1890

He ran through the dark streets as fast as he could. He could hear something pounding, but couldn't figure out if it was his heart or the footsteps of the man chasing him. He was gasping for breath and his legs felt like they were going to give out. He had to keep running. He just couldn't get caught and be taken back to that place. The boy turned into a dark alley and noticed a low window was open in one of the buildings. He climbed through the window and fell to the floor, landing with a loud thud.

A small figure sat up in the bed across the room. "Who's there?"

The clouds that had been covering the full moon as he ran suddenly disappeared, allowing some light into the room. A wiry girl, not much older than himself stood in front of him, wearing a faded, men's button-up shirt.

"Why are you in my room?" she demanded.

"I...I...I'm trying to hide..." he stuttered. "Don't call your folks..."

"I don't have any folks," she said, almost proudly. "I'm an orphan."

"Why aren't you in that orphan place?"

"Cause I live with Cap and the newsies..."

"Oh..."

"Who you hiding from?" she asked, walking over to the window.

"Sn...Sn...Snyder..." he stuttered.

She slammed the window shut and turned suddenly. "SNYDER!"

He nodded, "I escaped from the Refuge."

"You can hide here...but you have to be a newsie to stay here. What's your name?"

"Frankie..."

She snickered.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"My name is Kelly. Rae Kelly," she said proudly.

"That's lots better than Frankie..."

"What do you want your name to be?"

He was silent for a moment. "Jack."

She nodded. "You need a last name."

He scratched his head.

"Why don't you just use my last name..." she suggested.

"Jack Kelly..." he said, testing the name. "It's lots better than Frankie."

Jack went with Spot and Rae the next day to sell papes. "Dibs was teaching me to pick pockets last night..." Spot said arrogantly.

"He taught me that a long time ago..." Rae retorted.

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

"Prove it!"

"I will," she snapped, handing her papers to Jack. She walked in front of the two boys and bumped into a man. No one saw her stick her tiny hand into his pocket and pull it out again. She was about two feet away from him when he yelled at her. "RUN!" she yelled as she raced down the street. The two boys followed her through the city until she finally ducked through a door.

"Who was that?" Spot asked.

"Snyder," she answered, sitting on a short set of stairs.

Jack paled.

"Who is back here?" a voice asked.

Rae turned. "You're not gonna kick me out are you Medda?"

"Kelly-girl...What have you been?" the red-head asked, giving the girl a hug.

"The usual places, Medda."

"Who are your friends, sweetie?"

"This is Spot Conlon and Jack Kelly. He's borrowing my last name."

"It's very nice to meet you both."

"Medda, can we stay here til Snyder goes away?"

"Sure," Medda said with a smile. "Go to the kitchen and have Gracie fix you something to eat."

Cap walked into the lodging house with a sigh. "JACK!"

Jack crept slowly down the stairs. "What is it, Cap?"

"I saw you take that cowboy hat from the store."

"I didn't..." Jack trailed off when Cap gave him a look.

"Why Jack?"

Jack looked down. "I don't know..."

"You had to have a reason Jack!"

"I liked it..."

"So you stole it?"

Jack nodded.

"You know that with Kloppy gone to his brother's, I'm in charge, right?"

The boy nodded again.

"I can take you back to Snyder for stealing.

Jack sniffled and nodded once more.

Cap sighed. "I paid for that cowboy hat. You can do some chores around here to pay me back."

"Really?" Jack asked, looking up.

"Really, cowboy."