him. When she wanted to, she could be somewhat strong, but definitely not strong enough to take down Colonel, or Bear, or Spot. But since they had been walking, it had been easy to just pull Peep behind her. Doll wanted to get home, and Peep was coming with. "Hey Peep, you know how I'm getting married?" she paused little, slowing down and swinging their hands, looking at him, "Well, since I'm not gonna go find my mom anytime soon, and both of my male relatives are gone, I was wondering... would you walk me down the aisle?"

It was a hug question to ask of him, but she wanted to make sure that Peep would. He was one of her best guy friends, and Bear was gonna be Spot's best man, last she checked, so it was only fair if she chose who walked her down, "We'll have to talk to Spot about it, but I bet he'll say yes." Doll hoped he said yes, that, and it would help make a bit more of an alliance with Brooklyn and Staten, well, it would be a big improvement if they did have an alliance, really big improvement.

[Peep]

Peep nodded. "Never a borough." He muttered, thinking of how Drifter would react to that. They had been very close a while ago, but it had come to nothing. She was with Colonel and he... Well, he was chasing after the Entertainer. And to no avail.

Peep smiled. "They could never take me home. It's just... I dunno... They're really religious and stuff and I think they'll be madder about me not saying Kaddish over Uncle Alfie then lying and staying in New York." He shrugged. "I'm just sayin'." He chuckled darkly.

Peep pretended to think intensely. "Um... Let's see... The Brooklyn Bridge?" He guessed, chuckling. Peep was a little shocked when Doll grabbed his hand. He still was not use to her hugging him and holding his hand. His parents had never been one for affection. With any of their kids. Peep followed her though, grinning.

He looked at her, smiling gently. "Yeah, I know. It's the only think people are talkin' about." He chuckled. He listened to her proposition intently, his eyes getting wider and wider. "Really? You want me to do it?" He was speechless for a moment, and then he swept her up in a tight hug. "I'll be honored! Yes, of course I'll do it!" He said loudly. "How could ever think I wouldn't?" He wondered.

Peep looked at her. "I think I just rescued you, Spot's gonna owe me. Either a water tight alliance or I get to be your walker-down-the-aisle-er." he paused, wondering if that was even a word, then focused. "Maybe you could just use your womanly charms, they always work on me." He laughed.

[Doll]

Laughing a little at Peep's comment, she shook her head, "Nah, Spot's pretty hard to make say yes sometimes, so I dont think my, 'womanly charms' are going to work on him," Doll smiled at him, "Thanks, because honestly I dont think I could find anyone else to do that for me." Doll looked out, and laughed a little when she saw the bridge. Grabbing Peep's hand again, and was by now sprinting. The man handling the toll booth yelled, but wouldn't leave his post to run after them, that, and he was too old too.

For her, running really never had been a problem, she wasn't the fastest, but she sure was nimble. Her job called for that. "We're almost there!" she told Peep, practically laughing. As soon as her feet touched the point where Brooklyn started, she sighed, taking a deep breath, smelling the salty air. Here was Doll's home. No where else but here, Brooklyn. Letting go of Peep's hand, she motioned him forward, walking towards Poplar Street, where the lodge was located. It wasn't long before she found it, and knocked on the door, "HEY BUMS OPEN THE DOOR!"

Looking from Peep, to the door, she wondered who was gonna open it, and silently hoped it was one of her friends.