Newsies everlasting

Chapter 17

Jesse's mind was racing, as he faced a mental purgatory debating whether to continue his web of lies, only adding to the mess, or reveal the truth to Jack, risking the safety of his family. God, how had he been so stupid? He had managed to fake his limp for years, and now the entire identity of "Crutchie" he had slaved away to achieve was completely destroyed, all for a pack of playing cards.

"Just tell him, Jesse" Winnie called from across the room, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Who the hell is Jesse!" Jack yelled, "your name is Charles! What the hell is going on?"

"Winnie, too many people know already," Jesse warned, "I mean, remember what happened the last time someone found out?"

Winnie thought back to the man in the yellow suit, and how he threatened to kill her so the Tucks would lead him to the water, only for Mae to kill him then and there.

"Found out what!" Jack was still being ignored by the pair of them.

"Jesse, this isn't like last time. You can trust Jack, I'm pretty sure he's not going to try and kill us over it, or, me over it, considering..."

"Kill you? I might have to if ya don't start talking!"

Jesse took a few more seconds to consider his choices, before deciding that it would be best to tell Jack everything. He knew too much at this point, and besides, he knew he could trust Jack.

"Okay, we'll have to explain everything then, I guess" Jesse sighed, "let's sit down, this will take a while."

"What's going on?" Jack asked, a little more calmly this time, though not exactly calm completely.

"Okay, what we're about to tell you, Jack, you can not tell a single soul, not even Katherine. You have to understand that. Winnie was never even meant to find out all those years ago, but she did. And she has kept that secret for years. I know I can always trust you, Jack, but can I trust you with this?"

"Of course."

Winnie nodded for Jesse to carry on, as Jesse closed his eyes and braced himself.

"Okay, well, please don't speak until I'm finished, because I already know you're not going to believe anything I say," Jesse had, after many years, finally returned to his usual voice, earning a smiles from Winnie and a look of fear and confusion from Jack, "Jack, I am immortal-"

"Oh, come on!" Jack rolled his eyes.

"Jack, let him finish, he's not joking" Winnie warned, turning back to Jesse.

"Okay, well, I'm immortal, and I will never age from being a seventeen year old for the rest of eternity..."

He then went on to explain about the water, about his family, about Treegap, about Winnie, about the man in the yellow suit, everything. Jack was over flowing with questions, but knew he had to let his friend finish. After an hour over stressful rambling, Jesse sank back into his chair, unable to believe he had told Jack everything.

"Okay, so I have questions," Jack began, his mind bursting with confusion, "how old are you really, then?"

"Well, physically, I'm seventeen, but I was born 108 years ago if that's what you mean."

"Winnie, are you immortal? Did you drink?"

"Not yet, but I still have the water."

"Okay, so how do I know you ain't making this up?" This was the main question Jesse was dreading, but at least he had some backup points.

"Well, number one, how do you think my leg was completely fine after being crushed by a carriage? Number two, would you fake a limp for almost three years for no reason? And number three, how do you think my brother survived the train crash? But, hey, you can stab me or shoot me or something if you want, I can't feel pain."