You'll Never Walk Alone {Mike}

[oceansand588]

( Mike the title of the thread is a song from Carousel; does that count?)

Shane had never been to the zoo. Nor had she ever ridden a carousel. In fact, there were a lot of things she had never done. And, as she sat in front of the tiger she added another one to her list. She had never actually seen a tiger. In a way... it was a way to pass the time, listing things she had never done, and selecting a few of the more realistic "never's" in the off-chance she could begin making a list of "have done's". She had never ridden a horse either, but she didn't think that was realistic. The tiger gave a loud snarl. Shane jumped. "Stupid tiger." She muttered. Although she had never been to the zoo, she like it here. There were not many people at the zoo, and there was no one in the clearing before the tiger's cage with her except the tiger itself. It was peaceful. It gave her the opportunity to actually contemplate things. To... analyze things. To relive, or to sift through her memories...

She had yet to eat, this being her third day without food, and she didn't even have enough money to purchase any peanuts to give to the elephants. At least, she had heard that elephants like peanuts. But since this was her first time at the zoo, she didn't know for sure. "And besides," Shane thought tiredly, "if I did have any peanuts, they'd be mine... mine, 'cause I'm hungry... and I would eat them... I think I want some peanuts now..."

Shane was exhausted. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, simply wanting to lay down on the bench and fall asleep. She wasn't even thinking coherent thoughts anymore. More so, her thoughts were scattered scraps and fragments of words and concepts, and sensory details. She felt vulnerable and weak. A state which she only let herself slip into when she was by herself. Shane finally gave up on watching the tiger, although she figured it had given up on her a while ago, as it was now curled up in the back of its cage asleep. And seemingly snoring. She didn't realize tigers could snore. And at this point, Shane could go on no further. She was stiff. She stood up from the bench, and stretched, then dropped back onto the bench again. She slowly twisted her body until she was lying on her side. She could only hope that the tiger would not snarl and wake her up once she was asleep. Then, before closing her eyes, she pulled her knife out of her pocket and clutched it in her hands. And the last thing she thought before she fell asleep was, "What will happen if someone finds me here?"

[Mike D. Greaser]

{For sure! Two points for you!}

One would ask why Mike D. Greaser was strolling carelessly in the Brooklyn zoo. But then one could ask why anyone would go to the zoo. To see a bunch of caged animals? No, people didn't look at it like that. It was entertainment. Something out of the ordinary. Something you wouldn't usually do. In a way, they felt brave. Being five feet from a tiger made them feel like they had done something important. Was that why Mike was here? Not really. He was here simply to be here. Did he care if one of the newsies caught him? Not in the least. Did he care that this made him look awfully silly? Nope. Mike really just didn't care.

Now I'm where I wanna be and who I wanna be, doing what I always said I would!

As Mike walked, his thoughts began to wander. He was what he'd always wanted to be. Born a leader. Mike was a leader. Now he would be leader. He was where he wanted to be and who he wanted to be. This is what he swore he would do. He was living the way he always knew he would.

And yet I feel I haven't won it all!

Doubt suddenly sprang up in his mind. Was he really doing the right thing? Would his parents be proud of him? His parents... Yes they would! Mike knew it. He was avenging them. This was what they would have wanted, what they would have done. He brushed the doubt aside, not willing to think those thoughts.

Running for my life and never looking back, in case there's someone right behind to shot me down and say he always knew I'd fall!

Was he just running from his problems? Running from the fact that he knew he was really the one to blame, not the newsies? Was he sacrificing his life and others for a lost cause? Was he just running? Running from what happened, the things he wanted to forget? Again, Mike shook his head. None of this was true. He was doing right, he knew it. Replacing his distraught look with one of triumph, Mike continued his trek through the zoo.

He strolled leisurely down the paths of the zoo, not even sparing a glance at the animals all around him. His hands were tucked in is pockets and a tune was on his lips. It was nice out, but Mike didn't care. He wasn't here for the weather. He was here to be here.

Moments passed and his demeanor didn't change. He'd probably circled the zoo twice now and wasn't about to stop. For the first time that day, Mike let his gaze wander. Slowly, his eyes fell on a young girl. She was on a park bench, lying there, sleeping...? Mike smirked and switched directions. He sauntered over to her, well aware that she couldn't see him. Carefully, Mike sat down at her feet, willing her to stay asleep. As he sat there, watching her, Mike got the chance to size her up.

