𝚁𝚄𝙽𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈 ° racetrack higgins

Take Me Out to The Sheapshed

Soon enough, the gates opened and the newsies started getting in line behind the window. Same yesterday, I was second in line behind Jack, who knocked on the shutter before teasing Weasel.

The shutters opened and the round man sighed heavily. "How did I know it was yous?"

Jack shrugged. "Cause we're pals and you know me better dan da rest of em." My brother grabbed a pape and scanned it before placing his money down and getting his usual amount.

I stepped up to the window and placed my money on the counter, avoiding he contact with two Delanceys, who were glaring at me. "50 papes." I said emotionlessly.

Morris counted them out and stuck them through the window. As I reached for the stack, the boy pulled it back, giving me an evil look. "Yous got lucky that little punk was dere. Next time, you won't be so lucky."

"Dis guy bothering you, Pockets?" I heard Mush ask as he appeared over my shoulder. I could hear the irrigation in his voice; all of the newsies the the Delanceys.

I shook my head as I grabbed my stack of papers from Morris. "Not in the slightest." With that, I turned and walked down the few steps while I waited for Racetrack to get his papers. Tucking the papers in my bag, I leaned against a larger wooden cart as I waited for the boy.

It was only a minute later when he was walking down the stairs, cigar resting between his lips as he put the papers in his bag. "Ready?"

I nodded as the two of us exited the center, heading towards the sheepshead races. We walked in silence for a while until Race broke it. "So, how yous been? Adjustin ta everythin."

"It's been fine, I guess." I said sighing. "Just the whole thing with Morris last night kinda shook me up. But I'll survive."

"Yeah." He went silent again, thinking on what to say next. "So, this may seem to poisonal, but what happened ta ya folks?"

"Well, they left a long time ago; went out West to look for a small town called Santa Fe. Jack's been obsessed with it for years. I don't know much about them other then that. I don't really remember them." I admitted, keeping my eyes locked on the path in front of me. "What about you?"

Racetrack sighed deeply, taking his cigar from his mouth and sticking his hands in his pockets. "Me mudda left when I was little; three maybe. Me dad was a drunk who couldn't pay da bills or even pay fa food." He paused. "He'd hit me occasionally, but nutin too bad. Ise finally got tired of it and left when I was nine. Ran into Specs and Mush a few weeks later; been wit dem eva since."

"I'm sorry, Racetrack. I didn't know, or else I wouldn't have-"

"Hey, don't worry about it." The boy said, patting me gently on the shoulder. We both walked in a comfortable silence for the rest of the walk to the tracks.

When we got there, we both started handing out our papers, making up ridiculous headlines and saying anything to get the pedestrians to buy one. Race and I told each other about ourselves and our pasts while we worked, laughing occasionally at stupid jokes. It was nearly dark by the time we both got rid of our last papes.

"Wes should probably start headin back. J is probably woirried about ya." Race said as he walked up to me, the cigar back between his lips. I just nodded and the two of us started heading back the way we came.

We talked more about anything and everything we could. I found myself actually enjoying my time with Race. That is, until the piercing sound of a loud whistle cut through the quiet street. The newsboy and I both froze and turned our heads to see the Refuge owner stalking towards us, quickly picking up his pace. "Higgins! Sullivan!" He screamed.

"Snyda!" Race said, grabbing me by the arm and backing the other way. "Tate! Run!" The two of us took off. As we ran, Racetrack never let go of my arm, not wanting to risk losing me.

Word Clarification
Dem = them
Poisonal = personal
Eva = ever
Mudda = mother

Author's Note
Hey! Sorry for the later update. My Wattpad got all jacked up and was acting funny, so I had to redownload it. A pain in my butt, let me tell ya. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the part!

Word Count: 711