The Runaway (Spot Conlon x OC)

Chapter 17

2 Days Since the Meeting

Narrator POV
It has been two days since the meeting, two days since the disappearance of Kris. All of the Burroughs searched for her but none came out with luck.

Race had suggested that she took off again, but Spot shot down his idea when he reminded Race that she didn't take one thing with her.

Even though kris's absence had left everyone in a gloomy state, they all had to continue selling papes to make a living.

Later at Tibby's

The boys all hung out at Tibby's catching a late lunch/ early dinner. As they were all talking a group of middle-aged men walked through the doors. They were merchants from Brooklyn.

The boys paid no mind to them, but half-consciously eavesdropped into their conversation.

"Y'all see that girl jump from the bridge two nights ago?"

At this point everyone went silent, the background chatter of other people concealed their obvious stalking.

"No, but before Ise left back home Ise did see someone standing at the top of the Brooklyn Bridge," another said.

"I think Ise know what youse talkin about. I saw some kid up there wit a knife or something" the third replied.

Race looked at Spot, who had a look of horror spread across his face. "Aye, don't be assuming things," Race said.

Spot nodded his head. The two set off to investigate the bridge for any sign of Kris. After searching for two hours, Race finally found her secret spot.

"Hey, um, spot. C'mere.."

Spot climbed his way up to Race and stopped dead in his tracks at the scene. A chest, a knife, her cap, and a letter.

He grabbed her newsies cap and clutched it to his chest, inhaling whatever scent of her was left. Race, on the other hand, opened the letter.

Race POV

To whoever is reading this...

I put the letter back down to check on Spot. He was still soaking in the thought of Kris and her hat. I sighed and continued to read through the letter. My heart aches for her. I couldn't help her.

I kept reading through, tears threatening to well up. As I continued to read I came across another section addressed to.. me?

To Racetrack
My stomach was in my throat when I read my own name. I proceeded to read the letter, tears brimming my eyes. I wanted to look away, but my eyes were glued to the page. Once I finally finished reading the portion addressed to me, I couldn't bear to read what she told Spot.

Those two were a hot mess and complicated, but one thing was for sure. They had an undying love that many would envy, and few had encountered. I quickly wiped my tears and called Spot, who was still sulking, to me.

Before he could ask me why I was crying, I shoved the note into his chest and walked away. It is probably the best option to let him obtain this information on his own.

Narrator POV

Once Race had shoved the note into Spot's chest, Spot opened the note, confused on why Race was acting so strange. He slowly opened the note, his eye brow raised, questioning what information lies inside.

As Spot read the first line, he, just like Race, had put it down and looked away. His breath hitched as he stood wide eyed. "There aint no way", he chanted mentally. He took a sharp breath and looked back at the note. He felt his body go cold, as he read through, he didnit feel anything. Not sure if he was in shock or refused to believe it he, he stifly read through the note, until..

Until he had reached his own name. "To Spot". His eyes watered. A pang of guilt and hurt washed over him.

"Remember that day I left? I was trying to tell you something before. I just wanted to say that I loved you. Actually, no, I STILL love you. I love you to the point it's scary. The minute I met you I let my guard down. I got hurt soon after, but I can't help but come back to you. No matter who I was with when, it's you. It's always been you and will always be you forever more. I knew you were going to hurt me, be the death of me. Don't get the wrong idea though, this outcome wasn't because of you. It's me that's the problem. I'm not even sure if you love me back. I know I've been a burden so allow me to relieve you of it. I've signed over the Bronx to my old friend. I've also already signed the peace treaty. Watch over Race for me will you?

I love you."

Spot looked up from the note, tears stained his flushed cheeks. He looked out towards the horizon, the sun was already setting and the darkness was looming over. As the last light glimmered over the water, a gust of wind blew through his hair. His eyes widened at the scene before him. The water below, was now glistening with the reflection of the stars and moon.

Race came up and sat beside him, the two heartbroken boys, one lost his sister while the other lost his first and most likely last. The two sat in a comfortable silence as they try and comprehend reality.

"This must have been where she last stood and what she had seen. At least her last view was beautiful" Race started.

Spot stood up. He shook his head. "No". Race looked up at Spot, "No?".

"Ise refuse to believe it. I won't believe it until Ise see it" Spot said.

Without another word Spot departed from the top of the Brooklyn Bridge towards the waters. Race followed shortly after.

The two boys searched all night, but nothing was found..

??? POV
I was riding my horse back home about to cross a bridge that hovered over a lake when my horse stopped. "What's wrong boy" I rhetorically asked.

I received a simple neigh as my horse peered down the ledge. I walked over and took a look myself. I swear I had a mini heart attack in that moment.

I gasped as I took off running to the bottom of the bridge where the bank of the lake was. My horse, closely trailing behind me, brought all our bags.

I quickly trudged through the water. Damn it. How many times are people going to commit suicide?! Hopefully this guy might be still alive.

This mysterious boy, in tattered clothing, layer still. Belly over on a rock. I flipped the boy over and listened to his chest. Thank god, he's still breathing.

I attempted to haul the boy, who was unexpectedly light, to my horse when his cap fell.

My eyes shot wide open.

⬇️⬇️⬇️

A girl?!