A/N: I almost forgot to publish this chapter! But I didn't! So we're good! :P

Crutchie was headed back to the lodge after selling his last paper. The sun was beginning to set and his leg was tingling which meant it was going to rain tonight. He just hoped to be at the lodge before it started.

Hearing a familiar sound of footprints, he quickened his pace.

Not quick enough, apparently, as he saw the ugly faces of the Delancey brothers.

Immediately, Oscar kicked his crutch out from under him, and losing his balance, he fell to the ground. He reached for his crutch desperately, but Morris kicked him in the stomach. He let out a cry of pain and begged them to stop but they ignored him.

Morris lifted Crutchie to his feet and his arms back. He squirmed when he saw the shine of Oscar's brass knuckle ring, but Morris held him in place.

Morris reeled his arm back, "This is what you get, lousy crip."

He didn't know what he had done wrong. Oscar and Morris always picked on him, teased him, hated him. What had he done to deserve this?

Crutchie closed his eyes and waited for the punch but it never came.

He heard Oscar yelp and snapped his eyes open to see a girl with brown hair and a dirty face hit Oscar in the stomach with his crutch.

Morris shoved him to the ground as he ran to help his brother. The girl saw him coming and delivered a brass punch to his jaw. Blood poured out of his mouth and he spat out a tooth. Growling, he lunged at the girl who only smirked and stepped out of the way, sending him crashing into Oscar who had just gotten up.

The girl let out a laugh and handed Crutchie his crutch. Her face looked familiar but he couldn't place it.

"Run," she whispered, helping him up.

*****

Finch's POV:

"I'll draw them off," I told the boy with the crutch.

Then, turning back to the bullies who looked ready to murder me, and smirked. "Whassa mattah? You want more?"

I ran towards them and slid between one of the boy's legs. He tried to grab me in vain and I stuck my tongue out at him.

My distraction worked and they both chased after me. I hoped that boy would be okay before pushing him from my mind. I needed to focus on one thing, and one thing only, running.

-short time skip-

I had just lost the bullies in an alley and let out a sigh of relief. I sat on the ground and caught my breath. I looked at the brass knuckle ring in my hand and remembered why I was out of the refuge.

A shadow cast over me and I looked up, startled to see a face I thought I'd never see again, Jack Kelly.

*********************** 

A/N:

Hope you liked it!  

Also, if you see and spelling mistakes don't be afraid to point them out and I'll correct them as soon as I can. Spelling is important lol 

How are all of you? 

-Scribbles the Immature