Crack the whip|| Newsies

Chapter 8

It has been two weeks and Jack hadn't woken up yet. After he went unconscious they did everything in their power to stop the bleeding and get Jack all cleaned up. When they got to the Lodging house they laid Jack in his bunk. A blanket covered his broken body. It wasn't even a body anymore in their opinion. It was more like the bones of their leader, friend and brother. Jack probably hadn't eaten much since Snyder took him. But as long as his chest was still rising and falling the boys held hope, but it was growing weaker everyday. They'd gone out selling papes, but each time one of them would stay at home in case something happened. Elmer had even gone to church every day to pray.
Race had found the cigars Jack had gotten him for his birthday. Everyone looked at him for directions. He would often go up to the roof and just sit there staring over New York, just like Jack always did.
Crutchie still had hope for Jack to get back, at least that is what everyone thought. He'd been there every time one of the boys cried and got protective over the boys. Especially the younger ones. But every night when Race has left the roof to go to bed, Crutchie had climbed up there and had cried himself to sleep. He didn't know how to deal with everything, but he had to be strong for his brothers.
Davey has told Les the situation and Les had cried a few nights. He didn't want to when he was around the boys, 'cause they would think he was weak, but they all knew he wasn't okay. None of them were.
Davey himself hadn't smiled since it happened. Most of the time he'd go sell papers and then back home with Les and hold his brother until he'd sleep.
Katherine hadn't been out of the house except to see Jack. Every time she'd cry and go home again. The only article she wrote was one about what Snyder had done. She felt it as her duty. She loved Jack and wouldn't let him down.

Race stayed home that day to keep an eye on Jack. There was a chair besides Jack's bunk and he sat there doing nothing but watching his brother.
After two hours of sitting Race began to talk. He knew some of the boys had talked to Jack. Most of them explaining what was happening in their lives hoping that Jack was listening.
"Heya Jack. I know I haven't talked to ya..." he hesitated for a moment. "Ya have to wake up soon. We needs ya Crutchie's staying strong for the young once, but I know he cries every night. Les and Davey haven't been around much, but I know they is scared. Katherine hasn't been out of tha house 'xcept for comin' ta see ya." A silent tear slipped down his cheek. "I try to stay strong for them, for you, but it's getting harder every damn day. I need, no we need you t..." Race stopped as he saw movement near the door. Crutchie stood there leaning against the wall.
"How's he?" Crutchie asked when he saw Race looking at him.
"Nothing changed." Race sighed. "How are the boys?"
"They refuse to see Jack. I tried to get them in here knowing that every day could be their last chance, but they lose hope and they is scared to see him now. He looks even worse than when we rescued him from Snyder." Race let out a sigh. He knew this already, but hearing Crutchie say it made it less like a bad dream.
"Maybe we should begin preparing for the worst. I don't know how long he will survive. It's been weeks and he hasn't eaten anything and..." Race stopped abruptly when something moved on the bed. It wasn't much, but it was something. Jack's hand started to clench to the sheets that were covering his body. Crutchie saw it too and ran, in his own way, to the bed and sat down on the edge. Jack began to stir a little and then opened his eyes.
"Jack!" Race and Crutchie were happy for the first time since weeks, but that was about to change.

Jack was confused. He didn't know where he was and the last thing he remembered was being beaten by Snyder. He felt cold, but warm at the same time. Something was laying on top of him and he didn't like it, so he began to get it of him with aggressive movements. He heard someone talk or maybe it wasn't just one person, but he couldn't concentrate. He needed to get out. His vision was still blurry, but he could make out two shapes and he could feel a hand grab his wrist. He pulled away as fast and hard as he could while shoving backwards until he hit a wall.

Race and Crutchie were trying to calm Jack, but it didn't work.
"Jack, you needs to calm down." Crutchie said softly trying to reassure him, but it didn't work. Jack was now sitting up in the corner of the bunk with his knees pulled up and his arms wrapped around them. Crutchie wanted to move towards Jack, but Race stopped him and sat down on the bunk himself.
"Crutchie, I need you to go to the boys. They has probably heard it and we can't have them in here right now." Crutchie nodded after looking for a second at Jack and then stood up. He looked back once more while walking out of the door, but Race wasn't paying attention to him anymore.

{...}

Everyone heard it. Something had happened in the bedroom, but before they could storm in they were stopped by Crutchie.
"We need to see him!" Mike and Ike shouted at the same time.
"I know you wants to see him, but not now. Race is with 'im, but Jack's probably confused. He probably thinks that he's still with Snyder. He's scared and we needs to give 'im some space." Crutchie explains. He saw everyone nod and slowly turn away again. All except Tommy Boy. The younger newsie still stood there staring into space. Crutchie saw it and walked towards him. Without saying a word he gave him a hug. Tommy Boy hugged him back and both cried softly, but not because they were sad. In contrary, they were happy.

{...}

"Jack. It's me. Race." Race whispered. He didn't really know what to do, but his first step was to comfort Jack and make him calm down. Jack was still scared, but it began to slowly fade as he recognized the voice of the person talking to him. He raised his head slowly as his vision became clearer to look at the face that was in front of his own.
"Race?" Jack said quietly. His voice wasn't fully functioning.
"Jack, ya are alright. Snyder is gone." At the mention of that name Jack flinched again and buried his face in his knees again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"He gone?" Jack's voice was just as broken as his speech, but that didn't matter to Race. At least he was talking.
"Yes, Jack. He is gone." Race wanted to touch Jack, but as soon as he did Jack flinched back.
"I'm sorry , Jack. I didn't mean to..."
"It's alright." Jack looked up again and slowly began to lower his knees. Now he was sitting up, Race could see Jack's bones clearer than before. Race moved towards Jack slowly. Cautious with every move. Once he was close enough he wrapped his arms around Jack. Jack hugged him back without thinking. His body loosened up as he melted into the touch. Sobs leaved him and he began to feel how weak he was. His stomach hurt just as much as the rest of his body.
"Ya needs to eat somethin'." Race stated. The only thing Jack could do was nod, because he was still sobbing and even if he tried to speak, he couldn't. Race stood up and wanted to leave to get some food, but Jack quickly grabbed his arm. Race couldn't leave. If he left than he may never return and Snyder probably would. Race looked confused for a second, but when he looked into Jack's eyes he understood.
"Crutch! Get some food up here!" He shouted. Jack closed his eyes for a second as Race shouted. It hurt his head. Race had noticed, but decided not to say anything. Crutchie walked in with some food and water a minute later. A warm smile was on his face, but both of them could see the sorrow in his eyes.
"Hey Jack." he said softly while walking up to him. Jack felt relieve wash over him as Crutchie placed the food on the chair and Race made place for Crutchie to sit. Without saying a word Jack pulled him in a tight hug, which would have hurt him if Jack had his normal strength. After a good minute Crutchie pulled away and grabbed the glass of water. Jack gladly took it and started to drink. The water stopped the burning feeling in Jack's throat. When the glass was empty Race took it away and handed him the food. It wasn't much. Just a sandwich and an apple, but it was all the boys could afford and it was more than they normally had. Jack ate only half of the sandwich before shoving it away. He knew he shouldn't, because they normally couldn't get that much, but his stomach hurt so much that he thought he was going to throw up.