Author's Note

.｡｡*ﾟi hope you're staying safe and watering yourself! .｡｡*ﾟ

Love youuu 💗 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚 ️

MANHATTAN, 1899

Despite the show the cops had made during the rally siege, only a handful of newsboys were arrested in the end. And that included Jack. They were charged with a series of crimes: obstructing traffic, violation of curfew, assaulting officers of the law, and resisting arrest. Jack's additional charges included inciting to riot and unlawful discharge from the House of Refuge.

They were each declared truants, without any supervision, and juvenile delinquents. The events of the night prior had not worn away as the newsies moved quickly and with little concern through the bookings and proceedings, immune to the jailor's harsh words. It was like they were in denial about their situation. Like they didn't believe any consequence would really come about. No parents appeared to plead or reprimand. The cops were stoic and unfriendly. The trial drew little attention. Didn't even make the papers.

Racetrack had been slapped hard across the face by his grandmother before the court proceedings. She was poking him in the chest, rambling in an angry Sicilian dialect.

And now, Sophie saw the old woman slumped in a gallery seat behind the bench, wearing a black shawl and hair scarf, and holding a rosary. Her face was pale, her knee bouncing, her eyes red from weeping. Moments ago, she'd had her face buried in a handkerchief.

Sophie glanced around, eyeing the time on the large clock. So far, none of Jack's old associates had shown up. And now she had nothing to pay his fine with. On that note, she reminded herself to give Marquette and Doc their donations back.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sophie saw a young man enter the courtroom, trudging in like a condemned man facing a noose. He stopped at the aisle behind her bench, gave a mock genuflect as he crossed himself, and slid in. Leaning forward, he spoke in Sophie's ear, "Guess I'm the first to arrive," he said, looking around the primarily empty gallery.

Sophie turned to look at him. Atlas Giannotti offered her a half-smile. "You're the only one to arrive," she corrected him.

"Give it time," he said. "If I know my fellow convicts, they'll show."

Sophie nodded and bowed her head as Atlas rested his arms on the back of the bench before him.

"Jack didn't do anything," she said.

"He must've done something. Snyder don't just chase after anyone."

"He escaped hell. And Snyder wants to drag him back," she said.

"Everyone needs a hobby," Atlas said.

"How long do you think they'll lock him away for?"

"Until he's twenty-one," Atlas told her, and it made her knees go weak. "Maybe he'll get transferred to state. Depends on the judge. Snyder's been after him for a while. Lot of time to plot revenge."

"It's Monaghan," Sophie said. "He's the reason the Refuge gets as many kids as it does."

"Him and a number of others," Atlas said.

Sophie wiped her sleep-deprived eyes and scanned the room, looking for more familiar faces, but finding none.

"Does Jack ever talk about it?" Atlas asked. "Tell you what went on?"

"He doesn't like to," Sophie said with a shrug. "He has nightmares about it. Wakes up screaming sometimes, so I've been told. Most of the time, he just pretends he was never there in the first place. Or he downplays it. Only talking about Teddy Roosevelt saving the day. The second time around, I mean."

"I can't do much for him," Atlas said, leaning closer to Sophie, his eyes locked on hers. "He's going to have to adjust by himself this time. It ain't gonna be easy, Soph. You know, Snyder will be making up for lost time. And lost money, too."

"Yeah, Bella said the same thing," Sophie mumbled. "That's why she and the girls didn't come. They couldn't watch."

"Bella's never been in the Refuge," Atlas said. "She doesn't know what I know. Thinks Snyder will kill him in there."

"Do you think Snyder will?"

"Nah," Atlas said. "I doubt it. Jack's tough. Or at least he was when we were in there. He'll make it through if he can be the way he was."

"I hope you're right," Sophie said, toying with a loose thread on her dress. "God, I'm so nervous. My stomach hurts."

"Deep breaths."

"They're bringing him out soon," Sophie said, looking at Atlas anxiously. "I already know he'll get sent up. I just wanna know for how long."

"Is Medda here?"

"No, she's at the theater," Sophie said. "I don't think she wanted to come. It was too painful."

"Probably for the best anyway," Atlas said. "But her history with Monaghan and Snyder might've been useful."

"Will you stay with me until his hearing's over?" Sophie asked, her voice hoarse, her eyes focusing on the newsies being corralled into the box before the stand. She didn't want to cry in front of Atlas. "I don't want to be by myself."

"Of course," he said. "I ain't got plans with the fellas 'til later."

"What are your plans later?" Sophie asked, cracking a small smile despite the tears behind her eyes.

Atlas winked at her.

"Breaking Jack out," he said.

David Jacobs shuffled in with his little brother, Les. They squeezed in next to Sophie, exchanging quiet hellos and words of reassurance.

"Sarah's not here?" Sophie asked David.

He shook his head. "Mama barely let us out of the flat. She didn't want Sarah mixed up in all this. Or get carted off with the others, God forbid."

