Spot tensed as the ex Brooklyn leader slammed his back into the brick wall, he could feel the rough texture dig into his back. He prepared himself for the worst beating ever. The older boy kneed him in the gut over and over again until Spot's poker face broke as he crumpled to the concrete, holding his stomach, "Had enough little boy?" One of the older guy's goon asked, "No." Spot replied immediately regretting that decision. One of the boys threw him back against the wall and punched him in the jaw, sending a sharp pain through his face. Again, the boy kept punching him in the jaw, stomach, and chest until Spot began coughing blood and his vision went to black, "Let's go. We'll kill em' if we keep goin'" One of the boys said, Spot couldn't tell who said it because his head was ringing. They three boys walked away laughing. 

    After a little while, Race came out from behind the crates he hid behind only minuets before, "Spot!" There was no answer, "Spot?" Race asked turning the corner, "SPOT !!" Race yelled as he saw the boy lying against the alley wall. He ran over to him and held him im home his arms, "It's okay. It's okay I am here." They sat there for a while because Race was scared to move Spot in case of he was too injured. He never saw Spot in such disarray after a fight. Usually the feared Brooklyn king would always win, but apparently three old Brooklyn Newsies can take down Conlon. 

    "Race?" Spot moaned as he tried to open his eyes, "Yeah, yeah its me." Race said as he let the tears escape, "Why'd ya stay?" Spot asked trying to sit up by himself but wincing as he tried to sit up,

    "Cuz, I aint gonna leave ya." Race said, his voice cracking,

    "Higgins, can, can ya take me back to da lodgin' house?" Spot said as he tried to hold back tears. Race nodded and lifted the smaller boy bridal style. Spot wrapped his arms around Race's neck, and Race couldn't help but blush at the action. He's true feelings were coming through and he couldn't help it, but he didn't want to be an outcast, well further more than he already was. However, Spot made him feel, accepted, almost loved. Race snapped out of his thoughts as he stared up at the Brooklynn boarding house and almost felt sad about having to leave Spot in this condition but, he knew that it had to be done. Race walked up the stairs and used his foot to knock on the door. Finally, after what seemed like for ever, another Brooklyn Newsie opened the door and carried spot to his room. The door slammed shut in Race's face before he could protest. So, he headed back to Jacobi's for the meeting, he had to lie and say that Mid Town is waiting on Brooklyn. Maybe, just maybe he could win, not just the strike, but Spot's heart.