She was around his age, Mike could tell that easily enough. She had beautiful brown hair that flowed to her waist. From what he could see, she looked about 5 feet. What she was wearing intrigued him most. She dressed like a newsie. That was not that strange. Everyday more and more kids became newsies; and more and more kids stopped being newsies, for many reasons. But Mike always knew when a newsie joined a borough; he was keeping tabs on them. But he'd never seen this girl around before.

Another thing that caught Mike's eye was the dagger in her hand. What did she think was going to happen? That she was going to get jumped in the middle of the zoo? Mike chuckled and shook his head. People these days, so untrustworthy.

{WOOT! One point! Dang, I love that song. Gives me chills every time! But yeah, if we are counting just today (which I think we should) it is 2-1. Go us! Mike is kinda emo this post... and then happy? Dude, bipolar!}

[oceansand588]

Shane was dreaming. And in her dream, she was quietly standing someplace.... or was she floating? She wasn't quite sure, but she knew that she was dreaming at least. She was surrounded by darkness, but there was nothing to see. There was simply nothing but darkness...emptiness... Suddenly, her dream world was lit up by a red flare. Where everything had once been black, darkness, there was now blinding, painful redness. Not blood of course, but... just brightness and red. With it was brought a sense of... anguish? Or maybe it was fright, or nervousness, or anxiety, or loneliness. The emotion brought with the red flare felt unnatural, like . She felt anxious, but strangely calm at the same time.

Shane slowly opened her eyes and blinked. Her dream had been strange... She wasn't sure what she had dreamed, but that might have been because nothing had really, well, happened. She felt weird... off balance, anxious, out of it. The vision returned to her eyes suddenly. Even though her eyes had been open for a few seconds already, she had been so caught up in a state of... of something, perhaps post-dream confusion, that she hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings. Her eyes perceived the sleeping form of the tiger, its orange coat shining in the moonlight. "Stupid tiger is still snoring," Shane thought to herself. She scoffed quietly—who knew tigers could even snore? Shane sighed sleepily. She was still tired, and could use some more sleep. "And a bit o'food too," she thought, "Oh well... to get food, I'd have to get up, and I don't really feel like doing that now."

So, instead, she lay there, and listened to other sounds of the zoo at night. Cicadas buzzing, or maybe those were crickets chirping. She didn't know, and quite frankly she didn't care. Soft breathing—"Whaat?!" she thought wildly. She stiffened. Someone else was near her; she wasn't alone. It wasn't her, she knew that at least. And it wasn't the tiger. He was snoring. Shane was fully awake now, despite being tired, and she was on full alert.... well, as much as she could be given her current state. Slowly she propped herself up on her elbow and gripped her pocket knife. She was scared, she realized. She wanted to freeze, to stay still and hope that whomever it was went away and didn't harm her. Then, almost as if a string was attached to her head, she looked to her right. There, crouched quietly by the end of the bench, was a guy. He looked to be around her age, or maybe a few years older. He was watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher. Shane raised an eyebrow, and a smirk flitted across her face. "I'se know I'm interesting when I sleep but please let me know beforehand if you plan on watching me so I can make sure t'keep one eye open." she said calmly.

[Mike D. Greaser]

Mike continued to stare at the girl, smirking ever so slightly. Something about her intrigued him, but he couldn't really place it. Maybe it was the fact that she was sleeping on a bench in the middle of the zoo. Did she not have a place to stay? Mike wondered if she was a newise. She was dressed like one, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. Most newsies dressed like any other homeless person. She could very well be homeless. Or she could be a richie just wanting to get away. Either way, it was funny that she was sleeping on a bench in the zoo.

Another amusing thing was what she was holding: a knife. She has to be homeless. Only street kids knew the real dangers of the outside world. They knew what was lurching behind the corner and what danger lied behind the facade. What is lurching, right behind the facade. All the rich kids knew nothing of the street. They only knew what they saw. But street kids knew it was all a facade. Mike had no doubt that she was a street kid now. But he just couldn't help but laugh at the little dagger in her hand.

