Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 117 - Jack, Crutchie and Race (Part 1)

Home (Part 1)
Ship - Jack, Race and Crutchie (brotherly)
Era - Modern
Triggers - Crying, abuse, injuries, blood and bullying.

Jack wanted a better life. For himself partially but mostly for his brothers. They didn't deserve what they had, barely any food, a foster father who didn't care. Jack just wanted them to have what they deserve.

Slowly, he crept out of his room in the middle of the night. The TV was playing loudly in the sitting room and Jack knew if he was caught up there'd be trouble. But the sound of crying from the room next door was more important than the thought of what might happen.

"Tonio, can I come in? It's Jack."

A noise of confirmation came from inside so Jack pushed the door open slowly, hoping luck would be on his side and it wouldn't creak.

"What's going on, buddy?" he asked as calmly as he could at the sight of Race curled up in his bed, the duvet pushed onto the floor in a pile.

Race just cried, looking up at Jack, tear streaks evident on his face. "It hurts."

Jack crossed the room quickly, placing a hand on Race's shoulder and another on his side.

"Where hurts? Talk me through it."

"I don't know. I want to go home."

Jack climbed into the bed beside Race and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy. He quietly shushed the boy, eyeing the door. It was closed but the walls weren't exactly thick.

"We'll be home soon, Toni. I promise."

"How do you know that?" Race argued. "You said that months ago and we're still here. I hate it here."

Jack sighed and kissed the side of Race's head. "I know that I said that but I don't know. Honestly, I don't know. The only thing we've got is hope and we need to hope that we'll be home soon."

Race nodded into Jack's shoulder before he mumbled, "I don't like you being hurt. I just don't get why Snyder doesn't like you."

"Some people just aren't made to like people. Snyder is one of those people."

Race uncurled himself slightly, stretching his legs out and wrapping one arm around Jack's stomach. They sat in their silence for a moment. People would ask Jack why he was so close with his brothers, especially when they were younger than him, and he didn't know how to explain the reliance his brothers had on him and the reliance he had on his brothers.

Admittedly, Jack didn't think he'd be able to function if it weren't for the routine that came from looking after his brothers and making sure they were safe.

He'd never want to do anything else, if it meant his brothers were safe then Jack would be happy.

Eventually Jack had to go back to his own room but he wasn't as lucky on the way back to his room as he was on the way to Race's. Snyder must have heard him when he went over a creaky floorboard or as the door to Race's room squeaked ever so slightly.

"What are you doing up, Jack? It's late."

Jack froze, hoping if he didn't move and didn't make a noise then Snyder would go back to watching whatever game or rerun was on.

"I'm speaking to you. Get here now," Snyder barked.

Religion was never something Jack was big on but in that moment he prayed to any and every god he could think of for his brothers to be safe.

"Quickly! I haven't got all day."

Jack closed his eyes for a moment and rushed down the hall and into the sitting room. "Is everything okay?" he asked, wishing his heart would stop beating a mile a minute.