In Which Blink's Tears Cause An Inferno...Herbie.
By:Skip and SilverSpot

Jack Kelly hurried down the crowded street. It was almost five oçlock and he was very glad to have all his papes sold by now. The terrible winter weather made buisness, and life in general pretty tough. But Jack still had no trouble selling all his papes, now he could settle down at Tibby's for a nice hot meal. The newsies' usual hang out was especially crowded tonight. At least two dozen half-frozen boys had crammed in.

"Heya Cowboy! We saved ya a seat." Race called across the room. Jack slid into a large both in the corner of the resteraunt. He pulled out a ciggerette and lit it.

"So, how you guys been?" Race shook his head, "This weather has really been cuttin into my profits. Maybe we should fly south next winter." Cowboy laughed, "Yeah, Maybe we will. How bout you Mush? How's it goin?"

"Ah, all right I guess." Just then three girls walked over to the table. "Hey Skip! Your lips have actually turned blue." The blue-lipped blond girl took off her coat and slid into the booth next to Mush.

"I can't feel my face and I think my feet are about to fall off." Mush smiled and kissed her on the cheek. He flagged the waiter and ordered a hot cup of coffee and a bowl of potato soup.

"My treat." Silver turned to Spot, "Well, What have you been up to?"

Spot smirked, "Carryin da banna in dis aweful weather." He put his arm around Silver, "I tink I may be stayin in MAnhattan for a few nights. There's suppossed to be a terrible blizzard coming dis way an I wouldn't want anyting to happen to ya." Silver smiled.

"You tink I would get in trouble?" Spot grinned slyly. Silver laughed, "You know me too well."

The group tried their hardest to stay warm by huddling together on the way back to The Lodging House. The storm was really picking up and it was getting icey. Silver had tried to convince Spot to go back to Brooklyn, but he insisted on staying in Manhatten until the storm had passed. Diamond turned to Race and Jack suddenly, "Uh..guys...when was da last time anyone saw Blink?" Jack and Race exchanged glances and shrugged, "Why?" Diamond smirked and pointed to a small red figure shivering in the snow, "Aint dat Herbie?" Silver spun her head around, glanced down at the tiny chicken and laughed, "Good riddance! Just leave the friggin thing dere ta freeze!" Mush and Skip looked at each other, then at Silver. Silver looked at them, "What?" Skip shook her head and picked the chicken up, "Yer so heartless Silvah..." Silver pouted, "I am not! ITS A CHICKEN!!! A CHICKEN FER GOD'S SAKE!" Spot rolled his eyes and took Silver's hand, "Stop arguin with em..if dey wanna save da chicken..dey can save da chicken..." Silver watched Mush and Skip pick up the chicken and head back to The Lodging House. She opened her mouth to say something, motioning to them, but Spot shook his head and pulled her towards The Lodging House. Diamond and Race exchanged glances and shrugged, following the group.

Blink grabbed the chicken from Skip and hugged him, "HERBIE!!!" Silver rolled her eyes and muttered something about a cross breeding cyclopse. Diamond nudged her and stifled a giggle. Blink grinned and spun around with Herbie, "Wheya did you find him?!?!" Mush cleared his throat, "Well he was practically frozen stiff in da snow..."

Blink frowned at Herbie, "Oh I'm so sorry Herbie!!! I should a been watchin you!" Spot smirked and shook his head sitting down on a bottom bunk. Suddenly the lights flickered and everything went dark. Diamond yelped and clung to Race. Blink screeched and clutched Herbie to his chest. Mush and Skip tried desperately to find each other in the pitch blackness and Silver accidentally cracked Spot over the head trying to sit next to him. Diamond cleared her throat and whispered, "Uh...guys?" Silver giggled, "Well, ain't dis just peachy keen?" Jack looked around (it was dark, so he couldn't see anything.) "Does anybody know where Kloppman keeps the candles?" Kloppman was away visiting his niece in Midtown and had left Jack in charge of the lodging house. Race answered him, "I tink dere in the bottom drawer of his desk downstairs. Good luck finding dem in da dark." Jack got up and stumbled down the stairs, almost breaking his neck. Several minutes later he returned with a small lit candle.