She stirred in her sleep and Mike's smirked widened. This should be interesting. "I'se know I'm interesting when I sleep but please let me know beforehand if you plan on watching me so I can make sure t'keep one eye open." She turned to look at him and Mike continued to smirk. As she spoke, Mike raised an eyebrow. Truthfully, he had expected her to lunge at him, knife in hand, and started screaming. But she remained calm and said something very witty. Mike chuckled and leaned against the bench. "Well see, love, when I am observing someone I don't usually like them to know. It gives me a better chance to watch them." He shrugged and stretched his legs out in front of him, completely content with staying here and talking for a few hours.

Mike's back was against the bench behind him, that held the young girl he was talking to. His legs were stretched out in front of him and his hands were resting peacefully on his lap. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even further. Some boys liked to have their hair perfect, but Mike had learned that the girls preferred the messy hair. It was a feature he had mastered over the years.

[oceansand588]

"Well see, love, when I am observing someone I don't usually like them to know. It gives me a better chance to watch them."

"Well, it gives ya' an edge over me, an' I'm not sure I like it like that..." She said, and wondered what his name was. Shane frowned. She had to agree with his comment; what was the point of observing a person if they knew they were being watched? However, it was unnerving to wake up and find someone watching her, especially an unknown male. So although she was affecting a calm and unperturbed demeanor, on the inside, she was tense and suspicious. It had only been a few moment since she had awakened, but she had already begun to review and analyze the situation in her head. This was a stranger she was dealing with. She didn't recognize him, and he had admitted to watching her sleep. "Why d'you watch people, I mean, what's yer motivation?"

"Well, it gives ya' an edge over me, an' I'm not sure I like it like that..." She said, and wondered what his name was. Shane frowned. She had to agree with his comment; what was the point of observing a person if they knew they were being watched? However, it was unnerving to wake up and find someone watching her, especially an unknown male. So although she was affecting a calm and unperturbed demeanor, on the inside, she was tense and suspicious. It had only been a few moment since she had awakened, but she had already begun to review and analyze the situation in her head. This was a stranger she was dealing with. She didn't recognize him, and he had admitted to watching her sleep. "Why d'you watch people, I mean, what's yer motivation?"

Shane stared at the stranger as he ran a hand through his hair. It was messy, and the gesture only seemed to enhance that trait. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him. In a way, he reminded her of her brother Madden, with his careful confidence and subtle arrogance. Arrogance and confidence, Shane realized, that's what I was missing.

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Well, it gives ya' an edge over me, an' I'm not sure I like it like that..."

Mike shrugged. "I guess that is what I wanted." He turned to look at her and grinned. "Who said ya had to like it?" He shrugged again and turned back to his original position. His fingers felt for a cigarette, but he stopped himself. He was trying to stop smoking so much. Really, he didn't smoke near as much as he could have, but he had been smoking to much for his liking. He knew it was bad for him, and he only did it every so often.

Why d'you watch people, I mean, what's yer motivation?

Mike shrugged, nonchalant. "Well, first off, your kinda funny looking," he said, a smirking lacing his words. "I mean, you are asleep in middle of the zoo with a dagger..." Out of the corner of his eyes, Mike saw the dagger dangling in her fingers. In one swift, she could kill him. But would she? Mike chuckled at his own thoughts, of course.

[oceansand588]

"I guess that is what I wanted. Who said ya had to like it?"

Shane sighed, and swung her legs off the bench so she was sitting up properly. She was still tired, and if the guy, (What was his name again?) made any move to hurt her, or otherwise, she couldn't count on her ability to defend herself. "Ain't nobody said I had t'like it, but I ain't a bonehead either, an' a knife's not gonna do much in m'defense if I'se asleep."

"Well, first off, your kinda funny looking. I mean, you are asleep in middle of the zoo with a dagger..."

