Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 107 - Crutchie and Race

The Hard Way to Learn That Life is Fragile
Ship - Crutchie and Race (brotherly)
Era - Modern
Triggers - Death, vehicular manslaughter, blood, injuries and a whole lot of crying.

Race shook as he and Crutchie clung to each other. Neither could believe it had happened. It wasn't supposed to have happened that way.

Jack Kelly didn't deserve to die.

~~~

Jack and Crutchie laughed as they watched Race skip across the road to their home, trailing behind him. He had just eaten a copious amount of sugar and was suffering from a mega sugar rush.

It was hilarious. As any outing with Race was.

But as Race started to get further ahead of them and as a car didn't seem to be slowing as it neared the red lights, Jack and Crutchie began to worry.

"Race," Jack called. "Hang on a sec, okay?"

Race laughed and spun around, sticking his tongue out at Jack.

"Toni, I'm serious. Stop."

Race stopped, still not having noticed the car that had driven through the red lights and was heading straight for him at a speed that was high above the limit.

"Antonio," Jack screamed, bursting forward and shoving Race out of the way of the car.

Everything moved in slow-motion as Crutchie watched the speeding car hit Jack, as it came to a screeching stop and as Jack's head bounced off the concrete like a rubber ball.

"Jack." Crutchie rushed towards Jack and dropped to the ground, ignoring the pain that it brought to his leg.

Race dropped beside Jack at a similar time, his hand immediately going to beneath Jack's head.

"It's gonna be okay, Jackie," Race said quickly. "Just keep your eyes open. Please."

Crutchie blinked as realisation suddenly dawned on him. Jack was dying.

And there was nothing he could do.

"Call an ambulance," Crutchie shouted at a bystander.

"I love you both so much," Jack said quietly.

"No, shut up, Jack Kelly," Race scolded him. "Don't shut up but shut up talking like that."

Jack coughed and winced as blood spilled out from his lips. "I'm gonna die."

"No, you're not, Jackie. Help's on the way. You're going to be fine."

"Tell Mama... tell her I love her and that I'm so thankful for her and everything she's done."

Crutchie looked up and noticed a person watching. "Bang on that door and tell her to come out. Tell her it's urgent."

Jack kept mumbling randomly as Crutchie watched the man run off and bang on their front door.

"Mama's coming now, Jack. Just keep those eyes open," Crutchie pleaded, squeezing tightly onto Jack's hand. "You're doing great."