Summary: Cassidy has just moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with her older brother, Ryder. On her way back home from the grocery store, Cassidy is jumped by a band of drunken Soc's. Thankfully, one brave greaser rescues her and returns her to the Curtis home to treat to her wounds. Cassidy can't help but see her savior again.
A/N: Dally is definitely my favorite character in the Outsiders. He's hot :3 Also, this follows the movie, but is set during the summer. Anyways, I own nothing of the book or its characters, except for my own charrie's. This chapter is Night Train, by James Brown.Don't forget to review, and thanks for reading!
"God, what the hell did you put in these boxes, Ryder?" Cassidy called and barely tipped over from all the weight she was carrying. Ryder, clad in a plain black shirt and jeans, peeked his head from the gaping doorway of their new house and chuckled as he watched her stumble up the last few stairs to the porch. Gasping, Cassidy dropped the monstrous box at her feet and glared at her brother.
"I never knew you were so wimpy, Cass." Ryder sneered, picking up the box with ease and flinging it over his shoulder. Cassidy shook her head but followed him inside. The house was a welcoming sight to her; something she'd been looking forward to from the start. She and Ryder had moved all the way Adamsville, Tennessee to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He said it was because he had friends there, but Cassidy knew it was also because of what had happened in Adamsville. She didn't really like to talk about it.
There wasn't any furniture inside yet- except for their two bedroom sets- but Ryder had planned to order a couch and a chair once he'd made some money. The living room was completely bare save for a small TV in the corner and a pillow for their dog, Chief, to sleep and rest on. They'd rescued him when he was just a puppy, and had cared for him ever since. Being a German Shepard, he was normally jumping off the walls and barking at random pedestrians, but lately he'd been lazy and just tired overall. He picked up his head as Cassidy walked by, but laid down again and quickly fell asleep.
The kitchen was vacant, too. A box of cereal and a bag of pasta sat idly on the counter, but that was about all the food they had at the moment. Frowning, Cassidy waited for Ryder to finish unpacking the last of his things before asking, "You know we have barely any food, right?"
Ryder stepped into the kitchen and eyed the cereal and pasta deeply. Cassidy knew he was thinking; he always looked mad when things were on his mind.
"I'll drive to the store before supper."
"Can I go?" Cassidy retorted. Ryder laughed and curtly shook his head.
"You can't even drive without slamming on the brakes every two seconds," He stated, "Make a list and I'll pick it up."
"Please, Ryder?" Cassidy begged, hugging him tightly, "Please?"
He could never resist her pleads, which had definitely come in currant handy. Ryder sighed but accepted and sulked back into his room. Cassidy decided to walk, since the rough sound of their beat-down truck usually made Chief go crazy. Cassidy ran her fingers through her long, straight light-brown hair and waited for Ryder to pass her a handful of cash for the store. As she peered out the window, Cassidy spotted a group of boys around the ages of fourteen and eighteen walking proudly on the sidewalk across from their house. A fearful shiver ran down her spine, and Cassidy instantly recognized them as greasers. She continued to spy on them secretly, though. One hood, who was wearing a dark gray Mickey Mouse shirt and faded denim jeans, was absently flicking a switchblade open and closed at his side. The rest were weaponless, but still looked like they ate nails for breakfast. One, however, caught her attention. He was tall, with an angled face and dark brown hair. He wore a thick leather jacket and had his hands stuffed into his pockets. Suddenly, he glanced up and their eyes locked for a split second, and he smirked. Yelping softly, Cassidy would have cracked her head on the island if it hadn't been for Ryder, who luckily caught her before she tumbled over.
"They're not going to hurt you," Ryder said in a soothing voice, "You're okay; you're fine."
Cassidy fought the urge to hyperventilate. The greaser… he'd looked so much like-
"I don't want you leaving the house, Cassie," Ryder murmured, interrupting her memories, "I don't trust those boys."
"I'm fine, Ryder, like you said," Cassidy insisted, balancing herself against the counter, "Just a little spooked is all."
She hurried to escape his prying protection, even though she was still scared. Things had… happened in Adamsville, things that still haunted Cassidy's mind.
"Wait," Ryder said, just as she was leaving. He paused before motioning to Chief, "Take the dog."
Cassidy smiled and called for Chief, who immediately leaped forward with renowned excitement. He would be serving as her personal bodyguard for the day.
The evening air was chilly, causing another violent shudder to rack her body. Chief padded loyally at her side, warming her leg. Cassidy wore a pair of dark jean shorts, a black shirt and a form-fitting jacket, but as still practically freezing; even though it was still early summer.
Cassidy was tan, too. Tanner than most girls she'd happened to see upon arriving in Tulsa. Back in Adamsville, Cassidy was a fantastic softball player and normally spent her summer's practicing and playing game for her team, which meant she was vulnerable to the sun for hours sometimes. Ryder was the same way, though. He worked for a construction company, where, at a site, he supposedly met a man by the name of Darrel Curtis. They became friends by coincidence, which aided their decision to move to Tulsa. Ryder had never met Darrel's two younger brothers, but he said they'd be good boys to look after her.
