The clang of the Manhattan Newsboys' iron gates echoed in your head as you pressed your back against the wall of the alley. Your father would skin you alive if he caught you here, but the pull was too strong. Jack Kelly had a way of weaving promises that seemed unbreakable—until you remembered the steel gaze of your father, Warden Snyder.

For weeks now, Snyder had been growing more suspicious of your "errands." The Reform School's walls were suffocating, but nowhere near as oppressive as his overbearing rules. "You're my daughter," he would sneer, his voice dripping with disdain. "That means you follow my orders." If only he knew how often you disobeyed them.

And now, here you were again, sneaking out to meet Jack.

"Heya, doll," came his familiar drawl as Jack rounded the corner. His grin was as wide as the Manhattan skyline, his newsboy cap tipped just enough to make you smile. "Thought maybe Snyder locked ya up for good this time."

"Not yet," you replied, your voice low but tinged with defiance. "But if he catches me, he'll probably double my curfew. Or worse."

Jack's face darkened. He reached out, pulling you into his arms, his fingers brushing against your cheek. "You gotta let me handle him, sweetheart. Snyder ain't gonna keep us apart. I won't let him."

You leaned into him, savoring the warmth of his embrace. "You don't understand, Jack. He's relentless. He'd never let me see you. And if he finds out about us—"

Jack cut you off, his tone firm. "I'm not scared of Snyder. He's just some big-shot spider with a web that's startin' to fall apart. What's he gonna do, huh? Throw me in the Refuge again? He'll have to catch me first."

You wanted to believe him. Jack had a way of making the impossible seem possible, of painting a future that was bright and free. But you knew Snyder better than he did.

The sound of a carriage rumbling in the distance made both of you tense. You clutched Jack's sleeve. "I have to go."

"Wait," Jack pleaded, holding onto you. "You don't gotta keep runnin', Y/N. Stay with me."

You hesitated. The idea of leaving your father and the suffocating prison of his expectations was tempting. But where would you go? How could you live without looking over your shoulder?

"I can't," you whispered, pulling away. "Not yet."

Jack's eyes softened, but his jaw tightened with resolve. "I'll think of somethin', I promise. Snyder don't scare me. And he ain't gonna take you away from me, no matter what."

Before you could respond, a sharp voice broke through the quiet of the alley.

"Y/N!"

You froze, your blood running cold. Snyder's towering figure emerged from the shadows, his face twisted in fury.

"What in blazes are you doing here?!" Snyder barked, his voice echoing off the brick walls. His eyes darted to Jack, narrowing into slits. "Kelly," he spat, his tone venomous. "Of course."

Jack stepped forward, shielding you. "She ain't doin' nothin' wrong, Snyder. Let her go."

Snyder sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "You think you can protect her from me, boy? You're nothing but a street rat. A criminal."

"And you're nothin' but a bully in a fancy suit," Jack shot back, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

Snyder's gaze turned to you, cold and unyielding. "Get in the carriage, Y/N. Now. I won't tell you again."

Your heart pounded as you glanced between Jack and your father.

Jack turned to you, his voice softer but no less determined. "You don't gotta listen to him, Y/N. You got a choice."

Tears pricked at your eyes. "I can't, Jack," you whispered, the weight of your father's presence pressing down on you.

Snyder grabbed your arm, his grip like iron. "That's enough. You're coming home."

But Jack wasn't done. "You don't own her, Snyder!" he shouted, his voice ringing with defiance. "She ain't a prisoner!"

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, with a surge of courage, you yanked your arm free.

"No, I'm not," you said, your voice trembling but strong.

Snyder stared at you, stunned. "What did you say?"

"I said no," you repeated, stepping closer to Jack. "I'm not going with you."

Jack's grin returned, full of pride and hope. "That's my girl."

Snyder's face twisted in rage, but before he could react, Jack grabbed your hand. "C'mon, sweetheart. Let's get outta here."

Together, you ran, leaving Snyder shouting behind you. For the first time, you felt free. Jack's hand in yours was all the reassurance you needed.

Whatever came next, you'd face it together.

The End.