𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 - A Davey Jacobs Story

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡

Jack, Laces, Davey, and Les ran down an alley and up a fire escape. They sprinted across the roof before coming down on the other side of the building. Jack led them through a window and the four of them ended up on the catwalk of a theater.

"Kelly! Eaton! Just wait until I get you back in the refuge!" Snyder yelled, luckily losing sight of the four newsies as they slipped into the theater.

"Slow down. I think we lost 'im," Jack panted and leaned against the railing of the catwalk.

"Someone wanna tell me why I'm running? I got no one chasing me! Who was that guy?" Davey asked, clearly confused and shocked by what just happened.

Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That was Snyder the Spider."

"A real sweetie," Laces added sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"He runs a jail for underage kids called The Refuge. The more kids he locks up, the more city pays him. Problem is all the money goes straight into his own pocket. Do yourself a favor and stay clear of him and The Refuge," Jack explained.

Davey was about to ask something before a woman interrupted.

"Hey, you up there, shoo! No kids allowed in the theater!"

Jack and Laces leaned over the railing so the woman could see their cheeky grins. "Not even us, Miss Medda?"

"Jack Kelly, man of mystery. And Laces, my little dancer. Get yourselves down here and give me a hug!" Medda demanded.

The two smiled at each other before racing down the stairs and letting Medda wrap them in a hug.

"Where have you been keeping yourselves, kids?"

"Never far from you, Miss Medda." Jack winked as Medda lightly hit his shoulder, used to his antics by now.

Laces rolled her eyes at Jack before turning back to Davey and Les. "Boys, may I present Miss Medda Larkin: the greatest star on the bowery today. She also owns the joint."

"The only thing I own is the mortgage." Medda smiled warmly at the two newcomers. "Pleasure gents."

"A pleasure," Davey replied, bowing slightly. His eyes drifted to Les who was gawking at something behind him. With a sigh, Davey smacked his arm. "What is wrong with you?"

Les continued to stare. "Are you blind? She's got no clothes on!"

Confused, Davey turned to see that Les was staring at the bowery beauties. "That's her costume," he explained with an exasperated sigh.

"But I can see her legs!"

"Well, step outta his way so's he can get a better look!" Medda demanded. "Theater's not only entertaining. It's educational."

The bowery beauties flashed the boys sultry smiles and blew them kisses, causing Les' smile to grow and Davey's ears to turn pink.

"You got the picture, kid?" Medda questioned, earning a hefty nod from Les.

"Miss Medda, wese got a little situation outside. Is it okay if Laces and I hide out here a while?" Jack interrupted.

Medda nodded somberly. "Where better to escape than the theater? Is Snyder after you two again?"

With a frown, Laces nudged the floor with the toe of her boot. "When is he not?"

"Hey, Jack, did you really escape jail on the back of Teddy Roosevelt's carriage?" Les asked excitedly.

Davey nudged his younger brother. "C'mon, what would the governor be doing at a juvenile jail?"

"It just so happened he was running for office and he wanted to show he cared about orphans and such," Jack explained getting in Davey's face. "So while he got his mug in the papers, I got my butt in the backseat and off we rode together."