Irresponsible... stupid... cocky... what does Jack know? What did he expect me ta do? Let the littles freeze ta death 'cause they don't got no blankets? Hell no. He ain't the boss of me, no matta' what anyone else says. He's in command, but I's second in command for a reason. He ain't go no right ta treat me like that! Ta treat me like I'm below him.

I could feel my hands shakin' when I tried ta light my cigar. The smoke warmed me up and it felt good after the argument I just had a few minutes earlier with a guy who was supposed ta be my best friend. He wasn't supposed ta make me feel like I was wrong all the time. And in front of Crutchie too... poor kid. He's gettin' sick. Jack is on edge. I get it. But for Jack ta yell at me like that... he ain't been that mad in a long time.

Usually, he'd make me sit down. He'd push me into a chair and every time I's would try ta get up, he'd push me back down and tell me I was bein' an idiot. I got that. He needed ta try and tell me I's was wrong. But he would neva' do what he'd done on any normal day.

"Racetrack Higgins, get your ass ova' here!"

The memory of his voice like that made me feel funny. A feelin' I didn't get much rolled up in me. I froze. I knew that I couldn't show the fear that rose up in me when Jack yelled at me. So I reached in my pocket for my precious cigar. One of the only things that keeps me sane in this lousy world. I shoved it between my lips and turned to him, slowly.

My friend was a rare kind of mad. He glared at me. The last time I's had seen him so angry was when the Delanceys were pickin' on Crutchie the otha' day. And I didn't know what else ta do but deny I'd done anythin' wrong. "What?" I had asked, annoyed that Jack stopped me from goin' downstairs ta take Al for all he had in a game a' poker. The look on Kelly's face was one I hadn't seen in a while. He was furious.

"You know damn well 'what', Higgins!" I flinched. Jack only called me by my last name when he was tryin' ta stop hisself from givin' me a soakin'. We got in fights before, but not over things like this. This was somethin' that Jack would force me to sit down and listen to him. I knew better than ta stay there. I had ta get out. When Jack got like this, no one could calm him except Crutchie. But the poor kid was bedridden.

I scoffed and smiled, bitterly. Yeah, I is an idiot. I didn't mean ta make him more mad, but my stupid mouth neva' listens ta my head. "I don't know what you're talkin' bout, Kelly." I just wanted ta make it outta there 'fore he lost it. I didn't.

I tried ta walk away. But he grabbed my arm. It hurt. I had ta bite my lip ta keep from showin' him that. I thought he'd just pull me back, turn me around, push me a little bit, like always. We're brothers. We fight sometimes. But I didn't know he was about to slam me inta the wall of the hallway. My back hit the hard surface and my head wasn't too far behind. I don't care what no one says, I didn't cry. Not then, not eva'. My cigar dropped to the ground. I bit down on my tongue too hard. There was a bad taste in my mouth. I closed my eyes. My head hurt afta' that. But Jack wasn't done yet. He grabbed my wrists and held them over my head.

I... I don't like it. Not bein' able ta move. I don't like bein' trapped. I wanted ta fight back. So's I started kickin' at him. But Jack was always one step ahead of me. He pushed me back and pinned my legs ta the wall with his. I couldn't move. "Get off a' me, Kelly!" I screamed. I wasn't panickin'. But... Jack looked real scary with that look on his face. Like he wasn't even seein' me. He ain't eva' done this before. I tried ta push him off. But I couldn't. He knew I couldn't... he knew I didn't like it... he knew what I'd been through before the newsies! But he still did it. "Jack, get off!" I had something in my throat... I wasn't scared. And, damn it, I was not turnin' red! He still didn't move. He held me there. I didn't look up at him. At his angry green eyes. I just fought against him. He ain't that much stronger than me.

"You listen ta me, Higgins." His breath was hot on my skin and I tried to push off of the wall but he pounded me back inta it.

"Lemme go, Jack!" I wasn't beggin'... I wasn't. But Jack's hold tightened on my wrists. "Lemme go!" I tried ta rip my hands outta his grip... I couldn't. "We're freezin', Jack!" I had had it. Enough was enough. "Romeo and Sniper had ta sleep in my bed last night cause they's was so cold!" I looked up and found his face inches from mine. I stopped struggling for a minute. I wasn't cryin'! I don't cry. But my head hurt real bad. I rememba' that. "Crutchie's sick!" I saw the pain on his face when I screamed that. He knew it was true. But he still didn't let go. "What did ya want me ta do?!" Jack didn't even seem ta hear me.

