I hate doing only one chapter so if people like and review I might go through the book in different point of views or I might write my own story, taking place after, or I might keep going with this, but this is my first Outsiders story, so please help me get ideas!

Johnny's Point of View

It had been a pretty quiet day for the Greasers on the East side of town and we'd spent the day playing football in the field. Days like this were rare. Sure, big rumbles don't happen everyday but little fight happened all the time. Some good for nothing Soc. got drunk and decided to jump a Greaser or some store got broken into and we had a police chase to watch. But none of that today, Ponyboy had a ball to play football with and even Dallas, who was set to seeing the new girl who had just started coming to Bucks today, came down for the day. I'd not wanted to go home that night, for fear of another beating from my old man. Well, we'd spent the day in the field with the guys until seven. That was pretty damn early for us.

"Where you staying tonight, Johnny?" Dallas asked as we were walking out. I nodded.

"I don't know, Dally. The lot, maybe?"

"The lot? It's like forty freaking degrees out!" He exclaimed.

"You'n come home with us, Johnny." Darry offered. I shook my head. The Curtis's had enough to deal with.

"I'll be ok, guys. Really." said and Steve and Soda shared a look that I recognized as the 'ok whatever you say' look. I bit my lip. "Really, it's not that cold out." I insisted and Darry sighed. In honest to god truth I just didn't want to cause anyone a problem. The gang had been through enough in the past week.

"You guys wanna' head over to the park tomorrow night?" Steve asked.

"You got another blonde to meet?" Two-Bit snickers and I flicker a smile. Everyone else starts laughing.

"Enough would ya'?" Steve snaps. Suddenly, without warning a blue mustang whips around the corner. Darry pulls Ponyboy out of the street just in time. I shudder. That can honest mean only one thing. Socials. So much for the calm day. The mustang roared to a stop and Dally stepped out in front of us.

"HEY! Watch where you're going, assholes!" Dallas hollered and picked up a rock, chucking it at the Mustang. It screeched to a stop before us.

"Watch where you throw you're stuff, hoods!" The driver screamed and peered out the window.

"Oh, scary!" Dallas taunted, hurling another rock at the car. "You think they're going to hurt us?"

"Them? With their million dollar shoes and now dented blue cars? Not a chance!" Two-Bit hollered and picked up a beer can and threw it at the window. The car screeched to a halt in front of us. I bit my lip. This was not good.

"Go back to where you came from and get of our territory, you-!" Dallas screamed and let loose a chain of courses that would have impressed the devil himself. The Socs. looked a bit taken aback by Dallas, as most people did, and drove away. "Good for nothing trash." Dally muttered. I must have looked pretty freaked out because Dally put a protective arm roughly around my shoulders. "You ok, Johnny?" He asked and I nodded.

"I'm cool." I said a bit to fast to really convince anyone.

"Ok, then!" Sodapop said. "If you need anything come on over, Johnnycake." He said and I nodded.

"Come on, Ponyboy." Darry said taking Ponyboy's hand. "We need to get home." He said and I watched, silently as the rest of the gang took off.

"You sure you don't want to stay with someone?" Dallas asked and I shook my head. "Are you goin' home tonight?" He asked and I shook my head, gently holding my own arm, where the tender skin was black and blue from being hit againe and againe. Dallas knelt down to my level, as I was 'bout a foot shorter than him. "You know we're here for you, buddy. Right?" He said in a more compassionate voice than I had herd from him in a long time. I was a bit taken aback. I nodded, part of me wishing that he would go away and part of me wishing that he would insist on taking me to the Curtis's or back to Buck's. "I'll kill him for ya' one day, kid." He said a bit softer. "I swear I will. You deserve betta' than that good for nothing piece of trash. If he keeps doing that to ya', Johnnycake you tell me and I'll help ya'." He said and I nodded.

"Thanks, Dally, but I can't. He's my dad."

"Johnny, believe me, I up and took from my parents when I was ten. If you ever need anywhere to stay give me a call. I'll always lend a hand to ya', kiddo." Dallas said and then he swore and looked at my eye, which had black circles forming around it. "I'll kill him for ya'. I don't care if I get sent to the chair. You just say the word. I'll really do it!" Dallas proclaimed vehemently. I looked down. "Hey, hey, you look at me." He said. "I swear ta' ya', kiddo, if it ever gets to much for ya' jus' say the word. Don't be scared, to come right ova', I'm up most of the night anyway." He said and winked. I smiled at him.

