Humbling Spot Conlon (A Spot Conlon Love Story)

Ch. 9: I Hate You, Jack Kelly

I don't remember much of what happened after I woke up in the morning. All I remember was being dragged out of the lodge by Race. Or was it Mush? Now that I think about it it could've been Skittery. Whoever it was didn't let me say no. They literally carried me over their shoulder.

We stood outside the World, protesting. I held a sign that said "NO MORE PAPES!". That was about all I contributed.

Our crowd parted when the carriages came out. After they passed we blocked the path again. There were cops in a line blocking the World. Each looked like they weren't afraid to hit a child.

Our complaining came to a stop when Spot passed through saying, "Hey, hey, hey. Break it up. Break it up." Spot tapped my arm to get my attention. "Hey. Hey, Nicky, Race, come here." I followed his gaze to something I didn't like. "Tell me I'm just seein' things. Just- Just tell me I'm seeing things."

I stared at Jack dressed in nice clothes, holding a stack of newspapers. Rage washed through me. What was he doing?

"No, you ain't seein' things," Race said, "That's Jack. What's he doin'?"

"He's dressed like a scabber."

"Nice observation," I muttered. Jack made eye contact with me. I glared intensely to let him know that if I ever got near him I would kill him. He broke away from my gaze.

Mush went to the front of the group. "Jack, look at me will you?" He tried to push through the guards. "C'mon, it's me, Mush. Look at me! What are you doin' Jack?!"

Blink tried to go through the guards as well. "This ain't happenin'. This can't be happenin'! What are you doin' Jack?!"

"Hey, what is this?! Where'd he get them clothes?!" Boots shouted, struggling against the cops.

"Mr. Pulitzer picked them out himself," Wiesel said proudly, "A special gift to a special employee." I tried hard to hold myself back. I clenched my fists.

"What?" Spot exclaimed, "He sold us out!"

Race shoved past me. "Look at him in his little suit. Ya bum! I'll soak ya! Ya fink!" Jack just stood there and took it. He didn't retaliate. He didn't react. That just made me more upset. Did he not care at all?

"Enough! Let me get my hands dirty!" Spot yelled next to me, "Come here, you dirty, rotten scabber!" After dragging Spot back into the crowd, everyone clamored around and shouted terrible things to Jack.

"Would ya all shut up!?" I shouted as loud as I could. Everyone quieted down. I gave Jack a murderous glare. "You're a traitor, Jack Kelly. You hurt everyone who ever cared about you." My blood boiled. I had tried to stay calm but I couldn't anymore. I tried to shove my way past the cops. "Ya hear that?! I'll kill ya, Kelly! Yer lucky you have the bulls protectin' ya cause yer dead! Ya hear that?! I'm gonna kill ya! I'M GONNA KILL YA!"

I struggled hard against the boys dragging me into the crowds. They could hardly keep me back. When I stopped struggling Jack was trying not to meet my gaze. "I hate you!" I called out, hoping he could hear it.

David walked calmly up to the front. Wiesel allowed him through to talk to Jack. Race still had a firm grasp on my arm. I yanked it away, I had no intent of going after Jack again. He heard all he needed from me.

Spot stood next to me, staring at Jack with the same murderous look as me. His jaw was clenched and his fists were balled. I thought I could see tears welling up in his eyes but he blinked them away.

I watched them talk with curiosity. It didn't look like a pleasant conversation. Jack didn't show very much emotion as they spoke. It made my urge to murder him grow.