Talking, that's the first thing Katherine noticed, men talking. Though their words were slurred, she could still make out bits and pieces of what they were saying. Nothing relevant to her situation.

What was her situation? Katherine didn't even know herself. She was sitting up, that she could tell. But where was she?

The last thing she remembered was a cloth with a strange smelling substance on it covering her face before she passed out.

Her eyes were closed and since regaining consciousness she had made no attempts to open them, until now. Slowly, she opened her eyelids till she could see her surroundings. She was alone in a weakly lit and dirty room, tied to a chair. There were machines and tools scattered around the small area.

Katherine continued looking for some clue as to where she was exactly. Her search was rewarded when she caught sight of a logo for a clothing factory that had been recently shut down and abandoned, but she couldn't remember where in the city it was. Great, just when she thought her Reporter Skills could never fail her. Well, she needed to find out what exactly was going on.

Her answers would come soon enough when the door swung open, letting in a dim light and three figures of tough and unpleasant looking men through the door.

One walked over to a table and struck a match to light a lamp while the others stood in front of Katherine. She went to open her mouth so she could speak when she suddenly realized she was gagged, so no screams would be made. The worst she could do was glare at them. But her attempt at intimidation or to even appear threatening was laughed off by the men before her.

The one who seemed to be the leader took a step closer to her. Now she could see him, he was one of the men tasked with making sure she wouldn't leave her home, what was his plan?

"Glad you'se awake. Would ya like ta know why you're here?" He said with sly smirk. His breath was thick and sickening with the with the scent of alcohol. Katherine grimaced at the stench, but continued to glare. The man went on.

"Ya see, your Father was payin' us pretty well, but that can only go so far. So one day we was thinkin' that what better way to make money," he pause and slowly stroked Katherine's cheek. "Than to ransom the daughter of the most powerful man in New York City. Boy, we'll be living like kings! That is, if he pays. If not.... Well, let's just say it won't be pleasant for you or your boyfriend. We got him tied up too." The vile man gave a chuckle that sent shivers up Katherine's spine.

She did her best to keep up the hard and brave exterior, but on the inside, she was terrified. Was Joey okay? Did anyone know they were missing? Did Davey get help? Was there a search party out looking for them? So many questions and no one to answer them. All she could do was sit, wait, and pray that someone was searching.

In a different room, Joey was in the same boat as Katherine. He was tied to a chair and gagged, but the room he occupied was almost empty. The only thing in it were a few barrels filled with, from what he could smell, alcohol.

This wasn't his first time being kidnapped and tied up, and it surely wouldn't be the last, but his worry wasn't for his own safety, it was for the girl he had promised to protect. Boy was he doing a terrible job.

The thugs that grabbed them had walked in two or three times, but they paid him no mind, for that he was happy, or they would have noticed him inching his way towards a small tool box he spotted in the corner of the room.

He didn't have much time. He had to escape with Katherine before something worse happened.

Will he be able to succeed?

.............................................................................

At the Manhattan lodge house, the Newsies were trying to find their friends with little success.

Jack sent boys out in hopes of tracking down the carriage that Davey, Romeo, and Les saw only hours before. So far, they've had no luck.

Alice was pacing, trying to remain calm throughout this whole endeavor. Davey and Crutchie were doing their best to keep her and Jack from panicking, but their attempts were waning.

It was getting late and they were starting to give up when a knock on the door caught their attention. Jack ran to it, wishing for a certain reporter to be on the other side. He was left in disappointment as he stared at Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn Newsies, who stood before him.

Though saddened by the Newsie's arrival, he was also shocked and confused as to the reason behind his visit.

"What da matta Kelly? What are you'se gawkin' at?" The Brooklyn boy demanded as he shoved passed him into the lodge house den.

Everyone in the room had their eyes on the newcomer. Jack regained his senses and answered him.

"Don't take dis the wrong way, but I was hoping you was someone else. What are ya doin' here Spot? Did one of my boys accidentally go on ya turf?"

"No, not dat I know of. I'm here as an ally, a friend even." Spot said.

"Which means..."

"It means dat I'm not here for personal gain."

"Would ya stop it with da riddles and spill what you'se doin' here?!" Race said while he impatiently played with his cigar. Spot glared at the boy for a second before returning his gaze to Jack.

"I have some info yous might be interested in." He added after a moment.

Davey took a step towards the small, yet intimidating, Newsie. "Is this information about who I think?" He asked hopefully.

"Unless you ain't talkin' 'bout the daughter of Pulitzer, then yes." Spot finally said.

Jack couldn't believe his ears. Information about Katherine from Spot Conlon of all people. The world was a weird and incredible place.

Jack moved directly in front of the Brooklyn boy, his face mixed with turmoil, desperation, and just a glimmer of hope.

"Spot, if you know anythin', anythin' at all 'bout Kath now would be a great time to fill us in." The leader pleaded.

Spot glanced around the room, taking in each Newsie's hopeful expression. He finally nodded.

"Of course Kelly, dats the whole reason I'se 'ere." The Newsies let out a few cheers and happy calls before bringing their attention back to Spot. "About two hours ago, a couple o' my boys saw you're girl an' some other fella bein' dragged inside an old factory at the corner o' Rogers and Avenue D."

Jack smiled wider than he had in a while. A lead, finally they had a lead.

"Spot," He said walking up to the Brooklyn leader. "I owe ya one."

"Nah. This way I can pay Ms. Pulitzer back for helpin' us during da Strike." Spot replied sincerely.

Jack nodded then called for the other Newsies to gather around them. It was time for make a plan, which didn't take them long, they were on a clock. Now that they had come up with a solid scheme to get their friends back, it was time for action.

They filed out of the lodge house door and set off to fulfill their mission at hand. While most of the Newsies were following Jack and Spot to Brooklyn, taking alleyways and other short cuts, two Newsies were going a different direction. The pair had another job, and a very important one at that.

As the group neared the Brooklyn turf, Jack's had never been more worried. He hoped, and even prayed, that they were okay. They had to be okay. He wouldn't know what he would do if they weren't. He'll admit he was scared, but he won't show it, especially not now. Now, he needed to be brave.

(A.N. Hey hey hey!!! Sorry for the short chapter, but I had to end it there. No I'm not dead. Yes I am going to be wrapping up this story in 2 more chapters. No I will not leave y'all on a cliffhanger or a terrible ending. I have great things in store!!!

Anyways, I've been SUPER busy with my graduation coming up at the end of this month as well as many other things. But now I'll have more time to write!!! Starting with two new stories I'm working on:

1. Title: Floating on Hot Air
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Synopsis: What is Aang wasn't really the last Airbender during the War? What if another Bender escaped the massacre of the Air Nomads? Follow descendants, twins Kalea and Kenji, and their journey to help the Avatar, a lost Fire Nation Prince, and the rest of the world. [Shortened summary. But I'll be publishing once I'm finished with this story.]

2. Title: The Legend of Ladybug and the Guild of Outlaws
Fandom: Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir
Synopsis: Centuries ago, there lived a young girl who's destiny would be to save the whole of England. When Marinette, Lady of Locksly, returns home from years abroad, she finds things not at all like they used to be. How far is she willing to go in order to save her people, her friends, and the man she loves from the clutches of evil? [Shortened summary. I'm going off of the BBC Robin Hood series. {if you haven't seen it yet, GO NOW!} No it's not taking place in France. I want to stay true to the Robin Hood Legend. I only recently began to work on this one. It's still a new idea, but I'm figuring out the plot.]

That's everything I have at the moment. As always, please comment and vote on this chapter! Every vote/comment means the world to me!!! Till next time, I bid thee farewell!!!

~ Panda)