"Where's Jack?" Race whined from where he lay on his small bed.

"If you have any idea then let us know you doofus." I muttered.

"Not my fault he ran away!"

I rolled my eyes and continued rubbing dirt off the side of my boot.

"Well what do we do while we's wait?" Romeo asked.

"I don't know." We turned to see Davey standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a concerned expression.

It was very un-Davey-like for him not to know.

"Can't we at least try to break Crutchie out of the Refuge?" I asked.

"And risk ou' asses bein' caught?!" Race said.

"Shut up, I wasn't asking you." I retorted at him, "It's worth a shot ain't it?" I asked, turning back to Davey.

He ran a hand through his hair as he thought, "Worth a shot alright. . ." He mumbled, "Fine. Let's see what we can do. We can at least go there and make a plan."

I nodded, standing up and walking over to the door.

"I want to help!" Les jumped up.

"No." Davey and I said at the same time.

Les sat back down and crossed his arms in annoyance.

"Well if you guys are going, I might as well come help." Specs shrugged, walking over to us and fixing his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"I'll help too." Smalls said, coming over to us.

"So it's settled." I said, "The four of us will go to the Refuge and see if we can bail out Crutchie."

"Are you sure you even wanna go?" Davey asked, "Because with what happened when you were-"

"I'm fine Davey." I said quickly, "Let's get a move on."

.

The four of us walked down the street, the moon the only thing illuminating our path we walked on. Everyone knew where the Refuge was. It's not like it was hard to find. The building is run down and falling apart and looked like a personal hell hole.

"Do we's even have a plan?" Specs asked.

"I was hoping we could figure one out when we got there."

A few people passed by in the streets, going home to their families to sleep in their warm beds. I always wondered what that'd be like.

"There it is." Smalls whispered, pointing to the building up ahead.

I took a deep breath as we walked forward, inching closer to the Refuge.

"Someone give me a boost to the window." I said.

"How do we knows what side he'd be on?" Asked Specs.

"Trust me," I sighed, "I know."

We walked around to the side of the building and the boys put their hands together as a foothold for me.  They boosted me up and I grabbed onto the window ledge for support.  I gasped at the sight of the boys.  Some were not older than 5 years old.  Memories came flooding back and I shook my head clear of them.  I tapped on the window lightly and a few boys looked up.  I motioned to Crutchie and one of them tapped his shoulder and pointed to me.  Crutchie's face lit up like it was Christmas and my heart broke at how he could be so positive even in these conditions.  He gave a halfhearted wave and I waved back, feeling tears well in my eyes.  He gave a folded up piece of paper to a younger boy and motioned over to me.  The young boy walked over and unlatched the small window.

"He's said ta' give this ta' yous.  It's fo' Jack." I nodded and took the letter.

I swallowed back to keep the tears from my eyes.  He was so young- just a kid.  It was like seeing more of my brothers there.

"Hey!" My eyes shot up to see Snyder standing in the doorway.  He'd clearly seen me.

"Go!" The young boy yelled as Snyder turned on his heel to run outside after us.

The boys dropped me on my feet and we took off into a sprint down the now empty sidewalk.  I held onto the letter tightly as I ran.  Smalls muttered cuss words under her breath.

"Get back here!" Snyder yelled, not far away from us.

If Jack were here, he'd almost find this exhilarating.  The chase.  The adrenaline that pumps through your veins as you run for your life.

I felt the collar of my shirt yanked back, nearly choking me, before I was thrown down hard on the concrete.  I looked back up to see Snyder staring back at me, his bloodshot eyes clearly showing he'd had a heavy load of cheap alcohol in his system.  I began to crawl back, as I see him crack his knuckles; clearly ready to deck the living lights out of me.  I quickly stand up and attempt to run but he's grabbed my shoulder and slammed me up against the wall holding me in a choking position.  My head throbbed as it made contact with the wall.

"Oh how the Refuge has missed you." He sneered, pulling his fist back.

I squeezed my eyes shut, crinkling the letter in my hand.

"Put her down!"

I was suddenly dropped to the ground as Davey, Specs and Smalls all tackled him to the ground.

I took in a gasp of air, feeling it fill my lungs with the oxygen I lacked.  My hands shook as my vision came back into focus and I saw Davey kneeling in front of me, saying my name repeatedly.

"I-I'm fine. . ." I mumbled, getting to my feet.

I looked over to see Smalls had clearly knocked Snyder out with a hard punch as he laid there motionless on the ground.

"Back to the Lodging House." Specs said, "Now. Before he wakes up."

We nodded and Davey took my hand as we all took back off in a run for the Lodging House.

.

I sat on my bed rereading the letter over and over.  I knew the letter was for Jack and that I probably shouldn't snoop around- but curiosity got the best of me.  I looked up hearing a knock on the doorframe.  Davey stood there.

I smiled gently and he returned it with one that didn't quite meet his eyes.  He walked over and sat on the bed next to me.  We were silent for a few minutes until he spoke up.

"I thought we were gonna loose you." He said softly, trying not to wake everyone else in the room.

I looked over at him to see he was staring down.

"I thought- I was gonna loose you." He said softly.

I watched as he wiped his hand across his cheek, clearing away an unseen tear.  I gently took his face in my hands and rubbed my thumb across his cheek.

"But you didn't." I said, "I'm right here and I'm okay."

Davey took a shuddering breath before pulling me close and hugging me tightly, "Don't ever do something stupid like that again.  Please." He said softly in my ear.

"In my defense," I pulled away to look at him with a small and playful smile, "You went along with my stupid plan."

"Well don't let me do that again." He whispered before kissing me.

I practically could have melted right there with his lips against mine in the dark as everyone else slept.

"I have a question." I asked quietly, pulling away.

"Ask away."

"Well, it was a really crazy night- and honestly I'm trying to be brave for everyone but I'm scared out of my mind now and can't stop thinking of what could have happened if you guys weren't there." I took a second to calm my now shakey breathing, "I was just wondering ifyouwouldsleepwithme." I said the last bit extra fast- half hoping he wouldn't hear and I could think of some other stupid thing to say.

I felt Davey's eyes on me and my breath had hitched in my throat as I waited for an answer.

"Okay." He said.

I felt my heart flutter in my chest and I scooted to make some kind of room for him to lie down next to me.

"Is Les asleep?" I asked as he lied down.

"Like a rock." Davey replied.

"That's good."

I wasn't sure where I was supposed to lay exactly. Do I face away? Do I let myself nearly fall off the bed like I am now?

I felt Davey wrap an arm around me and pull me to him so I laid against his chest.

To say I was surprised was an understatement considering Davey was never so bold; but I was more than happy to go along with whatever this was.

"I'm really glad I met you Kylie." Davey said.

I smiled, "I'm glad I met you too Davey."

"Would yous two shaddup?!" I heard Race whisper-yell from the bunk next to mine, "I'm tryin' ta sleep here!"

"Goodnight Race." I said, rolling my eyes, "Killjoy."

I heard Davey snicker.

"Goodnight Davey." I said, "I love you." I quickly added.

Davey was silent for a minute, "I love you too." He finally said softly.

I laid there in the dark, listening as Davey's breathing steadied out.

I wondered where Jack was. If this strike was going to continue. What it would be like for Davey and I after the strike. Davey.

I closed my eyes, sighing softly. All that mattered was right now.

.

Look. Who. Updated! *dances around* Sorry I have barely had any inspiration for continuing so thanks guys for the help!! Also this ended up being so much longer than I intended😂😂 Well I need sleep now, so goodnight! Or good morning- whenever you're reading this.