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Pockets had never seen Jade Conlon's eyes so green and intense. In fact, he had never seen her so concerned before. He could tell that she was worried merely by the way she walked up to him at his selling spot. He stopped himself from yelling out another headline and instead lowered the paper. He stared at her until she finally lifted her head, fixing her green eyes on him. "You seen Sketch aroun' here Pockets?" She asked wearily. Pocket's blue eyes widened in concern. "No Jade, I ain't. Wassa matta? Sometin's wrong." Jade sighed and sat down on the curb. Pockets followed her example, sitting next to her. "Yeah sometin's da matta Pockets." Jade murmured. She didn't speak for a few more moments, but when she did, her usually strong voice was weak and quivering.

"Sketch went out last night an' didn't come back. I tought he was hangin' out at yer place, but I jest asked Grabs an' he said dat Sketch didn't even come to yer house." Jade said, her emotions overtaking her for a moment. She stopped, taking deep breaths and gulping several times before continuing. "Mama's gettin' herself in a tizzy, nothin's done 'round da house, all da kids is goin' beserk 'cause dey don't git what's goin' on. An' Papa, Papa." Jade stopped again, blinking back the crystal tears from her eyes. "Papa's goin' crazy. He ain't slept since last night. He won't listen ta Mama, an' he ain't neva aroun'. He's goin' 'round ta all da districts temorra. He would be goin' teday, but he finally listened ta Mama an' is at home sleepin'. He's jest goin' crazy Pockets. He keeps sayin' it's his fault, but he won't say why. Mama's hoitin' so bad 'cause he won't tell her nothin'. Oh Pockets, everytin's goin' so wrong an' I don't know what ta do or say." Jade whispered.

Pockets watched her with sympathetic eyes. He had never seen Jade like this, so helpless and hurt, let alone crying. It was a well known fact that Conlon's rarely showed emotion. It was like showing the world that they were weak and they didn't want this. Pockets, though he liked the Conlon's, had always thought them an overly proud race, unable of emotion, but now his convictions changed completely. He didn't know what to say or do to help her. He couldn't say anything, he knew that. He didn't have a way with words like Picks did. Picks could think of something to say that would comfort Jade, but if he tried it would come out as insensitive and rude. He couldn't do anything either, for fear that it would come out in the same way. But he did think of one thing he could do that wouldn't injure Jade further. Slowly, he slipped his arm around the girl's huddled shoulders and drew her close to him, rocking her gently. Then he thought of what to say. "It'll be okay Jade. It'll be okay." He whispered. Jade didn't respond, but merely huddled closer to him and sobbed, her fingers clutching his arm like she could never let go.

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