They left Adamsville for two reasons: money problems, and the fact that Cassidy was brutally attacked. A gang of boys had held her down and beaten her, and would have raped her if it hadn't have been for Ryder. He chased them away just by the intensity of his size. Ryder had to be around 6"2, with huge muscles not even an athlete could own up to. He was been watching over Cassidy since their parents hardly gave a rat's ass about what became of them. It was frustrating to know they didn't care, but at least Cassidy had Ryder. He was the best brother any sixteen-year old girl could have.
The grocery store was empty except for an elderly couple who were quietly arguing in the back. The owner griped about Chief dragging his dirty paws inside, so Cassidy tied him outside and shopped briskly. She picked out loaves of bread, milk, butter and a dozen or so more essentials. Cassidy didn't forget to grab a candy bar, either. She was a pure sucker for chocolate.
With three bags full of food, Cassidy strolled outside of the store. The leash that had once held Chief secure had been cut; he was nowhere to be seen. Pursing her lips in confusion, Cassidy glanced around and found exactly who she was looking for, plus extras. In an alleyway nearby, about four or five nicely-dressed boys were taunting Chief; pulling his tail and pushing him around. Infuriated, Cass ditched the bags she'd been holding onto the ground and stormed across the street to their position. Upon her advancement, one boy looked up and whistled loudly, causing the others to turn as well.
"What do you think you're doing?" Cassidy demanded, her firm voice startling her, "That's my dog, assholes."
"We were just having some fun." One of them jeered, coiling his fingers around Cassidy's shoulder as she walked past him to reach Chief. His hand was covered with mean, maniac-looking rings; rings that could really hurt someone. She fought against his grip, but he was too strong. He pulled her toward him and the alcohol coming from his breath almost made her gag for air.
"You're awfully pretty," He whispered, "And you're the new girl in town. Why don't we show you how we Soc's do things in Tulsa?"
Without any second thoughts, the "Soc" pushed her harshly. Cassidy fell hard, and tried to run, but he already had her pinned to the ground. This isn't happening; this isn't happening, she thought, not again, dear God, please.
Chief barked and lunged forward, biting onto one of the Soc's ankles. The boy roared and swung a blade from his pocket, slicing the dog's snout cleanly. Chief whined and backed away with his tail hidden between legs. Cassidy kicked her knee forward and hit the boy above her square in the groin. He growled and punched her, and the rings dug into her skin as if it were nothing. He continued to ravage her with excruciating pain, though. She gasped from the sudden loss of mind, and the failure of willpower. Ryder wasn't here, now. He wouldn't be able to save her. This was it.
As if on cue, a loud, acrid yell sent the boy on top of her flailing backwards. Cassidy groaned and curled into a ball, finding the cement comforting against her bruised skin. She knew the boy had beaten her more than she really thought, although she wished that was a lie.
After a series of cries and screams, someone perched over her. Cassidy barely opened her eyes, and saw that it was the boy she'd seen earlier; the one who'd also seen her.
"Don't, please," She pleaded, "Please-"
"Shh, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you," He said and winced as he got a good look at her, "Those damn Soc's did a lot more damage than I thought. I better get you someplace safe before they come back with heaters. Can you walk?"
Cassidy shook her head, and he leaned down and scooped her into his arms like she was a mere ragdoll. But… she trusted him. There was just something about the look in his eyes that told her she was going to be alright. He began to run, and Cassidy had no idea where to, but she was glad he had been there to rescue her.
"You're that girl I saw earlier," He realized, "Golly, I thought it was you. Two-bit said you were a looker, but you ran away from the window too quickly for me to see. No offense or anything."
Cassidy almost laughed, but knew it would do no good. Same old guys; just like her friends back in Adamsville.
"I'm Dally, by the way." He said.
"Cassidy," She replied in a quiet, hoarse whisper, "Cassidy MacTavish."
"Hey, don't fall asleep on me," He urged quickly, pinching her finger, "Tell me about yourself."
He was so worried about her, but why? She'd only seen him once before, and they'd only been talking for five minutes. Cassidy answered his questions, though, knowing it would only reassure him that she was awake.
Cassidy must have zoned out, because the next second she was inside a dimly lit room. A crowd of people stood around her, and someone was pressing a dampened rag against her forehead. Cassidy whimpered and tried to sit up, but was pushed back down by a gentle hand.
"Ryder will be here soon, Cass," Someone said, "I just called him. We used to be buddies back at a construction sites, you know?."
A/N: I thought it went pretty good! Reviews are much appreciated. I'll accept constructive criticism, too, but please don't insult my writing. I have ideas; I put them on paper; I type them. The story of my life. Again, thanks for reading!