AN: This takes place after the rumble. It is the last time Baby John and A-Rab see each other before they meet up in Act two Scene two
It had all turned horribly wrong. Absolutely, horribly wrong. A-Rab was fighting some of the Sharks when he heard the sirens. He couldn't worry about Riff and Tony right now. He shot a look at Baby John. He was just a kid. A-Rab had to get him out of there. He ran for him, pulling him along. He didn't know where the other Jets or Sharks went. All he knew was he was running as fast as his clumsy legs would carry him. He could still hear the sirens though, clear as day. He had to run faster. He couldn't get caught and neither could Baby John.
"A-Rab!" Baby John yelled. A-Rab turned around and saw the boy had stopped a few feet behind.
"We have to get out of here. Come on!" A-Rab ran back to him and tried to tug him along.
"I can't, I can't." Baby John panted.
"You haf'ta." A-Rab looked over his head to see if anyone was following them.
"I can't run anymore." Baby John shook his head.
"Hurry up and catch your breath, we've gotta move." A-Rab panted as well.
"No. I can't. I just," Baby John ran his hand through his dark hair. He felt tears welling in his eyes. "Riff is- a-and Bernardo-" He blubbered. He could hear the sirens getting closer. "What's going to happen to us?" Baby John asked. A-Rab looked over the younger boy's head again, making a quick decision.
"You get the hell out of here. I'll go throw off the cops." He said strongly, walking around Baby John.
"No! They'll catch you." Baby John whipped around.
"Maybe. But better me than you." A-Rab stopped and looked down the empty street.
"But, A-Rab-"
"Just scram, Baby John. I'll be ok." A-Rab stood tall and proud, as taught to him by their fearless but now deceased leader. Baby John looked up at his friend, his bottom lip trembling. He lunged forward and threw his arms around the older boy.
"Don't go." He cried. A-Rab took a step back, nodded to the boy, then took off running down the street. He didn't care if he got caught, but he promised to protect Baby John and that was exactly what he was doing.