"So, what do you guys wanna do while we're waiting for them to fix the lights?" (I'm not sure if they were gas or electric at this point) everyone had gathered in a close circle around the candle. Race spoke up," Does anybody know any good ghost stories?" Blink's eyes got wide, "Scarey stories?" he clutched Herbie even closer to his chest. (The poor chicken was half suffocating as it was.) Jack smiled and put his arm around Bookmark, "I know a good story." Skip slid into Mush's lap as Jack began. "It was a dark and stormy night. The wind pounded against the sides of the old cabin on Gossamer Lake..." Blink's palms grew sweaty and he clung to Herbie for dear life. At this point the chicken decide that he had had enough of this frinedly cuddling. He squirmed free and when Blink tried to reclaim him he threw a sqwuaking, pecking, feathers-flying-everywhere fit. He hopped around like his life depended on it. In the process, he knocked over the candle, setting his feathers on fire and turning him into a blazing ball of poultry. Silver smirked, "Anyone up for fried chicken?" Diamond buried her face in Race's chest, trying to hide her laughter. Blink looked around, on the verge of tears, "Somebody do something!" Spot shook his head and grabbed Herbie flinging him against the wall and

succesfully extinguishing the flaming, now somewhat crispy, chicken. Blink ran over to him and huddled over him, tears rolling down his cheeks, and he cried, "Oh Herbie!!! Herbie speak ta me!!!" Silver doubled over laughing,

"Speak ta him!?!? He expects da friggin thing ta talk now! Oh Spot come on

dis thing has gone too far..." Spot stifled a laugh and put his finger over Silver's lips. Jack rolled his eyes and grabbed Blink by the shirt sitting him back down. Blink squirmed, "but but...Herbie..." Silver punched him in the arm, "Shuddup an let Jack finish da story..." Blink stuck his bottom lip out and nodded slowly. Diamond moved closer to

Race and smiled, "Go head Jack..." Jack nodded and continued, "An old couple, livin in da cabin were sittin by da fire eating dinnah when all of a sudden dey hoid a crash from da basement..." Suddenly the group jumped as they heard a slow, methodic, tapping noise. Blink looked around suddenly, "Wha was dat???" Diamond clutched Race's arm and shivered. Spot shrugged and exchanged an amused glance with Jack. Bookmark punched Jack lightly in the arm, "Come on tell da story!" Jack grinned and leaned forward, "The old man got up to go see what had made all that noise. He tip-toed over the top of the stairs..." A strong gust of wind blew through an open window, blowing out the candle.

"[Dang]" Jack muttered, "Race, go get anudda candle from Kloppman's desk."

Race looked around, "me?" "No the guys behind you" With that Blink jumped up and turned around, "Who? Who? Who's sneekin up on us Jack? I don't see no one!" Jack buried his face in his hands. "Mush you go wit him ok?" Mush got up, not to anxiuos to go venturing off into the dark. Skip and Diamond looked at each other rolling their eyes. "We'll go wit ya." All four tip-toed down the hallway to the top of the stairs. Race paused. Skip held onto Mush's arm tightly. They began to descend the stairs slowly.

A couple of steps down there was a puddle of melted snow. Who had been tracking snow in the lodging house? Well, it didn't really matter at this point because Race slipped, tumbling down the stairs and taking everyone else with him. They landed at the bottom with a loud crash. Skip sat up and rubbed her head, "What the [heck]...?"

Diamond laughed and stood up.

Blink heard the crash as his friends barreled headlong onto the lodging house floor. He jumped a mile, "What was dat?!?" he screamed clinging to Jack's shoulder. Spot snickered. Bookmark shot Blink a nasty look and pulled Jack back over to her.

Silver got up and sat between Spot and Blink not wanting to take any chances. Bookmark stifled a laugh and Blink looked hurt. Jack looked around the room, "I wondah whats taken dem so long..." Blink backed up against a wall and shivered, "I'se h-h-hope nothin

h-h-ha-happened to em..." Silver rolled her eyes and stood up, "I'm gonna go see

whats takin em so long." Silver glanced at Spot and waited for him to stand. Spot looked up at her innocently, "What?" Silver threw her hands in the air and walked into the hallway slowly, "Hey guys? Diamond? Ya dere?" Diamond glanced up the stairs in the darkness, "Silvah is dat you?" Silver muttered, "No it's Joseph Pulitzah cant ya tell?" Race snickered as he lit a candle and walked up the stairs. The rest of the group followed him back into the bunkroom and sat down. Bookmark groaned, "Can we PLEASE just finish da story now?" Spot smirked, "Only if Blink can keep dat friggin animal undah control..." Blink whined, "It's a pet!!!" Race threw a pillow at Blink, "Shuddup ya idiot..." Skip smiled, "Go on Jack..."