Shane scoffed. Funny looking? How original was that? This guy seriously had no skill in quips, so far as she had seen. She glanced over at him. Yeah, he was attractive. A real knockout, for a guy. But he had to be several years older than her. And besides, after what had happened to her a few years ago, Shane was not one to get involved, beyond a simple fling or two. She would not admit it (for what was there to really admit?), but she was skittish, and afraid of committing to a guy. Afraid that she would be hurt again. She didn't have Madden to help her anymore. She didn't have him to deal with whomever harmed her, and although Spot had seemed to accept her into Brooklyn, she wasn't sure if the boys had her back yet. "I'se got a dagger for a reason," Shane said calmly, and flipped open the blade, then flipped it closed again. She repeated that motion, as it kept her hands occupied. "An you'se don't got anything, ''cept your fists. Which would give me an advantage, as I could kill you right now if I wanted to, but I'se don't have a reason... yet." She added. she could just hope that he didn't try and pull anything on her.

"You'se a fighter aren't you...?" She asked, pausing afterwords, in the hope that he'd pick up on her unspoken question, What's yer name?

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Ain't nobody said I had t'like it, but I ain't a bonehead either, an' a knife's not gonna do much in m'defense if I'se asleep."

Mike chuckled, she was right. A knife wouldn't work too well on her part if she was asleep. This girl had smarts, not many of the girl newsies nowadays would notice something like that. They would just giggle, and say something about Jack or Race. That always made Mike roll his eyes, he was a lot handsomer than Jack and Race put together. Well in his opinion he was.

"An you'se don't got anything, ''cept your fists. Which would give me an advantage, as I could kill you right now if I wanted to, but I'se don't have a reason... yet."

"Well then I won't give you a good reason to kill me." He said, as he leaned against the bench with a smirk. "I won't bother you, so don't kill me." Mike knew he could've fought her if needed to, he was taller than her, and probably more muscular. Even if she had a knife, he could just take her wrist and twist it so she couldn't use it.

"You'se a fighter aren't you...?"

Mike smirked, "It depends, maybe I am, maybe I'm not." He said with a simple shrug. If she wanted to fight, then he would be a fighter. If she wanted to get along, he would be the gentleman he normally was. It was all her decision, and it was her choice. Speaking of, her wasn't a very good name for a person. Did she tell him her name? He knew he hadn't introduced himself, how rude was he? He cleared his throat, "I'm Mike, and you are?"

[oceansand588]

"Well then I won't give you a good reason to kill me. I won't bother you, so don't kill me."

"Eh, y'could be botherin' me now, but, you're not actually. So, I think's you'se okay." Shane said and offered him a genuine smile. She shifted her position, pulling one leg onto the bench and resting her chin on it. A thought occurred to her, and she wondered. "Have you, or would you ever kill someone?" She wondered whether she would have the guts to take someone's life too. She didn't think she could unless it was in self-defense.

"It depends, maybe I am, maybe I'm not."

Shane rolled her eyes. "That's not a very good answer. Lemme' ax ya' differently. Which would ya ratha' do fer a problem 'tween you an' someone else: fight it or talk it?"

"I'm Mike, and you are?"

Shane pursed her lips, debating whether to give him her first name or her nickname. Would more people know her later as Shane or Tracer? It was not a matter of choosing the more popular name, but a matter of security, of precaution. She made a decision and replied, "Shane. Shane Brightwell." Shane trailed off and stared at Mike. "Y'know, ya remind me of me brudder. His name's Madden. Ya kinda look like him but 'is hair is a bit darker than yours, an' he's a lil' shorter. I ain't gonna tell ya' what happened exactly, but when we were in a youth home, something happened t'me, an' aftah we left, Madden changed. He was more... dunno. Like he, eh, had this look in his eye, like he always had something on his mind. He was happy an' all, cuttin' up and goofn' off and an' actin' all smooth, but it seemed faked, or forced. An' I don' know why, but y'just remind me of him."

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Eh, y'could be botherin' me now, but, you're not actually. So, I think's you'se okay."

Mike licked his lips and rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm glad you approve," he stated jokingly. He almost wanted her to dislike him, just so they could argue. She seemed like she could hold her own in a battle of wits. Maybe that is what Mike was searching for when he sat down next to this girl. Someone to fight. But the fact that she liked him in away struck him as odd. Not many girls took kindly to random guys walking up to them and talking to them like Mike did. This girl was different, Mike could tell.

"Have you, or would you ever kill someone?"

