Okay, for Tonight || Newsies Race x Oscar

Chapter 13 - Race - A Spec of Hope

- Chapter 13 - A Spec of Hope -
Warning: Soaking, Kidnapping
Third Person POV

Race was in so much pain, he couldn't move at this point.

He wanted Jack, Oscar, Spot, his brothers.

But they weren't with him at the moment...

He wanted to kiss and hug Oscar. To play games with his brothers. See Crutchie's smile. For Albert to steal his cigar, even if he got annoyed. For Jack to be overprotective like a father and Davey like a mother.

He wanted to see people like Morris and Spot, Boots and red, and Blink and Mush be all coupily while others teased them. He wanted to be like that with Oscar.

Instead, he was stuck. Stuck in a stupid basement, bleeding, freezing, and crying.

Snyder had taken off his shirt while he had been unconscious so that it was easier to make cuts if he didn't cooperate.

He still didn't answer the questions they asked, and he could tell they were getting fed up.

He was hoping- praying- that they didn't bail his father out of jail and bring his father here.

He didn't think he could deal with that at the moment.

Right now, he was crying, as he watched Weasel pass out papers to his brothers, who couldn't see him.

He wanted to shout, but he had been told that if he did, Weasel and Snyder would kill him and his brothers.

The Manhattan Newsies all looked so... so glum...

Race could tell they were sad, and confused. They didn't know where he was.

Little did they know that he was watching him.

He could hear Albert get his papes, and Albert hadn't even bothered to tease Weasel. There was no 'buy a ticket, they let anyone in', no 'missed me, Weasel?', no nothing... and it hurt Race.

Race watched Albert grab his papes, and JoJo step forward to get his, when someone caught his eye.

Specs.

The two boys made eye contact. Race watched as Specs' eyes widened in shock.

Race didn't know what to do. He was frozen. He mouthed 'please save me. Weasel and Snyder, my father' to Specs, hoping Specs could read his lips.

He saw Specs nod at him, before stepping up to buy his papes. He saw a look of relief in Specs' eye, under his glasses, knowing Race was alive.

Race sunk back to the floor. It took a lot of effort to get up there, and he didn't have anymore energy.

Now, though, Specs knows, and Specs is gonna help save me. Race keeps telling himself.

I need to stay positive. Stay positive and alive until they can get to me. Race thinks. He didn't know how to stay positive. He was in so much pain.

Even if he didn't know how to stay positive, he was going to try.

Race pushed himself off of the wall, only hurting himself more.

I promise, Specs, I will stay alive and positive, just promise me you'll save me soon. Race silently pleads, I love you so much. Please be quick.

He was standing now, but he wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be able to stand. He felt weak, like his legs could give out any second. He had lost a lot of blood.

And it's only been three days. What will happen if they bring my father here? Race questions, looking at the door to the room in fear.

He hated being weak. He hated being babied. He hated being scared, but he couldn't help it.

"Being scared is normal. Everyone gets scared at times, even Sparks and I have." Jack's voice filled Race's mind.

He used to say that to me when I got scared, when I had nightmares, Race remembers, bittersweetly smiling to himself.

It didn't change the fact that he hated being scared, but it helped a bit.

Race knew that keeping memories close to him would help him through this. It helped him in the Refuge. He survived the Refuge twice, he can survive this.

But the Refuge didn't have my father... Race reminds himself, feeling more tears roll down his face.

His face was soaked. He was freezing. He was in pain.

Think warm thoughts, Racer, that's what Jack would say to do. Race starts wracking his brain for warm thoughts, but he couldn't think of anything.

He felt hopeless. It was a new feeling for him. He usually had at least a little bit of hope, but he felt empty.

No! No! You can't do this. This is what Snyder wants. He wants to crack you, to break you. You can't let that happen. Show him you aren't as weak as you were!

But I am still as weak as I was when I was ten...

No! I am stronger than that! I am. I- I am...

Please, please, please save me quick. I can't stay here any longer. I'm getting closer and closer to breaking everyday and if you don't save me soon... Race stops silently pleading.

He looks at the door again, afraid. If you don't save me soon... I might not make it out of this alive...

Race thinks of that little fire of hope that making eye contact with Specs gave him.

He held onto that. He wasn't going to let go. Specs held the tiny bit of hope that he had left.

Race looks out the window again. The bars obscured his vision, and he wouldn't try to shout since Weasel would hear him and beat him, but he had caught Specs' eye.

Race smiles slightly. Please save me, Specs. I love you so much. I hope you know that.

Race head footsteps, heavy footsteps coming from upstairs. Instead of two sets of footsteps, there were three sets of footsteps.

Race panics. No- no- no- no! I can't see him! Please don't let that be my father!

Race collapses onto the floor. He sits down, crying again.

He curls himself into a ball, pretending to be asleep as the door to the basement opens, the creaking of the door getting drowned out by how fast his heart was. He swore he could hear his heart beating.

Please save me, Specs. He'll beat the hope out of me. I can't stay with him.

Race silently cries, pretending to be asleep. Please Specs. I love you.

1080 Words
Okay, I think the title is creative. 'A Spec of Hope', like a speck, cause Specs sees him. Eh, could just be me lol.