8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon

Rescue Mission

A/N: Hey everyone! I know state testing season is upon us so good luck with all your tests! Anyways take care of yourselves and I hope you enjoy the next chapter of 8 Days, 8 Letters.

Present Day: July 1899

Jack's POV

I walked with Davey to the dark shadow of the infamous Refuge.

"So here it is, the Refuge," I announced. "My home sweet home."

We stood in front of the Refuge, facing each other. Davey looked at me puzzled.

"How can you be so sure they sent Crutchy here," he asked.

"How can I be so sure the Delanceys stink?" I joked. "It's just the way things work, you's know?"

He looked up at me again. I could see a flash of concern and curiosity across his face.

"An orphan gets arrested, Snyder makes sure he gets sent straight here, so he can rehabilitate him, you's know " I continued. I played with the rope in my hand as memories of my time here flashed in my head. "The more kids in the Refuge, the more money the city sends to take care of them, the more Snyder sticks in his pocket. He's here."

I looked through the gate with Davey following behind me.

"So how come you brought the rope?" Davey asked.

I heard footsteps and pulled Davey behind a column, fixing my hat so they couldn't recognize me.

This hats been through a lot with me, even got me my newsie name, Cowboy. But then again the Santa Fe dream likely contributed to my name.

Davey and I stood face to face waiting for the guards to pass. I heard horses and the wheels of a carriage.

Davey made a small squeak that I notice he tends to do when he's nervous. I put my hand over his mouth, looking him in the eye. I could get lost in his blue eyes forever.

The carriage finally pulled out with two nuns.

I grabbed Davey's hand and snuck through the gate while the nuns and guards talked.

We turned the corner to the end of the fire escape.

"After you," I smirked.

He climbed through with me following close behind.

We ended on the rooftop. I tied the rope around my waist tight and hand the end of the rope to Davey.

"Lower me down slowly," I said.

Davey looked at me with anxiety.

"I'll guide you through it," I promised.

That seemed to calm him. I climbed over the guard wall on the roof and allowed Davey to lower me slowly.

"All right. Gently, Dave, gently."

I finally reached the bunk room window.

"That's good. That's good."

Ten-pin approached the window.

"Cowboy, you miss the joint," he smirked, trying to look tough.

I miss that kid. He was real young when he first got sent here, couldn't have been older than six. A few months after I escaped, he had gotten out and joined the 'Hatten newsies. He had been sent back here a few months ago for being in the middle of a fight ring on accident. It was "a wrong place, wrong time" moment. He should be getting out soon though.

"What do you say, Ten-Pin?" I smiled. "Listen, you got a new guy in here, Crutchy."

"The gimp?" I'll get him for ya."