8 Days, 8 Letters; Spot Conlon

Hearth

A/N: Hey everyone! Happy Halloween! Please enjoy this chapter of 8 Days, 8 Letters.

Present Day: July 1899

Jaime's POV

Spot and I approached the doors of the lodge house. Spot opened the door and held it for me

This is it. No backing out of it now.

I walked into the entryway, mumbling a "thank you" to Spot.

I saw Kloppman looking rather defeating at the desk.

"Hey Mr. Kloppman," I said.

His face lit up.

"Hello Books. Where have you been?" he smiled.

"I went to clear my head. How are the boys?"

His face shifted to a sympathetic look.

"Looking pretty defeated. They couldn't get Jack and they've certainly been missing you."

"I've missed them too. I'm gonna make everything right. I promise. Do you know what happened with Jack?"

"They saw Snyder putting him in a carriage."

"Where were they taking him?"

"We're not sure. If you'd like to check on them, they're in the bunk room."

"Alright thank you."

I began heading up the stairs with Spot.

"Oh and Books?" he called.

"Remember to be transparent with them. They've been worried sick about you."

"I will Mr. Kloppman."

"Good luck, Books."

"Thank you, for everything."

He smiled and nodded his head.

I continued hearing up the stairs, Spot following close behind.

Spot opened the bunk room door and let me through.

I mumbled another thank you.

None of them even looked at the door. They were all lying on their beds, looking like the life was sucked out of them.

Davey and Les were leaning on the wall next to Mac and Ace.

A couple days ago, hell even this morning, I would've rather died than have to put up with their shenanigans. But now I'd do anything for them to be having some stupid argument or pull another prank.

"Hey fellas," I said.

They all looked from their bunks, their faces lighting up with the joy of always seen them with.

"Books!" Race shouted.

The boys scrambled out of their bunks and ran towards me, forcing me into a very tight group hug.

"I'm happy to see you too," I laughed. "But I kind of need to breathe."

They let me go and I still held a big smile on my face.

"Where have ya been?" Blink asked.

"Somewhere to clear my head," I answered.

I opened my mouth to speak again, but nothing came out.

Spot came up and held my hand, squeezing it a couple times.

I held his hand a bit tighter.

"I'll explain everything to you guys. No more lies. I promise. I'm sorry for lying before."

Race came up and put his arm around my shoulder.

"We're just glad to have ya back," he said.
"To be honest, we didn't know what to do with ourselves without you around."

I leaned in his shoulder.

"I'm sure you guys were fine."

They all shook their heads.

"No," they replied in unison.

"You keep us from doin' stupid things," Mush smiled.

"Looks like I'm never leaving you's alone again," I laughed.

"Why don't you's join us," Davey suggested. "You too Spot."

"You can tell us as much as you's want," Skittery said.

We all sat down in a circle.

Spot sat next to me still holding my hand.

I tried not to blush at us still holding hands.

"Alright. I'll explain everything from the beginning."

As hard as this may be to do, there's no one else I trust more to tell than them.