"You go around, pullin' your irresponsible, stupid, arrogant crap with your damn cocky attitude, you're gonna get caught and you're gonna drag us all down with ya!" Out of everything Jack had eva' said ta me, the next thing outta his mouth may be the words that cut me the deepest. "We don't need ya, Race!"

I blinked. I tried ta come up with any sorta sign ta let me know I's was stuck in some kinda nightmare. I stopped tryin' ta push Jack off of me. I let him hold me ta the wall. "Ya come around here, smokin' that damn cigar, playin' your little card games, startin' fights with some of the littles and I'm sick a' it. I don't need ya makin' matta's worse, Higgins." I heard footsteps. Gasps soon followed those. I wanted out. I needed out. "Kids are already sick. I've been up for days tryin' ta pay rent for all of 'em and you think it's okay ta go out and give the bulls a reason ta search the house?"

"Jack, stop it." I didn't know who was talkin'. I didn't care. With one more push into the wall, Jack released his hold on me. I couldn't stop myself from pushin' him away, making him hit the opposite wall. He almost came back at me. When he stood up tall... I don't care what no one else says. I wasn't scared. But he stopped when he saw someone behind me. It was Crutchie.

"Knock it off, Jack!" His voice was hoarse and weak, but somehow, the kid got up the strength ta sound very intimidating. No doubt, somethin' he learned from me.

I looked around. Every boy was there, watching us. They waited for us ta launch ourselves at each otha'. Ta attack each otha'. And I couldn't be there. This wasn't Jack. This boy, whoever it was, was not Jack Kelly. It was someone else. It had ta be. The Jack Kelly I know, doesn't hold me down. He doesn't yell at me or hurt me if he don't gotta. This was not the boy that took me in off the streets. This wasn't him. It couldn't be.

"Race I-" Crutchie was tryin' ta talk ta me, but I couldn't listen. Jack was the only guy I could look at. I didn't know what was goin' on in his stupid head, but I didn't care. I trusted him with the secrets from the past I'd much rather forget. And he didn't give a damn.

"Don't." I shook my head. I moved away from Jack. I couldn't look at him. I heard boys walking up the stairs. I knew I had ta get out of there. I grabbed my cigar. I clasped it in my hand so tight and I knew I was shakin'. I knew my boys were watching me. But as Crutchie stepped closer to me, I found myself unable to stop from backin' away. No more touchin'. I didn't want it. "I... I'm goin' for a walk," I heard myself announce before I stomped out of the room. I didn't even look up at my brothers. I couldn't.

Then I was sitting out in the cold. It was November. Easily one of the coldest times of the year. I's was shiverin'. But I couldn't go back there. No way in hell. At least not then. No one was lookin' for me yet.

I couldn't feel my hands. Rubbing them together is a trick that normally works. But it didn't. It was too damn cold out there for it ta work. My thin shirt didn't doin' a damn thing ta keep me warm, but I didn't care. I couldn't face Jack. Or whoever that kid was that had done that. It wasn't my friend. It just couldn't be.

I was freezin' and my head was poundin'. I didn't know what ta do. I couldn't go back.

"Race... what the hell are ya doin'?" Crutchie? I didn't even hear him limp up to me. Stupid loud thoughts. My head shot up when I heard him sit down next ta me. He put his crutch right in front of me on the ground, in front of both our feet. "Ya scared the hell outta us."

I couldn't stop my bitter laugh when I's took the cigar outta my mouth. That was rich. "I scared the hell outta you?" I wasn't cryin'. My eyes was just waterin' is all.

I heard my best friend sniffle and he leaned into me. It was cold. I didn't push him away. "He had a run in with Snyder taday... almost got caught again."

That was when it all made sense. I didn't know what ta say ta that. Snyder. He was the devil in my big brother's nightmare. And when Jack saw him one the streets, he went crazy. "He ain't got no reason ta treat me like that." I took another puff of the thing in my hand. It didn't help.

"I know, Race." He nestled his head on my shoulder. I knew right then, this stupid kid wasn't goin' back ta the house till I said I was goin' with him. Stupid, stubborn kid. All's I could do was groan. Damn kid would be the death a' me. "He's real sorry, Race. I's know it. Wouldn't talk ta no one afta' ya walked out."

