NeuroQueersies ~ The Diverse Story of the Newsies' Strike

Chapter 14 ~ Betrayal

Yeah, this is a sad one :(

But ... Sprace ...? Well, brief Sprace ... but still ... Sprace is good...?

This isn't necessarily a long chapter, but it is one of the ones that feels like it drags on forever.

Again, for what you can...

Enjoy! :)

-------------------------------------

"STOP THE WORLD! NO MORE PAPES! STOP THE WORLD! NO MORE PAPES!"

The newsies chant in the streets, still striking. Their leader, their friend, their brother, may not be here right now, but they have to keep going. 

At least they aren't violent anymore. The rally really helped. Now they're striking peacefully. They haven't soaked anyone since the beginning of this week. If that's the only good that came out of this mess, then so be it.

And so they continue on, all wondering how much more of this they can take, how long before one side of this corrupt battle caves in, and does what the other one wants.

The circulation bell rings, meaning that the gates are about to open soon. Some rush forward to the gates, and David knows that their intent probably isn't going to be peaceful.

"Race!" David shouts as they pass him. "Race, help me!"

"Alright! I ain't deaf!" Race is beyond irritation. It's not David. It's everything. It's not knowing how Jack is. It's this strike that's dragging on without any outcome at all.

Besides. He's not deaf. Sometimes he has a hard time understanding people when they talk. That's not the case now, however.

Spot puts a hand on Race's shoulder. Jack is like a brother to him too. He totally gets what Race is going through--it's what he's going through right now. Race puts his hand on top of Spot's, and looks into Spot's eyes, conveying his gratitude for him silently.

Mush and Blink hold each other, concerned for Jack, concerned for Crutchy, concerned for all of their friends.

Everyone quiets down as the scabbers come out. They know that they're going to handle this non-violently. But there's something not right about these scabbers. Well actually, it's just one in particular that stands out.

The ones who are looking are staring, dumbfounded, numb from shock, trying to process what they're seeing, because their brains are just not comprehending this sight.

"Hey, Ra-Race," Spot taps Race's shoulder rapidly, not looking back.

"Yeah?"

"Just ... just tell me-tell me I'm seein' things."

Race looks ahead, eyebrows knotted. "You ain't seein' things. That's Jack, right there."

"But he's dressed as a scab."

Yeah, Race doesn't know what to do with that either.

"What's he doin' dressed like a scab?"

A line of police hold the newsies back from just springing forward, keeping the scabbers safe.

Mush comes as close as he can, eyes glistening, eyebrows knotted in confusion and hurt and sorrow. "Come on, Jack, look at me. It's me, Mush-"

Jack hangs his head as more newsies protest to seeing him like this. But what Mush said ... that's the first thing that breaks him.

And still, throughout it all, he stays silent, staring at the ground, knowing there's no coming out of this.

"This can't be happening!" Kid Blink shouts. "This can't be happening!"