Brass could barely stand. He had a high fever and was boiling up. All his strength was gone, replaced by a pale shivering child. Slingshot made him stay in bed all day where he'd drift into a dreamless sleep.

Everyone was worried, this wasn't the Brass they knew. 

The old Brass was filled with sarcasm, a tough guy with a soft spot for kids, their leader in the hell they were barely surviving in. 

But that Brass was gone, just like Finch.

Finch. 

Brass wouldn't admit it but he missed her. 

All the things he had found annoying about her he was dying to see again. The way she would stick her tongue out at him, her mischievous grin when she stole and hid his stuff, her loud laugh that filled the refuge, and her hope. There was no hope in the refuge anymore.

He sat up and let out a series of coughs. It had been a week, he had been counting since Finch had escaped.

He hated that he was worried about her. Finch could take care of herself, he had learned that the first day he met her.

-Flashback-

"Get in there, filthy wretch!" Snyder shoved a girl into the refuge.

She stood up and smirked at him, "Gee, Mr. Snyda, youse shouldn't talk about yourself like that."

Snyder's face turned red in anger and he slapped her in the face. Brass cringed, but the girl didn't even react.

"Me motha coulda hit me harder than that," she said, still smirking at Snyder.

Snyder tightened his grip on his cane and grabbed the girl by the neck. She squirmed, trying to get away.

"I suggest you learn some respect, girl, or I will beat it into you," he threw her onto the floor and left, slamming the door behind him.

Brass, being the leader, walked over to her to offer her a hand. The girl was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.

"Youse alright?" he asked her.

"Ise fine, just relaxin' down here. Admirin' the beautiful ceilin', " she said crossing her legs and placing her arms underneath her head.

Brass found himself smiling, "Youse got a name, girl?"

"Finch," she said simply, closing her eyes.

"I'm Brass," he replied.

Finch opened one eye, looked him over, and smiled, "Nice to meet ya."

-End Flashback-

Brass stared at the window, hoping he'd blink and Finch would be there. He fingered his cap, rubbing the letter 'B' Finch had stitched into it.

-Another Flashback-

"When Ise gets outta here I'm gonna try some of those pastries at the bakery," Finch was telling him as she stitched her name into the inside of her hat.

"Nobody gets outta here, youse knows that," he sighed.

"I'm gonna, youse just wait and see," she told him confidently. She was always stubborn.

"How would you even buy a pastry?" he asked. "Youse broke!"

"I ain't broke!" She yelled before leaning close to him and whispering, "Ise got a nickel." She showed him the coin proudly.

Brass smirked as he said, "Ise got a dolla."

"Bull!" she said, not believing him. "Where would youse get a dolla?"

"You'll never know," he grinned and she hit him with her hat playfully.

"Shut ya mouth and hand me your hat."

"Why?"

"It's a surprise, ya bum."

"I hate surprises."

"Just give it!"

He hesitantly handed over his hat and she began to stitch his name. She had just finished the 'B' when Snyder barged in.

"Alright which one of you maggots broke my cup?" he yelled and glared at them suspiciously.

When he wasn't looking, Finch glanced at Ginger, The red-headed nine-year-old was biting her lip nervously.

Finch spoke up, "I did, Mr. Snyda. It was an accident, Ise swear. I dropped it while washin' dishes."

"Maybe a night in the cellar will teach you to be more careful!" Mr. Snyder grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her towards the door.

She winked at Ginger, not showing an ounce of fear, which Brass admired.

He remembered when she had been thrown back into the room the next morning. Ginger was in tears thanking and hugging her.

"How was the cellar?" he had asked. Not that he was worried or anything, of course.

"It was great!" she said sarcastically. Then she joked, "I didn't have to hear any of Slingshot's snoring."

-End Flashback-

And so, every time one of the younger kids got in trouble, Finch would blame herself. It resulted in many beatings, some more brutal than others, but she never complained.

Maybe that's why Brass liked her, and why he found himself missing her so much, the refuge wasn't the same without her. 

**************************** 

A/N: I'm back! Did ya miss me? 

Sorry for the wait, but this chapter is longer than most so I hope that makes up for it. 

How are you doing? 

My dog, Winnie is at this moment sulking because I told her she should go to sleep and it was too late to play. I know I'm heartless. I feel really guilty actually. 

But I hope you enjoyed the chapter and if you have any questions feel free to ask! I don't do spoilers though so sorry to disappoint you. (I can't give spoilers if I barely know what's happening myself lol) 

Oh, question this chapter! Since Halloween is coming up what's your favorite horror movie? 

Anyway, bye for now! I love you all! 

- Scribbles the Sophisticated 

P.S. Just kidding. I'm not sophisticated at all.