Sophie nodded solemnly, watching Judge Monaghan announce the fine for the other newsies. They were dressed in the same clothes from the night before, their hair askew. No lawyer, no form of counsel, nothing.

The bailiff stood off to the right of the judge. He was a short, bulging-eyed man who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. His hair was slicked back with pomade and his uniform appeared wrinkled and untailored.

The newsies didn't bother to make a show of manners. They cracked jokes at the judge's expense, laughing, carefree to reality. Sophie wanted to laugh along with them but how could she? This wasn't a game to her. Not to Jack.

All she could do was sit with the Jacobs' boys and Atlas behind the wooden barrier, flanked by two court officials. Sophie could feel the judge's cold, impatient stare like a blinding light. He had spoken little throughout the whole process, all business-like, unfazed by the newsies' remarks.

Leah had assured Sophie everything would be fine, having the opposite reaction of Bella. She said it wasn't in the papers, and therefore it wasn't a big deal. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she'd told Sophie. Maybe Jack would only get a light reprimand.

"He'll probably just get fined," Leah said that morning before Sophie left for the courthouse. "A night in jail. They'll rough him up a bit. He'll be back with us in no time."

"What if I never see him again? What if I lose him for real this time?" Sophie cried.

"Don't say that," Leah said. "You gotta stay positive. Be strong for him. Be brave for him. For yourself. It's the only way you'll get through it. Trust me, I know."

Sophie had made the journey to the courthouse alone, overly consumed by anxious thoughts.

Jack was two weeks away from his eighteenth birthday. If Snyder didn't advocate for his imprisonment in the Refuge, he might get sent to the penitentiary instead where their father was.

"I'll pay the fines!" Brian Denton rushed in from the back. "All of them."

Sophie jumped. She hadn't even noticed him. How long had he been there for?

"Pay the clerk," Monaghan said. "Move it along."

The rest of the newsies swarmed Denton raucously, all talking at once, singing his praises. Sophie sat up a little straighter. Maybe Denton would do the same for Jack.

"Meet at the restaurant," Denton said, a bit quieter. He looked uneasy. "All of you. We need to talk."

David's low "Oh, shit," made Sophie look up and follow his gaze to Jack being led out in shackles. His face was horribly bruised and swollen, eliciting shocked looks from the boys.

"Hiya, fellas!" Jack called out – a bit too chipper for Sophie's taste. "Hey Denton. Guess we made all the papes this time, huh? How'd my picture look?"

Sophie closed her eyes, shaking her head. Not the time, Jack, she thought.

"None of the papers covered the rally," Denton said. "Not even The Sun."

Jack returned a shocked look of his own, and by the sigh from David, Sophie guessed this was news to them. Before Jack could say anything further, Denton spun around and bolted out of the courtroom.

"What the fuck?" Sophie heard Atlas mutter in alarm, eyeing Denton's hasty exit with folded arms.

"Case of Jack Kelly. Inciting to riot, assault, resisting arrest," the bailiff called.

The bailiff shoved Jack in front of the bench, and none other than Warden Snyder slipped in from a side door.

"Judge Monaghan, I'll speak for this young man."

"Oh, you two know each other?" Jack scoffed in mock-surprise. "Ain't that nice."

"Just move it along, Warden Snyder," Monaghan said.

"This boy's real name is Francis Sullivan; mother deceased; father a convict in the state penitentiary."

Here we go, Sophie grit her teeth. Everyone appeared confused and appalled, aside from her and Atlas.

As Snyder continued with his speech, Sophie's face wilted at Jack's defeated expression. She felt Atlas' steadying hand on her shoulder as she began to tremble, fighting back her tears.

There was a sudden commotion out in the corridor.

Moments later, the door squeaked open loudly, slamming against the wall, echoing through the high-ceilinged, stuffy room. A string of curses chorused through the back, followed by squeaking footsteps on linoleum, and loud hushes to be quiet. It was as if someone dropped the kneeler in a stone-silent church.

All those present turned to face the commotion, including Snyder and Monaghan. Sophie watched Snyder's face twist into a look of something she could only describe as a mixture of disgust and fear.

Sophie looked over her shoulder to find the two benches behind her now packed with a smorgasbord of familiar faces. Eleven of the Refuge's finished products, settling next to and behind Atlas, who greeted them fondly.

A few court marshals in blue blazers and badges followed them, out of breath, giving the judge a 'we tried' look, holding up their hands in exhaustion.

Marquette was whispering to Camille as she balanced Amelie on her lap. River, Z, and Fleet were scanning the courtroom, half-impressed, half-miffed. Shakespeare, Cards, and Lion looked near-death – their caps pulled down low, nursing a flask between them (filled with water, more than likely), and slouched in their seats. Crazy and Rails sized up the guards, mumbling to each other, pointing out ones they recognized. Doc was slightly removed from the others, looking somewhat worried but determined as ever.

