January 4, 1900

Boots had told the newsies that Les was getting better and that he could go home. Esther and Mayer were now letting Davey, Les, and Splasher sell after school and on weekends.

Itey let out a harsh, dry cough and sniffled. Dutchy and Elmer, who had been selling with the fifteen-year-old, glanced at him. Nine-year-old Dutchy seemed confused and Elmer seemed greatly concerned.

"Dat's da twentieth time youse sounded like dat. Youse ain't gettin' influenza, right?" The fifteen-year-old asked. Itey violently shook his head he then heard, for what seemed to be the tenth time that day, was one of the voices in his head.

"You can keep telling yourself that, but you know you're lying."

"Shut up!" Itey snapped at the voice. Elmer rolled his eyes and customers slowly backed away. Itey sneezed right before he keeled over and puked on the ground. He could barely hear what Elmer and Dutchy were saying and barely saw Dutchy run off.

June 30, 1888

Matthew stared at the giant teen before him. The fact that his parents were even letting this boy take him was shocking. When a doctor had diagnosed him with Schizophrenia, Matthew's parents decided that they couldn't handle that.

The boy, Ambition, was glad to take Matthew in despite his one big flaw and that he was only four years old. Ambition took Matthew to a building and led him inside.

There were boys everywhere and it was intimidating to him. He shrunk behind the leader as Ambition got everyone's attention.

"Boys dis 'ere is Matthew. 'e's four years old an' 'as been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Which means dat 'e hears an' sees things dat aren't dere which may cause 'im ta make some bad decisions. Ise want someone sellin' wit' 'im at all times."

"Is 'e from Italy?" Another child asked.

"Yes, Racer. 'e is from Italy an' if yer gonna start callin' 'im it den it would seem a bit girly."

"Ok. Hi Itey!"

Everyone stared at Racer before another older boy spoke, "What da hell is an Itey?"

"Ise dunno, da new kid!"

January 4, 1900

"Itey?"

Itey glanced up to find Boots kneeling in front of him. Boots continued to speak but, Itey was too tired to listen. He attempted to stand only for his legs to be unable to hold him and he was back on ground in seconds. He felt himself being lifted up and his arms slung around people's shoulders.

He shivered, his throat hurting when he swallowed, and was out of it for the trip back to the lodge. Eventually, he was set on his bunk and he realized Boots was talking to Elmer.

"-gonna 'ave ta find 'em. Unless youse knows anything?"

"Ise think Finch said somethin' about seein' Outrage da other day. Ise could try talkin' ta him?"

Boots nodded and Itey didn't have to ask them what they were talking about. They wanted to find the former newsies since Boots never learned how to take care of influenza.

Itey saw the pink gorilla, one of his usual hallucinations, out of the corner of his eye before he passed out.