"Pony, you ok?" I heard Sodapop ask.

I had tripped over something and now was sprawled out on the floor.

"Yeah," I answered. "I'm okay."

"Be more careful kiddo. Use your head and watch where you step, then maybe you wont get hurt so much," Darry said stretching out his arm.

I grabbed his hand and got up, leaning on his shoulder and balancing my weight on my left foot. I felt a sharp pain in my left foot and realized it was bleeding.

"Cool it Darry, he tripped over this," Soda said picking up a blade.

"Ain't this Two- Bit's switchblade?" Steve questioned.

Two- Bit grabbed it from Steve and examined it in his hand. It was already given that the black handled 6 inch switchblade was his.

He quickly looked around, "This ain't where Dally got shot."

"Well, at least you finally found your switchblade," Steve said.

"Huzzah, I finally found my switchblade!"

Two-Bit grinned a little to lighten the mood but the pain in his gray eyes was clearly apparent. I knew he was remembering Dallas.

Without saying anything else, he snapped it close and placed it in his pocket.

They didn't linger to much on the subject, which I was glad for. I didn't need to be reminded about something I worked so hard to forget.

"We should probably get Ponyboy's foot fixed up," he said thoughtfully.

"Yeah," Soda said quickly, wrapping my arm around his shoulder.

I felt Soda's silky golden hair, brush past my fingertips and blinked back tears. It all seemed so real now. This was Two-Bit's switchblade, yes. But it had also been lent to Dally. The cops had searched and searched for that switchblade and never found it. Now, we had finally found it and it forced me to face the reality, that Dally was dead. But he wanted to be dead, because Johnny was gone. That's what hit home hard; Johnny was dead. And HE killed Bob, not me. I couldn't deny myself of the facts anymore. A new realization was dawning on me, and golly gee was this an awkward time for it.

By now, we were already walking home and I think Sodapop noticed me almost in tears.

"You're ok Ponyboy," Soda said. "It's only a few scratches."

I didn't correct him to say that's wasn't the reason why. In truth, he was right. I actually wasn't hurt that badly. Besides the huge cut in my foot, there was only a few scratches on my hands.

There was a huge lump in my throat as I talked. "I know."

And we continued walking home. Darry and Soda were by my sides and Two-Bit and Steve walked ahead of us, making their usual conversation.

Things had changed alright. However, I knew it was going to be okay. Johnny and Dally were gone but it was for the better. Some greater reason,that I just didn't quite understand yet. ~