"Thanks for the fun, Promise." Jeremy whispered before leaving the room. He walked down the steps and towards an old abandoned shack, which stood as a hideout for the local gang.

He knocked on the door once then kicked it twice then the door swung open. He nodded a thanks to look out. Jeremy made his way to the back of the room. There the leader of the gang, Slyther, Brian Herbert; stood waiting.

"Where have ya been Jay, we's been waitin'." He hissed. Slyther had always lived up to his name.

"I'se was out wit a goil last night, drop it a dat." All of a sudden Slyther looked very interested.

"Goil ya say?" An evil smile spreading across his face.

"No a guy, Of coise a goil!" Jay snapped. He had always been friends with Slyther, but for some reason he and Slyther had started to grow apart.

"Ya wanted me ta come heah today, what do ya want." Jay asked putting his hands in his pocket. He fingered his switchblade softly.

"Ya, dat, Ya gonna get me dat goil Promise Kept. Bring `er back. Don't kill `er, I'se just lookin for some fun. Cause apparently, she's been doin perdy good at dat whore house."

Jay gulped then his face clouded over.

"I'se ain't gonna get ya anothah goil. Ya can walk ta da whorehouse if ya want. Ya know where it is." Jay hissed. "Anything else?" He asked coolly.

"No, go." Slyther dismissed him and Jay turned on his heel and walked out. Making sure to slam the door.

"Make sure you follow him. He's gonna go find dat goil, and make sure she gets away. Den bring her back heah. Ya understand?" Brain Herbert, Slyther, sneered to the other gang members. They started to leave. "If ya da guy ta bring `er back, I'se will make shoah ya get somethin' in return." They all laughed then went out the door.

Knowing that a few guys might follow him he started to walk towards the opposite direction of the whorehouse. Hoping Promise would have left the house already. He walked into an ally and struck up a match and lit a cigarette. He took a drag and sank to the ground. Sighing deeply he closed his eyes. He wanted to die so bad. He had ruined Promise's life. If not yet, soon. He sat there for what seems like ages then a soft set of lips touched his and his nostrils filled with the smell of spring air, just like Promise. When the person drew away from him he opened his eyes. Smiling with relief when he saw Promise with out a single scratch on her.

"Heya!" she smiled softly. He looked over her. Gosh was she beautiful. He smiled.

"Hi."

"What ya doin' in da alley?" she asked sitting down next to him.

"Thinkin'." He mumbled.

"'Bout what?" she whispered in his ear.

""Bout Slyther. He wanted to see ya. He wanted ya ta work for em." He mumbled.

"So, just to remind you, I am a whore. Even though I rather not be one." She said shrugging.

"Ya well ya don't know `im, Slyther, he ain't the nice kinda guy. `E's real pushy. Ya know da type?" asked Angel. She nodded.

"Yeah, but," She stared. "You're right. I promise to be careful with my customers. Okay?" she asked, smiling.

"Okay." He said sighing. "But if someone comes and starts ta hoit ya, ya leave and come get me okay?"

She nodded. Then took his hand. "I always live up to my name! I promise." She smiled, then stood up and left. Angel watched her leave then lit up another cigarette.

The next few days went by with out a problem, and Angel kept his eye out for someone like Idle Dice, or Trick, who were loyal companions of Slythers. But with no sign of them or anyone else he stopped being so protective over her. Which was definitely a huge mistake.

Promise made her way back to the whorehouse, to get ready for tonight. She dressed up and put on a little bit of makeup. She smiled at her self in the mirror, then frowned. She walked down the stairs into the lobby full of men. One man she had never seen before caught her eye. She smirked at him. He had a scar down his cheek. She led him upstairs into her room. After she closed the door no one heard her scream.

Angel walked back towards the whorehouse. Dagger, a member of the gang stood in an alley, he called to Angel. Angel was friends with Dagger, had been ever since he had joined the gang. Dagger had a look of worry on his face.

"What is it?" asked Angel.