I scoffed. "Should be sorry..." I muttered. I felt better when my little brother laughed. His laugh always made me happier. Poor kid had been through too much to be upset all the time. I didn't know what else ta do but get him back ta the boys. Back ta Jack. I hoped it would be Jack, at least. Not that son of a bitch that held me still a little under an hour ago. But the thought that it would be made me a little noivous.

"I can't go back there, kid-" I didn't even get ta finish talkin'. Crutchie already knew what I's was gonna say.

"Yes ya can!" He yelled at me. I saw the tears in his eyes when he sat up straight and looked at me. "Ya won't make it ta Brooklyn tanight, Race! And even if ya do, ya don't even know if Spot'll let ya in!"

I shook my head. He knows me too well. Spot was the only person I would be able ta go to that night. But he was right. It was too damn cold out there. I wasn't gonna make it across the bridge that night. So I sighed. And Crutchie smiled in triumph.

"Let's go, ya idiot." I stood up, reaching down and helping him to his feet. The poor kid could barely stand. I have no idea how he made it out there by hisself. All's I knew was, I needed ta get him back. Then he coughed. Idiot. Stupid kid. "Shouldn't be outside right now, punk." He made it to his feet and pushed me. The kid was stronger than most people thought. He could hold his own. He'd won a lot of fights with the boys when he got mad at 'em. He didn't fight very often, but me and Jack made sure he could do it if need be.

"You're a punk!" he shouted back at me. I just chuckled at him and helped him grab his crutch.

"Cmon, kid." And then we were walkin'. We didn't know. I didn't see 'em till we were out of the alley. Until they was grabbin' onto my brother. The bulls. Crutchie screamed real loud when they took his crutch and pushed him on his knees. I wanted ta run ta him, ta get him away from them, but someone grabbed me. They's had their arms 'round my waist and it was too hard for me to fight back. They kept me from my brother. My cigar fell outta my hand. At the time, I didn't even notice.

"Well well well..." That voice was way too familiar. I don't get scared. But that voice put me the closest to it. And Crutchie... poor kid was terrified. "Looks like we caught our little thief." I didn't want to turn around. So I tried ta push the bulls offa me. I couldn't. "And his little friend." I didn't know what ta do. There was three of 'em holdin' onta my arms and my waist. But me? I don't give up without a fight.

I heard Crutchie screamin'. They was draggin' him ta the wagon. He had cuffs on his wrists. I ain't eva' seen the kid so scared in my life. I didn't know if I's was callin' for him or not, but I rememba' him callin' ta me, beggin' me ta help him same time he fought against 'em. Beggin' me ta stop the damn bulls. So I broke free from the grip. I's don't know how I did it. But I knew I had ta get ta Crutchie. If I didn't... Jack would kill me. And, I wouldn't be doin' too hot either.

I jumped on the bastard's back when he tried ta toss the crip in the back a' the carriage. Crutchie fell. I heard him cry out for me. But I was too busy tryin' ta stop the bastard from getting back up. Afta' that, it was a mess. Next thing I's know I was on the ground. My back hurt. The bull was on top a' me. "Crutchie run!" If nothin' else, that stupid kid had ta get out. I couldn't drag him down with me.

They forced me onta my stomach. It was hard ta breathe. I tried ta fight against them. But there was too many. They pushed my face inta the ground and pulled my arms behind me. It hurt. The cuffs pinched my skin and somethin' hit me in the head. I don't rememba much afta' that. Just that there was some screamin'. Something cold was against my head. My body hurt real bad and then they threw me inta the carriage. I was on my back on the ground. My hands were under me and it was hard ta move.

Jack was gonna kill me, that's for sure. Gonna kill me for gettin' caught doin' the one thing he told him neva' ta do. Gonna kill me for puttin' Crutchie in danga'.

Crutchie! Oh my God, the kid... I could hear him breathin' hard... he didn't get away. Damn it, he didn't get away. "C-Crutchie...?" It was hard ta talk. My head hurt so damn bad. We were headed ta hell and we both knew it.

I heard him get down on the ground right next ta me. Then he touched the back of my head... I had ta grind my teeth tagetha real hard ta hide the pain that it caused. I don't cry. 'Specially not in front a' my little brothers. So I's tried ta sit up. It was still hard ta breath. I gasped in and it was too loud. I felt my friend push me back down to the floor. His hands were on my shoulders and I didn't try ta fight against him.

