Seize the Day
By BekahNicole
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own anything associated with the Newsies franchise and/or Broadway. Disney owns that, and I in no way shape or form am trying to infringe on that. This is merely for fun. Of course, I do own some OC's in this which if you know the franchise, can quickly pick them out. I do appreciate feedback but not hateful criticism. With that being said, I encourage that you review my work with positive and helpful suggestions. Thank you, enjoy.
Chapter 12: Turn of Events
The middle of the week the war was supposedly going to happen came all too quickly. Every newsie in Manhattan and Brooklyn were on edge and getting antsy with anticipation. Brooklyn especially seemed to be getting riled up. Figures they would be excited about fighting and beating the snot out of other boys. I mean I is Brooklyn…led by the Spot Conlon. And the weather didn't help much either. The cold breezes turned into ice and started to freeze the outdoors. Rivers were starting to develop ice patches on the backs and every person outside had full winter apparel on.
However, to me I was dreading the whole conflict. I, by nature, like to avoid conflict as much as possible. That being said…I'm a girl. One of two girls. And the other girl is too young to fight. Though, every single older newsboy has told me a million times over, "Ya ain't fightin. Ya gonna watch da youngah kids in da lodge house." I have absolutely NO objections to that. I'm not scared, I just learned that I'm a horrible fighter. Jack and Racetrack's lessons have done little to no good for me. And all of us have accepted that fact and have given up the thought as a lost cause.
However, I'm still on edge just like every other newsie. I fear for them. Every newsie has become like a brother to me. I have grown to care for each and every one of them. The idea of them going out to pummel other boys worries me. I don't wish for any of them to get hurt. But I know it's not really my place to tell them what they can and can't do, I am relatively new to the newsie's world and politics.
Needless to say, not only Gabe noticed my odd behavior these past few days leading up to the ensuing war. Racetrack and Jack both saw how I was growing more and more nervous as the week progressed. That day, however, about halfway through our selling, Racetrack came up to me with a cheeky grin on his face. "So Rose, I was thinkin…how bout you an me head ovah ta Sheepshead Bay to watch the last race of da season? Ya know…ta get our minds offa da fight an all…" I finished selling a paper to an older woman before turning my attention to the shuffling boy in front of me. I chuckled to myself. Why was he so nervous asking me to hang out somewhere? It's not like we don't hang out already…and we practically spend our entire days together selling.
I gave him my best smile before replying sweetly, "Shoah Race. I'd love ta go with ya. I'se nevah has been ta da races bafoah." My answer lit up his face. I mean he was practically beaming. His reaction was almost as funny as the way he asked me. When I thought about it, the first word that came to my mind was 'cute'. That's strange…I've never really thought of Racetrack as "cute". I pushed the thought away when he started talking. "Great, we can go as soon as we are done sellin our papes. We can get somethin ta eat at da tracks." I nodded my agreement and he beamed at me before walking back to his spot a few feet away from me.
I went about my usual pace selling my papers, not seeing the use in rushing. I mean the tracks aren't gonna move anywhere. However, Racetrack approached me abnormally earlier than usual, finished with selling all of his papers. I gawked at him with surprise and pouted at how he strutted over to me.
"Rose, ya goin a lil' slow taday huh? Need some help dere?" He gloated giving me his infamous Racetrack smirk I've become all too accustomed to. I teasingly glared at him and huffed as I turned my back to him continuing to sell my papers. I only had about 15 left. I could easily sell those myself without taking too long. Turning my back to him was a bad idea though. He smoothly reached under my arm where I had stuffed my papers and pulled half of them from me. I whirled around and started to refuse but he was already gone back to his spot. "UGH!" I made sure he knew my aggravation.
This newsie ceases to amaze me. One moment he's sweet and asking me to go to his favorite hangout, even going as far as being "cute". Then the next he's back to getting on my final nerve! I shook my head as I continued to sell my 7 remaining papers annoyed. 10 minutes, I was out of papers to sell and turned to where Racetrack was leaning against the park's gate slouched slightly forward and his cap pulled over his eyes. The bum, sleeping as if I take forever. I decided to make the most of this opportunity. I quietly walked up to him and swiftly pulled the cigar that was hanging out of the side of his mouth lazily taking off as fast as I could towards Tibby's.