Jack looked around at the group and grinned, "Okay...so da man was standin dere at da top of the stairs when all of a sudden he saw somethin outta da cornah of his eye..." Blink gasped and whispered, "What was it Jack? Was it a ghost?" Jack glared at Blink, "If ya dont shuddup I'se gonna throw Herbie out da window." Blink pouted, "You wouldnt!!!" Silver smirked, "Well if he wont I will so SHUDDUP AWREADY!" Jack smiled,"The old man turned to see what it was, but there as nuttin dere." Blink cried out, "What do ya mean dere was nuttin dere? You just said he saw sumptin!" Silver reached over and swatted Blink on the back of the head. "Just shut up." Diamond began to whine, "Jack, come on tell us da story." Mush joined in

"Yeah Jack" Jack Kelly sighed, "I'm tryin to tell the [dang] story but none of you'se will shut up long enough to me to get more den three woids out!" Jack yawned, "Anyway...I'm gettin tired. I'll finish the story tomorow." Everybody's eyes widened. race exclaimed "Are you outa your mind?" Jack just smiled, "I'm tired. Now, go to bed." With that, Cowboy got up settleed down in his bunk. The others looked around for a minute, then they did the same.

Blink woke up in the middle of the night. The candle had burned out by now and everything was dark. Herbie was asleep at the foot of his bed. He climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom, constantly looking behind him as he crept down the hallway. (I don't know what he expected to see in the dark) While Blink was in the bathroom, Herbie woke up. He looked around. No Blink! This might be his only chance. He looked over at the next bunk. There she was. Silver, who was always makin fun of him, was sleeping peacefully. All the mean comments came storming back to him. He's just a chicken! Just leave the friggin thing there to freeze! Anyone up for fried chicken? Herbie filled with rage. He hobbled over to edge of the bunk and pounced.

"[Aaagh!]" Silver screamed bloody murder as she awoke to find herself nose-to-beak with the charred and featherless bird. Spot jumped down from the bunk above her, "What the [heck] was that all about?" Silver screamed at him, "GET THE [DANG] CHICKEN OFF A ME!" Spot reached down and scooped up Herbie. He looked around at the other newsies who were now awake and gathered around Silver's bunk. "Here", he said handing the chicken to Skip. Race shook his head, "I'm gonna go the bathroom while I'm up." He headed out the bunkroom door.

Blink had heard the screams coming from the bunkroom. He froze and backed against the wall. Were those foot steps coming in his direction? Blink pressed his body up against the wall and took a deep breath. Race whistled as he rounded the corner. Blink squeezed his eyes shut, obviously not realizing the familiar tune of 'King of New York' that Race was humming. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked around the room. Suddenly his eyes focused on a large, brass object that seemed to be some sort of candleholder. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands. A menorah? So

Snitch is Jewish...I knew it! Blink shrugged and lifted the object above his head. Just then Race turned the corner. CRACK! Blink brought the menorah crashing down on Race's head and was now strattling him and slapping his face. Diamond and Skip came skidding around the corner and their jaws dropped. Diamond screeched, "Blink!!! GET OFFA

HIM!!!" Blink stopped slapping Race and raised an eyebrow, "Huh?" Skip pulled Blink up to his feet and pointed to Race, "Dats Race, Blink!!!" Blink's bottom lip quivered and he whispered, "But but...why would Race try ta kill me?" Skip rolled her eyes and dragged Blink back to the bunkroom. Diamond picked up Race's feet and LITERALLY dragged him back to the bunkroom.

When the four entered the bunkroom they were met with a very interesting scene: Spot had his arms around Silver's waist, trying to hold her back while she was flailing her arms, trying desperatley to get her hands around Herbie's neck (again) and Bookmark was trying to shoo Herbie out of Jack's lap who had found a quite comfortable and suggestive position. Mush was watching the whole scene, stifling a laugh when Diamond came in and dropped Race's feet with a thud. Everyone stopped and turned to the body lying on the floor. Blink turned pale and whispered, "Is he...d-d-d-dead?" Silver rolled her eyes and squirmed away from Spot, "Course he aint dead ya idiot!!!" Silver walked over to Race and kicked his foot, "Hey Race...ya dead?" Race opened his eyes, unsure if he was seeing things. Diamond kissed him on the cheek, "It's alright baby." Racetrack looked around, "What da [heck] is wrong wit dat chicken?" Mush was holding on to Herbie who was trying to wriggle free with all his might, and was that chicken hissing at Silver? Jack and Silver helped Race back into bed, (No they did not know the proper treament for a concussion) Herbie finally wriggled free and hopped up onto Jack's bunk.

