Jesse in The Refuge

Chapter 4: Now What?

It had been three days since Jesse Tuck got hit by lightning and fell out of a tree. Three days of pain, suffering, and adjusting. Now, since there was no infection in his wounds, Bradley was letting him go. Go where, though, Jesse had no idea. He'd lost the urge to explore and didn't have much money after he had paid Bradley. He had usually picked up odd jobs wherever he was at the time but he couldn't do that now, who had use for a crip? Bradley had told him he'd be crippled for the rest of his life and Jesse believed him, even though the rest of his life would be forever. Jesse had needed to reopen his wounds to keep Bradley's suspicions at bay but his leg seemed to always be burning with pain. It was no longer swollen but that only emphasized that it was slightly crooked, even with the straight splint it was still in. There were large green, brown and blue bruises and his skin was scarred from his burns. He could now hobble around with the crutch but it was painful and slow. Nonetheless, Bradley couldn't keep him forever and Jesse wanted to leave. He had just been passing through to head to Philadelphia.

With a few departing words, Bradley headed out on a house call and Jesse started through town to go back to the forest. Bradley had given him a small bag that could go over his shoulder with some food and clothes in it, along with a second boot for when he could take off his splint in a few weeks. Maybe going to the woods wasn't the best idea but he felt safe and at home among the trees and he had no better plan. "Extra, Extra, read all about it" It was just a newsboy shouting the morning headline. "Massive Fire Burns in New York City" Jesse stopped his slow path through town. New York! He was just in Connecticut, not far. He should have just enough money for a train ticket. He remembered from visiting Manhattan about 12 years ago that there was a lodging house for newsboys, and they accepted everyone. He could sell papers, live freely, make some friends and not worry that he was crippled. The other boys could help him if he needed it. Jesse bought a paper from the boy then turned in the direction of the train station.

Jesse bought a ticket to Manhattan with the last of his money then sat down to read the paper. New York news was important, but, it wasn't real. Jesse laughed at how the boy had fooled him, they really hawked anything to make a sale. He read through the boring Connecticut news until the train pulled into the platform then he hobbled onto the train and found a seat. He looked out the window, watching the scenery go by and regretting all of his recent decisions. Eventually, the rhythm of the train lulled him to sleep.

Jesse woke up to the commotion of people getting off the train so he quickly picked up his bag and his crutch to depart the train. The platform was busy and crowded with people. Someone shoved Jesse and he fell to the ground painfully. Holding back tears, he collected his stuff and crawled to somewhere less busy where he was able to get upright again. Not wanting to be in the way, he waited until the platform cleared out then heaved himself up the many stairs and onto the streets of Manhattan. Jesse didn't remember feeling so overwhelmed the last time he was in New York. Everything was twice as loud and the buildings looked three times as tall. Jesse felt small, weak and like an obstacle. His splint was restrictive and uncomfortable and the crutch felt unnatural and bulky. Jesse went and sat in a corner to compose himself. He took off the splint and tossed it aside it's only in the way anyways then tugged the boot on over his limp foot, wincing at the shots of pain. He found that without the splint he could get around somewhat better, though his ankle had given out and he was pretty much dragging his foot.

Jesse headed down the street in the direction where he remembered the newsboy house was. He got to the large, run-down building and realized he hadn't thought this through. It was the middle of the day, they'd all be out selling papers. Jesse groaned at his own stupidity and went down the street some to where there was a diner by the name of Jacobi's. When he went in the only people there was an older man spouting some "wise" nonsense and a bunch of bored looking kids. The man looked over to him angrily "Ay! Get outta here! We're not open yet!" One of the older boys, with dark hair and bright blue eyes that matched his shirt, must have seen the scared and worn look on his face and spoke up. "Ey, relax. Crutchie there's wit' us!" The boy said, walking confidently over and waving off the man. He leaned over and put an arm over his shoulder, acting as if he'd known Jesse forever. Jesse found himself smiling and went with what he'd said, mimicking the accent, another trick he'd picked up while traveling. "Yeah! I'se jus' late finishin' up" The man sighed and muttered something about too many of them to keep track of and shuffled off into the kitchen. Once he was gone, all the boys lept up to crowd around Jesse and the boy still on his shoulder. "Ay! Give 'im some space, fellas!" He addressed the crowd then turned back to Jesse "So, who's exactly is you?"