That did the trick. Before long I heard him yelling at me closing in on me. "Rose ya bettah give me cigah back!" I couldn't help but laugh as I ran. I made it to the diner and burst through the doors to find Jack, David, and Blink sitting at their usual table. I bolted over to them using them as human shields. Racetrack bolted through the door just as I got to the table. He glared daggers at me as I couldn't stop laughing at how much taking his cigar bothered him.
My human shields were laughing along with me which only made Racetrack all the more annoyed. "Rose is ya know what's good fer ya! Gimme back me cigah!" He tried to reach across the table but missed me as I leaned back to escape his attempt. Racetrack stared at something behind me but I was too late to notice what he was staring at before I felt strong arms wrap around mine and locking me in place.
I struggled to get free as Racetrack hurriedly made his way around the table. He stood in front of me arms crossed and an amused smirk across his face. "I'll take dat!" he said as he yanked the cigar out of my mouth and placed it back into his. With my arms still locked by whoever was holding me, Racetrack looked around for something. I looked at him quizzically trying to figure out what he wanted.
I watched with wide eyes as he found what he wanted. He turned to Blink's plate of food and scraped some of the mayonnaise off the side of his finished plate. He turned back to face me with a mischievous grin across his face. "Don't ya dare Racetrack Higgins!" I tried but was met with him wiping the mayo across the side of my cheek. I gaped at him with angry eyes. Whoever was holding me let go immediately. I smacked Racetracks hat down over his eyes and grabbed a napkin on the table to wipe the condiment off my face.
I turned around to face the strong arms who held me belonged to Mush. "Ya gonna pay fer yer betrayal Mush jus ya wait." I pouted. He merely shrugged his shoulders and walked to an open seat and sat down tauntingly smiling at me. Racetrack looked pleased with himself as he smirked across from me. Jack spoke up, "So, what prompted dis?" He grinned at the both of us.
"She stole me cigah…had ta teach her a lesson." I rolled my eyes before thinking of a sarcastic comeback. "An what lesson would dat be? Steal yer cigah, get a face a mayo? Ya I'll nevah do dat evah again…ya taught me good Race." Race stuck his tongue out at my smartness. Jack and the rest of the boys at the table just chuckled at our antics.
"So Jack, me an Rose are goin ta da races ta catch da last one bafoah dey close till next year." Racetrack said, now seemingly forgetting the previous events. Jack thought for a moment before answering. "Awright, but you two bettah be careful. I know it's in Brooklyn but Shadow's gang can be anywheah. Watch ya backs." Racetrack and I nodded our consent. I waved at the boys before following Racetrack out the door.
The walk to the tracks was fast with little talking along the way. I could tell Racetrack was excited. The poor guy hadn't been to his favorite place since I was attacked by Shadow and his gang. I think he was afraid to, even when we were fighting. I was glad thought hat he was getting to go now, and with me.
We walked up to the tracks. There was a huge crowd already around the track and everyone of them were shouting and yelling for their horse to win. Racetrack's whole demeanor seemed to light up as we entered and saw the race going on. He held my hand as he led me into a crowd that was now going in through the entrance. We snuck past the "security" and made our way to find a place to watch. He was still holding my hand as we got comfortable. I'm not gonna lie I was excited. I'd never been here before and the whole idea of a horse race was new to me.
I blushed as I realized Racetrack hadn't let go of my hand. I think he realized it too and abruptly let it go. For some reason I felt a little upset at this. Again...why? I glanced at Racetrack and couldn't help but smile. He seemed so happy as he started yelling for a horse. His hands were waving above him as he was engulfed in the crowd of noise. The huge grin upon his face was enough to make me happy I came with him. I doubt he would've come if I had said no.
He leaned over to me and tried to yell so I could hear, "Wanna go make a bet?" I looked at him appalled that he thought I knew anything about betting. But seeing his excitement, I relented and allowed him to guide me to a line of people. We waited in line and he showed me the list of horse names and some of their stats. I seriously had no clue what any of it meant so I referred to the "eanie meanie" method. It ended up being some horse named "Chief Royale". I also took into account that I thought he had an appealing name.
