An eight year old girl sat by the pound in central park. She was waiting for her brother to come pick her up and got to Tibby's, well actually now it was time to go home. She had been sitting there since nine that morning. The wind blew slightly and her long curly blond hair got in her face.

"Fire what are you still doing sitting here? Shouldn't you be at home eating dinner?" A boy about eleven asked. "Where did Spot go?"

"Dinner that's funny, the last time my parents fed me good food was when they thought I was the dog." The little girl stood up and walked over to the boy. "How are you today Mush?"

"Pretty good. I was gonna go back to the Lodging house. You want me to walk you home?" Mush held out his hand to Fire. Fire looked at Mush and then took his hand.

"Shouldn't we wait for Spot?" Fire looked around looking for her brother. "SPOT!" Mush winced and started walking.

"I'm sure he's home. You know Spot he's very forgetful." Fire raised an eyebrow at Mush and shook her head.

"There must be two Spots. Because the Spot I am talking about is the Spot that locked me in my room because he got mad that two months before I tripped on the stairs and broke my arm."

"He locked you in your room because you broke your arm? That's stupid."

"I said the same thing. He said that last time I ruined his fun. He couldn't go out because of it."

"Oh well in that case, I would do the same thing."

"Men!" Mush smiled at the eight year old girl. He didn't know exactly why Spot was doing this but there had to be a reason. Mush was gonna miss her and so were all the other newsies. She was like a little sister to them for the past two years.

"Hey Fire you know you're gonna be something some day and don't let anyone tell you different. King was always saying that about you after you left. You got a mouth, an attitude, and your caring. You know how to control your attitude which is good. You're a great little girl remember that. No matter what your father says to you, your special. More special then him. Look at your father he's a drunk and poor and beating on his daughter. Your better then that. I want you to get out of that life as soon as possible. You become something ad throw it in his face. Just get out of that life Fire. I hate seeing you get hurt." Mush stopped and looked Fire in the eyes. "Promise me you'll get out an become something great, better then your old man." Fire started walking again but Mush wouldn't let her. "Promise me, its important."

"I promise." Fire sounded very uneasy about this whole thing. "Spot isn't at home is he?" Mush looked away form Fire. "Where is he?"

"Look Fire you weren't suppose to know. " Fire ripped her hand out of Mush's grasp.

""Where the Fuck is he?"

"Watch your langue Fire!" Mush yelled.

"Is he hurt?"

"No."

"Then why would he ditch me like this. He must want me to die. Who's gonna defend me when Daddy comes after me." Mush grabbed both of Fire's arms.

"You are. Remember your better then that. You don't need Spot. Spot wasn't always gonna be there." Fire broke free of Mush's grasp once again.

"Bye Mush!" Fire turned and ran. Mush started after her but lost her in the crowed.

"SHIT!" Mush started towards the lodging house to tell Spot that his little sister was out there in New York alone, in the dark.