Mike raised his eyebrows, taken aback by this question. Staring hard at the girl, Mike tried to read her. What was she thinking? What was on her mind when she asked that question? She wanted to know what Mike was like, he decided. She wanted to know if she could let her guard down around him or if she needed to approach him with clenched fist. After several seconds of searching her mind, Mike turned away and cleared his throat. "Hmm, well, that was an odd question to ask," Mike stalled. This was not the kind of question he liked to answer or even think about. "But to answer your out-of-place question: Yes." Simple, easy, painless.

"That's not a very good answer. Lemme' ax ya' differently. Which would ya ratha' do fer a problem 'tween you an' someone else: fight it or talk it?"

Mike looked at her surprised. Was she a schooled girl? She talked like one, not literally, but how she phrased things. She was either born with a naturally smart mind or had been schooled in her earlier years. How refreshing. Mike chuckled and turned away from her. "Hmm," he started, folding his arms over his chest and slouching against the bench. "It depends on the person; and the problem." He nodded, proud with that logic. And proud that he had kept her guessing, just like she was doing with him.

"Shane. Shane Brightwell."

Mike smirked and took her hand. Bringing her hand to his mouth, Mike brushed his lips over her knuckles. He continued to smirk and raised his eyebrows coyly at her. If his attitude hadn't ticked her off, this little gesture was sure to.

"Y'know, ya remind me of me brudder.

Mike smirked, fishing to tick her off. "And you remind me of someone who talks to much."

His name's Madden. Ya kinda look like him but 'is hair is a bit darker than yours, an' he's a lil' shorter. I ain't gonna tell ya' what happened exactly, but when we were in a youth home, something happened t'me, an' aftah we left, Madden changed. He was more... dunno. Like he, eh, had this look in his eye, like he always had something on his mind. He was happy an' all, cuttin' up and goofn' off and an' actin' all smooth, but it seemed faked, or forced. An' I don' know why, but y'just remind me of him."

Mike sighed, trying to feign boredom. Truthfully, he was interested in her story. She had a brother? Never would have thought. What happened to her? Why did they leave? Their mother die. Probably. Their father abuse them. Most likely. The normal. You were hearing stories like this all over. Kids running from a broken home. But Mike could tell there was more to this story.

Mike cleared his throat and inquired, "Where is your brother now?"

[oceansand588]

"Well, I'm glad you approve"

Shane shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, whatever." This guy had a funny way of talking. He didn't sound like he was from Brooklyn, but he didn't sound like he was from Manhattan either. Or Queens, or Harlem, or the Bronx. He had a slight New York accent but it wasn't heavy. He had a particular way of talking too. Rather formal and distinguished. "Where's you from? Ya don't sound likes you'se a pure New Yorkah." She asked. She wasn't usually this talkative, or this questioning, but it was interesting to talk with him, to say the least. He reminded her of her brother in that he could keep up with her banter as good as she dished it out, and his skill with quips seemed to be a part of his personality, but also a protective barrier around his inner self. He had not dropped his guard around her at all, nor did he give her the slightest indication as to what was really going on in, or through, that head of his.

"Hmm, well, that was an odd question to ask. But to answer your out-of-place question: Yes."

"No, it wasn't out-of-place," she protested, "we talked about the chance of me killing you. An' I was interested t'see whether you'd kill someone. I don't call that out-of-place." Then she thought about his response. Shane stared at Mike. His answer pierced her cool, demeanor. The realization of what he said, what he had admitted, struck her like an arrow, bringing all her senses onto high alert. In her mind she envisioned Mike standing next to a bowman, repeating his answer "Yes,", and then the arrow was released. Fwssssst! The arrow shot from the bow and whistled through the air towards the target--thump. The point of the arrow hit the bullseye on the mark. Yes. He had killed someone.

Her eyes widened for a moment, but then she relaxed. Furrowing her brow, she recalled that hadn't admitted to actually killing someone. He said, "Yes," which could mean that he would kill someone, and not necessarily that he had. Nevertheless, Shane decided it was best to not let her guard down altogether. "Plan of action," Shane thought, "Keep knife in sight at all times; keep Mike's hands in sight at all times to prevent from being disabled, keep hands away from Mike to prevent injury or possible removal of knife; keep Mike in sight at all times when in his presence, and do not be a bonehead."

