Family Don't Break

CHAPTER 30

ALEX'S POV:

It feels like someone poked me with a hot iron. I can barely focus on anything but the pain. "Race?" My voice is dry and I barely recognize it. "Hey, Alex. You're awake. You want some water?" I nod weakly. He holds a bowl to my lips and I drink the water inside. It burns my throat at first, but then the cool starts to soothe it. I force myself to sit up. I bite my lip in pain, drawing blood. "How do you feel?" Race asks.

"Considering I got stabbed, not great." I give him a weak smile. "You've been sleeping for two days." he tells me. My eyes widen. "Two days?" as if on cue, my stomach rumbles. "Two days. You needed the sleep. You hungry?" he pulls a roll of bread out of his pocket. I take it and scarf it down. Race watches me as I eat, a concerned look on his face. It hurts to swallow, but the hunger outweighs the pain.

"What's with the expression? I ain't dead yet, Higgins." he doesn't laugh at my joke. "You almost died. I wasn't sure you would make it through the night. If it wasn't for Peter, I don't know if you would have made it at all." I notice the dark circles under his eyes. He looks exhausted. "Race, you look like you haven't had any rest. When was the last time you slept?" Race shrugs his shoulders. "Race, get some sleep." He tries to refuse but eventually he caves. He lays down on the bed next to me and places his hat over his face. He falls asleep within minutes.

An hour or so later, the kids file in from work. The day must be over. "Alex!" You're awake!" Peter comes rushing over, a big smile on his face. "Hi, Peter. Race told me that you were an excellent doctor for me." He nods proudly. "Oh! I made you this!" he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small square of paper.

The paper is crumpled, and it looks like he must have stolen it from somewhere. He hands it to me and I unfold it. Inside is a drawing of a horse, titled 'Horse'. "This is beautiful, Peter!" he grins at my praise. "Every artist has to sign their work. I'm going to need you to sign this so I have proof that I knew you before you were famous."

He pulls out a pencil. It's little more than a nub but it works well enough. He scrawls his name on the corner of the paper. His handwriting is un-practiced and messy, but his name is clear enough. "P-E-T-E-R. Race taught me how to spell it." I look at Race, who is still fast asleep. He says he hates kids, but everyone knows he secretly loves 'em.

"Hey! Race! Look at what I drew!" Peter shakes Race awake. He sits up and wipes the spit from the side of his mouth. I stifle a giggle. "What did I miss?" he asks. "Look! I drew a horse!" I hand him the paper. "That's a good drawing, Peter." he admires it for a moment before handing it back to me.

"Did Race tell you about finding the window?" Peter asks. I look at Race in confusion. "Window?"

"I found a possible exit. I was peeking around the fire escape, seeing if I could find a way out. Right above the fire escape there's a window, but it's too small for either of us to fit through." he sighs dejectedly. I think for a second.

"It's too small for us, but I bet Peter could fit through." the two of us look at Peter. He just stares back questioningly. "Peter. Do you think you could fit through the window I showed you?" I ask. Peter nods his head yes. "Peter, we can get you out of here!" I say excitedly. "What?" Peter is just as surprised, but I see the hope in his eyes. "I think I have a plan." Peter sits on the bed next to Race as he listens.

As Race explains his plan, I write a quick note on the back of the horse drawing. I hesitate a moment. Then I unclip my necklace, the one Jack gave me. I put it in the paper, folding the letter over.

"Race, why don't you go see if you can scrounge up some extra food for Peter?" I suggest. Race nods and walks off. I don't think he'll be able to find anything, but I needed to get Peter alone.

"I need you to do me a favor, Peter." I hand him the letter with the necklace inside. "I need you to find Jack Kelly. He lives in the newsboy house by the La Guerra church. Do you think you can get there?" Peter says yes. "It's important that you get this to him and tell him where we are. Tell him Race and I sent you. He'll help you out, okay?" Peter nods.

I bite my lip. "Peter, you are a brave boy. Thank you." I grab his hand and squeeze it once. This boy has more spunk than I ever had at his age. He holds my heart in his hands with that letter. And, to be honest, I wouldn't trust anyone else to deliver it.