A/N: So I might've not mentioned this and I know I didn't for a fact, but it's not always from a newsboy's POV…so yeah, welcome to the world of a character we both fear, love, hate, despise, but will eventually feel sorry for due to this whole problem. You've probably already guessed who it is. And probably are right.

biankies: Aw, thank you! And yeah they're all destroyed and that's pretty much my goal in the writing world. Hehehe.

Take deep breaths. That's what everyone around the whole establishment had been saying, at least. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it felt. But as old as he was, it was just that bad and he hadn't given a thought to anyone else in ages. The building ran like normal, but he didn't. Still at home and sitting in front of his desk, questioning the words written down on the letter in front of him like it was some sort of mysterious code.

To him, it in a way was. A letter written by her boy, a letter he'd never thought he'd have to deal with. Or reply to, for that matter. Maybe it was best to leave it be. Perhaps they should all just let everything just be. Life was easier that way.

"Sir, we have some representatives coming in today from Queens." Henry was standing in front of him, but he shook his head.

"I think it's best if we let them go. For now."

"But sir-"

"I demand to be left alone. What else do you think I would be doing? It's hard enough as it is without people coming and sticking their noses in everything, which in case you haven't noticed, is human nature."

Growling a bit about the state of the entire city and leaning farther back in his chair as if he could disappear into it, he re-read the letter again and again.

I was too late, but you must hear me out.

I want you to know that in memory of her, and in her honor, I've decided to keep everything she ever gave me. But I also want you to know that I am leaving soon. Heading off to … well I'm not sure. As you may have guessed, I would have originally said "Santa Fe" but now everything about it seems like a childish dream. I think I'll be heading south…or north…anywhere but here. Up to the mountains, maybe? I'm not sure.

You of all people will understand. I'm completely outraged at this happening, but of course no one could prevent it. That disease is a horrible thing and I can't stand living like this any longer.

So enclosed is my resign form. I refuse to draw anymore for your welfare or mine in this city.

Sincerely yours,

Jack Kelly

A few spelling errors, quite a few, actually, but aside from that he was regarding it as a very nicely written letter that needed to be thought about a little longer. It seemed that no matter what he did, that boy had always been there. He'd almost wanted to check on him once, but after hearing what Kelly was doing to himself from a newsboy he'd happened to catch on the street, that was all he could manage.

If things could go right for a change, this would be indeed very different. But after she had been told this was what she had, it had all gone downhill from there. He wasn't as desperate as Jack, he knew that very well, but he also knew that he was just as on edge and furious as well as upset.

Henry walked off, leaving him in a trance. This was mostly what he had been like for days now, lost in his thoughts. It made him feel weak, defenseless. But at the same time as if this were the proper thing to do. It may just be that this was what it was. Or maybe it wasn't. Parenting must be done right.

Ever since her mother had died when she was a child, that's what he'd convinced himself was how it had to be. Never leave her alone, let her grow up with him. It had indeed gone a bit far overboard in some cases, but in most he thought of himself as a perfectly grand father and wanted to keep it that way. Yet he had finally failed. And of course that failure had been that he hadn't protected her from such things. After accepting Kelly into the family, it had taken one twist after another, most good, but then came the one slip up and everything was gone. It wasn't even the boy's fault, he'd made sure that was clear. The funeral was in a few days anyways, which left him time to think further on this topic.

That was part of the problem: he wasn't sure if he wanted to think further on this topic in the first place. Talking about it brought him to complete and utter tears, Henry had tried, Emily-the maid-had tried, but to no avail. He didn't get angry and shout, he merely stood there with tears flowing down his face, looking at them and feeling completely wasted.

What did finally pull him out of his thoughts was the sudden arrival of a dirty looking boy, and a frantic one at that. Well, to put it properly, more of a tired, disheveled boy. Henry was right behind him, but did not stop him.

"Sir, I'd like to…ya need ta know what's happened."

"What was your name again?" He asked, instead of rushing into details. Deep in his mind, he had an inkling of an idea what the boy was going on about.

"Conlon, Spot Conlon, sir. Wese was wonderin' if ya got any info on this matter." Spot walked slowly up to the desk, and placed his hands upon the wooden surface. The man didn't move an inch.

"Did he take the train?"

"He-you…ya knew?" The teenager stuttered, staring at him with wide eyes, disbelieving.

"He wrote it in here." Handing the letter to Spot, he watched the boy's eyes grow wide as he read the letter, going farther and farther down until he'd finished it. He was a little surprised the boy could read it, but didn't question it any further.

"'e was plannin' on it. That bastard. We'se gonna get him back. Thanks." Spot began to leave, putting the letter down on the table and nearly sprinting out of the room.

"Hold on a moment." Pulitzer called, looking at the other. "If you want help, I believe he's taking the train north. I just have the feeling that's the way he'd go. She'd have wanted to go to Santa Fe. Jack Kelly would never go to Santa Fe without his Ace."

A/N: Oh. Ow. Um. Well this is uncomfortable…well I hope you enjoyed! Hehehehe. Thanks for reading! Can't wait to see who I break this time! Thanks again and please, review, review, review (so I can see if I broke you like Pulitzer wanted to break the newsboys.) !