Bookmark eyed him suspiciously. "Jack, do ya tink dere's anyting weird about dat chicken?" Jack looked back at her, "You mean udda dan de fact dat all its feathas have been boined off?" Bookmark scowled, "I don't know. I just think he's been acting really friendly." Jack shook his head, "Don't worry about it." Bookmark forced a smile, "OK"

Spot was sitting on the edge of Silver's bed trying to calm her down.

"Silver, I really don't tink dat da chicken was tryin to kill ya." Silver rolled her eyes, "Fine! Don't believe just wait to find me one morning in a pool of blood and feathers!" Spot put his arm around Silver,"Get some sleep."

Skip turned to Blink, "I really tink it would be betta if Herbie stayed wit Jack tonight." Blink looked at her pitifuly, "But.." Mush broke in "No buts Blink. Herbie stays wid Jack." Blink dropped his head and walked away sulking. Skip shook her head.

Bookmark turned to glare at Herbie, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to! You're tryin to move in on my man!" The chicken sqwuaked in reply.

The group finally settled down when all of a sudden Blink started screaming in his sleep. Skip and Mush rolled off the bunk they were sleeping soundly in and landed on the floor with a thud. Silver jumped about a mile, hitting her head on the bedpost, and started muttering curses. Spot jumped off the bunk he was on and slapped Blink in the head, "Hey Kid, wake up!" Blink's eyes fluttered open and he started crying. Spot raised an eyebrow and backed away from him muttering, "Is insanity contagious?" Bookmark rubbed her eyes and looked over at Herbie who was pecking at Jack's face. The blood started to rise in her cheeks and she jumped off her bed and darted over to the chicken. Skip jumped up, "Bookmark!" Herbie screeched as Bookmark grabbed him by the throat. Blink sobbed hysterically, "She's tryin ta go at my chicken!!! Everybody wants ta go at my chicken!" Silver laughed sinically and cheered Bookmark on, "Kill da friggin thing!!! KILL IT!!!" Diamond giggled and shook Race's arm, "Hey Race...Race! Ya gotta see dis..." Race sat up and grinned eagerly, "Ah great!! A fight!!! Five ta one its ALLLLL da chicken!!! Who's bettin?" Spot smirked and shook his head. Silver bounced up and down on the bed and flailed her arms, "WOOHOO!!! GO BOOKMARK!"

Suddenly the single candle lighting the room blew out and there was darkness. There was a muffled squawk and a scream. Race re-lit the candle and blew out the match. Skip gasped, "Oh my [gosh]..." They looked around the room and saw Herbie lying on the floor with a bandana wrapped tightly around his neck a sickly blue face.

Blink held back tears, "Herbie? Is dat Herbie?" "Silver replied with a smirk, "No, It's da udda chicken dat's been living heya." Blink glared at Silver, "You did it! I know it! You've always wanted to go at my chicken!" "Listen Blink! I'm not gonna pretend that Herbie an I were buddies, but I didn't kill that chicken." Blink's eyes narrowed, "How do I know you didn't go at my chicken?" Silver rolled her eyes, "I was off saving the universe! What do tink I was doing? I was wit Spot! I don't wanna get too explicit here!" Blink looked confused. "We were.." Skip held up her hand, "Enough! We get the point" Blink looked over at her, "We do?" Skip rolled her eyes, "Yes, we do."

Blink turned to look at Bookmark,"It was you then! Why didn't tink of it before; you had been tryin to go at my chicken!" Bookmark glared back, "Yeah, I was tryin to kill Herbie, but he got away. Ran over to snuggle up wit Jacky-boy!"

"So" Blink sauntered over to Jack, "Was Herbie a little too close fer comfert dere? huh? Ya didn't hafta kill im!" Jack bit his lip to keep from laughing, "I didn't kill your chicken, Blink." Blink narrowed his eyes and stepped closer, "cuz I'm tellin ya Blink." Well that ain't good enough Jacky-boy, You're gonna hafta show me." Spot rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Jack raised an eyebrow and stood, staring Blink down, "Dis good?" Blink backed up, grinning, and nodded quickly, "Yep! Woiks fa me!" Jack smirked and sat down, crossing his arms.

