Rebuilt

Chapter 24

I didn't remember. I still don't remember. I don't remember killing the Conlon's. I don't remember half of my life in the refuge. Certainly not enough to get me through a criminal investigation in one piece.  Getting based over the head day after day does something to your memory, and if someone says otherwise I can show them my scars.  The New York City Refuge wasn't the first one I was at, that's for sure.  I can remember that.  I was there for the longest, but I had left my trail in other places before that as well.  I just can't seem to remember where and how long I was there.
The Refuge was meant to make you forget.  It wasn't meant to rehabilitate you or rebuild your mind or soul or any of that spiritual bullshit.  The only way people would remember their names is if they were rich enough to be bailed out, lucky enough to have family or friends to write to, or stupid enough to try and break out.  I did the last one, multiple times. Once when I was ten, and multiple times when I was fourteen.  I guess it was a phase. A phase in which ended in multiple broken bones and no food or showers for at least a weak. 
It wasn't a life worth living, but I lived it.  But now I'm starting to regret it. 
Fire.  Fire?
Murder?  Did I kill someone? 
Oscar bumped my shoulder, I looked up and saw each boy gathered in a group of two or three talking amongst themselves quietly.  I looked at the foggy clock above the gate, two hours past opening. Had it really been two hours?
"Guys," I choke on the words, "guy's it's late we'se gonna miss all the rich people goin to work.  We need to sell the papes!"
Jack looked to me, everyone else followed. "No."
"No?" Oscar and I both looked at each other.
"We can't sell this pape," it was Crutchie who looked at me with solemn eyes.
"We can't sell this pape because you didn't do it," Albert and Race approached me and put each of their hands on my shoulder.
"We're not gonna sell a pape that's gonna get our friend in trouble." It was Specs.
"But what we are goin' ta do is prove you innocent," It was Mike and Ike, standing next to each other with identical stature, looking prouder than ever to be supporting their plan.
"SO HERE'S WHAT WE'SE GONNA DO FELLAS," Jack had once again taken control of the crowd and had every eye on him.  "We can't let this pape get out until Blades is proven innocent okay?  Innocent until proven guilty, that's what we all should live by here okay?  JoJo, Mush, you take these papes here and burn them downtown.  Albert and Race, you rush over to south side and clear out the papes over there.  Crutchie, you stay round refuge and wait for Kathryn, we'se gonna need a good reporter on our side.  Mike and Ike, I need you'se to hightail down to Brooklyn and start clearing out all of the papes,  and anyone else is with me searching this city from high to low getting rid of all these papes to keep Blades safe another day.  Oscar, you keep her safe for now okay?  Meet us back here two days time and we'll discuss what's been going on. 
And for the first time in years, no Newsboy left Newsboy square with the intention to sell a pape.