Jack hadn't thought about the brother and sister he had seen in the office that morning for the rest of that day. There was no need to. They would fade away into the rest of the population and never be noticed again by him.

The rest of the day passed slowly, like it always did. Jack found himself once again grateful it was over. At the end of the day he met up with half the gang to walk home. The other half went the opposite way, but they would meet up again later.

It wasn't a real gang. All the guys had always called it that though. Jack had excepted most of his friends rules without any complaint. A few he rolled his eyes at, but they made the rules and the few he could change, he had.

Jack met up the Racetrack, Blink, and Crutchy to walk back. All his friends had nicknames, oddly enough most of the school had a nickname. A number of teachers actually used them during class too. 'How do you know Jack ain't my nickname?' He had asked them. They didn't, but gave him the name Cowboy because of a red bandanna he always wore. Someone had given him a cowboy hat also.

They walked back, talking and goofing off. Race tripped Blink so he fell into a puddle on the corner of a street. Blink then chased him and yelled a string of threats until Racetrack was locked safely behind his own front door.

A block or two later Jack found himself alone walking back to his own home. Immediately he saw the doctor's car in the driveway. Jack hadn't realized it was his day off. It really didn't matter anyway. He would drop his bag off, say hello, and leave like he did everyday.

Jack had dropped off his things and was about to leave to meet up with his friends again, but thought he should say something to the doctor first.

70 of the doctors time at home was was spent in his study, and the time at home was very limited to begin with. When the door was closed Jack never bothered him. Today though, the door was open so Jack knocked and leaned against the door frame. The doctor turned in his computer chair and smiled seeing him.

"I'm back." Jack said plainly.

"Oh good. How was your day?" The doctor asked.

"Fine." He answered.

Nearly all the conversations between Jack and the doctor and his wife went that way. No matter how much they smiled or how friendly they were, all Jack could do was give an emotionless short simple answer.

The doctor and his wife were kind sweet people. They had fostered kids since finding they couldn't have their own. After hearing about his story through the media they asked to take him. He had just never been able to be close to anyone afterward. Luckily they understood and gave him space.

"I'm going out. I'll be back later." Jack said cutting it short.

"Okay." The doctor said smiling. He turned back to his computer as Jack walked away.

After school everyday, those who had avoided detentions, went to a little square in town, Newsies Square as it had been nicknamed. None of them

actually knew what it ment. The name had been adopted years ago because the words were found scratched on the base of the statue in the middle of the square. Jack had heard the story of how they all had hung out there since their innocent elementary days. He laughed at the idea of any of them being innocent.

Jack tagged up once again with Race, Crutchy, and Blink. Most of their friends were already at the square. A few little brothers joined too.

Mush ran up to the crowd, beet red and out of breath from running.

"What happened to you?" Racetrack asked.

"If stole something again..." Jack threatened.

"What?" He panted, "Me?" Mush asked trying to be modest. "Wanna (pant) know who (pant) I saw walkin' (pant) over here?" He panted.

"Who?" Jack asked.

"The Delancys."