All I Need: A Racetrack Higgins Fanfiction

Chapter 19: What Happened?

As soon as we got back to the lodging house I set Ross down on his bed. "You have a pretty nice shiner there Ross," I say as I look at his eye.

"It's nothing. Really Sam, I'm fine," Ross says, trying to push my hand away.

I look at him to see if there are any big cuts or wounds. "It doesn't seem like you need any bandages." I sit next to him at the foot of his bed. "I'm sorry you had to go in there."

"It's not your fault Sam. You didn't know what they were going to take me back."

"I could've saved ya."

"Ya did," Race says sitting next to me.

"No, you did that Race," Ross corrects him.

I roll my eyes. "Thank you so much Ross. It was no trouble at all distracting the terrible two."

Race laughs. "So what did they do to you in there, Ross? Is it just as bad as we all say?"

"It was just as dark and dirty as you all say," Ross says. "But they didn't really pay that much attention to me."

"You weren't in there very long. That may have something to do with it," I add.

"What about that shiner?" Race asks.

"I...I got it when I protected a kid from Oscar."

"Wait what? Ross what happened?" I ask.

"There was this boy, younger than me, who was in the same cell as me. He had been in there for three months."

"What was he in for?" Race asks.

"I don't know. He never talked."

"Those bastards," I grumble under my breath.

"He was already beat up as it was. Then Oscar and Morris both came in. They started picking on him, yelling at him to talk."

"He didn't talk did he?" Race asks.

"No. Both of them started punching him and...and the kid couldn't do anything! He just had to get hit!"

"That's the refuge for you buddy. Why do think I worked so hard to get you out the first time?" I asked.

"I guess so. But, I couldn't take it anymore. So...I punched Oscar in the face."

"You did?! Ross that's awesome! Up top!" Race yells, holding up a hand for a high five.

Ross smiles and returns the high five. "Yeah, but that's how I got the shiner. Oscar and Morris got pretty mad."

"I'm going to kill them," I mumble, standing up and walking to the door.

"Oh no you don't," Race says, grabbing my wrist.

"I'm not letting them get away with hurting my little brother!"

"If you go Sam, they will just lock you up. You helped him escape. Think about it. Who will take care of Ross if your locked up?"

I sigh before I sit back down and hug Ross. "Was that all they did to you?"

"No, but I'm scared to tell you the rest. I don't want you to leave."

I smile. "I promise I won't leave."

"Well, that was the only time Oscar and Morris hit me. But they made me be their servant. I had to do whatever they want."

"You didn't fight back?" Race asks.

Ross shrugs. "Why would I try? That would just make them punish me more."

"Smart boy," I say, ruffling his hair.

"Oh, they also had me scrub the floors until my hands bleed," Ross adds.

I start to make a run for it to the door, when Race grabs my arm. "You said you wouldn't leave."

I close my eyes and sit back down. "Sorry. Sisterly instincts."

Suddenly, Ross wraps me in a hug. "I'm back now, Sam. I won't go away ever again."

I hug him back. "Maybe not 'ever again', but for now you're staying right here."

I feel him nod his head as he pulls away. "So, because I just got out, can I stay up late?"

"You mean 'later' than it already is? Not a chance. Get some sleep."

"I can't sleep! I'm hyped on energy!" Ross yells.

"Shh," I say with a laugh before pulling the blanket over him. "You'll be tired soon enough. You've had it rough."

"Fine. But, Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"What if I get nightmares?"

I can feel my heart break in my chest. Why didn't I think of this before? His nightmares are going to get even worse now. I grab his hand. "You can come get me if you have any bad dreams. I'll sleep with you for the rest of the night. Deal?"

"Deal," he replies, smiling.

"Good." I kiss his head and stand up. "Goodnight Ross."

"Goodnight tough guy," Race says standing.

"Goodnight Sam. Goodnight Race," Ross mumbles.

I smile and start to follow Race out.

"Sam?"

I turn around. "Yeah Ross?"

"Thanks for being the best sister ever."

I smile. "Thanks for being the best brother," I reply, closing the door.

(Hey guys! Important announcement. As of now I have another Newsies fanfiction up. It's titled "Hidden Love" and it's a story containing the Delancey brothers. I've only seen one other good story with either Oscar or Morris as a main character, so I decided to try to write on myself. It would be awesome if you could check it out.   Thanks!💖🦄)