In Between 'Hattan and Brooklyn || A Sprace Story

Chapter 76 - Extra! Extra! Something Happened and Racer is in Danger!

- Chapter 76 - Newsie Tips 101: Don't Get Lost or Separated in Alleyways/Back Alleys -
Warnings: Abuse, kidnapping?
Third Person POV

Race bounced ahead of Sling, grinning. "Fifteen more papes and I'm done for the day!" he exclaimed, beaming.

Sling rolled his eyes. "Thirty-three more papes and I'm done," he grumbled.

Race stopped bouncing, laughing as he patted Sling's shoulder. "Don't worry, Sling," he started, a reassuring smile on his face.

Sling smiled back, only noticing Race's smirk a second too late.

"Not everyone can be as good of a seller as I am." Race grinned smugly.

Sling rolled his eyes, muttering curses under his breath. He should've seen that one coming.

Race laughed.

The two boys started heading to Sheepshead again.

When they got there, Race pulled a paper out of his bag and waved it above his head. "Extra, extra! Read all about it!" he shouted. "Historical news is being made!"

(A/N, the flashbacks that line gives me lol. No thanks.)

Sling looked over at him. He raised an eyebrow at him, amused. "Historical news?"

Race shrugged, handing a man a paper. "You never know." He slipped the penny into his bag. "It could be historical news one day."

Sling just shrugged and started waving his paper above his head again.

"Extra, extra!" Race shouted, waving his paper around. "Sheepshead Races' results, scores, and more!"

A man chuckled, walking over to Race. "And what is new at the Races, Racer?" he questioned.

Race looked up at him, a smile making its way onto his face. "Wouldn't you know that, John?" he asked knowingly. "I mean, you are the owner." He chuckled.

John held his hand out as he chuckled. "I want to see what you know about Sheepshead, see if I made the right choice letting you sell here."

"The majority of what Race talks about—have a good day, Ma'am—" Sling tipped his hat to a woman as she walked off with a paper, "—is Sheepshead and Poker, sir. You couldn't have chosen a better Newsie," he told him.

Both Race and John smiled.

"In fact," Sling looked over at them, "half of Race's older and male customers come to him because he can give them the updates on the Races."

John chuckled, looking back at Race.

Race shrugged. "It's my thing."

John chuckled again. "One paper and an update on Number 7 please." He handed Race a dime.

Race handed him a paper. "Number 7 will be back in the Races come next Summer, which has caused some anger within the community of people who like them and they are now falsely accusing others of purposely hurting number 7," he explained as he slipped the dime into his pocket.

John nodded, satisfied. "Nice job. I might have to hire you when you're old enough." He smiled.

Race nodded. "Have a good day, John." He tipped his hat to him

John nodded back and walked back inside the Sheepshead Races building.

Race turned back to face Sling, a grin breaking through his poker face.

Sling rolled his eyes fondly. "Can't you be bad at something?" he grumbled.

Race laughed. "I'm bad at lots of things," he responded, shrugging it off.