Warnings: Soaking, abuse, fear
This is a long chapter, and I'm sorry, but I can't post anything else today. I'm sorry, and I hope you understand.
Third Person POV

Thinking about what could've happened if Race and his siblings didn't become Newsies was making Jack's head spin.

He hated that idea.

He loved Race like a brother, all of the boys did.

Well, except Spot, cause you know, they're dating.

It made a flood of memories come rushing back to Jack.

Flashback 1 -

Jack and Sparks walked past an alleyway, as they walked back to the Manhattan Lodging House.

Then, Jack heard whimpers and sobs coming from inside the alley.

Being a street-kid, he knew what it was like to be living on the streets (duh) and knew that it was probably a kid.

Without saying anything to Sparks, Jack walked into the alleyway.

Sparks, who was a bit confused, followed the younger boy into the alleyway.

Jack moves a crate out of the way, revealing a beaten up, bloody boy.

The boy had curly blonde hair, though blood soaked it, bright blue eyes, lots of freckles, and pale skin. His clothes were ripped and he was covered in cuts, burns, and bruises.

The boy's frightened blue eyes stared into Jack's eyes.

Spark, who's eyes were wide, bent down to the boy's level. "Hey, hey, my name is Sparks. I'm the leader of the Manhattan Newsies. What's your name?"

And that's how they met "Antonio Higgins".

Flashback 2 -

Antonio walks into the Manhattan Lodge after a long day of selling.

There, he found multiple boys, including Jack, Sparks, Sparrow, Albert, Mush, and Specs, waiting for him.

They all looked up at him when the door opened, and relief crossed their faces. "You're okay!"

"Yeah?" Antonio whispers. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Sparks sighs, running his hands through his hair. "We just thought that you had gotten hurt since you were late."

"I'm okay" Antonio whispers, looking at the floor.

Sparrow, Sparks' second, puts his hands on Antonio's shoulders. "It's okay, we're just worried about you. It's different having a littler kid sell on their own."

Antonio looked up at Sparrow. "I found a selling spot."

Sparrow smiles. "That's great, Antonio! Where is it?"

Antonio plays with his hands. "Brooklyn?"

Mush spits out his drink, and Albert and Specs share a look, eyes wide.

Sparrow's eyes widen. "Really? King and Spot let you sell in Brooklyn?"

Antonio's eyebrows furrowed. "Who?"

"King Fitzgerald and Spot Conlon." Sparrow answers, confused. Antonio apparently had no clue who they were. "They're the leaders of Brooklyn."

Antonio shrugs. "This boy came up to me, asked me what I was doing in Brooklyn. I explained, and he let me sell. I think he was watching me though."

Sparrow and Sparks share a wide-eyed look. "Where is Brooklyn is it?"

"Sheepshead Races. I used to always go their with my dad, I told the boy that, and he understood." Antonio smiles slightly. "I even bet. I won against this kid."

Sparks stares at him, getting more impressed by the second. "How much did you win?"

Antonio cheekily smiles, pulling out a dollar bill.

The boys in the room share wide-eyed looks.

"I have a Newsie name for him." Albert states. "Racetrack, and Race or Racer for short."

Sparks nods. "That's a good name. You like it, Antonio?"

Antonio nods, running to give Albert a hug.

Albert's breath catches in his throat, and he tenses up, before hugging back.

He smiles. My little brother.

Flashback 3 -

Race flops next to Albert. "I can't tell the twins apart."

Albert shrugs. "They pulled a switch today."

Race groans. "I'll never be able to tell them apart."

Albert smirks, as Race's cigar, from the pack that he stole, hangs from his mouth.

(The was Coronas)

Albert grabs the cigar, before running off with it.

"Albie!" Race groans, jumping up. "That's my cigar!"

"Go steal another!" Albert shouts back, grinning.

Race groans, running up the stairs after him.

Sparrow and Sparks share a knowing look, before both chuckling and going back to what they were doing.

Flashback 4 -

Albert, Blink, and Race stumble into the Lodge.

Blink, Albert, and Race had been trying to support each other, with Race in the middle, being the weakest and smallest one.

All of the boys in the lobby turn to them, their eyes widening when they see them.

Jack jumps up. "Boots! Go grab Sparrow and Sparks."

Boots nods, grabbing his hat and running out of the Lodge.

Jack, JoJo, and Specs rush over to the three boys.

Race looked like he was about to pass out, and Albert and Blink were not much better than he was.

"Guys, guys," Specs starts. "What happened?"

"The-" Albert coughs, cutting himself off, his cough sounding raspy and like it hurt, and it did. "D-Delancey brothers."

Jack and Specs share a look. Crap.

Jack immediately took the lead, turning to the other boys. "I need two of you to set up their bunks, and two others to grab bandages and stuff."

The boys in the room silently decide, before all running off.

Jack picks up Race, while Mush and Specs help each other pick up Blink.

Albert tried walking on his own, with help from Finch, before Finch just decided to pick the stubborn, and younger, boy up.

