This is an immediate continuation from last chapter, just so you know.

Here's chapter 7!

Crutchie felt pain throb through his body, like an icy-cold hand was gripping at every muscle and every inch of his body. He felt a warm hand grasp his left wrist, holding it as if he were dangling from a high measure of distance. It was Jacks hand, he was hold holding Crutchie's wrist in desperation.

"We need the doctor!" Davey exclaimed as Crutchie's screaming continued. "I'll go get him!"

Davey rushed out the door in panic, looking about for the doctor. Luckily the doctor had heard Crutchie's screams, as he was running back down the hallway to Crutchie's room.

The doctor burst back into the room, with Davey following behind.

"What happened?" the doctor asked calmly.

"I...I don't know! He just started screamin'!" Jack said in a panicked voice. "What's gonna happen ta him?"

The doctor came to the bedside, and put a gentle hand on one of his legs. Crutchie was freezing, and his bad leg was still continuing to look worse.

"Is there anything you can do?" Katherine stepped forward, asking the doctor with complete concern and fright for Crutchie's health.

"No, unfortunately not to stop the pain, we can only administer heat to his legs. It's freezing."

"Oh, youse can't stop da pains?" Race looked sad, well of course he would be, Crutchie was in pain.

"No," the doctor replied simply. "Although, we can do surgery to help stop the pain, but...he may not...wake up if we do that."

Chills were sent up every spine as the doctor said that, what was better? Risking Crutchie's life, or leaving him in agony? Silent tears started rushing down Jack's face, re-wetting his already tear-streaked cheeks from before.

Not a single word was spoken for the remainder of the time that the six were there. They watched on in silence as the doctor applied heat to Crutchie's legs. His screaming had stopped a while ago, which was a good sign. He fell asleep quickly, possibly due to the pain that had taken a lot of his energy out of him.

The six left, the only sounds made were their shoes hitting the ground with a 'clonk' sound. It felt as though the walk back to the Lodging House was long and dreadful, filled with depressed thoughts of possibly losing Crutchie.

Jack had gone straight up to his 'penthouse,' leaving the other newsboys, whom looked concerned for the lack of conversation from Jack, Race and Specs, to be lost in his own thoughts.

Jack held his head in his hands, crying new tears, as if there were anymore to be wept.

'What do I do?' Jack thought. 'Do we risk the chance of his life ending to a failed surgery, or do we leave him in agony? Why does it have to be my brother? The one filled with hope, dreams and the one who keeps me going, even in my worst moments. The one who risked his life in the Refuge so that the strike could continue. The one who offered himself to take my place in war. Why him?'

The feeling of dread and sorrow had become a constant battle in Jacks life. From being drafted for war, to debating whether or not to risk Crutchie's life for surgery.

Jack couldn't take the depression anymore, he left the Lodging House to go to Katherine's for night. Walking through the dusk alleyways, to the building where Katherine's apartment resides, Jack knocked on the door, to be opened almost immediately. He walked inside and plonked his head onto the couch, to be welcomed into the darkness of sleep before Katherine could say anything.

I just love reading all your nice reviews on this story, and I roomies I'll continue to write if you ask. I'll try and update everyday, but some days I just won't be able to, so a sorry in advance if that ever happens.

How was your day today?

Mine was pretty good, just had the usual school day. Today was sooooo much cooler than the past few days, how disappointing? The top of 20 degrees today, and Sunday was like 37 degrees. Jeez, Melbourne weather. All four seasons in one, I guess you get used to it.

I hope you all had a nice day, I'll try to update tomorrow!