"Ok, thanks, Dallas." I said and he walked away. I sighed. It was starting to get darker. I didn't actually plan on going to the lot. It was too dark to walk their now. Maybe I'd just stay here in the field. I thought about trying to catch up with someone from the gang so that they could walk me somewhere but I decided against it. Everyone already had enough to deal with, without having to worry about me. I kicked a rock around for a little and then looked towards the road. Ponyboy had forgotten his football. I'd bring it to him tomorrow. I thought and walked up to the road. Then I suddenly regretted it when the blue mustang whirled to a spot in front of me. My eyes widened and I wanted to scream but my throat suddenly clogged up and I found it hard to breath. I wanted to scream for help but the words wouldn't form.

"Look at that dirty little greaser!" One of them jeered.

"I-I-I can scream and my friends'll-"

"No they won't!" One of them taunted. "Please, no on'll come back for you!"

"They will!" I said with a little more force. A big Soc. with a lot of rings came out of the car and walked over to me. His golden rings glimmered in the sunlight. I wanted to run and a part of me was screaming; what are you doing here Go! But another part of me, the more dominant part, say my father standing there and yelling.

"Please, don't!" I begged but it didn't matter because I got socked in the stomach and I could feel the air being sucked out. I got up and tried to run but the older one punched me in the stomach with his rings.

"He looks a little hot, David. Why don't you cool him off a little?" One of them screamed and ripped my jacket off. The cold air but at my arms and I choked for breath.

"Stop..." I begged but my pleas went unnoticed or ignored. The leader with the rings raised his arm and punched me down. I doubled over gasping fro breath and I could feel the blood running down my face and it was then I knew that I was going to die. They were going to kill me and I'd never be able to do anything. The Socials had me pinned down and my vision was blurry. The only thing keeping me here was the thought that help might still come. The police, my friends, anyone. I could feel my bones cracking and I groaned. The Socials were still huddled around my limp form, kicking and punching, when I blacked out.

Dallas' Pont of View

It had not been the best day and I was madder than hell. Believe me. I stormed down the street, kicking rocks and pretending that they were Johnny's father's head. I'm not going to lie to you. I didn't hate everyone, but I did hate Jeremy Cade. Who was he to judge his son like that? Who was he? I was thinking so hard I almost didn't hear Darry screaming my name.

"DALLAS! DALLAS WINSTON!" He hollered and I turned around. He was running to me, breathless.

"For crying out loud, Darry!" I screamed. "What the god damn hell?" He reached me and was breathing heavy. He must have ran all the way from the filed to where I was now; about a half mile. Must be important.

"Dallas." He said finally. "It's Johnny." My heart jumped up and I looked at Darry. He told me he was heading to the lot. I thought to myself.

"What?" I asked.

"Dallas...he's...it's not good." Darry said, fumbling over his words. "The Socs. They got him and..." Darry didn't need to say any more because I looked at Darry and we both took off. The entire time I was running only a few things were racing through my head. Is he going to be all right? If anything happens to that kid I don't know what I'll do. Does he know how much I care? I should have told him more. He needed to feel loved. Maybe if he trusted me I could have convinced him to come with me or the Curtis's. I'll kill those Socs. I'll kill them one day. We reached the field and Soda was sitting next to him with Johnny lying there, weakly sobbing. I looked at him and turned around. Shit. This was my fault.

"Soda?" Johnny asked. He was delusional with pain. I'd seen worse in New York. People with their brains blown out lying in the gutter, people with their bodies so badly beaten that they couldn't stand. People with their veins ripped right out of their bodies but nothing killed me as much as seeing Johnny lying there. I should have been there, I thought. If Johnny dies I'll have nothing. The thoughts raced through my head and soon concern for Johnny was also joined by vengeance. I looked down at his broken body and put a hand to my mouth. Suddenly I felt downright sick. I saw Johnny lying there, his limbs were twisted into horrible positions and there were scars and bloody cuts all over his body. Red, metallic colored blood oozed out of a gash strait across his face and I gagged. I can't let them see me be sick. Instead I started cursing. I guess it started out as a act but it wasn't to far off from how I felt because all I could see through the red haze of my anger was that god damn blue mustang and the good for nothing social driver.

"Guys..." Johnny muttered. Soda had picked him up and was now supporting his limp body. I wanted to say something but I knew that I'd end up crying. So I shut my trap. I hated myself the entire walk over the Curtis's. It was silent except for the quiet sobs of Johnny and Two-Bit and Steve talking in a hushed tone about what they were going to do to those Socs. I would have joined in if it had not been for the lump in my throat. We got to the house and Sodapop laid Johnny on the couch.

