This is before any of the book happened and I don't think the events of the book will be taking place in this fic. Sorry. So, that means….JOHNNY AND DALLY ARE ALIVE. Can't have those guys dead. It would just be too depressing.

Disclaimer: Okay, well i think we all know i don't own the Outsiders because if i did i wouldn't be here. Right? So, pleasedon't sue(dont think thats how its spelt lol). O well you no wut i mean.

Rating: Pg-13 because there will be swearing and violence. I mean its the outsiders.

Author's Note: First fanfic so be nice :(. I dont mind constructive critisism but if you start flamin me ill pelt you with timbits. If you don't no what that is flame me and you'll find out.(but please don't). Don't know where this story is going yet, so bare with me and if you like it review PLEASE!!!R&R :D Oh, and don't mind the typos and grammar and stuff im bad. If you spot it, i'll fix it. K on with the story.

Sweet Misery

Chapter 1:

Rain leaked down from the bruised sky above, sharp thick drops stinging me as they hit my open skin. I pulled my patched up jean jacket closer to my chest. The buttons had broken off years ago and although the coat was almost too small for me and a bit uncomfortable at times, it kept me warm. My fingers dug into the material, holding it closed as tightly as they could. I'd been outside since the beginning of the storm and by now the rain had gone through my old jacket and had even soaked my white dress underneath. The two straps that kept the dress up hung off the edge of my shoulders awkwardly. I was shivering and the strength in me was depleting with ever second I stayed outside and every step I took. Although I wore a pair of torn jeans underneath the short dress, I was still cold and I figured I'd die of pneumonia before I even made it to the park.

Up in the distance I could make out the blur of a street light. I sighed, knowing that I would be free from the ebony mists, even if it was only for a moment. I was a tough girl; you had to be in my neighborhood. If you weren't tough where I lived than you were as good as dead. Everyday someone got jumped and I'd been jumped more than a dozen times, but I've learned from my mistakes. Course, it never mattered how tough I was or how tough a front I tried to put on, I could never really stand the darkness for too long. People that knew me knew I hated to be alone in the black, unaware of what was out there. Being alone and being kept in the dark, unable to see anything, that's what scared me. So, you could imagine the relief I felt when I saw that lamp.

My foot landed hard as I came to a sudden halt and water splashed upwards from a puddle below staining my pants a murky brown. A smiled curled on my face as the pool of light engulfed my frigid form. I felt safe, even if I wasn't. Further down the road, with one headlight out, a brown ford pickup inched its way towards me. A lump rose in my throat, I'd recognize that shitty excuse for a vehicle anywhere. I hooked one hand in my jean pocket and grabbed for my blade with the other. The one headlight that worked clicked off when the truck was just twenty feet away and then when it was only seven feet the Ford just stopped completely. Adrenaline pulsated through my body, circulating quicker than my blood and seeping from every pore. I waited anxiously for the two shadowy figures getting out of the truck to step closer.

"Where is he Mackenzie?" A brutal voice yelled out my last name and although the face was still hidden in the dark, I knew who it was.

"What no hello, how are you?" I replied coolly, my voice just a bit higher than the never ending beating of the rain against the asphalt. I could just picture the nasty look on his face.

"Come on Shepard; don't start forgetting those manners I taught you."

"You watch your tongue" another voice cried out. Curly Shepard took a step forward into the light and I smiled. He was all mouth and I hated him for that. It was good to have him fighting for you and he did fight pretty damn good but he rarely backed up anything he said.

"Where's Dallas?" Tim repeated the anger clearly evident in his voice.

"How the hell should I know? Do I look like his mother Shepard?"

"He slashed my tires twice this week! Now where is he?"

"Fuck you."

"What?"

"I know you heard me so I won't bother repeating myself."

I knew Dally had slashed his tires and it was stupid of him to do so, but on the other hand it was funny as hell. Course, I was the one who had to put up with Tim and lil Curly Shepard. I turned to leave, not bothering to be hassled by them anymore when something latched onto my right shoulder. My body tensed out of surprise then immediately relaxed when I recognized Curly's cheap cologne.

"Shepard, get your greasy hand off my shoulder before I rip it off and beat you with it."

Instead of listening, -which he should have done- he spun me round to face him. The kid was a foot shorter than me, not very intimidating. Tim, on the other hand intimidated the hell out of me. I'd never let ol' Shepard know that though. He was still hiding in the shadows, but I knew he was watching and waiting for his moment to strike.

"He asked you a question bitch! Now answer him!"

I wasn't going to stand out here all night and argue with the Shepard's. I was sick of yelling and I was too tired and weak to fight, that's why I'd left my house in the first place, to get away from all that bullshit.

