Act Six: What a Mess...

"I shoulda been dere." I said to Gabbs. She had just finished telling me what I missed, and boy it was ugly. "Gabbs, I... I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Crutchie." She sighed. "Besides, I'm the only one who can see and hear you remember? There's nothing you could've done anyway." We sat there quietly, deep in thought. What were we going to do? Jack had given in to Pulitzer's offer and was probably leaving for the train station first thing tomorrow. Davey and Les were unable to convince him to fight back, so Davey decided to take on the role of leader. Spot Conlon said if he ever saw Jack again, he'd beat him to a bloody pulp. The boys locked Gabby out of the lodging house. And as for me, well, there was nothing I could do. It seemed this nightmare would never end. And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse...

"I'm leaving." Gabbs finally spoke. She didn't meet my glance and instead seemed more interested in a lonely pebble in the dirt.

"What do you mean 'leaving'?" I had to ask.

"I'm going home, Crutchie."

"What?!"

"It's for the best. I'm glad you came by before I left. I didn't want to leave without saying 'goodbye'.

"But, who's gonna help me?"

"You'll have to find another medium. Besides, I can't give you your life back. I'm not even sure it's possible."

"How'd you know...?"

"Goodbye, Crutchie. I won't forget you." And with that she left for the train station.

At this point, I had given up. Gabbs' train left that evening and never had I felt so alone. Jack must have been right, it was over. I figured I might as well do what other ghosts do and find some dusty, old, building to haunt for the rest of eternity. However, there was a place I hadn't been in awhile and in a way I wanted to say goodbye. I flew to the corner of May Wood and Hack Ridge. It was the place where my life (back when I was alive) changed forever.

I remember being so cold, everyone of my bones shook painfully and my breath was like a cloud of smoke. Back then I was only 12 and still went by Christopher. I didn't know anyone but some kids at the orphanage. Wonder why I was at some street corner instead of sitting in front of a warm fire? Well, no one wants to adopt a kid with extra problems (if you know what I mean). Having monthly visits to the doc ain't exactly cheap, ya know. So because they needed room for kids who were more adoptable, I couldn't stay. So there I was, about to catch hypothermia, when some older kid walks up to me. He has a cocky grin on his face and holds out his hand. My current situation had made me bitter and angry.

"I don't needs your sympathy." I told the kid, as I swatted his hand away.

"Names Jack. Who you be?"

"Guess I'm not da only one wit a messed up body. Youse mus be deaf."

"Look, I didn't come here ta feel sorry for ya."

"I'm listenin."

"Seems to me youse got a choice; either youse could stay here an freeze ta death, or you could take me up on my offer."

"Which is?"

"I'm gonna offer ya a job, crip."

"Mah names, Christopher!" I began gesturing to my crooked leg. "Ya tink I like bein like dis? Ya tink it's easy wit dis useless, ugly leg o mine?"

"No. But it could sure help ya sell papes." Jack bent down so we were face to face. "Don't tink o dat leg as curse. Crips make excellent newsies, and ya knows why?"

"Cause day tink I'm some poor soul who's gonna keel ova an die any minute?"

"Well, maybe some. But others like crips because spite whats happen ta em', day is still alive. It gives em' hope."

"Hope for what?"

"Hope for a bettah futuah. Da world loves an underdog, ya know?" I was taking this in.

"Why is ya helpin me, anyways?"

"Why not?" I took a pause and thought it over. This could be my chance to better my situation. I'd have a life worth living.

"Alright, Jack. Yous can count me in."

"Follow me, kid." He tried to help me up and I whacked him in the arm with my crutch.

"I don't need anyone helpin me, got it?" I said as I used my crutch to get up.

"Got it." said Jack as I walked past him. "Say your pretty good wit dat crutch o yours." he complimented.

"Yeah, da odah kids ust ta call me 'Crutchie' at da orphanage. Da nuns didn't like it, doh.

"Well I like it."

"Ya do?"

"Yeah. Jus wait til ya meet da fellas. Dell like it too. In fact, from now on, your name is, 'Crutchie'."

And so, my life as a newsie began. I'd been selling papers on that corner ever since. But now, I would never get the chance to again.

"Hey, kid, quit your moppin'." said a gruff voice. Startled, I turned around to see (I kid you not) a cowboy staring straight at me. What's more, he was transparent and people on the streets were walking right through him! "Ya didn't think your the only ghost, did ya?" he asked me as if I were stupid.

"Who'er you?" I asked.

"20 years ago, when they hung me in Dodge, I went by El Desperado. Now I go by the name my mother gave me, James Richmond."

"But New York ain't Dodge."

"That's because Dodge isn't anywhere near here."

"Well den, where is it?"

"Look, I didn't come here to give you a geography lesson." the outlaw said irritably.

"Den why is ya here?"

"I've been sent here to give you a second chance. To give you back your life."

"What!"

"Now go find your body. When you're completely phased in it, you will be resurrected."

"But,"

"Go! Your friends need you." And with that, he disappeared. I was in complete awe. I couldn't believe it. Then I remembered, he said my friends needed me. I had to hurry.

Yeah, I know, short chapter. But oh well. I might write a backstory for James, but that's a story for another time. Anyway, don't forget to read, review, follow, and favorite. See ya around, duckies!