They brought the three boys upstairs, laying Albert down on his bunk, Blink down on his, and Race down on Jack's bunk, since they couldn't be able to help him if he was on his (top) bunk.

A few minutes later, Sparrow and Sparks came rushing in.

They first checked on Blink, who was the least hurt of the three of them, and they helped Specs finish treating his injuries.

Then, they helped Albert, who Finch was forcing to lay down, since Albert didn't want to lay down. He wanted to help.

Albert not much more injured than Blink, but not as bad as Race.

Then, they checked on Race, who refused to talk or let someone near him.

"Race," Sparrow whispers. "Race, we need to treat your injuries."

Race shook his head, whimpering as he tried to move further away from them.

"Antonio, listen to me." Sparks starts. "We aren't going to hurt you. Please, let us help you."

Race bit his lip, shaking his head again.

Sparks sighs. "What if Albert and Jack hold you?"

"Don't- w-want to- to see p-past-" Race starts coughing a lot.

Sparks and Sparrow share a look. Past what? Past... past...

Their eyes widen when they realize. "It's okay. We can have them leave for a few minutes, if you want."

Race nods.

Sparks guides Jack and Specs out of the room, and makes the other boys promise they won't look at Race.

Then, Sparks picks Race, laying him on his chest, and Sparrow starts treating his injuries. (Though not his past injuries. He never let them treat those ones.)

Flashback 5 -

"Race..." Jack starts, motioning for him to follow Jack up to the rooftop/Jack and Crutchie's penthouse.

Race throws his cards down, tipping his hat to the boys he was playing with, before following Jack upstairs.

Race walks up to the roof, finding Jack, Sparrow, and Sparks up there. "Yeah? Am I in trouble?"

Jack shakes his head. "No, not right now."

"Okay..." Race studies their faces. They looked sad... "What do you need?"

Jack sighs. "Race- uh- Sparrow and Sparks- they're- uh- leaving."

Race's eyes widen. "What?"

Race let it sink in a second, before his mouth fell open, his cigar falling out of it. "No- no, no, no! You can't! Why?"

Sparks smiles sadly at Race. "Because, Race, we're too old to be Newsies now. We need to move on."

Race feels tears build up in his eyes. "But, why?"

"Aww, Racer, buddy" Sparrow walks over to him, hugging him tight.

"You'll visit, right?" Race whispers, choking out a sob.

Sparrow nods. "We'll visit as often as you can, and Klopp will know where we are if you need us."

Race nods, pulling away.

He turns back to Jack. "You're our leader now, aren't you, Jacky?"

Jack nervous rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah-"

Race smiles. "That's great, Jack. You'll be a wonderful leader."

Sparks and Sparrow smile at them.

"Actually," Jack starts. "Would you be my Second, Race?"

Race's eyes widen, again. "What?! Me?!"

Jack laughs. "Yeah, you. Why wouldn't I want you as my Second?"

Race bites his lip. "I'm not sure, Jack. I'm not a good person to choose."

Jack wraps his arms around Race. "Look, Race, you may be the youngest and the craziest at times, but you'd be a perfect second. Your stubbornness could help when I'm doing something stupid, you have a good level of common sense, at least-most of the time, and you're caring, never mind smart."

Race laughs. "I love you, Jacky."

Jack smiles. "I love you, too, Racer."

"Joining the hug!" Sparrow and Sparks shout together, as they join the hug.

The four boys laugh.

Flashback 6 -

"We are unemployed, unemployed, we are unemployed!" JoJo and Race sing together, their arms around each other as they walk. "We need a new job for men, who look like boys."

"You know," Finch starts. "I like this song. It describes our current situation."

Albert groans. "I hate this song."

Race smacks him with his hat, as JoJo does the same. "You hate all of our songs."

Albert smacks them back. "Not all of them, you butts."

"Albert! Quit calling people 'butts'! You're setting a bad example for Les!" Davey shouts from the front of the group.

Albert rolls his eyes, as the other boys start laughing.

"Come on, Al." Race mocks Davey. "You're setting a bad example for Les."

Albert rolls his eyes, again. "We wouldn't want that."

The boys all laugh.

Flashback 7 -

"You don't need money when you're famous." Race states, throwing Henry a 'duh' look, as he grabs the paper. "They gives ya whatever ya want! Gratis!"

Henry was still not convinced. "Such as?"

Race grins. "A pair of new shoes with matching laces."

Romeo spins, taking the paper form Race. "A permanent box at the Sheepshead Races."

Race elbows him, laughing.

Romeo does it back, also laughing.

Henry grabs the paper. "A pastrami on rye with a sour pickle!"

Finch grabs the paper. "My personal puss on a wooden nickel!"

Race: Look at me! I'm the king of New York!

Race starts tapping.

He hears multiple cheers, groans, and someone say, 'oh no'.

Race laughs. "Suddenly! I'm respectable, staring right atcha', lousy with stacha'!"

Albert takes the paper from Race, winking at him. "Nobbling with all the mockery mucks, I'm blowing my dough and going deluxe!"

Race takes the paper again, winking at Albert, who rolls his eyes. "And there I be! Ain't I pretty?!"

