Chapter 1: Carla's Murder at Bucks

Disclaimer: Do I look like I own The Outsiders? No. The real owner of The Outsiders is the best author ever, S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write on this site.

A/N: Please tell me what you think! Criticism is welcome, but no flames please. Flames killed Johnny. ;) Suggestions are always welcome, no matter what they might be. Thanks.

Sodapop's POV (January 31st, 1967)

I laid in bed and thought about the events that had led up to this whole big mess. It wasn't suppose to turn out like it did, all she wanted was to hang out with the gang; Two-Bit, Sandy, Steve, Evie, and I. She wanted to do regular teenage stuff. And now she was going to stay forever sixteen and I was determined to figure out who made her like that, even if it meant that I might end up with the very same tragic fate.

But I also knew that the cops probably wouldn't do a single thing about it. Already, they had asked Darry, Ponyboy, and I if she was into drugs or sex or any other "high-risk" activity. Please. She had one thing on her mind: to get out of this run-down, gang-filled neighborhood. She wanted to be a school teacher and raise her kids in a small, safe neighborhood somewhere where she could leave her car doors unlocked and let her kids run around outside, happy, free, and sage.

"I'll find out what happened, Carla, for you," I whispered to no one in particular, just the four bare walls of my lonely bedroom. "I'll get you justice, baby girl."

Earlier that day:

We had all planned to go to the dance that night. Carla was hoping that she would see Cherry and Bob at the dance and I wanted to take Sandy with me.

After that, we planned to maybe dig up some action and go cruisin' around Tulsa. Carla, like Ponyboy in many ways, loved to look out at the city lights at night. But Two-Bit, as usual, wasn't satisfied with the school dance. He wanted to go get drunk, and, eventually, I was outnumbered. So I cuddled up to Sandy and let Steve drive us to Bucks while Carla and Two-Bit cuddled up in the back.

We got to Bucks and after the first round of drinks we all split up. Sandy and Evie met up with one of Sylvia's old friends, Donna Jane, so I grabbed Steve and we shot some pool.

Then, after just a few rounds Sandy found me with a sexy grin on her face that I couldn't resist. We snuck off to get some privacy. Two-Bit and Carla where who-knows-where, and right then, I really didn't care what those two were up to.

In an instant Two-Bit was by my side saying that he couldn't find find Carla.

"She said she was going to grab a smoke, alright? And she's a big girl, she can handle herself, so I took a leak while she smoked by herself outside. But she wasn't back inside when I was done so I went out to look for her. And she just ain't there!" Two-Bit blubbered, seemingly scared as if I would blame him for the whole thing. Smart move, there buddy. Don't get between one of us and our family.

"Two-Bit," I suggested calmly. "Let's just go see if we can find her, alright?" I wasn't freaked out, not yet.h

I saw her there before Two-Bit, on the ground, pale, cold, and naked from the waist down. Her clothes were laying next to her. I ran up to her side where she laid just behind the building, but there was no pulse, no sign of the life that once resided in her. My own skin felt cold and I shivered against the January wind, but I barely noticed the cruel temperature outside or my missing chat. A small, shaky sob escaped my chapped lips.

"Carla," was the only word that could escape my mouth, but there was so much to say. My lips moved after that, but I didn't utter a single sound.

A/N: Hey guys, so I needed another new chapter story to write. And I thought to myself that a mystery/tragedy sounded good, because both are hardly explored by myself and other authors. So I sat down and actually planned out this entire story by each chapter.

It's easier that way, I've noticed, knowing what to do and where to turn each chapter. But I also feel confined, and I never truly know what will be in each chapter until I wrote it. I'm still not sure which way is better. See, even after 60 stories, I'm still learning. Sorry for the long author's note, I'm off my little soapbox now. Please R&R! Thank you to Amanda for her help!

Word Count: 869 words!

Aufenthalt Gold,

~Alee xXx