Chapter 1 Hey greaser!
Authors note, This story has been playing in my mind for a while, and being a fan of the outsiders well, this is exciting for me to write. This story was requested by my Dad, who challenged me to write a story for the outsiders. Well, I hope you enjoy Dad, this story is dedicated to you. I hope all you guys enjoy as well, and leave a review telling me what you think.
Cool air, the full moon above me, stars shining brighter then usual. It sounded very poetic, but that was not how it really looked tonight. As I wandered the dark streets without much purpose, it was almost pitch black, only the faintest moonlight filtered through the clouds. I carefully avoided the dark allys and the known hangouts of the Socs. I was alone and since I was a greaser it would be in my best interests to avoid any and all confrontation with them.
If they saw me hanging about, it wouldn't matter if I didn't do anything, they would be on me like white on rice. And I wasn't in the mood for a beating, especially since my pop had just given me a good one. Pop had come home drunk as a skunk, and before I knew it he was busting into my room pulling off his belt, my mom in the back grinning. Like she hated me and I was getting what I deserved. At the time I didn't know what I was getting thrashed for, and I didn't try and stop him to ask.
It would have only made it worse. After it was over he dragged me into the kitchen, saying I didn't do the dishes like I had been told. There was two forks, a plate, and a mug in the sink. I didn't say anything, I just did them. But it was that grin that had hurt worse then the whipping. That's the reason I was out here, I couldn't stand being in the house anymore. Especially after having a confrontation like that with my parents.
That and walking helped, it cleared my head, helped me release some of the anger and hurt. I had been walking for near two hours now, and I was exhausted. I needed someplace to sleep, yet I didn't want to go and bug Ponyboy and his family. They had already let me sleep on their couch twice this week. Pony was one of my best buds, the youngest in our crew of misfits. And his family was kind, almost too kind for me to believe at times. His mother was lovely, and everything one should be, sweet, patient, loving.
Nothing like my own mother, I scowled as I thought of her face as pop had whipped off his belt before coming after me. Whenever I was over at Ponys house I sometimes pretended that I was a part of the family. And every time his mother smiled softly at me, or his older brother Soda would whack me on the shoulder and tease me, It was like it was almost real. But the dream always ended when I walked out their door and into my own house. It was mostly the same routine day in and day out, I began to get used to it in a way.
But there were exceptions, such as what happened tonight. And when I needed to get away, I left. They didn't care anyway, I had done this before, and when I showed up the next morning they would only glance at me. I didn't know what was worse, when they yelled and hit me, or when they didn't say anything at all. So lost in my thoughts I didn't realize that something was not right. It only took me a moment to figure out what was wrong. My shadow stretched out in front of me, light illuminating my figure.
The hair on the back of my neck raised and I felt like I was being watched. I glanced behind me and my heart skipped. A car was behind me, but not just any car, it was too fancy. A arm hung out the passenger window, holding a beer. I noticed the fingers gripping it were covered in rings. I turned back walking a bit faster but not by much, I had to stay calm. The car sped up pulling alongside me. I moved so I was hugging the other end of the sidewalk. The window on the drivers side rolled down on the drivers side and a guy grinned at me. "Hey there greaser, you out here all by your lonesome?" He spat.
Although he was smiling pleasantly his words dripped with malice, and his eyes glared at me with disgust. I kept walking, "Nope, gonna meet my crew up round the next corner." I quickly lied. The guy glanced at the road, then the corner and finally back to me. A tense silence followed and yet I still didn't stop walking and I didn't look back at him. I was startled when he laughed, "There isn't anyone waiting for ya up there, why don't you stop for a minute and talk?" By now, I was in a panic. I had counted three guys in that car.
And I had nothing to defend myself with, that and I was a small guy, though I hated to admit it. I kept walking and the guys fake smile slowly slid off and the car rolled to a stop. I quickly passed it my mind racing, "Stupid, think of a way to get out of this!" I kept going but not two seconds later I heard car doors being opened. And the punks began to hoot and holler, "Your in for it now greaser!" At that my tightly coiled muscles sprung free and I broke into a sprint. Cries of outrage rang out behind me, but I didn't stop nor did I look behind me to see if they decided to chase me.I knew they were.
I heard the pounding footsteps behind me and orders for me to stop. Turning the corner my heart leapt in my throat as I felt fingers brush my jacket. They had caught up to me, and for a moment all I could think of was I wish I had just gone to Pony boys house. I pushed myself faster, and with the way my body was screaming, and the way I had started to wheeze, I knew I couldn't keep sprinting. I chanced a glance behind me and was shocked to see only two of them chasing after me. I must have either outrun the third or he had been too drunk to follow.
If I could just keep going, I could get out of this alive. I looked around my surroundings, and was elated to find I was close to Pony boys house. If I could make it there, I would be alright. Only four blocks to go, my lungs were on fire, but I kept my legs pumping. Shouts came from close behind me, but I didn't pay attention to what they were saying. I only attempted to control my breathing which had become ragged. I ran two blocks before I was tackled from behind. I shouted in surprise then in pain as my head cracked into the concrete.
My vision went blurry for a second, and I felt like I would pass out. I was flipped over while I was dazed, and from the burning on my left cheek I knew the skin had been shredded. The guy on top of me was laughing and taunting me, pinning me to the ground. I noticed my arms were free though, and for a moment I had to gather the strength to lift them. Blindly I threw a punch, and was satisfied to feel my fist collide with flesh. I forced myself to keep my eyes open even though I was still really dizzy, and I hit the Soc again.
Clutching his nose that was now pouring blood the Soc rolled off me with a small groan. The other one was coming fast down the sidewalk, apparently he had just now caught up with us. Seeing his friend on the ground he yelled out a curse, and then turned his attention to me. Seeing the murder in his eyes I immediately rolled to my feet and began to run again. I must have hit my head harder then I thought though, as my world began tipping to the left violently. I was probably lurching like a drunk man, and going just as slow.
But I still attempted to get the heck out of there. The other guy must have went to help his friend as I didn't hear anyone behind me and I didn't look to check. I stumbled along eventually going faster as my dizziness slowly ebbed away. Pony boys house was in sight, just three houses away, and I smiled wide. The three Socs from before were still out of sight and I couldn't have been more relieved. I was was on the verge of falling asleep on my feet I was so tired. My head was throbbing something fierce, and my cheek was now numb.
I quickly reached my destination and with trembling fingers I gripped the screen door, pulling it open. Knocking quickly I attempted to smooth my appearance a little. Patting the dirt from my jacket and pushing back my hair that had fallen into my eyes. The door was opened after a few moments and several more knocks from me. Ponyboys brother Darry answered the door with a gruff greeting, probably upset about having to get up and answer the door at this time of night. I released that I didn't even know what time it was.
I turned my head back to get a look at the sky, wondering if it was getting on morning. A harsh throb washed through my head at the movement and hissing in surprise I swayed on my feet. "Good grief kid!" Darry said before steadying me. Getting a good look at me he hissed through his teeth, "What happened Johnny?" "Socs, three of em. I managed to beat one off me and make it here. But not before splitting my head on the sidewalk." I answered.
I was nodding off at this point, and I just wanted to sleep. Even if I had to lay right here on the floor where I stood. Darry quickly steered me to the couch with another word, although I knew he was mad by the way his jaw was clinched and his eyes flashed. After settling me in I heard Darry talking to someone in the other room. But I didn't hear the words as I was already falling asleep