With our bet made Racetrack escorted me back to where we were at earlier to watch the race. The horses lined up and before I knew it they were off. At first our horse was in the second position. He held it for the first half of the race then slowly began to fade into the back. Even though our horse was loosing steam both of us still cheered our hearts out till the end of the race. Our horse managed to get 5th place.
Racetrack smirked as the race finished and the crowds started to go home. "Well, now I know I'se gotta teach ya how ta choose a horse. Dat was horrible!" He teased as he pushed me slightly. I gave him a playful glare as he led me out of the racetrack grounds. I won't lie. That was some of the most fun I'd had in a long time. And it was even better since I got to spend it with my best friend.
It was getting dark out now and the sun was almost gone as we walked back to the lodge. Racetrack was talking a mile a minute. I let him have his fun since it was his most favorite thing. I smiled to myself at how he really seemed to enjoy his life. Even though he was considered a street rat, poor, and orphaned he still found reasons to enjoy himself. I really admired that about him. My smile faded as I decided to ask him something risky.
"Hey Race...how'd ya become a newsie? What prompted ya to join the Manhattan boys?" His features immediately stiffened at my question. He looked ahead of us thoughtfully, probably trying to figure out if he wanted to trust me with this information. Just when I thought he wasn't going to tell me anything, he began talking.
"Me faddah died in at his work in da factory when I was really small. Me muddah wasn't da same aftah. She got sick when I was 7 and she Nevah got bettah. We didn't have da money ta get a doctah so she died shortly aftah. Dats when I met Jack. He had already been a newsie fer a while and saw me one day on da streets. He asked me ta be a newsie with him and evah since dats what I'se done. Dats why me an Jacky Boy is so close. An probably why I'm his second, he trusts me with his life and I trust him da same."
I listened intently as he told me his back story. It struck me that I'm not the only one with a hard childhood. Heck, most of the other newsies probably have had it worse than Racetrack or me. I inched closer to Racetrack while we continued to walk back home. We were coming up on the Brooklyn Bridge that would take us into Manhattan.
Racetrack turned to me and asked, "What about you? If ya don't mind me askin dat is." I looked at him stunned for a second before staring ahead just as he did. Before I could think about what I was doing I was talking. "Me faddah left me muddah, Gabe, Nick, an I near 3 years ago. Right aftah dat me bruddah Nick left us. Me faddah had an excuse and said he was goin out west to look fer a bettah job. We nevah hoyd of him since. Nick just left us without a goodbye. It hoyt me da most cus him and I was da closest. Me muddah caught somethin too. She said it was called pneumonia. She died right befoah we ran inta you." I said, feeling the sting of the words as tears threatened to fall.
Racetrack put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. I glanced at him through cloudy eyes and gave a half smile. We finally reached the bridge and started our trek across. We walked along the bridge, casually making our way back to the lodging house. We were making small talk, trying to act like we hadn't just spilled our life stories to each other. It was somewhat awkward nonetheless.
"So, ya okay?" asked Racetrack looking at me with unsure eyes. I glanced back at him thinking about my answer before I said, "Ya, actually I feel relieved ta finally tell someone. But I'se glad it was you who I told." The seemed to lighten the mood between us. I looked to my feet and started to think to myself. I've grown so close to Racetrack. It's almost crazy to think we hated each others guts when we first met. Nobody, besides Gabe, knows how I think, act, and feel. He literally knows everything about me now. This was relieving to me.
I enjoyed the sound of the night and being with him. The quietness was pleasant other than the audible sound of Racetrack going on about something or other. Man that boy has a mouth. What gets me is I think he knows it too. I pulled my coat tighter around my small body as I felt a small chill. Racetrack noticed and gave me a small hug. He was so warm. I welcomed the extra warmth gladly.
Strangely, I felt something soft and cold hit my cheek. I look up into the sky and see small white flakes falling from the black night sky. My face changed into a broad smile once I realized what it was. Snow. I giggled a little and turned my gaze to my best friend. He was smiling back at me. We chuckled together and shared this moment as the winter's first snow began to fall.
