Chapter 1: No Longer Breathing

Ponyboy hoped he would never have to go through death again. Well, he knew he would, but he didn't want to go through it again for a long, long time. One night, though, it happened again. It was a normal night for Pony, for the time being. It had been summer vacation for about a week and things were going pretty smoothly around town. Pony sat in the kitchen reading and eating some cake. While he was in his little world, Soda and Steve were wrestling in the living room as Two-Bit cheered them on. Darry was just getting home as he parked his truck in the drive way and would hopefully get the loud boys to calm down a bit. Oh yeah, a normal night.

Darry walked in and told Steve and Soda to be careful and not break anything and ordered Two-Bit to quit jumping on the couch. He made his way into the kitchen, "Hey Ponyboy."

"Hi," Pony greeted while nibbling on his fork to get every last crumb.

"Don't tell me all you did again was read," Darry sighed, "Didn't you hang out with Johnny?"

"I couldn't find Johnny today, not at home or the lot or anywhere," Pony said, "But I did play football with Two-Bit today. Dumb idea..."

Darry laughed, "Maybe Johnny will stop by tonight." Just as Darry cut himself a slice of cake, they heard the front door slam open and Soda and Steve's wrestling quieted down.

"Dally, what's wrong?" they heard Two-Bit ask. Pony and Darry walked into the living room and found Dally at the front door panting and holding himself up against the wall. Darry walked over and together him and Two-Bit helped Dally to the couch.

"Dally, what's going on?" Steve asked. Dally tried to speak, but he was too out of breath for anyone to understand.

"Deep breaths, Dally," Darry ordered as he backed everyone away, "What's the matter now?"

"It's Johnny," Dally said, "We got to get to the hospital now!"

No one spoke or asked questions, but moved. The only vehicle was Darry's truck, but no one was being left behind in this situation. Darry got to the drivers side as Dally took the passenger seat. The other four squished in the back seat and on the floor of the truck. Darry drove as fast as he could to the hospital as everyone demanded answers.

"What's wrong with Johnny?" Two-Bit asked speaking everyone's thoughts. Dally turned in his seat so everyone could hear clearly.

"I'm not sure. He was beat up real bad and was unconscious, I know that much," Dally explained.

"Where did you find him?" Soda asked.

"At the lot. I just saw him lying down and thought he fell asleep, but then I saw blood and..." Dally trailed off and no one asked anything else. Pony sat on the floor of the back seat between Soda's legs. He stared at the floor as his vision became blurry by burning tears. His best friend was mugged. It must have been the Socs again, Pony thought to himself, they beat him up worse than last time. Pony suddenly grew furious. Tears streamed down his hot face. He clenched his fists as his nails dug into his palms. He bit the insides of his cheeks as hard as he could.

"Hey." Pony looked up as Soda nudged his shoulder, "You alright, buddy?" Pony wiped his tears away and nodded. Soda patted Pony's shoulders. Not too long after, they were at the hospital. Darry parked and everyone piled out and walked into the hospital.

"Did you call his parents?" Darry asked Dally.

"Why the hell would I do that?" Dally asked with anger in his voice.

"I was actually hoping you didn't," Darry admitted. He went up to the front desk and asked for Johnny's room. Two-Bit, Dally and Steve paced around the waiting room ignoring other patient's looks. Soda put an arm around Ponyboy, "I'm sure he's just fine Ponyboy."

"The damn Socs," Ponyboy mumbled.

"Now Pony..." Soda began.

"Soda, you heard Dal! Someone beat him up! The Socs did it, just worse than before, I know it," Pony said angrily.

Soda sighed, "You have a point Pony, but we don't know for sure, you know?"

"Can it, Soda. I'm going to get the damn Socs. They are going to pay for it this time," Pony said and stomped down the hall. He dragged himself against the brick wall until he hit a dead end. He swore for his best friend he would make the Socs pay for it. They can't get away with it again. He walked back and forth a few times until he heard the clerk ask for Darry again. Pony walked back into the waiting room as everyone stood up.

He was walking up behind everyone just as the clerk was saying, "...but he's passed away."