"Don't move, Race." For a minute, he sounded like Jack. He sounded like Jack when I would come home afta' a run in with the Delanceys. Or afta' a lost bet. Or a won bet. And I found myself wonderin' how I'd feel if Jack was there. If he was there ta run a hand through my hair and tell me I's was alright. If he was there ta clean out the wounds I, no doubt, had all ova' me. But I shook my head at myself. Jack didn't want me. And I didn't need him... I didn't need my brother.

"They hit ya with a gun," he explained. His voice seemed so loud ta me. I felt him lift up my body, so's I could let my head lay on his leg. "...you're bleedin', Race..." his voice was terrified. I could barely keep my own eyes open.

"...I'll be fine..." I mumbled. Everything felt like it was spinnin'.

I heard my friend sniffle. "You ain't fine, ya idiot! Your head is bleedin'!" Crutchie was so scared. And I didn't know how ta calm him down. "They's gonna separate us."

I felt my stomach drop. They's couldn't do that. "I won't let 'em." I swore. No way in hell. "'M not gonna let... let 'em..." God was was it so hard ta speak.

"Shut up, Race." The kid's voice was shakin'. So was I. Everythin' hurt. I couldn't open my eyes. It was too bright. It was around midnight. "Ya can't fight anyone and ya know it. Please don't try and fight 'em no more." As much as I hated ta say it, my friend was right. I's could hardly move. And I wasn't okay with it.

Next thing I knows, I woke up on the floor of a small wooden room. There was bunks everywhere. Boys were sittin' and layin' 'round in silence. Like they's was afraid ta speak. I couldn't sit up. My head was pounding and pain shot through me whenever I tried ta move. I heard myself gaspin' for air but I couldn't feel myself breathin'.

"Crutch-..." I cut myself off with a cry of pain as I tried ta sit up. I hurt. Everything hurt.

"You're friend is downstairs," I heard someone say. I couldn't see them. I don't even know if my eyes were open or not. "He's with the younger kids." The voice was not friendly. It was annoyed. "He wouldn't stop screamin'."

This made my eyes shoot open. I sat up, immediately regretting it when all the contents of my stomach were emptied on the ground next ta me. I couldn't stop it. I don't know how long I sat there like that, coughin' and hackin' on the floor. There wasn't much ta come up. I didn't rememba the last time I ate. But it seemed like hours before it stopped. I couldn't hardly move. But the question was still on my mind. "Is he okay?"

My voice must've been almost silent. I was on my hands a knees. I tried ta push myself up, but I couldn't do it. I heard the same voice scoff at me. "Don't know, don't care." I wasn't cryin'. My throat was just hurtin', is all. Made my eyes water.

Stupid kid. Stupid, stubborn, hardheaded, lousy little crip. He shouldn't of been out there! It was my fault! My fault he was here, in this mess! And there wasn't a damn thing I's could do 'bout it. He was sick and his body couldn't handle this place's abuse.

Yeah, I's've been here before. I looked over ta the window in the room and so many memories filled up my mind. Memories that were hard to think about. That was the window where Jack used ta sit when I got dragged here the first time. He used ta sit there fer hours at night, while the guards was gone. I'd sit right next ta it and he would reach through the bars afta' a beatin' and... he'd hold my hand. He'd ruffle my hair and tell me I's would be okay. That was my friend Jack Kelly. That was my big brother. I missed my big brother. I needed him. But Jack wasn't comin' for me.

"We don't need ya..."

It had ta have been true. They didn't need me screwin' up no more. No more losin' money from stupid bets. No more gettin' picked on by the Delanceys cause of my stupid mouth. Maybe the boys would be betta off without me. I didn't belong there. I didn't belong no where.

I was in and out of reality for the next few hours. I didn't know what was happenin'. Just that boy's would kick me and tell me I's was in their way. But I couldn't get up on my own. I was gonna die there. I woulda died there if it weren't for the guards that came in and forced me up. The cuffed my hands behind my back again. I fought against them, but my head still hurt like hell. I felt boys' eye on me as I was dragged from the room.