Muggs and Alexei – like the Guildenstern and Rosencrantz folie à deux they were – sat at the very end, reclining lazily, glaring straight ahead at Snyder. Alexei gave a small wave with his fingers. Muggs huffed a powder off his fingernail, throwing his head back as he sniffled, and then met Snyder's eyes, flipping him off with both hands.

"If we're all quite finished," Judge Monaghan said, impatiently waiting for the newcomers to settle in. "I will proceed with sentencing."

Sophie felt her breath hitch. No fine. No chance of release.

Snyder was slow to turn back around, clearly rattled. He hadn't expected such an alumni appearance.

Even Jack couldn't hide his slight pride. For a moment, he'd forgotten about all the outing Snyder had done. A surge of renewed energy charged through the room.

"Do you understand the charges that have been made against you, young man?" Monaghan asked down to Jack.

"Yes, your Honor," Snyder answered for Jack, sounding smug. He was putting on a show now that he an audience.

The color drained from Sophie's face.

Jack looked over his shoulder again for a quick glance at the former Refuge boys.

"Do you have anything to say before I pass sentence?" Monaghan asked, taking a sip from a glass of water.

Jack slowly looked back at the judge. "Too late to ask for a lawyer, huh," he mumbled as more of a statement than a question.

The judge rolled his eyes, his eyes going over a piece of paper before him. He coughed, neatly stacking the documents against the desk.

The room was humid, and Sophie was sweating through her dress. She kept her hands folded in front of her, staring straight ahead. She could hear the whispers behind her, some of them optimistic, some of them resigned for the worst. She could hear Atlas whispering a recited prayer in Italian behind her.

Monaghan took his time deliberating the sentence per Snyder's wishes: incarcerate Jack in the House of Refuge until the age of twenty-one. Just like Atlas wagered.

"So ordered. Francis Sullivan," Monaghan began in a harsh tone. "The court hereby sentences you to be remanded for a period of no more than four years and no less than a year to the House of Refuge. The sentence is to begin effective immediately."

Beside David, Les let out a furious yell. Sophie wiped a stray tear. She turned around and saw Cards sitting with his head down, one hand over his eyes, his other arm wrapped around his stomach.

"Furthermore," Monaghan continued, leaning against the back of his chair, glaring at Jack. "Had it not been for your tender age and the merciful words of Warden Snyder, I would have sentenced you to the state penitentiary. I am not at all convinced of your repentance. You will have to change a lot of your ways and attitude to prove me wrong."

David stood up, pulling Les with him as they made their way out of the courtroom without a word.

Monaghan rolled up his sleeves, nodding to Warden Snyder. "See to it, Warden," he said as an afterthought, "that he learns how to be a civil and productive member of society. I do not want to see this boy in my courtroom ever again." He gave Jack a pointed, authoritative look. "If I do, I will not be as lenient. That I promise you." He banged his gavel, making Sophie flinch.

"Thank you, your Honor," Snyder said, taking Jack by the back of his shirt and leading him out.

"Can't I say goodbye? I've got my friends, my sister," Jack begged Snyder, wincing as the shackles dug into his wrists. "Just for a minute?"

"No time," Snyder sneered, taking one last look at the gallery of rogues. "Straight to the wagon."

"He's the devil," Sophie said to Atlas, eyeing Snyder as he paraded Jack to the door. "He's evil. Throwing Jack in the Refuge to rot. I could kill him."

Atlas leaned over and patted her shoulder, lightly squeezing it again. "I wouldn't be saying that too loudly, Sophie," he said. "Not in here anyway."

"Why not?" Sophie said. "I've got nothing and no one left to lose."

Lion reached over the bench and tapped Atlas. His voice was barely audible enough for Sophie to hear. "Here's the two bits I owe you. Should've known he'd get more than six months," he whispered. Then he noticed Sophie's flabbergasted expression. "Sorry. A bet's a bet."

"Lucky he didn't get sent to state," Rails said. "That would've been a bigger nightmare."

Crazy stood and leaned over the bench, running a hand through his hair tiredly. "Luck ain't got nothing to do with it," he said. "They were playing with loaded dice from the beginning."

Sophie fell back against the bench, closing her eyes, listening to the boys ramble, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. Without a word, Doc came over and sat beside her, extending his arm as Sophie fell against him, sobbing freely into his shirt.

"Jack will be okay," Doc said to her in that steady voice. "He survived it once, and he'll survive it again."

Sophie could barely see through the blurry tears, snuggling closer into Doc's chest. "Hey," Doc held her, smoothing back her sweaty blonde hair from her face. "Jack is still alive and fighting. And after everything I've seen, alive and fighting counts for a lot."

"What is it that Grim used to say?" Cards asked to no one in particular.

"You can't let it beat ya," Atlas answered quietly.

Sophie sniffled, trying to muffle her cries that only seemed to spill without end.

"Grim was wrong." Alexei stood, shaking his head in incredulity. "We were beat a long time ago."