"You get some sleep, ok, Johnnycakes?" He said and Johnny weakly nodded back. I was in the kitchen downing a beer. Soda walked in and slammed his hand down on the counter. Everyone jumped back. Even me. Almost me. Sodapop never got angry at anything.

"Damn it!" He snapped. "Those Socs. Think they can roll around and do whatever they want!" Everyone scattered and Two-Bit and Steve took the car out of the driveway and honest to god we all knew where they were going. Soda went to put Pony to bed and that left me alone with Johnny. I walked in. He was lying on the couch, eyes closed and still banged up. Living in the gutter taught you a thing or two about first aid and if that didn't then taking care of Johnny at three in the morning when his father beats him does.

"Hey, kid." I said and he didn't open his swollen eyes. "Johnny, come on, kiddo." I said and he weakly opened one eye half way.

"Dally?" He asked. I nodded and laid a comforting hand on his arm.

"I'm right here, Johnnycake." I comforted. He coughed and started taking shallow yet rapid breaths. I helped him sit up so that breathing came easier. I didn't want to leave him but I knew that the cuts needed treatment. I slowly stood and Johnny grabbed my hand. He turned pail and gripped tightly on my arm.

"Please, don't leave me, too!" He begged and I sat back down.

"I'm not, believe, me I'm not. I just need to get some stuff for you, ok?" I said and he nodded feebly, turning white as a sheet. Their was no way I was going to let him back to his father's house tonight. No freaking way. I walked to the bathroom and opened the cabinets. It was a ritual that Johnny and I did so many times. What did I need? The alcohol, bandages, Tylenol, and water, washcloths, towels, and a bucket incase he needed to throw up. Blankets because it was cold and a two pillows because their was no freaking way he was going anywhere but here and I would sleep in the chair next to the couch, that he was staying on, and I'd stay their until he was better. I put the supplies in the bucket and walked back out. He was still lying there and it made him look close to dead. That's what scared me most. That and the tears. "Johnny." I said. "This is going to hurt a little, kiddo." I tipped the alcohol onto a washcloth and gently pressed it on his arm. He squirmed and I held out my other hand. "I know, kid. I know." I said he gripped my other hand as I cleaned out the scars on both arms and the knife wound on his stomach. Then I turned my attention to his face. It wasn't the cut that was so bad, but it was the fact that it ran from his eye down his cheek. I gently wet the cloth with water first. "Close your eyes, Johnnycake." I said and he nodded, following my every order. It was hard to clean because I didn't want to get any in his eyes. Finally I managed to use a paper towel and a washcloth to block his eyes as I cleaned the cut with alcohol. He was biting his lip and trying not to cry when we were done.

"Dal?" He asked after we were just sitting there for a while.

"What's up, Johnny?"

"Dallas, I can't live like this." He whispered. That statement made my blood run cold.

"What do you mean, Johnny?" I asked. He looked down. I pushed his chin up so his eyes met mine. "What do you mean?" I repeated.

"Dally, if I go back to my parents house. They'll kill me when I'm like this. Maybe it would be better if I just-" I could not cut him of fast enough.

"Johnnycake, come on." I said. "The gang needs you. We care about you. If you EVER tried anything like that I don't know what we'd do without you." I said vehemently then he started to cry againe and clutched at my shirt in terror for what would happen to him. "Johnny, listen to that." I said referring to my heartbeat. "Do you hear that? That's my heart." I said. "So don't you freaking break it by trying anything stupid." I said and he nodded at me. I sat there holding him, as he sobbed for the seemed to be hours. It killed me to see him like this.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled. "I'm sorry, Dally. I don't want to die, It's just SO hard sometimes." He wailed. "I mean, if they get me againe, they might kill me!" He cried.

"Johnnycakes, I'd never let them get you againe." Eventually I laid his head back down on the pillow and covered him with a blanket. I then lay down in the chair, although I was unable to sleep. My emotions were split between fear for his life and a red haze of pure hatred for the Socs. That scared him, because it didn't matter how much I cared for the kid, or how much alcohol I used, or how much I wished and wished: Scars would never go away and I knew that my new job was to fill the void that his father left and to never let those god damn Socs get him againe. Right there I swore to myself that I'd never let them hurt Johnny againe, because I might be able to heal them but scars never fully go away.

Author's Note: Ok, that was that, I got a tough skin! Say what's on your mind! Please review!