Race, Albert, Romeo: It's my city, I'm the King of New York!

JoJo: A solid gold watch with a chain to twirl it.

Albert and JoJo sit on a table together, watching Race and the others.

Albert laughs. "I like this song."

JoJo shoves him, laughing. "Of course you do."

Race grabs their hands, pulling them back into the song as they laugh.

Flashback 8 -

Albert throws down his cards. "I'm out."

Race smirks. "I'll bet on this one. A quarter and a penny."

Race throws the money into the middle of the table.

"Dang, you must have a good hand if you're putting a quarter in." Buttons comments, throwing in a nickel. "I can't say the same about the penny."

The boys in the group laugh, as Race shrugs. "I just felt like throwing the penny in."

A few minutes later, Race had won, again.

Race takes the money. "Thank you, thank you."

Finch groans. "I hate playing with you."

Race shrugs. "We could play something other than Poker."

Finch shakes his head, as Romeo deals the cards. "Nah, I want to keep playing because I want to beat you. If I keep playing, I might get better and win."

The boys laugh again.

"I want to see who would win if Race played against Spot." Blink states, a stick hanging from his lips. "Seems like an interesting match."

The boys in the room nod, before playing again.

"I'd win against him."

"Cocky much?"

"Are you denying it?"

"No." Finch starts. "I'm just saying."

Race smirks, looking back at his cards.

"I actually might be team Spot." Mush comments, resting his chin on his palm. "I mean, it'd be a pretty good match."

"Manhattan's best verses Brooklyn's King." Albert makes his voice like one of an announcer's. "I'd pay money to see that and I'd even bet on Race winning."

"We should totally do something like that some time soon."

Race nods in agreement, causing Henry to smile a bit.

Flashback 9 -

Race, Albert, and JoJo stood behind the curtains, onstage at Medda's Theater.

"Why did we agree to do this again?" JoJo questions, peaking out of the curtains.

"Because Jack, Davey, Crutchie, and other groups agreed to do other stuff as well, if we did this" Albert answers, staring, annoyed, at the microphone in his hands.

"And we thought this was a good idea?" JoJo questions, turning back to Race, Albert, and JoJo.

"Just enjoy it" Race states, as the curtains open.

Miss Medda's friend introduces them to the crowd of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and a few other Borough Newsies.

Then, their music plays.

Miss Medda's friend sings the first part, before Albert, JoJo, and Race start.

Albert: Angelica

Race: Elizaa

JoJo: And Peggy!

The three boys: The Schuyler sisters!

Flashback 10 -

Albert woke up to slight whimpering in the bunk above him.

Race's bunk, to be exact.

Albert was sleeping with JoJo, because it was so cold and they were best friends.

They had asked Race if he wanted to sleep with them so he wouldn't freeze, but he denied it.

"I'll be fine." He had assured his best friend, brushing it off.

Long story short, he wasn't fine.

Albert slowly got up, careful not to wake JoJo or anyone else up.

He poked his head over the guardrail of Race's bunk, trying to look at his best friend.

He was met with Race, turned facing him, shivering and whimpering. Tears silently streamed down his face, but he was somehow still asleep.

Albert watched as he unconsciously pulled the blanket closer to him, and he started whispering in Italian.

Albert didn't know Italian, other than a few phrases like 'shut up', 'you promise?' and 'I promise', but he could tell when Race was speaking Italian.

Race always spoke Italian when he got scared, it was like Elmer with Polish.

Albert gently shook Race away. "Race, Race, wake up. You're having a nightmare. Race. Antonio."

Race eyes shot open at his real name.

He sat up quickly, almost knocking Albert off the bed.

Race rubbed his eyes. "Al?"

He pulled his hands away when he felt tears on his face.

"You were having a nightmare." Albert whispers. "It got so bad that you spoke Italian."

Race frowns.

Albert continues. "You're freezing, Race. Why didn't you tell us?"

Race shrugs. "I didn't want to be annoying."

Albert frowns. "You're not annoying. We invited you, Race."

Race nods. "It's colder than I thought."

Albert was about to respond, but someone's voice stopped him. "Race? Al?"

It was JoJo. "Sorry Jo, we didn't mean to wake you up."

"Are you two okay? I heard crying." JoJo whispers, trying not to wake the other boys up. "You guys going to come down here?"

Albert nods, turning back to Race.

Race wipes his eyes. "I think I might take you two up on that offer."

Albert smiles, helping Race down.

The three boys lay down together, Race in the middle of Albert and JoJo.

And they fell asleep like that a few minutes later.

In the morning, Jack found the others staring at them, and he decided to draw a sketch, before telling himself he'd finish it later and waking them up, though he and the other boys hadn't wanted to.

They still had to sell, sadly enough.

Over

I'm glad he's with us, Jack smiles to himself.

Now, to get him and his brothers, make sure they're safe, and have more good memories.

2752 Words
I now want to create a One-Shot book with just One-Shots of Newsies memories, not even falling in Love ones. This chapter is my favorite chapter ever.