Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies. Anything said or done that you recognize from anywhere, be it from movies, books or TV shows I do not own either.


Chapter 13:

Lost and Found

Shaking his head Spot untangled his hand from her hair his blue eyes wide with shock. "No, No, Jacky-Boy wouldn't have done that."

"But he did. He was upset and jealous all because of a girl. It's all in here." She said holding the book towards him.

Dazed, Spot stumbled backwards and sat in his usual area on the window sill. Taking his hat off, he tossed it to the ground and placed his head in his hands so it covered his eyes his elbows resting on his knees.

*Flashback*

Spot stood on the end of the fifth dock, out by the East River. The street lamps had already been lit hours prior.

Having sent his newsies to the lodging house already, claiming that they needed sleep to be up bright an early to sell the morning edition, the Brooklyn leader stood alone that night, switching his gaze from the bright stars above him to the water running below the dock.

Stretching his arms over his head he gave out a loud yawn. A light breeze tickled his tan skin as he looked over the horizon again. He liked the time when he could be alone, because when he was, he was no longer Spot feared King of the Brooklyn newsies. He was just simply Theodore. Letting the walls he had built around him fall; he took a breath of fresh air, shoving his hands in his pockets he rolled the marbles around with his right hand.

Hearing the dock creak under the pressure of footsteps he quickly threw up his walls transforming back into the emotionless King he was. "I thought Ise told youse all ta go ta bed." He snapped as he turned around.

"Ise ain't one of ya boys Spot or yer girls fer that matteh." Came the slightly slurred reply.

"Hey Jacky-Boy, how's it rollin'?" He smirked spitting into his ink stained hand and held it out to the other leader.

Jack stared at the hand for a moment but didn't copy the gesture. Looking dead into Spot's eyes he clenched his jaw.

"Youse ok there Kelly?" He asked putting his hand back at his side.

"How long have we'se been friends Spot?" The cowboy asked tossing his cigarette butt into the river.

Shrugging Spot fiddled with the golden tip of his cane, watching as the cigarette butt vanished down the river. "Few years. Since youse became leadeh… why?"

Nodding he stuck his hands in his pockets, his vest blowing in the breeze and his brown hair getting pushed in his hazel eyes. "So you would say we'se got a pretty good friendship here?"

"Yeah, Jacky-Boy what's with da questions?"

Sighing Jack turned his face to the sky. "I asked Sarah to marry me Spot."

Smiling Spot nodded his head. "Finally settling down eh cowbo-"

"She said no." He glared at Spot interrupting him. "And do youse know why?"

Shaking his head the Brooklyn boy's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. He watched as Jack took a couple of small stumbling steps towards him. Obviously the Manhattan leader was drunk.

"'Cause 'a you." He pointed a finger angrily at the smaller boy. "'Cause she says youse kissed her Conlon. So now she thinks there's somethin' goin' on between youse two and so she told me no!"

"Jacky-Boy," Spot started and held his hands up to show him he meant no harm. "I was drunk; Hell youse is drunk right now, youse of all people should know Ise can't control what I do when I'm drunk."

Sniffing Jack wiped his nose on his sleeve as he glared at the Brooklynite through his eyelashes. "That ain't da point Spot!! Youse betrayed our friendship and ruined my relationship with Sarah!!" Lunging forward quickly he sent a punch which hit its mark, sending Spot staggering back his hand holding his left cheek.

Growling, Spot jumped at Jack, fists flying. The two boys fought each other without holding back. Punching the Manhattan leader in the stomach, Spot heard the breath leave Jacks lungs with a slightly audible whoosh sound. Grabbing the collar of Jacks shirt Spot held the bigger leader up.

"So what now Kelly huh?" Spot hissed back at him a small trail of blood running down his busted lip. "A borough war? Is that what you want?"

"No." Jack wheezed and stuck his hand in his pocket and slowly pulled out a shiny black pistol and positioned it on Spot's chest. The barrel of the gun aimed at his heart. "See if Ise get rid of youse, I get rid of me problems. No betraying friends, no borough wars, no nuttin. And I know for a fact all yer little boidies are either sleeping or watching over Queens or Coney Island. So not one of them knows Ise heah." Cocking the barrel he put his finger on the trigger.

