Shooter held my hand on part of the long walk to the lodging house. Then I said I was tired of walking, and Sidewind carried me the rest of the way. I saw a whole different part of the city from my perch atop my new friends' shoulders.

The lengthy walk ended in front of a slightly scraggy-looking wooden building.

"Well, heah we are." Soldier announced, taking the few steps up to the door of the Newsboys Lodging House. Sidewind leaned down, allowing me to climb down from his shoulders somewhat gracefully.

Shooter caught my hand again and walked me through the door. Inside, the room buzzed with activity. There were kids everywhere: lounging against the wall, climbing the stairs at the back of the room, playing games around a wooden table. I cried out with delight, excited by the new mass of people. Our small group of arrivals filtered in to the room, leaving me with Racetrack and his brother.

"I'll show 'er around, Shootah." offered Racetrack, throwing his arm over my shoulder. A nod from his brother gave Race the go. "Well, Mem. You'se got a lot a people ta meet." He said, sweeping his arm around the room.

I squealed again, and a group leaning against the nearby wall looked up. "Race! Hows it rollin kid?" a boy asked, wiping his nose on a red handkerchief.

Race dropped his arm and grinned, "Good. It's good. I got a friend heah, 'er name's-"

"Rememberance." I interrupted, shrugging, "Or Mem."

The boy put the hankie back in his pocket and extended his hand to me. "Hey dere. I'se Hank." He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Short for Handkerchief, on account a I'se always wipin' me nose on one…" he mirrored my shrug, and grinned goofily.

A short brunette leaned around Hank, offering a small wave, "Bonjour Mem, my name is Jolie."

The girl's French accent surprised me. From the floor, a voice hidden by Hank's legs chirped a hello. Another brunette poked her head out, brown eyes sparkling. "I go by Chantah. Nice ta meet ya."

After a few minutes get-to-know-you conversation, Race and I moved on to the next cluster of newsies. Three small boys were huddled around a game of jacks, whispering excitedly. The smallest of the three, a dark-eyed boy with a head full of dark curls was the first to spot us. He stood quickly and rushed to Race's side, the other two quickly following suit. "Racey boy, wheah ya been?" the boy demanded.

"Ah come on Mush, ya know 'xactly where I'se been." Race answered.

The mass of curls continued, "So wha'd ya bring us?"

A sigh sent Race digging in his pockets. "Heah ya go, ya bums." He joked, handing each of the boys one of my grandmothers biscuits.

I dropped my mouth open in mock awe, "Racetrack! How dare you steal from Granny!" An eye roll was all I got in reply.

The curls turned to me, "Who are you?" he inquired, not impolite.

"Mem." I said shortly. I stuck out my hand for a shake, but the boy was too busy eating to notice. Feeling slightly foolish, I lowered my hand. "What's your name?"

"I guess you can call me Mush. Since dey all do." The curls replied, gesturing to his friends and grinning.

"What about you two?" I went on.

The boys next to Mush glanced up from their biscuits, then at each other. The boy closest to me swallowed quickly, "I'se Jack Kelly." He tossed his sandy blond hair to the side dramatically.

The last boy scratched his dark hair absent-mindedly, waiting for Jack to finish his introductions. I turned his way, and he began, "My name's Skittery. Nice ta meet ya." I nodded, echoing the sentiment.

Mush waggled his thumb my way, looking at Race, "Is she a newbie?"

"Nah," Race replied, "Dis is da goil wit da grandma."

"Ahhh," the three said in unison. I chuckled softly.

Racetrack crossed to the boys and punched Skittery on the shoulder softly. "Dese guys are my best friends in da entire woild."

Mush placed his hand on Racetracks head, "Dat's right, Mem. Best friends fer life."

Skittery stuck his hands in the pockets of his brown trousers, rocking gently on to the balls of his feet. After a moment of awkward silence, he looked back at their abandoned games. He turned back, "Jacks, anyone?"