Disclaimer- I own Samara (Yes, a girl is being introduced…) and Red.

S/N- Yes, there is a girl in this story. I ran her through the Mary Sue Litmus Test and only got ten points, so I think we're safe. *crosses fingers*

I passed my drivers test! Woohoo! A 92 baby! I'm getting my permit!

Shout Outs!

Not many this time…

Quick thanks to:

Misprint

Rumor

Studentnumber24601

Western Paradise

Save the warm glow from the streetlamps and the full moon, the city was dark and eerily deserted. The unusual vacancy in the early morning sent a chill down Race's spine as he and Red walked silently away from the Brooklyn Lodging House without even a glance back.

Red's young face was set in a determined, hardened look that Race had never seen before on someone so young, or maybe he just hadn't bothered to look. Red had been in the same boat as him and the rest of the newsies; why should he stay innocent and pure while the rest turned their emotions to stone?

Watching Red march away from the life he'd known for most of his life made Race really question what he was doing. In a moment of panic he had made a decision which may very well end up killing him; at the very least, his life would be changed forever. And he had taken the kid with him. Granted, Red had begged, pleaded, and threatened, but Race would be dammed if he wasn't stronger than an eight year old. He could have made him stay, but did he really want to? Did he subconsciously need the company of a kid with the energy of ten newsies and an impressionable mind which he could mold to however he wanted it to be? Who was he kidding; he just couldn't do this alone.

"Why're we goin' ta Santa Fe, Race?" Red asked once they had crossed the bridge back into Manhattan.

"You'se only goin' cause ya tricked me inta it." Race said, not showing any traces of what he had just been thinking about. "I'se goin'… well… foah reasons you'se don't wanna know."

Red would surely hate him as well once he learned what he did. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed companionship.

"Do you'se know how ta get ta Santa Fe?" Red questioned.

"Course I do." Race said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

But he didn't. He had been so excited about actually finding a solution that he hadn't even thought about how to get there. There was no way he was going to let Red know that, though. If they just went west enough, they'd get there eventually, wouldn't they?

"Race, I'se hungry an' I'se hafta go ta da bat'room." Red said suddenly.

"You'se kiddin' right? Why didn't ya go in Brooklyn? We's only been walking fifteen minutes foah Christ sakes!"

"I'se didn't hafta go then!"  Red whined.

"Well, I'se can't do anyt'in' about you'se bein' hungry, you'se just gonna hafta wait until we's find some food. An you'se gonna hafta just go somewheah."

"Wha? Like somwheah outside?"

"You'se a newsie, suck it up. You'se dealt wit worse."

Wrinkling his nose at Race, he reluctantly ducked behind a building emerging a few minutes later looking much more comfortable and nearly bursting with excitement. Race couldn't understand why, but they he didn't have time to find out. He had to be far away from New York by the time the boys woke up and realized he was gone.

"Come on, Red, we'se'll take a break in a few houahs ta rest." Race said, leading the redhead in the right direction.

"Wait! Race! Dere's someone back dere!" Red announced.

"Yeah, a lot of people live on da streets. It ain't anyt'in' new. You'se should know dat." Race said, not slowing his pace one bit.

"No!" Red ran to catch up with him. "It's a goil an' she looks awl beat up an' she's wearin' nice clothes!"

"Beat up how?" Race asked, stopping in his tracks.

"Real bad, she's got bruises an' scratches an' it looks like she's got some broken bones!" Red's eyes were wide as he explained this to Race.

"Fine. I'll go check it out."

The alley behind the building was dark, he didn't even see the girl until he practically stumbled over her.

"Careful, Race!" Red scolded in an authoritive whisper.

Race couldn't stifle the smirk that made its way onto his face at Red's tone. He knelt down next to the girl; Red had definitely been exaggerating. The girl had a bruise over her collarbone and a small scratch above her lip, but other than that and the fact that she was unconscious, she looked perfectly fine.

One thing Red was right about, though, was that she was dressed nicely. Her clothes were dirty, but no doubt expensive and finely made. This girl was no factory worker- that was for sure. She had probably been mugged. Well, that's what she got for wandering around by herself in the middle of an alley at night. She couldn't be too smart, even Sarah knew to stay out of the alleys, and it was common knowledge that Jack's girl had no brains.

She was awfully pretty though- in a hoity-toity, upper-class kind of way. Dark blond hair framed a pale delicate heart shaped face with a scattering of light freckles across her nose. Pretty yes, but not Race's type in the least.

"Are you'se gonna save her or just stare at 'er?" Red demanded, arms crossed over his chest.

"Save her, kid." He said, kneeling down and feeling her neck for a pulse, which, he was thankful to discover, was beating at a steady rate. "She's gonna be fine, Red."

A hand suddenly slapped his away, making him yelp in surprise. Looking down, he saw angry, brown eyes glaring up at him.

"Get your dirty paws off of me." The girl hissed.

"Hey, lady, I'se was jus' seein' if you'se was okay," Race shot back, standing.

The blond girl rose to her feet as well. "Yeah, well, I don't need a filthy street rate like you helping me. I can take care of myself."

"Fine, excuse me foah tryin' ta be a gentleman. Come on, Red. Santa Fe awaits." He grabbed the little boy's arm and pulled him out of the alley.

"Wait!" Her voice sounded behind him.

"Whadda you'se want?" He sneered.

"Did you say Santa Fe?"

"Yeah, what's it to you'se?"

"How would you feel about making a deal?"

"You'se shouah change lanes fast."

"I was just… startled."

"Yeah, shouah."

"That's a cute kid. Is he your son?"

Race snorted, "Son? How old d'ya think I am? He's my brother." 

"No I ai-" But Red was cut off suddenly by Race's hand being placed over his mouth.

"Well, you have a very adorable brother. What's your name, cutie?" She cood.

"Red." Red said spitting in his hand and holding it out to her. She gave him a look of disgust which she turned on Race when he started to laugh.

"What's all dis bullshit about anyway?" Race asked. First you'se act like some hoity-toity bitch when I'se was only tryin' ta see if you'se was alive an' da next minute you'se actin' awl nice. What gives?"

"Okay, I'll be honest. My family and my husband are in Santa Fe. I had to stay here to… work a few things out. A lady cannot get across the country unaccompanied by a man. It would mean everything to me if you and your brother would let me come with you."

"Yeah, what's in it foah us?"

"My family out west is wealthy, and I have a great deal of money with me. I will pay for everything that we will need on the trip."

Race wanted to say no, but her offer was too good to refuse. Besides, it wasn't just himself Race had to look out for. Taking this girl with him would ensure a much safer trip for Red.

"Okay, you'se can come wit us. But if we's gonna be travelin' tagethah we's need ta get along." She nodded. "Da name's Racetrack Higgins."

"Racetrack?"

"It ain't my real name."

"Oh you're a newsie."

"Yeah, an' you'se jus' remembah dat this newsie is what's getting' ya to Santa Fe."

"I am Samara Chase."

"One question, Samara, why were you'se lyin' heah unconscious?"

"You have your story, I have mine. I won't ask if you don't." She said simply, and they left it at that.

The sun had just begun to rise as the three began their journey. There was no turning back now.

~~~

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