"So this is it then Jacky-Boy?" Spot muttered, slowly letting go of the elder's shirt and backing away a bit. "Youse just gonna kill me?"

"Ise think our friendship is over Spot." Was all Jack said as he pulled the trigger and sent that bullet into the Brooklyn boy's chest.

Pain ripped threw Spot as he stumbled back. Shock over whelmed him with the fact that Jack Kelly just shot him. Collapsing to his knees, Spot breathed heavily, his right hand pressed against his chest as if trying to keep the warm liquid in his body, his left hand barely holding himself up. He sent a weak glare at his new enemy. Spot's brilliant blue eyes started to lose their glow as he fell to the wooden dock. The Brooklynite closed his eyes and let the darkness over come him. Blood pooled around him as he slowly and painfully took his last breath.

Bruised and bloody Spot died at the hands of the boy he thought was his best friend.

*End of Flashback*

"Spot?" Allison's voice seemed to echo in his mind as he stared at the floor. "Theodore?"

Looking up when she said his real name he stared at her, like realizing for the first time that she was there, kneeling in front of him her warm hand on his cold shoulder. Sighing Spot touched his chest where he was shot. How could he forget something as important as who killed him?

"You remember now right?" She asked quietly.

Nodding Spot licked his lips. "Yeah, yeah I do. Jack killed me 'cause I got drunk one night an kissed his girlfriend and then she turned down his proposal for marriage thinkin' we'se had somethin' goin' on. There wasn't it, was a stupid mistake. He was drunk. He was always so thick headed when he was drunk."

"A mistake that's keeping both you and Jack here, you and Jack never had a chance to forgive each other, there was no closure." Nodding her head she stood up and looked at Riley. "We should go before it gets to dark to look."

"Where youse goin'?" Spot asked standing as well.

"To find your body." Riley's replay came as he pushed himself off the door frame and got ready to go grabbing the book carefully from her and placing it in his bag.

"Where?" He asked as he watched Allison throw on a light jacket. It being spring now meant it was cold out side but not horribly freezing.

"According to the book you're in Prospect Park. But how Jack got your body from the docks to that park with out being seen is beyond me." Allison as she tucked the book safely away in Riley's messenger bag.

"It was da1900's lots of kids died in fights or factories. If anyone saw, they must have just thought that it was just a street rat bringing a fallen friend home before the bulls got there." Spot shrugged.

Nodding Allison placed a flashlight in her pocket and ran to her computer as quickly as she could she printed out a map of the park... "Meet you downstairs." She told Riley and watched him dash down the stairs. Turning to Spot she smiled. "We will find your body Spot."

"I know youse will," Pulling her close to him and run his fingers over her warm skin. He nearly growled when he saw her eyes. Her green tinted contacts the covered her miss matched eyes, he hated when she had those on. He loved her eyes. "Youse be careful."

Nodding her head she took his hand in hers and felt his cold calloused skin. Remembering it for when he left, standing on her tip toes she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. When he kissed back he made her shiver involuntarily.

Moving his hands to her shoulders he hugged her to him tightly. Pulling away from the kiss he placed his forehead on hers, sighing nudged her towards the still slightly open door before letting her go completely. "Riley's waitin'"

Sighing, she grabbed the map out of the printer and went to the door looking back only once before closing it and running down the stairs.

Looking up nervously at Riley he nodded his head in encouragement and pushed her towards her father's office.

Shaking her head, she back up towards the door only to be stopped by Riley. "I can't do this he'll think I'm crazy."

"You need too, your father is the only person we know that would be able to tell how long someone's been dead and how they died. We need him."

"But,"

"No buts now go." He stated as he pushed her towards the office again.

Taking in a breath she knocked on the door and waited for him to acknowledge her. Hearing a soft come in, she opened the door and looked at her father nervously. "Daddy, I… well Riley and I need your help."

Looking up from his papers her father leaned forward. "With what Princess?"

"Remember all that stuff that Grandma Joanne told you when I was younger about me having a special gift?"

Robert narrowed his eyes as he watched his daughter fidget nervously. "Yes, she believed you were able to see and speak to ghosts." Chuckling he shook his head a bit. "She was kinda batty."

"But she was right." She said boldly.

Cocking his head to the side he looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"I can see and speak to ghosts. I help them Dad, when they lose their way. That's why I was always in trouble with the cops back in Maine and the reason I was at the docks that one day."