"Walk ya little idiot!" I couldn't. No matta' how hard I tried, I couldn't. They's tried force me ta use my feet. I rememba' fallin' on my face a lot. I couldn't do nothin' ta stop it.

...It'd only been a few lousy hours. Barely a day.

I didn't know where they was takin' me before I's was in his office. I was dropped down onta my knees before the door slammed behind me. It was too loud. I couldn't even open my eyes ta see what the bastard wanted. It hurt. But I did hear someone call out my name. Then I felt hands on my back. I tried ta shove 'em off, but nothin' happened.

"Race... it's just me." Oh God... it was Crutchie. When I opened up my eyes, everythin' was all hazy. But I could see the tears in my brother's eyes. Why the hell was he so upset.

"Ah, Mr. Higgins..." I could feel myself breathin' harder. I was about ta puke. No doubt 'bout that. But I couldn't. I didn't want Crutchie ta see me like that. But the next words that left the man's mouth made my head shoot up... I might've screamed a little bit. It hurt like hell. "I believe you know Mr. Kelly."

Jack. No way. No way in hell Jack was there right now. But as my head shot up and Crutchie tried ta calm me down, I's saw him. He was standin' next ta the Spider. I couldn't place the look on his face, but I knew somethin' changed. This wasn't the Jack Kelly that attacked me last night. It was my friend. It was my brother.

I tried ta get up, but I couldn't. My body still hurt too bad. Crutchie held me down. Poor kid's voice was shakin' so bad. "It's okay, Race. Stay down. You're gonna be fine." Fine? How on earth could I be fine if Jack was here right now. Jack was in the Refuge. He shouldn't be here. Neither should Crutchie. I wasn't 'bout ta let this happen.

"He'll be taking your place." I shook my head and my eyes locked with Jack. No. No, this wasn't happenin'.

"No... No Jack, ya can't... just..." It still hurt ta talk, but I didn't care. I couldn't let Jack take the punishment for my crimes. I couldn't do it. "Ya don't need me, Jack!" I was screamin' without even thinkin'. I couldn't think. It was too hard. "Let Crutchie go! I'll stay. Don't make them stay for me! It's my fault!" Everything was startin' ta go dark. I felt dizzy. But my younger friend held me up right.

I heard someone drop down in front of me. Then there were fingers brushing up against my cheek. As much as I wanted ta pull away, I's couldn't. It felt ta familia'. I missed it. "I didn't mean it, Racer." Racer. That name. It felt like years since he'd called me Racer. He called me Racer when he tried ta get me ta go back ta sleep at night. Or when I'd see people from my past. He'd call me Racer when he was tryin' ta calm me down. I's missed that name. "I's didn't mean none of it and I'm sorry fer puttin' ya through that." He grabbed Crutchie's hand and held up my cheek with his other one. I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Jack... don't do this..." I couldn't... I couldn't be the reason he went through this again. Not again. Not ta him. He may be an idiot. I still don't know what the hell was goin' on in his head last night, but this was the boy that saved my life when I was eight years old. He took me in. This was my brother. This was Jack Kelly. And I couldn't let that happen again. But he wasn't about ta let me stop him.

"Get back home." He wasn't talkin' ta me no more. He was talkin' ta our gimp friend. "Make sure he don't do nothin' stupid." I tried ta rip my hands outta the damn cuffs. But Jack just gave me a sad look and shook his head. The rest was a little blurry. He was talkin' ta Crutchie a lot. I didn't blame him. I could barely hear a word he said.

But then he looked back at me. "Take care of 'em, Race." I wasn't cryin'. I don't cry. I felt Jack press a quick kiss ta my head and I could guess he did the same ta Crutch. Then he stood up and I saw a guard cuff his hands behind his back.

"No Jack. Don't do this." I was barely aware I was even talkin'. But I felt myself be grabbed and someone was draggin' me away. I tried ta fight against 'em. "No! Stop! I'll stay!" I would. I would stay there with Jack. "Please! I'll stay. I'll stay, I'll stay..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Higgins. You'll see Jack again in three months." And that was it. Then we were out on the streets. It was the next night. No one was out and we was alone. At least we thought we was. Until there was arms 'round my chest and someone was pickin' me up off the ground. I tried ta get away.

"Lemme go!" But they didn't. I just didn't like it. I didn't like bein' held down.

