The Newsboy Strike of 1899

Something to Believe In

I have something to believe in, now that I know you believed in me.

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Crutchie was miserable.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten, and he had grown deaf to the noisy growls of his stomach. His leg ached more than ever, drowning out the pain in the rest of his body. He was able to move around, which was better, but a tremendous pain roared through him every time he hopped on his crutch.

He'd been in the Refuge for a week now, keeping track with a pencil that he'd found on the floor. There had been no sign of any of the Newsboys coming to see him, not since Jack had come to try and see Crutchie.

He sighed, wiping his hands down with the stagnant water resting in the bathroom sink before exiting out into the only other room.

It was dark outside, the moonlight giving the room the ever faintest brightness. Crutchie hobbled over to the window, sitting down and leaning his head against the wall.

It was nice, Crutchie decided, to come to the window every night. The cool breeze felt comforting compared to the stuffiness of inside. And, if Crutchie closed his eyes and thought hard enough about it, he felt as if he was back up on the rooftop with Jack.

There was a creak from outside, and Crutchie opened his eyes, looking down. It went silent again, but then the creaking was back. The noise grew louder and louder, like someone was making their way up the fire escape.

Crutchie leaned forwards, and was suddenly met face to face with none other than Jack Kelly, worry on his features. He smiled, relieved."Hey, Crutchie!"

"Jack!" Crutchie gasped, grinning."What're you doing here?"

"Came to see ya. Also brought ya food. Figure you'd be hungry." Jack pulled out a piece of bread an an apple, barely being able to squeeze it through the bars.

Crutchie marveled in the food, eating it as fast as possible. Jack laughed, yet there was a trace of sadness in it."No food here?"

Crutchie shook his head, finishing off the bread. Jack smiled at him, a bittersweet smile that made Crutchie's chest tighten."How's everyone doin', Jack?"

Jack shrugged."They've been better. I, uh, found a way to get you out of here."

Crutchie raised an eyebrow."I thought I told you about my escape plan?"

Jack smiled for a quick second."Yeah, but a way that ain't illegal."

Crutchie leaned forwards, intrigued."How?"

Jack shook his head."You'll be mad at me."

"I could never be mad at you, Jack."

Jack took a deep breath, trying to control his heart, which had started beating hard."I, uh, made a deal with Pulitzer."

Crutchie became hesitant."Pulitzer?"

Jack sighed."If I called off the strike, he'd give me twenty dollars cash, a ticket to Santa Fe, and your freedom."

Crutchie felt doubt run through him."Call off the strike?"

Jack nodded."Twenty dollars!"

Jack put his hand through the bars, reaching for Crutchie. He, however, tugged himself away, like Jack was a fire itching to burn the blond."Jack, why?"

"I-I want you to be okay, and you can't be okay in there."

Crutchie studied Jack's face, and felt tears appear in his eyes."This ain't about me."

Jack furrowed his eyebrows."I just told you it was."

Crutchie shook his head, anger coursing through him."Its about you! You and your stupid Santa Fe dream."

Jack tried to speak, but found that his voice had left him. He gave Crutchie a look of absolute despair. Crutchie scoffed."I can't believe you."

"Crutchie." Jack said, barely above a whisper.

"And to think, I cared so much about you. I've thought of nothin' in here but think about you, whether you're okay, whether you're alive. I believed in you, and I thought you believed in me, too. I've been so goddamn worried, and yet, you've been fine this whole time."

"Crutchie, ise been worried sick about you too, and i'm so sorry-"

"Jack, I love you." Crutchie hissed.

The two went silent. Jack felt his heart doing backflips. Crutchie sighed deeply."I love you, so damn much, and you go and do this stupid thing..."

"Crutchie-" Jack begged, pressing his face to the bars.

"Don't bother, Jack. I can get myself out." He hissed, standing up.

"Crutchie, please-" Jack pleaded.

But it was no use. Crutchie was already disappearing down the hallway, leaving Jack alone on the fire escape with nothing but his thoughts and his actions to meddle with.

Jack made his way back down the fire escape, not even attempting to control the tears falling.

Crutchie loved him.

Jack looked up, a spark lighting up in his brain.

If Jack believed in Crutchie, and Pulitzer believed in Jack, couldn't Jack find a way to win the strike and get Crutchie out without breaking him out? If he could get enough attention to the mayor, or even the governor, and told them about the Refuge and all that Snyder was doing. He could set Crutchie and all the boys free!

Jack smiled and looked back to the Refuge. He hummed to himself, a tune that he had created off the top of his head.

"I have something to believe in, now that I know you believed in me."

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