Shaking his head he stood from his desk. "Sweetie, ghosts aren't real."

"They are Dad and I need your help with something important."

"No, they aren't!" He stated firmly refusing to believe what his daughter saying.

"Yes, they are Dad. There's a ghost in my room. He's the reason why I need your help. Please Dad you have to believe me."

"If there real then block them out! Do you know what people would think, if they heard that you believe that you can see ghosts?"

"I can't block it out Dad! It's not like a light switch I can just turn on and off. Spot needs my help and I'm going to help him… even if you think I'm crazy!" With that she ran from the room. "Let's go Riley."

"My cars outside, the shovels are in the trunk." He said as he opened the door and walked after her glancing at her father as he stepped from his office.

Pulling up to the park the two teens got out and walked to the back of the car. Popping the trunk the duo grabbed the shovels and supplies they needed before closing the car and walking to the front of the park.

"Where to?" Riley asked as he placed the shovel on his shoulder and stared down at her.

"Give me the book." She said digging through his bag till she felt the worn pages and pulled it out. "The page sai-" She was cut off as a car pulled up behind Riley's and her father stepped out. "What are you doing here?" She asked in disbelief.

"I followed you. Now if you can prove to me that you see ghosts, I'll help you with this. If you can't you are coming home with me." He stated his hands on his hips a firm fatherly look on his wise face.

"About two years ago, Grandpa Allen came to see me and he told me something about you that I would have never figured."

"What's that?" Her father asked curiously.

"That you slept with your blue baby blanket until you were 14." She smiled, knowing that she had one up on him.

Robert blinked and grabbed the shovel from her. "That does not leave the three of us got it?" Seeing them nod, he rolled his eyes a bit at his daughter's giggle. "Where are we going?"

Looking around she found a street light close by and walked under it. Glancing from the page of the book she quickly read. "It says that he is buried in the Nethermead. Passed the Quaker Cemetery across the road and to the farthest clump of trees to the North, under a tree with knot holes the shape of a screaming face," Switching her gaze at the map of the park they had brought she tried to pin point it. "That's oddly specific, but it's hard to say where that is though, because I'm sure they made changes the park in the 109 years that Spot's been buried there."

Walking over Riley looked at the map and sighed. "Well let's try to find it and hope for the best. With the knot holes description I'm sure we'll find it." Looking up at the nearest street sign he mumbled to himself. "We are on Prospect Park Southwest right now so…" With his finger he drew a path down the map. "And if we cross the street here and go to the right, we should end up here." He pointed to a green spot on the map.

Looking over his daughters shoulder, Robert eyed the map thoughtfully. "I think I know where that is." Her father said as he started walking towards the park entrance and read a sign on the wall. "You do know the parks closed right?"

"Yeah Dad, but we can't exactly come and start digging around during the day," She said as she and Riley walked to the entrance and stood next to the older male. Pulling out two flashlights she handed one to Riley and one to her dad before diving back into her bag to get one for herself. "Glad I kept these in here, after you Daddy."

Slowly the trio entered the park praying no one saw them and would alert the cops. The small spotlights from their flashlights raced over the trees and pathways searching for any sign that would point them in the right direction, after about 10 minutes of walking they crossed a street, looking both ways out of habit, and soon came upon an old cemetery.

"Quaker Cemetery?" Allison asked quietly.

"I think so," Riley agreed. Pointing his flashlight across the street to their right, he searched the area. "Then that must be Nethermead."

Robert moved forward to stand next to his child as he moved his flashlight over the map nodding quietly. "Your right," He said, as they once again crossed another small street to a wooded area, "Well this has to be the spot."

"Okay, now we just have to search for a tree with knot holes in the shape of a screaming face." Allison sighed in defeat. "This is going to take forever."

Glancing over at his daughter Robert nudged her a bit with his elbow. "Then I suggest we best get started."

Nodding her agreement the three set forth and walked into the grove of trees. Stumbling a bit over uneven roots, they shined their flashlights over every part of the tree's trunk.

Allison groaned in aggravation as she came upon what seemed like her 90th tree and kicked the trunk. "This is hopeless!"

"Or is it?" Came her Father's reply from the darkness to her left.

Flinging her arm out, she caught her fathers figure in the beam and walked forward. "You find it?"

