Everything Works Out in the End

Chapter 24: When Teddy Roosevelt's Carriage is not Available, Improvise

" I can't believe I forgot." Race looked up at Spot.

" What?" Spot dug around around in his pocket, doing his best to not disturb Race leaning against his other arm.

" This is fell off the belt Snyder was usin' and I grabbed it." Spot held a thin metal stick in hand, not even an inch tall. " I dunno what I was plannin' on doin' with it, but I figured you'se smart enough ta think of something."

Race held out his hand and Spot handed the metal over. Race held it near his eyes, a thoughtful look on his face. His face brightened as an idea struck him.

" Help me up." Spot lifted him up, and helped him over to the cell door. Race examined the lock for a moment, before gleefully whispering,

" I can pick it!!"

" Well what are you waiting for?" Race looked at him like he was crazy.

" We can't just walk outta here in broad daylight! We'll hafta wait until dark." Spot sighed, crossing his arms.

" Fine."

~~~~~

The moon was high in the sky before either Spot or Race was ready. There was a healthy level of fear, especially in Race. The shock of Spot liking him back had worn off enough for him to remember isolation.

" You ready?" Spot asked. Race took a deep breath and nodded.

" Yeah, might as well." They quietly resumed their posts at the door, Spot keeping lookout while Race picked the lock. " Got it." The door opened with a small squeak. They paused, tensed. After they heard nothing, Spot helped Race out into the hallway. The shorter pushed the cell door shut and set off down the hall. Once they were at the end, Spot whispered,

" Where to next?" Race pointed to the left.

" There should be some stairs at the end of the hall." They tiptoed together, listening hard, then climbed down the stairs, being careful to be quiet. " We need to get our stuff, Snyder puts it all in a room." Race led the way, and quickly picked the lock. They ducked in, found their stuff near the front and shut the door behind them.

" Now to get out."

" Yep. This way." They heard a sudden creak and froze.

" Against the wall." Spot whispered urgently. They flattened themselves against the wall, too afraid to even breathe.

" Your shift almost over?" Asked a voice.

" Yeah. And thank goodness, those rats are worthless. Waste of time." Another voice responded. Spot didn't recognize them, and from the look of it, neither did Race.

" Ain't that the truth."

" You hear 'bout that fight a week ago? Fastest kid to ever get thrown into the cells. Other than Warden's favorites." The voices grew louder until Spot realized they right around the corner.

" Don't get me started on those two. The blond one doesn't know who to keep his mouth shut. Got me in trouble with the warden once." Spot heard the strike of a match and a light burned through the darkness.

" Ya know, I think that one jus' got caught again. Just got outta Isolation."

" I should ask Warden if he'll let me have a go at him. Just enough to keep him from walkin' for a few days." Race scooted closer to Spot as they were talking, grabbing his hand tightly. Spot squeezed back reassuringly.

" I'm sure he will. I got a few good whacks at the crippled one, made me feel pretty good 'bout myself." Race growled. Spot moved his arms in front of him, giving him a death glare.