"Ya know how Slyther wanted dat goil? Promise Kept, I t'ink dats `er name. Well, Idle Dice, got `er. Promise took `im into `er room. He covered her mouth and put a knife to her back. Then led her down the fire escape and back to the hideout. Then Slyther took her in the back room. They were still in dere when I left." He said, his face pale as anything.

"I gotta go help `er, t'anks Dagger." He said starting to turn. Dagger grabbed his arm.

"No, ya can't go dere right now. Promise me ya won't go dere right now. Slyther's been drinkin', and Idle Dice has been waitin' for ya ta come and help `er, `e won't let ya ruin `is chances of `im getting' laid." Said Dagger quickly. Angel closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands, then let them fall to his side.

"Fine, after Idle Dice is done, come here and get me ya heah?" he hissed. Dagger nodded then ran off. Angel knew that if Idle Dice didn't get what he wanted then he'd be sure that no one else got it. If Angel tried to help then Promise was definitely in for a funeral in a few days.

For the next few hours Angel paced the ally way. Cursing and smoking. He left for a few minutes to go to a bar. Where he drank two pints then came back and waited for Dagger. He kicked the wall.

"Why does this hafta happen ta me?" he cried out, hitting both fists on the wall with frustration. Dagger ran into the alley, his voice shaking.

"Angel, heh, uh, um, well yeah, Idle Dice still hasn't gone. But listen. Slyther's hoitin' `er ya can heah `er screamin' through da walls. Dey ain't screams of pleasure either. I tried ta make an excuse ta get in to da room, but Idle Dice wouldn't let me. I'm afraid of what Slyther's doin to her. I'm worried about her."

Angel was flowing with anger. Dagger wasn't the kind of guy who would hurt a girl. He respected them. And seeing him like this made Angel believe him. Angel pulled out his switchblade then ran towards the hide out.

He was let into the hide out by Juniper. He heard Promise scream from the bottom of the stairs. He ran up the stairs. Idle Dice stood outside a door, a smile on his face.

"Are ya jealous?" he smiled.

"Shut up, and let me in there." Hissed Angel. Idle Dice laughed.

"No way in hell, will I let you in there. You can wait just like I have to." He smirked. Angel held onto the switchblade and put it in his face.

"Let me in the room now!" he yelled. Idle Dice smiled and pulled out his knife slicing it through Angel's arm. Angel yelped and held onto his arm. Idle Dice smiled. Angel let go of his arm and punched him hard in the face. Idle Dice touched his lip with his fingers. Tasting blood in his mouth he punched Angel in the stomach. Angel clutched his stomach with pain then punched him in the nose. Blood flew from his nose. His face flushed red with anger, he tackled Angel. With fists flying and harsh words, the door to the room opened. Slyther walked out shirtless, a smile on his face. He pulled the two apart. They were panting with exhaustion, and anger. Blood was smeared on both. Slyther smirked.

"It looks like Angel had the upper hand on the fight. Looks like Angel wants some fun too. Since he helped me find Promise along time ago he goes first. Then you can go, I promise." Said Slyther. Angel walked into the room, slamming the door behind him. He locked it then placed a chair under the door handle. He looked over at the bed. Twisted under the sheets a pale bruised lifeless body lay. He ran over to her.

"Promise." He whispered touching her face. She kept her eyes closed but whispered.

"Please, don't hoit me, I will do anythin', I sweah! Please, don't hoit me." A tear ran down her cheek.

"Promise, its me, its Angel, Angel of Death." He whispered. She opened her eyes slowly then jumped up hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her. She shook with fear, pain, and cold. Which he could understand, since she was naked. He took of his shirt and wrapped it around her. He searched for pants picking hers up and handing them to her. She slowly put them on.

"Slyther is a stupid as he is handsome." Laughed Promise softly.

"Yeah, `e was stupid enough ta let me in heah wit ya." He whispered. He kissed her softly. Then picked her up, he opened the window and climbed down the fire escape on to the ground. He ran with her as quickly and as quietly as he could. A few blocks away he put her down. Someone ran up behind them. Angel turned around ready to fight but saw Dagger.

