"Jack!" Snowflake had tried to scream, her voice muffled from the harsh pressure against her mouth as her arms were kept uncomfortably behind her back by a police officer. To the left of the entrance, Race had visibly been torn to shreds. His clothing and the obviously swollen bruises under his eye had shown he was in pain, frightened to admit it. Snyder had a firm grip on him, the struggling against his grip making Race wince in pain.

"Davey, stay wit' Crutchie," he whispered seriously, gradually going to Snyder. Jack's eyes were inflamed with fury and frustration as his hands suddenly transformed into tight fists. "Well, if it ain't Snyda the Spida," he began with a scoff.

"Jack Kelly," he muttered, letting go of Race as he approached Jack, an evil glint in his eye. "How about you just make it easy for the both of us and hand yourself over."

"Yeah? And why's would I do that?" he asked with a chuckle before feeling the blade of an object directly against his throat.

Automatically concerned for the others' sake, he strived to get out of his grip, the blade becoming millimeters away from cutting him. "Davey, get the others out," he murmured quickly, not caring what had happened to him as long as his family was okay.

"That ain't how it's gonna work, Kelly," Snyder had said, the grip on his shoulders bringing Jack flashbacks on moments that made him who he was today. "See, I'm not surprised you came right into the hands of our trap." His glare had made Jack cower slightly as his voice brought him back to reality. "Bring her in!"

"Alright, easy," Katherine's voice had muttered courageously before eyeing Jack and the rest of the gang wide-eyed. Finally getting out of Morris' grip, she had run over to Jack, her eyes searching his, the feeling of worry and insecurity overtaking her.

"One more step and he gets it."

Snyder's words had made her cringe as she cautiously began to back away, gulping when she had once again felt Morris' touch. "We's had a plan," Morris had begun, leaning his head on Katherine's shoulder as she remained the strong eye contact with Jack. "And we's also made a challenge. Snyda told me's that yous were gonna be the first ta ditch. That Jack would've wanted ya safe more than anything. And me...well, I's thought different. I's believed that yous' priority would be ta keep Jack and those otha...weaklings out of harm's way."

"But there is a price," Snyder responded ecstatically, a complete change of tone from the previously spoken words. "If I guessed right, Jack and the boys will be right back here with me." Snowflake had scoffed, causing a well-deserved look from Davey.

"And If I's guessed right, Morris started," his lips pressed against Katherine's neck. "Then yous will stay wit' me."

"'Ey, keep your 'ands off of 'er!" Jack had yelled, being stopped by the wince in his throat, caused by a small slice the knife had made against his rough skin.

"Jack, easy." The fear in her eyes became visible, yet her tone of voice didn't seem to match it at all. Instead of being anxious, she had sounded calm. "I'll stay."

"Plumba, ya ain't-"

"You know as well as I do that it's five against one. As you said, you wanted to keep your family safe. Bring them to the lodge, help them get cleaned up. Because I know you, Jack Kelly. And I know you will do anything possible to help those you care about. Please. I can't afford to see you and any of the others back in here. Get the Newsies and get out. And...I love you. Don't forget that." Her voice was quick but soft, every emotion and word she had said bringing heartache. "And it's the same for the rest of you. No matter how much you feel like giving up, don't. There's always going to be someone waiting for you at the end of the finish line."

All of them were completely speechless. The police had carefully lifted his hands away from Snowflake as Davey had held her securely. The feeling of the knife gradually lifted from his throat, Jack had run over and hugged Katherine as protective as he could. "I'll get ya out. I'll find a plan and yous won't 'afta worry 'bout anyone again."

She wanted to say something, yet she didn't feel the strength or resistance to leave Jack's grip. The gentle circles on her back made her smile as she tried to force herself to pull away. As she tried to tell herself she was going to see him again. That there was never going to be an end to Katherine and Jack. So why did she feel so...hopeless. "Jack, promise me something," she began, pulling away to look him seriously in the eyes. "When I leave, get everyone in sight out. They shouldn't be suffering here. I'll distract the boys, but you have to promise me you'll keep yourself safe while looking over your family."

As soon as she attempted to give him one last kiss, Morris had pulled her roughly away, causing her to give a confident nod to Jack. "I believe in you. Don't ever forget that either," she mouthed. By Katherine's look as he attempted to follow them, he watched them leave in plain sight as he whispered a small "I promise. But don't ya give up either" under his breath. He could still hear her rambling voice, what she would do when she was nervous, through the walls. To be fair, she did have an officer, Snyder, and Morris following her. As much as he wanted to go after her, he knew she was right. There were no promises if any of them were going to survive through the refuge again.

Without any hesitation, Jack had ordered Race to sit down, taking his recent injuries into consideration. Jack had begun picking the locks, remembering Katherine's order. "Davey, get outside wit' Crutchie and get a head start. Snowflake, run ahead and tell the others what had happened. We's need a plan of escape for Katherine. Race, I'll help ya as soon as-"

A smirk spread onto his face as he heard the lock unclick, doing this to all of the other doors he could find before helping Race up and guiding him through the door. Not believing he couldn't remember something as simple as water, they were well on the way to the lodge, knowing they still had a few leftovers the others could eat if needed.

Jack Kelly was never to give up on anything, but he knew he couldn't make it on his own with a couple of already beat up Newsies. He needed a plan and he was never going to forgive himself until he had Katherine back and safely in his arms.

Not only did she watch out for the Newsies when Jack couldn't see an alternative, but she had also saved several from the refuge. Their relieved faces as the sunlight hit their skin genuinely made Jack smile.

He would come back as soon as the Newsies were up and running. But for now, he had to deal with the grief of what felt like a loss from death. His heart shattered at her empathy. How she put them before herself? How was he supposed to last God knows how long if he could barely be without her for an hour?

They all knew that this was going to be a long journey.