I jumped off the train hitting the hard ground. "Damnit." I muttered under my breath. I took a look around; this is the town I haven't been in since I was seven. The last place I saw my mom before she was killed and I got sent off to live in New York with my dad. Just thinking that made me shudder, I hated that horrible bastard. I know he killed my mom, I know he did that just because she had full custody over me. She had custody for a reason; he was an abusive mother fucker.
My hand went to my neck, to the St. Christopher necklace I always have on. I remember getting it. It was right before my train to New York left. I was a terrified seven year old not wanting to leave his friends. All of them were there, Darry, Two-Bit, Steve, Soda, Johnny, Ponyboy, and Tim. Mrs. Curtis drove all of us here, we all had tears in our eyes, although Johnny and Ponyboy were the only ones to admit it. Right before I got on the train six year old Johnny came up to me and held out his hand. I held out mine and he dropped the St. Christopher in it, saying something about how it was supposed to keep you safe during your travels. I pulled him into a hug. "If you ever need anything Johnny, just jump the 6:15 freight train to New York, it leaves every morning." Mrs. Curtis laughed and said there would be no jumping freight trains, then they called for my train. "Bye Dallas, I wish you luck on your travels." "Bye Mrs. Curtis." And with that I was gone.
I smiled at the memory, as the train pulled out that day I swear I saw everyone crying even Tim. There were some footsteps near me, I heard some talking. "Let's move onto the next cart." People working the railroad were looking for kids running away, or trying to get a free ride somewhere. They don't do a very good job at it.
I jumped up and ran away from the tracks, making my way into Tulsa. People stared at me; I guess you would if you saw a new hood in town. A few socs walked past me saying greaser. I had forgotten about the socs and greasers, in New York it was just rival gangs. Right now I was in the middle class area, which is where most of the stores and the school are. Shepard's house isn't too far from here, but I had a place in mind.
I set off for the East side of town, greaser territory. With any luck I can remember the way around this town. I crossed the train tracks that separate the East and West side of towns, now officially in greaser turf. Memories flooded back to me as I walked by places, the park, and people's houses. I stopped at the park and sat on the edge of the fountain. When they first built it me and Johnny were playing around, he fell into a hole they had dug and could get out. I had to run and get Mrs. Curtis; life was good a few years ago. But lately for me it had been hell.
I came up to the old lot, we used to have rumbles here, or Johnny would sleep here. It was a good time in life. I saw a small tanned boy, with a bruise across his cheek. He didn't notice me come up, so I took advantage of that and put a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and went pale white."
"Did ya miss me?" I asked, he immediately froze, and then slowly started to turn around. "Dallas?" Johnny asked. "You out of all people should know I go by Dally, Dallas is too, well, formal." He jumped up and hugged me; he looked three years younger than me and not only one. "Dally, what are ya doing back?" he asked while letting go of me. "Got bored of New York, and my dad kicked me out of the house after I got arrested, so I jumped the 8:15 freight train here." He looked up and noticed the St. Christopher. "You still have it?" He asked in a voice barely above a whisper. "Yea, I never had the heart to take it off, it reminded me of Tulsa." He smiled some. "Tell anyone that and I'll skin ya." He nodded his head.
"You should come over to the Curtis house; I bet everyone will be happy to see you." "You all still remember me?" he smiled and nodded his head. "Alright, might as well." He started walking, I was right behind him. We walked for a few minutes then stopped in front of a house. "Come on Dally." Johnny practically dragged me up the steps into the house. Everyone stared as he came in with some random hood.
"Dally?" Steve asked, I could tell it was him because his nose was broken again, he was the only one who every broke their nose. "Did ya miss me too?" I asked in a sarcastic tone. Suddenly everyone was up off the ground embracing me in a hug. "MOM!" Soda yelled, hurting my ears. "What Soda?" She asked coming into the room, she was how I remembered her, like a Greek goddess who could keep you out of trouble.
"Dallas, what are you doing back from New York." She asked, the gang had moved out of the way so she could see who they were suffocating. "Well my dad kicked me out after I got arrested for getting into a fight. Said I was a no good… well I'm not going to repeat the rest, but you get the idea." "That's horrible." She walked over and embraced me into a hug like everyone else has. "What were you doing fighting?" She asked, Mrs. Curtis has a way of making you feel bad no matter what you did.
"Well, I was with my gang and we over heard this other gang talking 'bout how I'm a farm boy from Tulsa. So I punched him and it turned into an all-out fight. The cops showed up and we both got arrested, then the next day my dad kicked me out, so I jumped the 8:15 freight train coming here." She shook her head. "What did I say about jumping on to freight trains?" I looked at the floor, making you feel bad for your actions was one of her talents. "Well if you ever need a place to stay, you can stay here."
I smiled and she walked back into the kitchen, I was here to stay. Here to live and finish my job of protecting Johnny till I die.