AN: I am so sorry once again for the very long delay in posting this next chapter... This has been a crazy year in which many things have happened – including getting engaged! I will be getting married in just under a month so my time has been very much taken up by my fiancé and wedding plans.
Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! It means a lot to me and it is what has kept me going on this story! I am sorry to say that this chapter is rather short and a bit depressing… hopefully I can post the next one before too long, but no promises.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Newsies characters or anything else affiliated with the Newsies. I am only writing this for my own pleasure (and hopefully a few others...)
Warnings: This chapter contains abuse. I don't wish to offend anyone so if you find that offensive, please refrain from reading this chapter.
Previously (here is where we left current age Jack a couple chapters ago): When they exited The Refuge, Pullitzer shoved Jack into the coach that was waiting. A short ride later, they arrived at the printing offices for The World. Pullitzer opened the door and then pulled Jack into the building, past the printing presses and down some steps into a basement. He switched a light on and Jack looked around a little. It was filled with old printing equipment that was all covered in a deep layer of dust. Pullitzer lead Jack over to a corner of the basement that had an old cot in it.
Pullitzer took a blanket off the cot and shook it out. "You can sleep here. That way you are ready right away in the morning. Now, tomorrow you will get up and head out with the other scabs to sell papes. You will not cause any problems, get in any fights, or try to contact your friends. As soon as your papes are all sold, you will come directly back here and be given some food before sent down here again for the night. If you do anything outside of those rules, you will be caught and immediately sent back to The Refuge. I am sure Warden Snyder would enjoy continuing to teach you a lesson."
Jack just turned and sat down at the bed. "I understand" he said when he noticed Pullitzer seemed to be waiting for an answer. Pullitzer nodded and threw the blanket at him before turning around, switching the light off, and walking back up the stairs. Jack laid down on the cot and tried to go to sleep. His mind kept going to what he would have to do tomorrow. He could already see the looks of betrayal and anger that would come across his friends' faces when they see him coming out of those gates tomorrow with a stack of papes. They would probably want to soak him. Hopefully he would be able to get out of there without too much confrontation. He definitely didn't want to have to fight his friends.
The next morning, Jack woke up to a light turning on and someone walking down the stairs. He looked up and saw Weasel appear at the bottom of the stairs. "Good morning, Jack! Seeing you finally put in your place sure makes for a fine morning." Weasel threw a stack of clothes onto the cot Jack was lying on. "Here, Pullitzer instructed me to make sure you look presentable before you get an early start on selling papes for him. Now get up and get dressed."
Jack stood up and winced as his stiff and sore back began burning again. He noticed Weasel was still standing at the bottom of the stairs watching him with a smirk on his face. "What? Ya ain't got nuttin betta ta do then watch me dress?" Jack grumbled at him, not wanting Weasel to see how broken he really was.
"Oh no. This is the best thing I've seen all week! The great Jack Kelly, broken and hopeless, doing what he swore he would never do." Weasel chuckled and then swished a switch through the air which Jack hadn't noticed him holding before. "I even was given permission to give you a reminder of what's waiting for you back at the Refuge if you decide to change your mind about cooperating."
Jack saw the evil glint in Weasel's eyes and knew he wouldn't need much encouragement to use that switch. He began taking off the clothes he had slept in, hissing slightly as his ribs and back made themselves known. Seeing the mess of bruises and cuts on Jack's back, Weasel let out a whistle, "Whoowee! Looks like Mr. Sullivan sure had some fun with you yesterday. I bet you are feeling that this morning!"
Jack just glared at Weasel and turned to grab the new clothes off the cot. All the sudden, he heard a whistling sound right before a line of fire ignited itself across his back. He dropped to his knees in pain, biting his fist to keep a scream of agony from escaping his lips. "You're not so strong now, are you Jack?" Weasel sneered. "You seem to have lost your swagger. Mr. Snyder must have been finally able to beat you into submission after all these years." He left three more burning stripes across Jack's back before turning and walking back up the stairs. When he reached the top, he called out one more time, "If you're not up here in five minutes, I will have to assume that you have changed your mind about cooperating."
Jack remained on his knees as he felt the last vestiges of hope slip away. A tear made a slow track down his face. He wasn't sure he had enough strength to continue. The thought crossed his mind that maybe he should just run away to Santa Fe and forget all his troubles. Then an image of Sarah came to mind and he realized he would do anything to keep that beautiful face and kind personality from the horrors of the Refuge.
With his new found strength, Jack resolutely stood up and quickly dressed. The heavy clothes aggravated his already burning back, but he remained stoic. He knew that the only way to get through the morning was to stuff any feeling he might have so deep that even he could know they were there.
!-!
Jack arrived upstairs with only seconds to spare. He silently took the stack of papes that were handed to him and went and stood with the other scabs near the gate. He took a couple of deep breaths and looked straight ahead, preparing himself for the outrage that he was sure to face from his friends in a few short minutes.
A few policemen walked over to the gate. At Weasel's signal, they pushed the gate open and began leading the scabs out. Two of the policemen each grabbed one of Jack's arms and pulled him to the front of the group. As Jack passed through the gate, he saw a line of Newsies blocking the way. He could feel their eyes boring into him as he continued to look resolutely ahead, knowing that he would break down if he allowed himself to register their shock and disappointment.
Jack could hear his friends calling out to him, but he ignored them and continued following the policemen's lead. Soon there were hands pulling at him and fists hitting him. He even felt a few rocks hit his back and head, causing even more bruises and burning, but he refused to let any of it faze him. Then suddenly his forward progress was stopped and he saw that Davey had moved in front of the other Newsies. The look he saw in Davey's eyes that spoke of betrayal and anger broke Jack's heart.
Removing himself from the policemen's grip, Jack walked over to Davey. "Heya, Jack. What's goin on? Why are you workin for the very people we've been fightin so hard against?" Realizing that Sarah would blame feel responsible for the strike failing if she found out he gave up to protect her, Jack decided he couldn't give the real reason. So, relying on all his great skills at lying, Jack looked Davey in the eye, "I decided I gotta look out for myself. Pullitzer promised me money. Real money, Davey! I can finally follow my dream of goin ta Santa Fe. All I gotta do is finish this one job fer him and I'm outta here!"
Davey just looked at him in disgust, shook his head, and walked dejectedly back to the other Newsies. Jack knew he had just lost his best friend as well as any chance of being with Sarah someday. But he just kept his mask firmly in place and walked through the crowd of very subdued Newsies. Although he was finally free and the weather was beautiful, he didn't think he would ever be able to enjoy life again. Silently, he said a quick apology to the 12 year old version of himself who had fought so hard to keep from becoming what he was now – truly and completely broken.
Hopefully the next chapter will be a little more upbeat and I think it might include some of our younger Jack in it :)