Chapter 5

Racetrack leaned against the bench. The rest of the newsies were crowded around Race, waiting for the secret he was about to reveal.

"Well," he began. "I was stealing a cigar and the bulls caught me. They threw me in the refuge and I met Chrys there. We got in trouble all the time. Well, one day…

Begin Flashback.

Anthony and Chrys were walking down the halls. Chrys was ahead and eating some of the food that was meant for Snyder. Anthony was dragging behind. Chrys walked by Snyder's office and continued walking down the hall. Anthony started to beckon to Chrys that she was walking the wrong way when he froze. There in the office was Snyder. The little kid that was putting his nose in Anthony and Chrys's business when she gave him the watch was there. Suddenly Snyder grabbed a cane nearby and began to beat him. The little boy was screaming in pain and blood was pouring out of his wounds. Finally, the boy stopped moving. Snyder looked up and saw Anthony standing there. He began to walk towards the door. Anthony backed away and ran down the hall. He ran into Chrys and the both fell down. Hurriedly, he jumped up and grabbed Chrys.

"Run!" he screamed to Chrys. Both ran out of the building and towards the gates that locked them in. Chrys grabbed a pick from her pocket and started to pick the lock on the gate. The gate swung open and both children ran out.

"If it's the last thing I do, I will get you Anthony Cammerata. (A/N: this name is from Keeping Secrets Can Kill because that was a great story and this story might be similar except different author.)

End Flashback.

"We ran towards the docks. I was so scared and Chrys wanted to know why I ran away so I told her what I saw. She took my watch and her pocketknife and carved this engraving in it. She said 'Don't forget me.' We figured that if Snyder saw us together, he would figure out that I'm Anthony Cammerata and I witnessed that murder. So, we went our separate ways. So now you know." Race finished.

"The thing is," said Chrys, "that Snyder saw Race and only Race. He won't recognize me because he thought I was a guy to begin with. But he would recognize us both together since my personality didn't change at all and Race didn't change much based on appearance. Snyder would defiantly recognize us if we were both together. So Race is in a lot of trouble."

"She's right." Said Jack. "We need to find a place to hide Race."

"How about the circus?" suggested Tenderfoot (A/N: I was going to call him Jack but I figured that would be a little confusing with two Jack's)

"What?" said Race, obviously not liking the idea. "Why can't I sell?"

"That's not a bad idea." Chrys said, ignoring Race completely. "Race can work at the circus until we leave, which will be about a month from now. And you guys can come visit and he will be someplace where someone can watch him. And Snyder is too hoity-toity. He would never come to the circus grounds. He can work with Tenderfoot."

"Yeah. All he has to do is clean cages and odds and ends." Piped up Tenderfoot.

"No thanks." Said Race starting to walk away. Suddenly, Chrys grabbed him, flipped him over her shoulder and onto his back and sat on top of him.

"Listen Race. Snyder is looking for you and he probably wants you dead. If you're a newsie, it will just make it easier for him to find you because you are walking all over the place. If you work in the circus, you get free food, and a free bed. You just have to do whatever Harold says for you to do. And you get to be around animals, like lions, tigers, and horses." She said. Immediately Race perked up at the sound of his favorite animal.

"Horses?" Race said. "Like big horses that gallop and race and stuff?" Chrys nodded.

"And you also get $.75 a day and a bonus for performances." Said Michael.

"And Jack mentioned that your favorite place, the Sheepshead Races were closed. Here at the circus, it's pretty much the same thing, except without races and jockeys. Just the horses. Most, you will be helping with"

"Okay, I'll do it." Said Race eagerly.

"Okay, you start now." Chrys said throwing him a shovel and a bag. "Tenderfoot will help you out. I have to talk to Harold to tell him about you right now. Maybe later, I'll teach you how to ride a horse and do a couple of tricks. Show him the ropes Tenderfoot," She said as she walked off. Race began to smile the first smile he had since he saw his childhood best friend. No one saw the dark figure run off in the other direction.

Meanwhile…

"I saw him. He now goes by the name of Racetrack Higgins."

"Good, good. Did you find out where he works?"

"Yes sir. A circus. He is now a stable boy."

"Good. Please talk to the manager of the circus and have him keep Mr. Higgins from running away until we pick him up."

"Yes sir." He said as he walked out of the office. The first man turned another man standing in the corner.

"Well, you problem is solved. Anything else I can help you with?"

"No, no. You have helped me more than enough."

"Wonderful."

"I must take care of some business. Thank you Mr. Pulitzer."

"You're welcome Warden Snyder." Snyder walked out of the building and climbed into a carriage waiting for him outside. 'I got you now Anthony Cammerata.' He thought as the wagon rolled away towards the refuge.

(A/N: I don't know where I'm going with this story so please leave some suggestions in your review. Also, I won't update for a while since I am very busy for the next couple of weeks. But I will try to finish this soon and hopefully before summer starts)