A Drunken Mess: A Sprace Story.

Chapter 20- Day 3

Spot watched as boys woke up one by one, he didn't sleep, he couldn't, not when Race was out there missing. He could hear the faint chiming of bells again, that was something he had gotten used too. Still angry from the night before, he pulled on his red suspenders then looped his cane through his belt loop and put his cap on, not even bothering to slick his hair back. This time he made it out of the door before Jack woke up. He ran to Tibbys first; he knew Race liked to eat there. He opened the door, the bell welcomed him, memories from the strike flooded into his head; Race tap dancing on the table, Race saying "Ain't I pretty?", Race hinting for Denton to pay for their meal. He really was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Spot sighed looking around the restraint greeting Tibby, "Ya seen Racetrack?"

"Ent seen him for a few days son, sorry"

Spot sighed again, "Thanks anyways. Can I get a hotdog?"

"Ent ready yet son, come back at lunch and we'll have some for ya"

"Right. I need to go. Thanks for ya help Tibby"

"No problem son"

The door jingled shut behind him as he re-entered the bustling streets of Manhattan. Next stop was Sheepshead, the snow had cleared a lot since the Snowball Fight, so they had definitely re-opened.

"Hey, Spot!"

Spot turned around looking in the direction of the voice.

It was Blink. Well Blink and Mush, but Blink spoke, "Jack's looking for ya, he's at the lodge still"

"Thanks Blink" Spot replied, not looking up from the ground and just carrying on walking before Mush spoke, "Spot"

"Yeh"

"We'll find him, he gotta be out there, even if we don't find him, he'll find us" Mush smiled sympathetically. It was clear that Spot had lost his usual threatening appearance, he looked more lost, as if he'd forgot what he was doing and where he was.

"Yeh, thanks Mush" Spot said forcing a dismal smile onto his face. Before turning around to head to the lodge house.

Jack sat outside with Davey, "Listen Spot, I know ya wanna find him, we do too, but storming off ain't gonna help"

"Well, I don't see you getting up at the crack of dawn to go looking, or staying up all night thinking about where he could be"

As Jack opened his mouth to answer back, he was interrupted by Davey, "Where ya thinking of looking Spot?"

"Snows cleared, so the races, again"

"Alright, let's go"

Jack nodded, walking forward to pat Spot on the back, "We'll find him, I know we will"

"Mhm"

When they arrived at Sheepshead the door were open, and the homeless man had moved down the street.

"Ever been in here?" Davey asked, turning to look at Jack.

"Nope, heard about it a lot but never been in, how 'bout you?"

"No, just seen it in papes. Spot?"

"Yeh I been in here with Race, a few times." Spot replied bluntly walking up to the door. "We gotta split up, it's a large place. Race could be anywhere he doesn't stick to one area. Theres only three of us and this place can be split into 4, so we'll meet at the doors and look the last area together."

"Me and Dave will take the other side and meet you back in half hour"

"That works, I'll take the right on this side."