"Heah," he handed Angel a piece of paper, "go heah, dey will help ya find a place ta stay. Tell `im dat Dagger sent ya. I'm friends with the man there. Ask for Red."

"T'anks Dagger." Said Angel. Angel pulled out his switchblade and handed it to Dagger.

"Ya want it?" he asked. Dagger nodded. "Den have it." He threw it to him; Dagger caught it and smiled. Then turned around and ran away.

"142 Street, South Brooklyn, and it's a bar." Muttered Angel as he tried to read the handwriting. He put down Promise and took her hand and led her towards the street address. The walk was long and tiring. It took even longer with Promise and him hurt. The morning light was lighting the streets. It was probably like 5 or 6 am. His arm still dripped with blood from Idle Dice's knife. His stomach and face throbbed with pain. But he wouldn't stop. He knew that once they found out he was gone. It was a race against time. They would be out after him in a minute. The rounded a corner, a bar, was in the middle of the street. He searched for a street sign. 142 street was in the distance. And they ran towards the bar.

The knocked on the door for a while, until a husky red headed man came to the door.

"What do ya want?" he asked gruffly.

"Uh, Dagger told us to come here. And we're looking for Red. Can we come inside?" asked Angel looking around nervously. The man smiled at the mention of Daggers name

"Sure! Come on in! Come on in! Make your self at home! By the way I am Red." he said moving away from the door. Angel helped Promise in then closed the door.

"So how's old Dagger doing?" he asked getting them a drink. Promise clung to Angel's side as the man moved towards her.

"Good, at least he was last time I saw him."

Slyther pins Dagger to the wall.

"So trader, where did they go?" he hissed.

"I would never tell you!" he yelled.

"Either you tell me with out me hurting you or I'll beat it out of you." He smiled. Dagger spit in his face. Idle Dice cut his stomach open.

"Tell me, Dagger, was there something about Promise you are trying to hide? Was she your girlfriend?" He smirked.

"No, but she's my friend and friends don't let friends get hurt!" he yelled. A smaller younger boy who had just joined the gang came up to Idle Dice.

"I know where they went. I saw Dagger writing it on a piece of paper." He said trying to become friends with the elder. Dagger looked at him surprised. He thought back, and remembered feeling like someone else was there, reading as he wrote the note. He glared at the small boy.

"Well, if you tell me, I swear you will be known as a high person in this gang." He said bending down to him.

"142 street, South Brooklyn. It's a bar." He smiled. Dagger turned beet red.

"No! You little idiot! How could you!" he screamed his voice cracking. Slyther let go of him. Idle Dice pinned him against the wall again.

"We don't need anyone ruining our chances of getting Promise back. Finish him off, just make sure he won't follow us." Smiled Slyther as he took the young boys hand and led him away. No one ever saw Dagger after Idle Dice closed the door, his hands covered in blood.

"Yeah, Daggers fine." Smiled Angel.

"Nice boy he is. Anyway, why did he send you here?" Asked Red, looking at Promise quickly.

"Uh we need a place to stay. It's important, really important. At least a place for her?" begged Angel.

"Okay. I heard of a place called Bay Ridge Lodging House. It's for newsies. She could stay there." He said.

"She could? How do you know." Asked Angel quickly.

"I saw it one day while making deliveries." Red shrugged. Angel smiled.

"Thank you so much!" he smiled. "Is there a bathroom where I can clean her up?" he asked. Red pointed towards a small door. Angel led Promise in there closing the door behind them.

"Promise, promise me you will go there okay?" he said. Promise nodded. Then Angel kissed her softly then began to help her clean herself up. They emerged from the bathroom 5 minutes later, Promise looking like a new person.

"The lodging house is a few streets down." Said Red. Angel nodded thanks. "I will be back in a few minutes."

Angel led her outside the doorway. He hugged her then kissed her passionately feeling this might be the last time he saw her. She started to cry.