"I think so."

Coming up behind him she looked in awe at the tree and jumped a bit as Riley stopped next to her his voice seeming almost too loud in the quiet area. "This has to be it. It's an exact match to the description in the book."

"It looks like that one painting," She thought out loud. "The Scream by Edvard Munch."

"Let's start digging. Allison, stand back, Riley help me dig."

Seeing that her father was taking charge the teens did what they were told.

"I can help Daddy; I'm not going to break or anything." Allison huffed, as she kept her flashlight trained on the ground so they could see what they were doing.

"Riley and I already have the shovel so it just makes sense," Came Roberts stubborn reply. "Have you thought about what we are going to do if we find a body?"

"I guess call the police." She shrugged. "Tell them that I left something here and we came back to search for it and because of all the rain, most of the dirt had washed away and there was a bone peeking out."

Stopping, Riley gave her a strange look. "You really think the Cops are stupid enough to believe that?"

"You wanna tell them the truth?"

"Good plan, I like your plan." He said quickly before getting back to work.

Shivering Allison pulled her coat closer to her at the sudden bone chilling wind, and it was getting colder. Soon the feeling of unease washed over her.

Riley looked up too and searched the area his eyes narrowing as they landed upon Allison. "You feel that?"

"The Shadow from the house," She nodded.

"Youse shouldn't be here." Came a malevolent voice that seemed to surround them. (A/N: Imagine Christian Bales Batman voice. :P ) Both teens frantically looked about trying to find the source. Even Robert looked up from the 1 foot hole that he and Riley had created after hearing the voice.

"Why?" Allison questioned in a tone that one would never take with a leader. "Trying to hide something Kelly?"

Soon the smell of smoke drifted over the area as a shadowy figure walked from the darkness and into the beam the flashlight gave off. "So what if I am?"

"I guess it wouldn't matter. Because we know that this is where you buried Spot, and you can't stop us from finding him." She challenged.

Pushing something off of what seemed to be his hair the shadow slowly started to take the form of a boy not much older then Allison or Riley. Blowing a stream of smoke out, he glared at the three. Soon the wind started to pick up as dirt and leaves flew passed them.

Robert dropped the shovel on the ground in shock as he looked over Jack's clothes, from his cowboy hat, down to his shoes. Shaking his head he turned to Allison and Riley for conformation.

"He's dead Mr. Matthews."

Nodding he continued to stare at him in disbelief.

"Look Jack, I've read about what happened! It's all in your journal, Riley and I found it at the Manhattan Lodging House! It's a museum now, the people didn't even know that there were secret hiding spots for things!" She yelled over the wind now roaring through the trees. "Jack killing Spot over something as stupid as being turned down in a marriage proposal was ridiculous! You were drunk! You ended up taking your own life out of guilt! That's why both you and Spot are stuck here."

"Conlon broke our friendship; I think he deserves ta rot in da ground and I'm personally glad he's stuck here. I've made it me mission ta make sure no one finds his body." He explained in anger, his voice starting to sound more like it would normally.

"Jack, if Sarah loved you like you thought she did and if her love was so easily swayed over something like a stupid drunken kiss, then she didn't deserve you!" She argued. "It seems to me like Sarah didn't love you as much as you loved her! After both you and Spot died, she married someone else anyway!"

Glancing at the ground Jack thought about what she said. Running his hand through his hair he sighed. He hated to admit it, and as much as he wanted to hold on to the anger and revenge he had based his after life on, he knew she was right. If Sarah had loved him like she said she did then wouldn't have rejected him and he wouldn't have killed one of his good friends. Slowly the wind started to die down as Jack calmed.

"Both you and Spot need to forgive each other. Please Jack; in two months it'll be one hundred and ten years that you both have been stuck here. It's time that you both forgave each other and moved on." She reasoned with him the best she could, she just hoped he would be the bigger man and do it.

Gently he nodded and sighed putting the ghostly cigarette back to his lips. The group was quiet for a bit waiting to see if he had anything to say.

Allison noticed as his facial features changed quickly, like he was trying to convince himself to do this but would change to another emotion once he had talked himself out again but soon would give in to what he knew was right.