"Shut up, Race, it's Al." I opened my eyes. I didn't even know they'd been closed. But, sure enough, I's saw Albert's head right ova' mine. He was tryin' ta lift me up. Specs had Crutchie up on his back. Kid looked exhausted. I didn't know if he'd been hurt. But if he had been, it was my fault. It was all my fault. "JoJo, get ova' here and help, will ya?"

I felt someone grab my legs. I tried ta struggle against 'em. No one really seemed ta notice. "Be careful," someone said. "He's hurt real bad."

I think I passed out afta' that. It was a mess. I woke up ta a lot a' different voices and I couldn't understand any of 'em. Then I'd lose it again. I didn't understand. I just wanted Jack ta be here. I wanted Jack ta wake me up and tell me it was all a dumb dream. It didn't happen though.

"Cmon, Race... it's been days... wake up. Please wake up..." The poor kid's voice broke me. It was quiet, like he just woke up from a nightmare. My eyes fought to be open and I saw Crutchie. Kid was sobbin'. I couldn't barely move. But I blinked and cleared my vision so's I could see my friend betta'. My head was on his leg. He was runnin' hands through my hair. It felt good. But there was tears streamin' down his face. He looked so young right then. Too young to have been through everythin' he'd been through in his little life.

"Crutch..." I could speak easy now. It didn't hurt so much. My head still hurt, but less than it did before. My whole body felt heavy but I reached my hand up anyway to grasp his hand.

"Race!" he whispered back at me. I saw the tears and the way he looked around. He thought he might be dreamin'. "You've been sleepin' for days..."

I felt terrible. I wanted him ta just go back ta sleep. It was dark out, no doubt past midnight. The room was so quiet. I knew the boys were sleepin'. But I couldn't go back ta sleep. There was somethin' I had ta do.

"I's sorry, Crutch..." I was quiet. I had ta be. I couldn't wake up anyone else. "Go back ta sleep," I ordered as gently as I could. The poor kid didn't need ta be told twice. He drifted off in a matter of minutes.

I don't know how I made it out. My legs were wobbly. I felt like I's'd been on a boat fer days. But I made it down the fire escape. And then I was walkin'. I went through alleys and empty streets for a while before I made it. I was holdin' myself up on walls and doors and then I was lookin' up at another fire escape.

It was hard ta make it up the thing. I had ta stop and let my head stop spinnin' a few times. But I made it. I made it back ta that window. I held the bars tight and started ta tap on the glass, lightly. I knew where he'd be. He was always in the same spot. Told me so hisself.

Sure enough, a head popped up from under the window. The glass was dirty but I could see him. And he opened up the window so's I could see the bruises that covered his face. I didn't like the way he looked. Like he was tired and hungry and thirsty. And it was my fault.

"What the hell are ya doin' here, Racetrack?" Jack's voice was rough and tired but he still gave me his best glare. "You's gonna get caught. Again." I flinched at his tone. But he didn't sound made at me. More like he was actually scared a' me bein' thrown back in there.

I didn't ansa' him. For once in my life, I shut my mouth. I carefully reached my hand through the bars. He looked down at it fer a minute, like he was afraid ta take it er somethin'. But he did anyways. And he started cryin'. I's only memba' a few times I's had seen my big brother cry. But he wasn't cryin' cause a' the beaten he'd had or cause a' the sleep he was losin' or cause it was freezin' cold in that room a' boys that didn't give a damn about each other.

"I's so sorry, Race..." He was cryin' fer me. He was squeezin' my hand so tight. I didn't care. I leaned my forehead against the bars. It was cold, but Jack did the same thing. I didn't say a word. Our heads touched and he kept on 'pologizin' like what happened a few days ago mattered any more. Idiot. "I need ya, ya know that?" I knew he wasn't lyin' ta me. That was when those other, ugly words didn't matta' no more. "You're my brotha'."

I... I don't cry.

When I got back home, I got a scoldin' from Crutchie. Said I was an idiot. I just said so was he. I was right, a' course. But it was worth it. It was worth draggin' my ass all the way back ta that prison just ta see Jack. I went back a few times in the next coupla days. Took Crutchie with me too. Kid was worried ta death bout our big brotha'. But about three days lata' was the night that would go down in history for the newsies.

I was sittin' at the table, playin' poker with Al and Elm. We was makin' jokes and I was takin' all there money. I wasn't cheatin'! But they's neva' believed me. It ain't cheatin', so long as ya don't get caught.

