The small group of 5 boys marched up to the gates of the World.

"You punks better move it." Oscar said menacingly. The newsies laughed.

"Wow, 7 people. Including 2 kids. How scary and intimidating." Jack laughed. There was no way this group could get past them. "And that scrawny tall kid too. You people need a better team."

Oscar lifted his hand to punch Jack, but Jack caught it in midair, then lowered his hand down.

"Not today."

Morris slammed Jack in the jaw. "Oh yes, today."  he chuckled. Both sides ran forward, fists flying. Jack went straight for the scrawny brat with the hat.

"Hey twerp." Jack smiled and punched the kid in the face. "I'm Jack. What's your name? Dweeb, jerk, brat?"

The other guy was taken aback. "Woah, violence is not the solution! And it's David, by the way."

"Hmm. I think I'll call you Davey."

"Why?"

"I don't know." Jack laughed, and then laid another punch on him.

"I don't want to fight!" David said, holding his stomach. Jack laughed.

"I do!" Jack punched him again. David finally tried to hit back. It didn't work well. Jack laughed. "You're pathetic, Davey!"

David stepped back. Jack chucked. But the boy seemed to be in a panic. He was frantically looking for something. Or someone.

"Is there a problem Davey?" Jack taunted.

"Shut up Jack." Davey said harshly, scowling at
him and ran off.

•••

"Les! Les!" David shouted, scanning the crowd frantically.

"David!" Les cried out from somewhere on the left side of him. David ran towards the sound.

"David!" Les shouted again. The voice was getting further. And more panicked. David ran faster. But he couldn't see Les anywhere. And he didn't hear a single other outcry. He collapsed on the street, exhausted. Where could he be? What did they do to him? It was at that moment that he swore he would get revenge on them. All of those stupid, pathetic newsies. He turned back around. His friends were backing away. They were obviously outnumbered. They didn't stand a chance, unless someone else came along. Davey sniffled and stood up. He needed to keep searching.

•••

Les screamed in pain as the big boy punched him in the gut. "You big meanie! Leave me alone!" he shouted, sending his fists flying in the air in hopes of connecting with his target.

"Listen kid, when I was your age, I got beat up 10 times a day by my very own father." the boy whispered menacingly. "I think you'll be fine." he said as he punched him right in the face. Les let out a sob. Then, he heard his name being called.

"David?" he shouted. He heard his name again. "David!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. But the voice was so far away.

"Oh shut up, you stupid kid." the boy sneered.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Les asked, tears in his eyes. "I didn't do nothing to you!"

The other boy lowered his fist. "I-I don't know why. Oh god, what have I done? I just beat up a little kid!" the boy thought out loud. He turned back to Les. "I'm sorry kid. I'm so sorry." he said, running off down the alley.

Les curled up into a ball and cried. Where was David? Where was his brother? He tried to stand up, but he felt dizzy. He sat back down and leaned back. He didn't mean to, but he drifted off into sleep, pictures of the boy's face never leaving his mind.

•••

"Oh my god. Les! Les! Thank god I found him! Otto, William, Oscar, Morris, come here! I found him!" David yelled, running towards his brother. "Oh god. Les? Les?" David shook his brother awake. Les slowly opened his eyes. "Thank god, you're okay. You're okay, right?"

"I-"

"Is that a black eye? What happened? Who did this to you!" David said, inspecting his brother for scrapes.

"O-one of them newsies, they-they beat me up." Les choked out.

David grabbed Les' shoulders, panic and anger in his eyes. "Which one? What did he look like?"

"I don't know...he-he was blonde. And he had a cigar, I-"

Morris and Oscar both spoke up at the same time, hatred in their voices.

"Higgins."

{I'M SORRY OKAY. I HAD TO MAKE SOMEONE THE BAD GUY. Also, I know I'm updating really really fast. I just love writing this story!}