With a sharp pull backwards, I wrenched myself out of Curly's grasp. His face lit up with surprise as the heel of my boot came up to meet him in the chin. The force knocked him backwards, his feet trying to steadying themselves before they eventually slipped, leaving Curly to sit with his ass in a muddy puddle. I smirked proud of myself, but the smirk didn't last long. Curly jumped back up, feet now steadier than ever and his pride probably a shaken up. He was mad. You could see the flames in his eyes just grow with every intake of breath.

I couldn't help but taunt him. "Want more?"

He cursed me out. Hands formed into two tight fists, he leapt towards me. I went to step to the side, but I was a second too late. I really hadn't expected him to go all out like that and so as I was moving, his grubby fingers wrapped around my knees and pulled me to the cement. My naked arms scrapped away and rocks and shards of glass from old bottles quickly found their way into my skin. I cringed, not wanting to look down. A foot behind me, I could feel Curly's hand on my ass. I trembled slightly, his hands were so cold and the touch of them made me sick to my stomach.

I formed a fist with my left hand and brought it down hard against his skull. He went limp almost immediately but I knew he wouldn't stay that way for long. With a quick shove, I let his heavy body roll onto the wet ground, leaving it there to soak in more rain and mud.

Tim was already looming over me and by the time I went to stand up I'd just realized that. He didn't say anything to me, just stood there. I took him in for the first time, just like I'd done many times before. He was a big guy, with a good build and huge arms. His arms weren't quite as large as Darrel Curtis', but they were big enough to do some damage. I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find anything and I really didn't think I needed to explain anything, I mean he'd been there. He'd seen what had happened.

"Tell Dallas if I catch him slashing my tires again, I'll do worse next time."

And before I could even get out a 'What the hell' Shepard had belted me square in the cheek. My feet lost touch with the ground and then my whole body was falling against it. I reached a shaky hand to the right side of my face but before it had touched the skin something rammed itself into my back. Once, twice, three, four times I felt the front of Tim's shoe dig into my back. I needed to get up again, I needed to defend myself but I was too tired. I rolled over in the mud onto my side just as Tim's foot found it's way into my ribs. There was this harsh cracking sound and I screamed bloody murder before I felt myself falling into darkness.

I'm not sure how long I stayed that way for, but I know I wasn't unconscious. I wish I had been though. The pain was overwhelming and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had the shit kicked out of me that bad. Even if it was a few kicks, it had been Shepard who delivered them. I listened alone again in the ebony. Feet hit the pavement as two voices above slowly began to fade away with every step. I figured it was the Shepard's high tailing it outta there; the bastards, leaving me out in the street. When I got a hold of them I was going to make them pay. Right then though, I was more worried about escaping the dark than anything. I hated to be left alone in it, but the rain that kept falling seemed to sooth me and it made the situation I was in seem a bit better.

Eventually the darkness turned into light and once again I was underneath the street lamp. There was a small dark reddish brown puddle next to my head, which I quickly realized was from me. My lip was sore and I could taste the familiar bitterness of blood. Great, Tim probably gave me a split lip or something. I groaned and complained to myself for about five minutes, before I'd finally pulled myself back on my feet.

I was cold, wet, sore and bleeding and I had no clue where to go. I knew where to go, it was simple I had to go home. But being home didn't comfort me anymore than being alone or trapped in darkness did. There would be only one other place I could go where I would be safe and I didn't feel like going there either, but it was my only option.

After ten minutes of stumbling around, I found myself quietly shutting the Curtis' back door. They always left it open for the gang or other people that couldn't bring themselves to go home. I tiptoed through the kitchen, heavy leather cowboy boots in hand, because I didn't feel the guys would like waking up to foot prints all over their floor. The house was dead silent and utterly dark. I wanted to clean myself off because I knew the cuts were going to get infected if I didn't tend to them quickly enough but I couldn't bear waking the brothers. They did enough for everyone.

I leaned down, ready to fall onto the couch when I saw a lump rise up and down, and heard the familiar rhythmic sound of relaxed breathing. I moved closer towards the front of the couch and caught sight of Johnny's dark face. Greasy bangs shaded his eyes but I knew it was him. He looked so sweet laying there, all quiet, not worrying about how his parents beat him for no good reason. I couldn't take the couch. Instead, I tucked the wool blanket that Mrs. Curtis' had knit underneath him and then went to sit in Darry's armchair. I knew he'd hate to find me in there but I was just so damn tired and their wooden floor didn't look like it would warm me up much. Dropping the boots in front of the chair, I dragged my legs onto the soft cushion and curled into a tight ball. After a bit of daydreaming and a few unimportant thoughts that usually came to mind when I went to bed, I finally found myself drifting off to sleep.