Anyways, Crutchie was watchin' me from the couch. Hadn't left my side in days. He forced me ta go see Medda. Miss Larkin said I got somethin' called a concotion... er concussion. She's said I had ta be real careful. No more fights for a while. I was doin' my best. Crutchie didn't let me sell fer a while. I tried ta tell him I was in command while Jack was away, but he didn't care. He said he wasn't bout ta let me pass out on the streets with no one 'round ta help. I didn't think there was a point in tryin' ta fight with him.

I was collectin' my money when the door ta the lodgin' house was pushed open. I didn't turn around. I assumed it was gonna be one of the boys who'd stayed out late. Maybe Mush or Romeo, out with anotha' unsuspectin' girl. But the whole room went silent. I saw Crutchie's eyes fill with tears as he stood on his shaky leg. He'd been hurt in that hell they called the Refuge. But he neva' admitted it. He moved so quickly and I couldn't help but look behind me.

"Jack!"

My heart just about stopped. It had only been a week. It felt like years. I saw Crutchie drop down with Jack. The two held onta each other like their lives depended on it. I took my latest cigar outta my mouth and set it on the table. My legs were shakin' but I didn't care. I ran ta him. I fell before I could make it to him, but somehow his arms wrapped around me anyways.

"Hiya boys." Me and Crutchie didn't say nothin'. Just let Jack latch onta us. He was shakin'. I could feel him shakin'.

"H-how'd ya get out?" I heard Crutchie ask. The kid was sobbin' again.

"I rode out on the governor's carriage." Jack laughed as he held onta us tighter. The other boys came around too and hugged him.

I looked up at him. He had ta be jokin'. No way a governor would be at a children's prison and actually take a child out of it. "I ain't kiddin'!" he defended with a smile. Then, without another word, he grabbed my wrist and helped Crutchie to grab his crutch and he lead us outside.

I couldn't believe it. Jack Kelly was somethin' else. There was a carriage riding off in the distance. "You escaped jail on the back of Teddy Roosevelt's carriage?" Crutchie was in awe of our brother.

"No way!"

"How'd ya swing that?"

I didn't say anythin'. I'd known Jack foreva'. He could do anythin'. I knew he could. He wasn't that monsta' that held me ta a wall a few days ago. This was my best friend. My brother.

Lata' that night, when all the boys was asleep, I made it ta Jack's bed. Crutchie was asleep on top a' him, but I knew Jack betta than ta think he was sleepin'.

He opened his eyes and smiled up at me and waved for me ta sit next ta him. So I did. He ran a hand through my hair before he grabbed my hand. Then he was talkin'. His voice was so quiet cause the crip asleep on his chest. But I still heard him. "Ya know I woulda neva' said those things ta ya if I's was thinkin' straight, right?"

I nodded, immediately. Maybe that night I hadn't, but I did now.

"I'm sorry, Jack..." I whispered out. He just pulled me down into his arms.

"I love ya, little brotha'."

I don't cry. Not for no one. Well... maybe for my brotha's. Maybe only when Jack held me like that. Because that's when I realized somethin'. I belong somewhere. This is my family.

So here my secret. Yeah, I cry.

Now get lost.

Hello everyone! Yes yes, I know, I should be working on my other stories. Spider's Revenge and Working With What We Got. I know, I suck. But I got requests a while ago from an awesome reviewer of mine. This was one of them and I got the idea to do this this week and I couldn't stop working on it. This is the first time I've ever written in first person. So let me know if I did it right please. And let me know if that sounded like Race. I like to think that it does but I could be wrong.

So the prompt was for Jack to go into the Refuge and stop Snyder from taking Race and Crutchie and to show it from Race and Crutchie's POV. So, this story is gonna be three chapters long. It's not over yet.

Alright, here's a question, does anyone have any ideas for the next chapter of The Spider's Revenge? I got an idea from a reviewer of another story which will be fun and interesting to write, but I'm not so sure how to finish up this one. Feel free to PM me or review the story at any time. Thank you!

As you can probably tell, I love requests. PM me or review this story at anytime and leave me a scene or even just a few lines you'd like to see. I'll make sure to get right on that. :)

As always, thanks for reading! Make sure to tell me what you liked, what you didn't, what you'd change or what you'd improve. Love ya kids!