Slowly Jack lifted his head, after much thinking on the subject and placed his hat back on his head. "Okay," He sighed. "Yer music box with Spot's key is down there with him, along with your camera thingy and papes." Sighing he shook his head and pushed his hands into his pockets. "I'm goin' ta go see Spot."

Nodding Allison focused her flashlight back on the ground as Riley and her father started to dig again, her eyes never leaving Jack's vanishing figure.

Slowly she brought her eyes back down to the hole that was starting to get bigger. "Please Spot, please forgive him." She mumbled quietly.

Spot tapped his cane on the ground in aggravation, he hated that he was stuck in the stupid house. Sighing he sat down on the window sill and waited impatiently. Looking out the window for a bit, his head snapped to his right as a felt a presence in the room. One he hadn't felt in along time.

"How's it rollin' Brooklyn?" Jack asked nervously as he stood in front of the bookshelf across the room from him.

"Youse got a lota balls shown yer face here Kelly." Standing Spot crossed his arms and glared at him. "Ya dirty Scabbah."

"I know. But me and you," He gestured with his hand. "We needs ta talk."

Glaring at the older boy Spot nodded. "So start talkin'."

"That goil that's been helpin' ya got me thinkin'. Ise made a mistake Spot, if Sarah had loved me like she said she did she wouldn't have rejected me just because you kissed her when youse were drunk," Jack explained as both leaders locked eyes with each other. "Killin' you was probably da worst idea in da world. I know it's a little late, but Ise hope ya can forgive me. I'd undastand if ya didn't." Jack walk forward a bit till they were about 3 feet from each other, spitting into his hand he held it out to Spot as a gesture of peace.

Looking at the ground Spot bit the inside of his cheek. Glancing up at Jack every so often he took in everything Jack had said. Slowly he lifted his head and leaned it ta the side. "Youse didn't hurt Spirit, Riley or her fadda did ya?"

Shaking his head Jack started to bring his hand down thinking Spot wasn't going forgive him.

Seeing that, he nodded a bit, "I forgave ya when youse turned scabbah durin' da strike. It might take awhile Kelly, but eventually Ise think I can learn ta forgive ya." Spitting into his hand the two leaders shook hands.

Suddenly a bright light engulfed Spot's window. Both stepped back to look at it. Slowly realization dawned on Spot. "That's the way outta here." Looking up at the cowboy he stepped back a bit as Jack stepped forward.

"You ain't coming?"

"Not yet, there's still some stuff I have ta do."

Nodding Jack stepped through the light and left Spot to wait.

Meanwhile…

The digging continued as both men, who were by now covered in dirt smudges, started to disappear around the walls that was building higher into the sky. Bringing up the shovel, Riley shoved it down into the ground viciously.

Moving to get out of the way of the dirt Allison shined all 3 flashlights into the hole, just to give them more light.

Once more both men dug their shovels into the ground and a loud crack sounded. Stopping instantly everyone's eyes darted between each other. Dropping the shovels quickly Riley and Robert started brushing the dirt from the area.

Slowly Riley brought up a bone and gulped. "I.. uh.. I think I found Spot."

Blowing dirt off of a small box Robert opened the top and smiled at the gentle melody that drifted through the air.

"Mom's music box." Setting down the flashlights she stuck her hand into the grave and tenderly took the box into her hands. "Spot's key, my memory card, the maps, any newspapers down there Daddy?"

"Let me check." Digging around he searched.

"Yeah this is Spot." Riley confirmed as he held up the gold tip of a broken cane.

"He can move on now." She smiled as her father plopped the dirty newspapers on the ground next to her. Slowly her words sunk into her head and she mumbled sadly. "He can leave now."

"He wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to you." Riley comforted her.

Wiping his dirty hands on his already dirty pants, her father pushed his hands into his back pocket and pulled out a phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling one of my friends, he's a cop and I know he'll ask the least questions." Pushing the numbers he glanced at the two teens. "You kids get out of here, go say goodbye before your friend leaves."

Leaning into the hole she kissed his cheek and helped Riley out of the grave. "Thank you Daddy."

Nodding his head he shooed them off as the phone started to ring.

(A/N) Okay almost done only about 2 more chapters to go. Since most of the action is over the rest of the chapters are going to only be about 4-5 pages. THANK YOU TO ALL MY REVIEWERS!! YOU ARE THE BEST!! =]

Much love!