Hello, I hope everyone's doing OK! So I forgot to mention the nice people who reviewed my story last chapter, so sorry about that and thank you to SomedayonBroadway and Disneyfan10 for reviewing, sorry about forgetting to mention you. So this chapter is very short and bad, but I wanted to save the angst for next chapter. Again, sorry about quality, but I keep writing while I'm exhausted and have a headache...so not much I can do. Oh, also last chapter they reenacted Romeo and Juliet, so if anyone wants a link to the script and a list of what characters the newsies play, just let me know.

SomedayonBroadway: Funny you should ask about Jack, but yes he will be showing up soon, and his absence will be explained soon too. If they get caught in the cave...things could get nasty. But yes, I do love Katherine. Thank you so much for reviewing!

Trigger warnings: playful slaps, caves, a brawl, cheek kisses

Have fun reading!

Acting out Romeo and Juliet with a ragged group of slaves was admittedly quite entertaining. I was not only surprised by the fact that everyone there had it memorized, but by the way they acted with such feeling, while also managing to deliver their lines in the most hilarious ways possible. In that moment, acting with the slaves who treated me as one of their own, even though I had met them a mere six days go, I was perfectly happy and content, no longer harboring any fear towards them. Of course, that feeling couldn't last forever. They were, after all, slaves.

On my seventh night, I could see Moon glancing longingly towards the caves every few minutes, peaking my curiosity. What could be in the caves that was causing Moon to act so strangely? Eventually, Race seemed to notice her abnormal behavior. He tapped her arm to get her attention, then spoke in a language I believe was Italian.

"Cosa c'è che non va?" Race asked.

"Mi manca lui," Moon replied, biting down on her bottom lip so hard I feared the skin would break.

"Smettila di morderti le labbra, stupido."

She slapped his chest lightly with the back of her hand, releasing her lip, and Race pulled her into a hug, causing a few catcalls, all of them quickly silenced by Moon's death glare.

After a few hours of participating in an astonishingly dramatic, staged brawl, a heated debate defending Shakespeare's honor, and a game of keep-away, the boys finally decided to leave the clearing. As we were leaving, I noticed Moon and Race speaking in Italian again. As I watched, their conversation seemed to come to an end, Race walking towards the rest of the boys, and Moon running to the cave.

"Drink it in boys, I know I'm gorgeous," Race said dramatically, obviously noticing the questioning glances from the rest of the boys. The boys booed, a few calling out insults and even playfully swatting at him. A few boys still seemed curious about Moon, but they contained their questions as we snuck back to the cabin.

The next night, Moon was noticeably happier, making me very curious, wondering what possibly be in those caves.

After an intense competition to determine the best dancer of the group, (no one won and Moon had to break up a few fights) the boys all decided to head back for the night. As they were leaving, Moon stopped me, claiming she wanted to talk to me in private.

She waited as the rest of the boys left, then as soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to me.

"I want to show you the caves so you can get through them safely."

I nodded, not sure why she needed me alone to show me caves.

She led me through the caves for a few minutes, pointing out subtle signs the boys had left to help them navigate.

After showing me an exit and pointing to a small house that was visible from said exit- telling me I could go there If I was in danger- She led me to a small cavern, where two people stepped out of the shadows. I panicked slightly, at first, but quickly relaxed when I recognized the faces of Jack Kelly and Albert Dasilva. Jack smirked at me.

"Hey, Plumber," he said, using my byline since I would yell at him when he called me by my father's last name. I grinned at him, managing to gain enough control over myself as to not sprint there and through my arms around him, and instead I calmly walked over and pulled him in for a hug. His arms encircled my waist, and I felt calmness and safety wash over me as I inhaled the eternal smell of paint. I felt him whisper in my ear.

"You holding up OK? Has Spidey left you alone?" I chuckled slightly at his protectiveness.

"I'm alright Jack...don't worry yourself too much…"

"I'll always worry over you, Plumber, I's your guard after all, sworn to defend you at all costs," he joked, his tone light.

"Sap," I said fondly, shoving him lightly.

"This is cute and all, and I's happy for you guys, but Kath and Moon should probably head back before they get caught," Albert's voice interrupted our conversation, and Jack retracted his arms, crossing them over his chest.

"Oh, so Moon can stay all night, but Kath's gotta leave?" Albert smirked.

"Yep," he walked over to Jack and whispered something in his ear, causing him to turn bright red and shove Albert back towards Moon, who just rolled her eyes fondly as Albert wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Ew," Jack told them, obviously unamused. I felt the need to interrupt before Jack and Albert had a staring contest, something that had happened many times before.

"As Albert mentioned, Moon and I should probably head back," I said. Jack looked thoughtful, then nodded, pulling me into another warm hug.

"Be careful, I don't need you getting hurt," he whispered softly in my ear. I nodded.

"I'll be alright." Jack nodded, obviously still worried. He turned towards Moon and pulled her into a hug, also whispering something in her ear, causing her to snort lightly and lightly smack him. He grinned at her, then smirked at me until Moon pulled me out of sight.

The next day, things started going downhill. I knew slaves were in constant danger of beatings, but I hadn't fully realized it until I saw the aftermath for myself, something that had always been hidden from me in the palace. I was a slave now though, there were no palace staff to keep me from seeing the truth for myself...

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ PM or review if you have questions, comments, or hate.