I know I know everybody hates me, but be happy this isn't the last chapter; I decided to drag it out a bit. And I can't express how sorry I am, I just couldn't do it, honestly, there was just so much going on, but here, because I love you is 900 words of heartfelt apology in pure newsies fanfiction.
Michelle reached out a pale hand and silenced his protests. "If Ise don't make it, foah whatevuh reason. Ise needsta know youse'll be okay. Dere's somethin I haven't told ya. Somethin real important."
Mush finally relented and gave the girl beneath him his full attention. Michelle took a deep breath and began, "Mush, I believe in life after death." He frowned, he didn't like where this was going. "We ain't all like Mr. Conlon and his men, but we all do bad tings. Because uh dat, we've failed. Dere ain't no hope for us. You get what I'm sayin?" Michelle's breath was becoming more laborious, but she plunged on at the sight of his nod. "But what wese don't realize is dat dere is hope, it's dat hope Ise always tawkin about. It comes in Christ and if youse trust him ta take on da buiyden of yoah wrong acts, den youse can be saved. Ise so desperately want ta see ya in heaven. I'm going home, but I pray dat use'll be home with me one day."
Mush kept averting his eyes. He'd never been a religious person and this had caught him off guard, even though she was "Preacher". But it finally made sense. The frustrations and desperations were a lack of something, something he knew that Michelle had, but he could never pin point it, but he knew know.
"Mush, promise me sumtin," pleaded Michelle. "Anyting Preachuh," was the boys reply.
"Go ta chuiych, jes once, tawk to da preachu dere. Tawk to a real life preachuh."
A tear escaped Mush's eyes as he was hit with the power of what she was saying. Her dying wish was for him to understand her peace. He couldn't understand it, but in that moment, Michelle was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. More beautiful than that night on the roof all that time ago, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers, the coldness of her mouth shocked him, but he refused to pull away. She closed her eyes in what began as bliss, but Michelle never opened her eyes again. There on that chilly fall night Mush sat in stunned silence in the streets of Manhattan, Jack his faithful leader held him and comforted him as the doctor and Denton discussed what to do with her body and how to best handle the situation.
Brick had finally reached Manhattan. Freezing cold, dripping wet, trembling from the bitter bite of the wind as well as the sharp ache piercing his side, he plowed on. The scrawny brunette limped through the streets and as he finally crossed the threshold of the newsies bunkhouse he was distraught to reach another disheartening seen, and he knew exactly what had happened.
Mush sat staring in a forlorn manner; old tears dried on his face, blood stained his hands, shirt and cheek. Jack paced uneasily and the crew was in an uptight manner, like a slingshot pulled taut awaiting release and he knew that he would be the one to release marbles.
"Boys," he rasped out, "Ise got a plan, and if youse would be willin to take part den dis could be over mighty quick.
"Jacky boy, Ise need yoah best boiyd." At that there was an awkward silence, "My boiyd is down Brick. Hoiyt protectin Spot." Brick grimaced at the sacrifice this group had made for his friend; it was assuring, but harsh all the same.
The next thing that happened surprised the whole group. Little Chips spoke up. "Ise can do it. Whatevuh it is, Ise can do it." The young girl wanted to prove herself, to the group and to her beloved Stealth. He had suffered so much for this already and she didn't want it to be in vain.
Before long the plan was being rolled out and sharpened as the group collaborated.
Midnight had come and gone when the ragged group took action. Chips had headed out with Brick and Jack to reach Spot, her job was to keep tabs on what was happening, if anything went south she would sprint for back up. The rest of the group prepared for battle and headed for the rendezvous point where they would meet up with the Brooklyn army.
Brick and Jack crept around the corner, down the hallway and eventually reached the main room. Inside they found Papa Conlon vacant, but what was left of their fearless leader was almost overwhelming. The boy, the leader, the king had clearly been dethroned. He was placed in a solid wooden chair, his body hung limp, his bonds alone holding him up. Cuts, bruises, abrasions and at least one obvious broken bone scattered across his fragile frame. His breath was strenuous and Brick nearly lost it right then and there. This wasn't just his leader, this was his best friend, and this was his brother. He and Jack jumped hastily into removing the bonds and transporting him out of the room. They finally reached outside and Jack told Chips to return to the group, he and Brick were going to rush their fallen comrade to a doctor. They had, after all, each suffered a loss that night and one more would be unbearable. But as they stood to leave, Papa Conlon arrived.
"What have we here?" Asked the wintry snake of a man. "A renegade? How touching." Jack stepped forward placing himself in between this man and his prey, meanwhile insisting that Brick just scoop Spot up and run which he promptly did.