However, I heard a noise behind us. I turned around, not taking the care to be discreet about it to see who or what was behind us. I stopped dead in my tracks. My face and body were frozen in fear. Racetrack, noticing my sudden strange behavior, turned around to see what had turned my mood. He looked coldly at the 3 boys following us, with evil smirks on their faces. Without taking his eyes off of the boys, he asked, "Dose da guys who hoyt ya a while back?"
I nodded recognizing two of them. He put a gentle hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. This removed me from my trance and I realized what was going on. They're mad because Racetrack had punched Shadow, his threat replaying in my mind. They're out for Racetrack. Said newsie now started to walk with purpose towards the boys standing there. I reached out for his hand, "No! Don't do it Race! They'se want a fight. Yer jus given them what dey want! Dey'll hoyt ya!"
I tried to talk some sense into his enraged mind. He turned around and looked me straight in the eyes, "Listen Rose, go an get da boys. I don't want ya's anywheah neah heah. Got it? Now go, an hurry doll." With that he turned back around and started back towards the boys standing at the base of the bridge, ready for a fight. At first I started to do what Racetrack had told me, but after a few weary steps, my gut was telling me to stay. I just knew something bad was gonna happen.
Next thing I know, all four boys are fighting. Racetrack held his own at first. He got a right hook in on the first guy and sent him backwards. He blocked a few strikes from another guy before kicking him in the stomach. But the third guy managed to punch Racetrack square in the face. He stumbled back a little, but before he regained his feet, the other two guys were on him. It was bad.
The fight had moved on from the original place and they were now working their way off of the bridge. Eventually the boys made their way to the docks that were just underneath the bridge. I saw it before it even happened. One of the guys had Racetrack back the arms as the other two were having their way punching and slugging away at his smaller frame. The guy holding Racetrack let him go and let him stumble forward. He stood there wobbly on his feet before one of the other two guys full out kicked Racetrack in the stomach sending over the side of the dock into the icy cold waters.
The boys obviously didn't intend to knock him over the side of the dock and quickly fled the scene. They started to run for it, knowing it was nearly impossible to fish him out because of the hard current the river had. And with the added freezing temperatures, the chances of Racetrack surviving were slim. They didn't want a murder on their hands.
Finally my senses returned to me and I let out a blood curdling scream as I ran down to the backs of the river trying to follow Racetrack as best I could. I watched him as he bobbed up and down in the frigid waters, being carried by the current. I knew it was difficult for him to stay above the water, the current was what was pulling him under. I desperately searched for someone or something that could help.
Tears were welling in my eyes as I realized there was nothing I could do. "RACETRACK!" I tried to see if he could find me and possibly try to swim towards me. He heard me, but in vain tried to make his way to me. I almost started to accept his fate but then I heard a splash in front of me. Still running to stay with the Racetrack, I looked into the water and saw I figure swimming towards the drowning newsie who was now nowhere to be seen. My heart dropped as I realized he was no longer coming up for air. The figure dove into the water where Racetrack had once been. It felt like eternity waiting for them to reemerge.
I searched for any sign of them in the water. Suddenly, I heard a gasp of air a little farther down the river a few feet. It was the figure and he had Racetrack firmly in his grip above the water. He was making his way towards another set of docks only a few feet away from them. I let out a huge breathe, not realizing I was holding it. However, they weren't out of danger yet. It only took the figure another 2 minutes to get to the docks and hoist the unconscious Racetrack onto the wood. I ran as fast as I could to them to help. The figure, who was a boy much bigger than Racetrack, immediately checked to see if Racetrack was still breathing.
My heart again dropped into my stomach when I saw the boy quickly start pounding my best friend's chest. Every now and then the boy would blow air into his mouth. It felt like hours before the unconscious boy harshly spluttered up murky river water and took a deep breath of air. Even though he was alive, he had turned a deathly shade of blue and was shivering uncontrollably. Now I looked at the boy who rescued Racetrack in the eyes and gasped when I looked into familiar hazel eyes. It was Nick...my brother.
