The Crutch's Sister

Breaking Down

(A/N: There will be some cursing and a bit of violence. Just wanted to let you know! Thanks so much for reading!)

We had all safely gotten to the warehouse and everyone split up once we got inside. I walked up to the fire escape and sat down on the fourth story stairs. I plopped myself onto a step and put my head in my hands. I caught a glance of my prosthetic and everything I guess I had bottled up in the past few days came rushing out. I ran to the top of the stairs and onto the roof and screamed. I started crying and screamed some more. 

"WHY ME!?" I shouted. I threw my hat to the side and sat on the ground. I ripped the prosthetic off my stump and tossed it next to my hat. I curled up and sobbed.

"Katie?" Crutchie's voice whispered. I stuck my hand up and waved weakly. He hobbled over to me and sat next to me. "I know, kid. Just cry. It's okay." He said, wrapping his arms around me. I flinched and scooted and inch away.

"I-I-I d-don't want t-to be hurt a-anymore." I choked. I felt Crutchie's hands reach my face and lift it up. I looked at him. He took his thumb and wiped away the stray tears.

"I swear, no one is going to hurt you. I swear."

"H-How do y-you know?" I asked.

"I know because the boys and I will protect you." he assured softly. I reached for my prosthetic and clipped it back on.

"Promise?" I sniffed, holding up my pinkie finger. He chuckled lightly and locked his pinkie finger with mine.

"Promise."

Crutchie's POV

~Le Flashback~

"You worthless piece of shit!" Dad screamed, delivering another blow. I fell to the ground and cried softly.

"That's enough, Walter." Mom muttered. 

"Shut up, Minnie!" Dad screamed. They started arguing and I looked past their looming bodies and saw Katie's room. I could hear her crying in there.

"Poor kid can hear what's happening. If only I could get to her." I thought. Dad kicked my bad leg and I screamed. Dad grabbed my arm and dragged me over to my room and tossed me through the door. I landed on the ground and Dad slammed the door shut. I stayed still for a minute before I got up. I reached under my rickety bed and pulled out my first aid kit. I bandaged any scrapes and cuts I got and put the kit back in it's rightful place. I crawled over to my closet and pushed aside my few clean clothes. I revealed a hole to Katie's room and crawled through. I saw her on her bed, sniffing softly. I climbed next to her and hugged her. "It's okay. It's over now." I whispered. She leaned against me and gasped when we heard Dad's feet coming down the hallway. I jumped off the bed and into my room.

"Big Brother..." Katie whispered. I looked back and put my finger to my lips, signaling her to be quiet. The door flew open and slammed against the door, causing one of the hinges to break loose. Dad seized my bad leg and dragged me out of the room. "BIG BROTHER!" Katie screamed, running out of her room.

"KATIE!" I yelled back. She whacked Dad with a newspaper and he swiped it out of her hands and pushed her to the ground. She crawled towards me and grabbed my hands. Dad kicked her away and tossed me outside.

"You're worthless! Get out and stay out, crip!" Dad screamed, slamming the front door. I lifted my head up and heard Katie at the door, screaming. I could hear Dad slamming doors and shouting. I reached for a stick and used it to hoist myself up onto my feet. I turned around from the house and walked away. A tear fell for every step I took. I stopped in an alley and sat down. I let the tears fall down my cheeks.

"I-I'm never g-gonna see K-Katie again." I whimpered.

"Who's Katie?" a voice asked. I looked up and saw a boy, my age who had a bruised face and a hat on. I wiped my eyes and my nose.

"My little sister." I muttered. "Who are you?" I asked. The boy grinned.

"I'm Jack Kelly. What's your name?" I looked around and my eye landed on my walking stick.

"Crutchie." I replied. "I-I was kicked out of my home." 

"That's too bad." Jack said. "Hey. Why don't you live with me and my friends. We'll all take care of you." I smiled.

"Promise?" I asked. 

"Promise." Jack assured. Jack spit into the palm of his hand and stuck it out towards me. I copied him and took his hand and shook it. I stood up and walked with Jack. 

"I just hope Katie will be alright."  I thought.