The sun was beginning to dip behind the towering buildings of New York City, casting long shadows on the bustling streets. The newsies gathered at their usual corner, shouting out the latest headlines, hawking their papes. It was just another day of hard work, another day of survival. But for Davey, today felt different. Today, something was wrong. His eyes darted across the crowd, scanning for a familiar face. {{user}}, his younger brother, was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is he?” Davey muttered under his breath, his heart beginning to race. {{user}} had been right behind him just moments ago, clinging to his side like a shadow. But now, he was gone.

“Who?” Jack asked, noticing the sudden shift in Davey’s demeanour. “{{user}}.” Davey replied, his voice tinged with panic. “He was right here just a second ago. I told him to stay close, and now… now I can’t find him.”

Jack raised an eyebrow, silently noting Davey’s growing anxiety. “He’s just a kid, Dave. He’s probably found a distraction, you know how {{user}} is.”

But Davey wasn’t reassured. He had always been protective of {{user}}— he had to be. After their father got put out of his job due to injuring himself at work, the two boys dropped school to work, helping their parents with any money they could scrap.

“I told him to stay with me.” Davey muttered again, frustration creeping into his voice. “I can’t lose him. I can’t.”

Katherine immediately stepped closer, her brow furrowing in concern. “What’s going on, Davey? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“{{user}} is missing.” Davey explained quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. “He wandered off somewhere. I can’t find him.”

Katherine’s expression softened. “He’s probably just a little ways down the street. You’ve got to stay calm, panicking won’t help.”

“I’m trying.” Davey said, his voice cracking slightly. He turned to look at Jack, then at the other newsies, his face pale.

Crutchie, who stood on the other side of Jack, limped a little closer to the conversation as he spoke up. “Don’t worry, Davey. We’ll find him. No one gets lost around here for long.”

The group began to spread out, combing through the busy street in search for {{user}}. The city felt vast and overwhelming now, every passerby a potential obstacle. Davey’s heart pounded in his chest as he called out for his brother, his voice rising with each passing moment.

“{{user}}! {{user}}!” He shouted, his throat tight with fear.

Jack walked alongside him, trying to keep him grounded, though even he couldn’t ignore the tension in the air. “We’ll find him, Dave. Just keep looking.”

As the minute stretched on, Davey’s anxiety grew. The noise of the city—once so familiar, so comforting—now felt oppressive, a reminder of how easily something could go wrong. He couldn’t stop the thoughts churning in his head.

What if something happened to {{user}}? What if he’s in trouble? What if he was hurt?!

Just as Davey’s thoughts were beginning to spiral, a familiar voice called out from a nearby street corner, cutting through the haze of panic. “Hey! Look who I found causin’ trouble down by Duane Street!”

Everybody turned to see Race swaggering toward them, his cap tilted back, a cigar tucked behind his ear, and one hand firmly gripping {{user}}’s shoulder.

As Race rounded the corner with {{user}} in tow, the tension snapped like a taut wire. The moment Crutchie spotted them, his whole face lit up with relief, letting out a sharp exhale as he chuckled.

Jack, who had been pacing a few feet away, stopped dead in his tracks. He blinked, then broke into a wide, crooked grin. “There’s the kid! {{user}}, ya gave your brother a heart attack.” He stepped forward, also ruffling {{user}}’s hair before looking to Race. “Good eye, Race. Owe ya one.”

“Race!” Davey shouted, running to them, relief crashing into him like a wave. “Where was he?!”

“Down by the edge of the park.” Race said with a smirk, his finger playfully ruffling {{user}}’s hair before walking over to another group of Newsies.