But, being the curious person she was, Shane was interested in his response, and wanted to know more. Had he killed someone? She couldn't judge him on that aspect until she knew whether he had, and on what basis. "Is that yes, as in you have killed someone, or yes as in you would kill someone?" she asked plainly.

"Hmm, it depends on the person; and the problem."

Shane frowned. For the first, or maybe it was the second time that night, she couldn't think of anything to say in response. "Well, let's say...," Shane paused,"Oh never mind. I can think of nothin' t'say back."

Mike smirked and took her hand. Bringing her hand to his mouth, Mike brushed his lips over her knuckles. He continued to smirk and raised his eyebrows coyly at her.

Shane stiffened and jerked her hand back. Her face tightened, and she attempted to clear her face of all emotion, essentially pulling on her best poker-face. Only her eyes betrayed the momentary panic she felt at the gesture. In her left hand she clutched the knife tightly and flicked the blade open and closed nervously. She pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow at his expression. "Alright," she thought to herself, "I've gotta stop being so jiggy! It ain't like he tried to pull anythin' on ya." Shane couldn't think of anything to say to him, so she settled with, "Watch it, Mike."

"And you remind me of someone who talks to much."

Shane scoffed. "And you remind me of someone who's got something t'hide."

"Where is your brother now?"

Shane pursed her lips. "I don't know for sure. Far as I know, he's still somewhere in New Jersey, but he could be back in New York for all I know." Shane thought for a moment. "His name's Madden Brightwell. Have y'ever met him, or seen him before?"

[Mike D. Greaser]

"Eh, whatever."

Mike couldn't help but laugh at her response. "For the first time since I met you, you are at a loss for words?" Mike shook his head and chuckled. Sure, he had only known her for a few minutes, maybe thirty at the most. But every time he said something, she came back with something just as witty. But for the first time, she didn't have anything to say. Mike felt like he had accomplished something.

"Where's you from? Ya don't sound likes you'se a pure New Yorkah."

"England." Mike smiled, proud of this fact. He missed England like no other. Maybe he would move back there when all of this was over. But he had so much here. Alice, an apartment, Alice, newsies, Alice.... and Alice. Maybe he could bring Alice with him? Would Alice agree to that? Mike made a mental note to ask her later.

"No, it wasn't out-of-place, we talked about the chance of me killing you. An' I was interested t'see whether you'd kill someone. I don't call that out-of-place."

Mike rolled his eyes. "Okay, it wasn't out-of-place. But it was sure pretty straight forward. You don't go up to random people and ask them if they would kill someone. It is kinda a turn off..." Mike winked at her and turned away from her. His eyes scanned the people as the strolled past him. They all had their different problems and different things that bothered them. Mike shook his head and looked away.

"Is that yes, as in you have killed someone, or yes as in you would kill someone?"

Mike looked at her. So much for his simple answer. "Both." He said finally. He turned away from her again. For some reason, this girl made it hard for him to say it. Usually, Mike didn't care. He would just admit to it and move on. But now it felt all wrong. He grew angry at this girl. He should not be feeling this. He pressed the thoughts aside and replaced them with easy going thoughts.

"Well, let's say...Oh never mind. I can think of nothin' t'say back."

Mike smirked. "Again, nothing to say," Mike stated, jokingly. Mike loved defeating her. He defeated her at her word game. Mike laughed at his thoughts.

"Watch it, Mike."

Mike noticed a small amount of concern that flashed in her eyes. But then he saw it leave just as fast as it came. Trying to annoy her even more, Mike allowed his eyes to flick down her body, pretending to check her out. "Oh, I am." His eyes flicked to hers and he winked.

"And you remind me of someone who's got something t'hide."

Mike looked at her, and then made a face. "You sound like my mom." Which wasn't true. His mom never pushed him to tell her his secrets, just encouraged him. He missed his mom, like no other. Mike shook his head and tried to get those thoughts out of his mind.

"I don't know for sure. Far as I know, he's still somewhere in New Jersey, but he could be back in New York for all I know. His name's Madden Brightwell. Have y'ever met him, or seen him before?"

Mike shook his head, "Never heard of him. But if I ever do, I will tell him you are looking for him." Mike smiled his first genuine smile.