So Close Yet So Far- A Sprace Fan Fiction

Opening the door.

    Race climbed back up the steep incline quickly and carefully. He was furious that Spec had to ruin the moment, "Geez took ya long enough." Specs teased while pushing Race's hat over his eyes, "Yeah, yeah." Race said through gritted teeth while he fixed his hat, "Let's just go home." He quickened his pace. Race glanced back towards the little dock and saw Spot smirking while looking out into the dirty river below. He felt his heart flutter at the sight, "Like whatcha see?" Specs said as he strutted by and stuck a less than flattering pose to a distracted Race, "Nah I want a mental scrub brush afta that." Specs laughed. The boys fell silent and walked to the lodging house.
    As the boys made small talk they were interrupted by a small boy's cries in an alleyway. Curious, they decided to investigate.
    A little boy sat on the alley way's cold stones with his face covered by his hands and redness from crying, "Hey little fella," Race said comfortingly as he approached the kid, "Ya okay?" He asked kneeling down. The boy slowly looked up at his action. It was Les, "Racer?" He asked quietly. Race nodded and immediately pulled Les into a hug and whispered sweet nothings as he rubbed circles on his back, "Why ya out here alone bud?" He asked after some time. Les lifted his head and said, "The house." He bursted into tears, "What happened?" Race asked now frightened, "It, it was," He started crying hard again, "Les you have ta tell me what's wrong. If ya don't I can't help." Les wipes his eyes and whimpered, "Jack messed with the Delancys. They came back with goons." Race started to fill with rage. He thought he kept it hidden, but Les seemed to sink further into himself. Race took a deep breath, "Specs take Les home. I'm goin to da house." He stood up and started running for the Lodging House.
Panic swept through his body, "Is everyone okay? Why now? Is this a sign? Is Jack and Crutch okay? What about Specs and Elmer?" His mind filled with images and thoughts beyond any man's imagination. As he picked up the pace he neared the corner. Now his heart hurt. He slowed down when he made it to the front of the towering building.
    Glass was shattered, the door hinges were broken, railings were torn off, and the steps were covered in blood. Red, fresh, blood. Race started to tear up but he forced them back. There was no way in hell he'd let the boys see him cry. He hurriedly walked into the ransacked building. He found some of the older boys picking up glass with bruises on his face, some with cuts. He kept silent as he slowly walked up the stairs where more blood was sprayed. His heart dropped at the sight that awaited him, doors off the hinges and completely broken, younger boys sitting and crying outside the rooms, not allowed to look in, and at least half the boys laying in their beds. He couldn't tell who exactly yet. He walked in.