"Listen, I'll be dere, don't ya worry. Ya heah. I will come dere wit ya lata." He promised. Promise nodded then walked away. Angel watched her go. He felt like he was being stabbed in the stomach and the knife being twisted and turned. He walked into an alley, and cried for the first time in almost two years.

He walked back to the bar to find the door open. He looked inside carefully. He saw a familiar looking switchblade on a table. He felt his mouth drop open when he recognized it as his own, but where was Dagger he thought to himself. He watched as Slyther, Idle Dice, and Deer, the new young boy who had joined the gang not to long ago, stood looking around. Red was talking to them. Angel walked in holding in all his courage. Idle Dice saw him and smiled.

"Heya, Angel, we've been looking for ya." He smiled.

"Well, if you're looking for Promise ya won't find `er. I finished `er off. Den dumped `er body in da rivah." He smiled, lying through this teeth. Idle Dice, Slyther and Deer, were stupid enough to believe him. Red, the bar owner looked confused, but caught on when he received a desperate glance from Angel.

"Oh yeah, should of heard them. She was screaming' and screaming. Then she was quiet. Angel carried her outside and dumped her in the river." Said Red crossing his arms.

"Sorry, guys I just got a little jealous, I mean, I found `er. She was mine." He said shrugging. Slyther smiled and patted his back.

"Fine, I knew ya were good enough for dis gang after ya ran away heah from Jersey." He said. He tipped his head to Red then walked out the door, followed by Idle Dice and Deer. They never asked why Dagger helped them get away. The must have been to stupid to even think about it. Angel looked at Red sadly then picked up his switchblade. Then followed him out of the bar.

The next 10 months flew by. He saw Promise every weekend he could. He became a message deliverer. Thankfully, Slyther didn't bother newsies, or he would have found out that Angel has been lying the whole time. Angel soon discovered the death of his best friend, when he returned and stopped eating for weeks. But slowly got over it. He knew Dagger would be happy if he knew that Promise was safe. A few weeks before he left the gang. A fight broke out between a rivaling gang, over territory. Slyther was killed and Idle Dice was seriously injured which prevented him from using his knife in his left hand ever again. Derek, also known as Daredevil became the leader of the gang. Who ever wanted to be in the gang was allowed, if not they could be on their way. Angel packed his things then ran towards Bay Ridge lodging house.

He walked in and looked around. It was a nice place, and he immediately smiled when he realized what a nice place Promise had been in. A girl walked down the stairs to find him standing there. She was pretty. She smiled at him then held out her hand.

"The names Charity, I'm a leader here, can I help ya?" she asked, noticing the bag in his hand.

"Uh, yeah, do ya have enough room for another guy?" he asked hopefully. She nodded then went to a desk and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Fill this out then go up stairs, and ya will find it. Ransom stays in the bunkroom to, but he's not here right now. Neither are many girls, but one is. I'll introduce her to ya after ya drop ya things off." She said walking up stairs. She led him into an empty room where he dropped his stuff off on a bunk. Then followed her to another room. A girl sat on her bed, legs hanging over the side, working on a slingshot. She looked up when she heard them come in.

"Heya Charity." She smiled, then looked at Angel.

"Do I know ya?" she asked him carefully looking over him. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Da names, Angel of Death, me best friend gave it ta me. Ya can call me Angel though, or AD." The girl's mouth dropped open. Charity smirked.

"See ya later Promise, Angel." Then left the room.

"Promise? By any chance is it Promise Kept?" he asked not believing what he had just heard. She nodded then smiled and jumped down from the bed.

"ANGEL!" she screamed and threw her arms around him. He hugged her and spun her around.

"Promise." He cried then kissed her. She kissed him back then pulled away and frowned. "

You stopped coming." She whispered. "After the third time of seeing you, ya stopped coming." She frowned, then smiled, "Doesn't matter! You're hear now!" she screamed hugging him again. He hugged her back; the new place was already starting to feel like home.