TW: anxiety, nightmares (not to bad but just incase)
I wrote this late at night and didnt edit that much but who cares
That night as Crutchie went to sleep thoughts from his own strugle with polio filled his mind with dark thoughts. He knew Mandys life would never be the Same. If she manages to live she'll be endlessly tormented and possibly beaten for the dissability like he was.
His dreams that night were anything but plesant. They were of Mandy, she walked with the help of a crutch. They were going somewhere together then... they were in the refuge. Crutchie was forced to watch as they beat her. Then bloody and bruised she cried, "uncle Crutchie why didnt you help me!?" She cried. The delancys emerged from the darkness carrying a whip and armed with brass knuckles. They hit her one last time, she fell to the floor. The Delancys walked towards Crutchie, "dumb crip" the pulled back the whips, ready to strike.
Crutchie woke up screaming. Crutchie felt like his world was spinning. Memories came flooding back. The intense pain he went through, the names he was called, the times he was beat up because of this, the people he knew that had died from it... His mom had died from polio... he remembered perfectly the day he found out... the day his life changed. He remembered walking into her room... seeing her laying there lifeless...how long it took him to get over her death... but what about Jack and Katherine! Its their daughter. Thats worse than a parent! If they walked in and saw their three year old dead! If she dies the pain theyd go through would be unimaginable... unspeakable. For the newsboys too! Mandy is loved by everyone. Who knows what would happen if she died. Not to mention the fact that she's going to be going through an intense amount of pain. And if she lives the amount of times she'll be picked on because shes crippled would be uncountable. And on a daily basis the pain he felt from his leg is agonising. He was lucky ... increadibly lucky. Most people die, he got off with a bum leg. If she doesnt die she could be completely paralyzed... she may not be able to fully enjoy life! What if she makes it then gets it again! These thoughts were racing through Crutchies head.
He was completely oblivious of the things happening around him. Until he felt a hand touch his shoulder, he jerked away. He felt the hot tears streaming down his face, his chest was tight and his breaths were quick... too quick. He was sobbing and hyperventilating at the same time, making breathing difficult. He heard faint voices, "Crutchie CRUTCHIE LOOK AT ME! WHAT HAPPENED!?"
Crutchie looked up... still crying, "j-Jack?"