Blink pointed to Spot, "What about you?" Spot looked at Silver then at the rest of the group, "He's kiddin right?" Blink lowered his gaze on Spot. Spot rolled his eyes and looked at Blink, "Okay...for da mentally challenged...If Silvah's excuse was dat she was wit me...wouldnt my excuse be dat I was wit her?" Blink considered this for a moment then shrugged, "Okay." Spot muttered, "Unbelievable..."

Blink cleared his throat and spun around looking for his next suspect.

"Skip!!! It was you! I knew it!" Mush pushed Blink's accusing finger out of Skip's face and cleared his throat. Blink smiled at Mush nervously and stepped back a little, "As I was saying...did you go at Herbie and kill him, Skip?" Skip shook her head innocently, "Of course I didnt kill it! I'm da one dat awways defended it aint I?" Blink opened his mouth to say something then shrugged and moved on.

"Well what about you Mush, huh?" Mush put on his most lovable face and smiled at Blink, "Would I kill a poor, defenseless chicken? You know I love animals, Kid..." Silver smirked and muttered, "Yeah I'll bet he loves animals..." Race snickered. Blink's eyes narrowed, "Don't try to put that over on me. You was gettin a little worried. Skip cared about dat chicken more den she cared about you. You'se was gettin a little jealous. Is that it?" Skip whispered under her breath, "Yep that's it. I was about to run off with the [dang] chicken." Mush laughed, "Kid, My goyl was not having an affair wit dat [dang] bird and I did not kill him in a fit of jealousy."

Blink spun around, "You!" Race raised an eyebrow, "Me?!?" Blink creeped over to Race, narrowing his eyes, and hissed, "Yes...you..." Diamond rolled her eyes, "Oh, cut the dramatic effects, Blink..." Blink straightened and grinned at the group, "Awww come on I thought dat last part was kinda good..." Spot snorted and threw a pillow at Blink. Silver smirked and kissed Spot on the cheek, "Good shot. Lemme try." Spot handed Silver a pillow and she threw it at Blink's head, knocking him over. Silver clapped excitedly, "Two points!" Spot doubled over laughing, putting an arm around Silver.

Diamond snickered quietly and held her hand out to Blink. Blink took it and stood up, glaring at Spot and Silver and directed his attention to Diamond.

"What about you...shorty?" Diamond slapped Blink in the back of the head, knocking him over once again. Race stood over Blink, "Who you callin shorty?...Ya mindless, one-eyed, freak!" Silver grinned, anticipating a fight, and stood to see if she could get a word or two in. Skip put her hand up and shook her head, "I am not lettin dis go any further..." Silver stuck her bottom lip out and sat down to pout, but Spot grabbed her hand and leaned over, kissing her. Mush rolled his eyes and stepped between Race and Blink, "Hey fellahs...cut it out. We're gettin nowheya heya. Now we know dat none a us killed da stup--Herbie. So maybe he killed himself." Silver broke away from Spot, out of breath and jumped to her feet, "Are you implyin dat dat deranged, narotic, psycopathic, excuse for a pet commited suicide?!?!" Blink crossed his arms, "Hey..." Jack rubbed his forhead, "Maybe Mush is right. I mean if none of us killed him, then who?" Everyone looked around. An eerie silence filled the room. Race finally broke in,"Oh come on! This is ridiculous! Why are we getting all freaked out over the death of a chicken? Thousands die at Purdue every week!" Blink looked up at him through tear-stained eyes (ok eye) "Insesitive [jerk]!" Blink then stormed out of the room. Spot turned to Silver, "I'm really starting to worry about dat kid."

Jack got elected to go find Blink. He searched around the Lodging House for a while until he came across him huddled up in a storage closet. Jack tapped him on the shoulder. Blink jumped with a start. He smiled at Cowboy, "Look what a found Jack!" He held up three small fuzzy yellow chicks" Jack's eyes widened. Blink smiled, "Herbie is a mommy!" Jack shook his head.

Diamond turned to Race, "Uh Race? What are we gonna do wit da..uh...body?" Race looked over at Diamond, "Whata ya askin me fer?" Diamond just smiled.

Silver shook her head, "Oh just throw the [dang] thing out da window." Mush turned to her, his eyes wide, "Just tell me you were kidding." Silver rolled her eyes, "You're not gonna tell me you were plannin on burryin da ting!" She threw her arms in the air, "I live wit a bunch a friggin lunitics!" Diamond laughed, "Yep!"

Just then Jack and Blink came through the door, chickens in hand. Silver saw them and shouted, "Can't I ever win?" Bookmark rolled her eyes, "Not again.

Please […], no more chickens..."