Now... to everyone else... You want more chapters?? You give me reviews!

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When the doctor got there, everyone was shooed out of the room, and they all waited downstairs. After waiting for what seemed like forever, they all looked up when the doctor came down the stairs.

"What's wrong with him?" Racetrack asked. He had come back from taking Les home.

"I would like to speak to Mr. Kloppman alone." The doctor said.

"Of course... come into my office." Kloppman and the doctor walked through the door.

"What's wrong with the kid?" Kloppman asked.

"Well, I checked and re-checked. I think he has cancer in his head. It explains the bloody noses, the headaches, the passing out."

"Is there anything that can be done?" Kloppman asked.

"No... I wish there was. There is no cure and he will eventually die. The bleeding with come more often, so will the headaches and loss of consciousness. He will get weaker and he will die."

"D-does he know this?" Kloppman asked softly.

"I explained the whole thing to him. I'm so sorry, there's nothing I can do in this situation."

"How long does he have?"

" don't know. THere is no telling... but he will still be able to do normal activities for a while."

"I-uh... thank you, doctor." Kloppman said in a stunned voice.

THe other newsies waited until Kloppman and the doctor came out of the office.

"Well?" Race asked, anxiously.

"Well, let the kind doctor out... and I'll go see to Jack before you all go up there." Kloppman avoided the question.

" Kloppman walked up the stairs and entered the bunk room. Jack was laying on his bunk with his back towards Kloppman. His shoulders shook with silent cries. Kloppman walked over and put a hand on Jack's shoulder. Jack sat up and clutched Kloppman in a hug and cried into his shoulder.

"I don't wanna die." He muttered. Kloppman rubbed his back soothingly like a parent would.

"Cowboy... I wish I could make it all go away. You gotta live your life to the fullest now, and hope for the best."

"I'm only seventeen. I'm not ready. I just fnally found my family... you and the other newsies." Jack said. He pulled his head from Kloppman's shoulder and composed himself. He wiped the wet tears from his face and got the quaver in his voice under control.

"Thanks Kloppman."

"So, what do you wanna do about the others?" Kloppman asked.

"I don't want 'em to know until they have to. Just say I got dehydrated or something." Jack said.

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The newsies waited patiently outside of the bunk room.

"Why did the doctor want to speak with Kloppman alone? Is Jack ok?" Much wondered.

"He's fine... He's Jack. He pulls through everything." Race said confidently.

"Yeah but... nevermind." David put his doubts away as Kloppman stepped out of the bunk room.

"Jack's severely dehydrated. He needs lots of water and rest." He said before going into his own office. Everyone rushed into the bunk room, careful to be quiet. David was first to Jack's bed.

"Hey there. Kloppman said that it was just dehydration. THat's good to hear. We were all really worried. Well, I gotta go now. Get better." He said bfore getting up to leave.

"Yeah, bye Dave." Jack said quietly. Jack lied there on the bunk and saw Race put a tall glass of water on the nightstand.

"Kloppman said you gotta drink lots of water." Race explained. Jack nodded quietly and turned over and closed his eyes. Jack was emotionally drained and fell right to sleep.