Newsies Oneshots

He Waited

Heads up. I mentioned possibly doing something like this on my spam several months ago and I was kind of joking, but then yourbrothercrutchie and JimmyJamesMadison (who I'm pretty sure has left us *cue sobs*) said they'd read it.
So this isn't my fault. Blame them for any pain or misery you might feel when reading this.
ALSO. If you haven't read my book, 'Brewin' in the Boroughs' and you intend to at any point; do NOT, I repeat, NOT read this. It contains MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR spoilers. Thank you and have a nice day.
And a disclaimer: I have never actually died(shocker) and so I don't know what it feels like or what happens after. I just made it up to be happy, okay?
***

Searing pain; that's all Mike could feel. A red hot stabbing sensation in his lower abdomen that only grew sharper as he slowly sank to his knees. His hands shook and he pressed them tightly over his stomach and he frantically looked around for someone-anyone-who could help. He didn't even know what had happened.

He'd been punched, he thought. The boy had punched him, he was sure of it. Yet this would not be the first time Mike had been hit, not even close, and it had never felt like this.

He'd never felt pain like this; not even the time Spot had accidentally broken his nose. The only thing comparable to this burning, torturous pain was that which had existed in his heart since the second he'd seen Ike on the ground...

"Mike! Mike, are you okay?" The frantic cry came from Buttons. The boy had rushed to Mike's side and was gripping his forearm tightly enough to leave bruises. Mike hadn't even noticed his arrival.

"I'm fine," Mike choked out. His words came out hushed and weak, it took everything in him to force them out. They sounded like the words of a dying man.

Mike noticed Buttons' eyes dart down to his stomach and he slowly removed his hands. Mike's eyes widened and he stared in horror and confusion at them. They were covered in blood. His blood.

"Buttons? What--what?" Mike couldn't finish. He could feel his shoulders shaking violently and he peered at his friend with fearful eyes.

"Hey, its okay," Buttons tried. His attempts at soothing Mike failed. The boy's lip quivered as he looked down at the scarlet stain on his shirt.

"Buttons, what's happening?" Mike didn't understand. He'd only been hit! The guy had hit him and now he was bleeding and it hurt to breathe.

"I don't know," Buttons whispered. He waved someone over with trembling fingers, silently begging the person to hurry. Within seconds Jojo was knelt on his other side.

"When I find that kid I'm gonna-"

"Jo, your mouth is bleedin'," Mike mumbled.

"I don't care!" Jojo wiped the blood away. In his rush to get to Mike he hadn't even noticed his split lip.

"I'm getting dizzy," Mike held his head and slumped forward.

"Lay down!" Buttons exclaimed. He and Jojo slowly helped Mike lean back. Mike cringed, another wave of pain washing over him. His eyes clenched shut as his lungs tightened even more.

"It hurts!" Mike cried.

Jojo watched on with watery eyes, wishing there was something he could do. "I know, Mike."

"It hurts to breathe," Mike managed to gasp out. He was still bleeding and he stared at the ever-growing stain on his shirt. "This ain't gonna wash out, is it?"

Buttons seemed to finally notice the blood and he pressed his hands against the wound, trying desperately to slow the bleeding.

"I'm dyin', ain't I?" Mike asked. He still wasn't sure exactly what had happened but there was no other explanation. He was dying. His heart lurched. He was dying on the streets of Brooklyn with only two of his friends for company.