𝚁𝚄𝙽𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈 ° racetrack higgins

Truths and Trials

The following morning, all the arrested newsies were put before the judge. So, we stood there, awaiting our punishment. My head was pounding, and I hurt in more places than one.

I kept my hair up, seeing as it was the safest option; if I put it down, I would be arrested almost immediately.

"All rise. All rise." The bailiff said to the gathered crowd, which was most of the newsies who weren't caught last night and any people invested in the strike. "Court is now in session. Judge E.A. Monahan presiding."

The judge, who was sat behind his large table, turned to the small group of newsies; Spot, Kid Blink, Race, and myself, along with some other boys. "Are any of you boys represented by council?" We all looked at one another before looking back at the judge. "No? Good, that will move things along considerably."

I heard Spot sigh beside me. I turned my head slightly to the right just a she spoke up. "Hey, yer honor, I object." All the newsies looked at him, shocked that he would actually speak up in this kind of situation. That was just Spot for ya.

"On what grounds?"

Spot thought for a second before he spoke up again. "On the grounds of Brooklyn, yer honor."

The group of us started cracking up. Race had to steady himself on my shoulder, due to him laughing so hard. Spot soon joined in, smiling brightly at his friends.

Monahan hit his gavel on his desk, gaining our attention again. "I Fine each of you five dollars, or two weeks confinement in the House of Refuge."

My heart stopped. There was no way I was going back there. Not again.

Race looked dumbfounded at the judge. "Whoa. We ain't got five bucks. We don't even got five cents. Hey, yer honor..." He paused, glancing over at us with a mischievous smile before turning back to the man. "How bout I roll you for it? Double or nothing?"

The judge rolled his eyes before speaking again. "Alright. Move along, move along."

Suddenly, I heard a voice speak up from the entrance. "Your honor, I'll pay the fines. All of them." Denton said as he walked into the courtroom.

The judge nodded as we all walked towards Denton, who was joined by David and Les. We were still stuck on the other side of a railing, but Davey walked over to us. "Hey, you fellas alright? Where's Jack? Where's Pockets?"

I nodded towards Davey, giving him a look as I tipped me hat. He seemed to understand, for he gave me a slight smile.

"Look," Denton spike up. "We've got to meet at the restaurant. Everybody. We have to talk."

"Pay the clerk. Move it along." The judge said loudly.

Just then, a door opened and Jack was led out by a couple of bulls. His hands were cuffed behind his back and he had a large black eye, but he was still smiling. "Hey fellas!"

"Hey, Cowboy." Race said. "Nice shiner!"

"Hey, Denton. I guess we made all the papes this time. So, how's my picture look?"

Denton sighed as he looked at my brother. "None of the papers covered the rally. Not even the Sun."

Jack nodded as he turned to look at us. More specifically, me. "Hey, don't worry fellas. Keep your hats on." With that, he shot me a wink. I knew he had the same thought I did; he didn't want me to suffer the same punishment as him.

"Case of Jack Kelly." The bailiff said. "Inciting a riot. Assault. Resisting arrest."

"Judge Monahan." I heard a man say. Turning, I saw the one person I never wanted to see here. "I'll speak for this young man."

"You two know each other." Jack scoffed. "Ain't that nice."

Monahan sighed before turning to the man. "Just move it along, Warden Snyder."

Snyder sighed as he walked forwards, removing his bowler hat. He looked at Jack while he spoke. "This boy's real name is Francis Sullivan. His mother's deceased. His father's a convict in the state penitentiary."

My mouth fell open in shock. All these years, Jack had told me that our parents were out West. I had been lied to my entire life...by my own brother. I felt as a mix of emotions bubbled up inside me; anger, confusion, sadness. Jack glanced back at me, sorrow and disappointment in his eyes.

Warden Snyder continued. "He's an escapee form the House Of Refuge, just like his sister, Annabelle Sullivan." Great, even my own name was a lie. "His original sentence for three months was extended to six months for disruptive behavior ."

"Like demanding we eat the food you steal from us." Jack said bitterly.

Snyder ignored his comment. "Followed by an additional six months for an attempted escape.

I could hear my brother scoff. "Attempted? Last time it wasn't an attempted escape. Remember Snyda? Remember me and Teddy Roosevelt? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?"

"Therefore, I ask that he be returned to the House of Refuge." The man said, ignoring Jack again.

But, yet again, my brother had more to say. "What? For my own good, right? Move it along? For my own good and for what he kicks back to ya?!"

"I ask that the court order his incarceration until the age of twenty-one, in the hope that we may yet guide him to a useful and productive life."

My mouth dropped open in shock. Twenty-one?! That was in four years! I may be upset with my brother at the moment, but I didn't want to see him shoved back into that place for the next four years of his life? What would become of him?

"So ordered." Monahan said, hitting his gavel down.

"No!" Les shouted. He was about to rush towards Jack when Davey held him back.

I watched as Jack was turned around and started to be led back the way he came in. As soon as he was facing my way, he locked eyes with me and didn't look away. "I'm sorry." He mouth to me before disappearing behind a door.

I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders. I didn't even have to look over to know who it was. The boy pulled me close to him. I couldn't help as the tears started to flow down my cheeks. Whether they were tears of frustration or sorrow, I didn't know, but I did know that there was no holding them back anymore.

"Hey, Tate. Sh sh." Race whispered softly as he rested his chin on top of my head, wrapping both arms around my small body as I wrapped my own around his stomach. I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes tightly, sobbing softly into him. "It'll be ok. Everything will be ok."

Word Count: 1143

Aww small, but cute, Tace moment :)