Okie, heads up, I've changed the ages in the last chapters, so Crutchie is nine and was four when he was tossed out by his parents, Jack is ten, Specs is eleven, Racetrack is ten, so on and so forth. Sorry if this creates any confusion!
Five months passed by and it was as if Crutchie had always been a part of the newises. He was as close to all of the boys, even some of the older ones, as if they were all one big family. But, the only person who still remained somewhat of a mystery was Jack Kelly. The two boys got along well enough, and Crutchie looked up to Jack as if he were the king of the world, but the two never really talked much. Crutchie had come to understand that the affection Jack had shown him in his first few weeks were just because he was the new guy, and that was who Jack was. A naturally kind, good-hearted soul that watched out for anybody the newsies took under their wing. So, Crutchie stuck close to Specs and Race, relying on them for friendship and, if needed, comfort.
Any of the newsies could come to Crutchie if they needed help. Specs had once said he wouldn't be surprised if many of them considered him a sort of second in command to Jack. Crutchie was bashful about the notion and insisted that he was just easy to talk to, and that was all. Specs and Race knew their friend had a little something more than just that, but they never said anything. If Crutchie thought that way, it was his own business, not theirs.
A knock came on Crutchie's door one day and he quickly sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he was shaken out of his nap. "Come in," he said with a yawn, moving to sit at the edge of his bed and looking at the door expectantly. The door creaked open and Jack peeked his head in, in almost a shy manner. He gave Crutchie a sheepish smile before grabbing a chair from the corner and pulling it up so he sat directly in front of the younger newsie. To say Crutchie was surprised would be a bit of an understatement. He was nervous, shocked, mortified even. He'd never been alone in the same room with Jack before.
"So... the otha boys was tellin' me that you's good at givin' advice, or just good at listenin'. Ya don't judge nobody. That true?" Jack asked gruffly. Crutchie shrugged, but he smiled slightly, happy that his reputation was so positive among his brothers. Jack took the smile as a yes and shifted in his seat, taking off his cap and sighing loudly. Crutchie leaned forward, curious about what the young leader could possibly need his services for.
"I's been... I's been havin' nightmares," Jack said slowly, choosing his words carefully. His face had slowly turned a light shade of scarlet and he looked down in shame, as if being afraid of something was a thing to be ashamed about. Crutchie hesitated before resting a hand on his knee, startling the older boy and causing him to look up. Crutchie was taken aback as he saw the pain and sorrow hidden behind those dark eyes, and he wondered how long Jack's eyes had looked like that and no one noticed.
"Have ya ever heard of the Refuge?" Jack whispered, and Crutchie's grip on his knee tightened slightly. Of course he knew about the Refuge. Everyone did. "I's been there. When I was seven, I got caught stealin' some bread. They sent me there. I didn't get out for months," Jack continued, and Crutchie could feel him start to tremble. "Snyda, he's the guy in charge, he kept beatin' me. I had to sleep in a bed with four or five otha boys. The food was terrible, and we rarely got any anyways. A-And the rats... God, they were everywhere," Jack groaned with a shudder, and Crutchie could see the tears starting to glisten in Jack's eyes.
"The nightmares won't stop. It's been two years, and I still can't get them to stop!" Jack whimpered, and he let a single tear escape. "I don't wanna be scared no more, Crutchie. I-I... I don't know what to do!" Jack started to sob and he buried his head in his hands, his young face twisted with more fear and sorrow than any ten year old should have. Crutchie surged forward and wrapped his arms around Jack as tightly as he could. He forgot that he barely knew Jack. He forgot that they hardly ever talked. He forgot that he was his idol, that he was higher than him. All he knew was that Jack was his brother; his brother that needed to be comforted, and loved, and he needed help chasing his nightmares away.
"Jack, havin' nightmares in normal. Goin' through what you went through is gonna scar ya, it's gonna leave you scared and feeling empty 'n broken, but I ain't gonna let it last. Wheneva you have a nightmare, wake me up, Jack. You got that? I don't care what time it is, or how silly ya think ya are, I wanna be there for you, and I will," Crutchie said firmly. Jack hugged him back tightly, burying his face in his shoulder and sobbing. Crutchie felt the older boy nod in agreement against his shoulder and he smiled, a watery smile that was filled with tears, but was a smile all the same.
When Jack calmed down the two boys still didn't let go of each other, clinging to one another like a life line. A nine year old and a ten year old, too young to know the unfairness of life, but their innocence had been snatched away long ago. Jack pulled away slightly and gave Crutchie a silent, tear filled smile that made Crutchie's heart soar from the genuineness of it. Jack left after thanking Crutchie, and the young boy was still in a trance-like state of joy that sent a rush through him. He had helped Jack Kelly.
That was the day it all really began. Two boys, very different, but exactly the same all at once, came together, because that's what friends do. They come out of nowhere, easing your fears and worries. They swoop you into their arms and welcome you like you're a part of their family. They treat you like everyone else, and they don't make fun of what you're afraid of. That's what Jack and Crutchie had, starting that day in a cramped room in the lodging house, and that's what they would always have.
Don't worry, this is not the end! There will be more chapters to come. I hope you guys are enjoying this story! Don't forget to FF&R!