He was shivering as well but no where near as bad as Racetrack. He picked the sickly newsie up and hoisted him over his shoulder with ease. Out of breathe he hurriedly blurted, "Run ahead...of us...and get your... boys...QUICKLY!" I nodded fervently and ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the lodging house. From where we started I was a good 2o minutes away from the house. Nonetheless I never once stopped or slowed down, running on pure adrenaline. I was too hyped up on the adrenaline to even worry about myself.
I burst through the doors to the lodge and got numerous startled looks of a room full of newsies. "Rose? What's a mattah? Where's Race?" asked Blink seeing the state I was in. Through tired gasps I managed to get out, "Help...Race...fell...river...saved...need help...HURRY!" At that, about five newsies ran with me in the direction I had left the two soaked boys. I managed to tell them it was the Brooklyn Bridge and 3 of the boys ran ahead. I was told by Jack to head back to the lodge and take care of myself. At first I argued, but feeling the adrenaline leaving my body, I complied. The remaining two boys escorted me back to the lodge.
Boots and Specs walked me into the bunkroom and got me some water. They guided me downstairs to wait with the rest of the newsboys. About 10 minutes later, the group of boys hurried through the door with Racetrack looking worse than he did when I left him. He was profusely shivering, turning paler by the second. My brother didn't look too good either but he was still walking which was a good sign. Jack, Blink, and Skittery carried Racetrack up the stairs to the bunk room and kicked everyone downstairs. I heard Skittery call to me from the top of the stairs, "Rose, tell Kloppman ta find a doc. Tell em it's an emoygency!" I nodded and ran to the old man's office. I relayed the message and he was gone quicker than I could think.
He returned 10 minutes later with a doctor and ushered him upstairs to the bunk to take care of the two sick boys. I sat by the fireplace downstairs with the rest of the boys. I knew they were itching to know what happened but I just stared blankly into the fire. Eventually the doctor came downstairs and talked to Kloppman before he left. Kloppman went back up the stairs to check on things before he escorted Jack, Blink, and Skittery to the room of worried newsies.
All four stopped at the bottom steps to face the rest of us. Jack finally spoke, "It's bad fellas. Race is in bad shape. He's got somethin the doc called pneumonia which is a terrible illness apparently. Da udder guy is gonna have a bad cold but udder wise gonna be okay. Rose I need ta tawk ta ya." I slowly got up from where I was sitting. Jack walked me to the other side of the room where we stood in silence for a moment before Jack asked, "Rose, what happened?" I stared blankly into his eyes before I answered, "We was bein followed by Shadow's guys. Race an dem started ta fight an it ended with him in da river." At that moment, I let all of my held up emotions go and the tears now freely fell down my face.
Jack's face was stone cold as he understood what I had told him. Before leaving me, he added, "Rose, dis ain't ya fault. Dose guys had it out fer you an Race. Don't youse worry dough. We are gonna get em' An we ain't gonna stop till dis Shadow business is trew." He started to walk away to give me a moment to myself but stopped and quietly said, "Ya should go an see him." and then he walked away to tell the rest of the boys the story. Part of me didn't want to see Racetrack. I'm afraid of what I'll see. I don't think I could stand it if I lost another loved one to pneumonia.
I heard another pair of footsteps coming down the stairs. It was Nick. He looked miserable and cold but nonetheless okay. He was given some dry clothes and a warm blanket to wrap around himself and he made his way to sit down by the fire. We shared a look and he jerked his head towards the stairs. I looked back at the menacing steps and slowly made my way to the second floor. I peeked into the bunkroom and saw a lone figure laying in Racetrack's bed. I walked over to the bedside and once again let my tears flow.
My heart broke at the sight of him. He had his eyes welded shut and was shivering still. But at the same time he was sweating so much and was flushed all across his face. At least some color had returned. He was wrapped in about 5 blankets and had dry clothes on. I pulled up a chair beside his bed. I leaned over onto the side of his bed and burrowed my face into the sheets. I wrapped one of my hands over his and wept. I stayed like that until I eventually fell asleep.
That was the worst night of my life.