Chapter 1: Lesson in lane direction

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. Sigh. The real owner of "The Outsiders" is my favorite author, the fabulous S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write here on this site.

Ponyboy's POV

I nervously gripped the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white. Two-Bit insisted on taking me out driving tonight, I had just gotten my learner's permit, but I was scared to death to drive. After my parent's accident, cars just freaked me out.

"Your doing fine Ponyboy, just relax. Turn left up here," he told me. Relax, I can do that, I thought, taking a few deep breaths.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a Mustang creep up behind us.

"That car is a price of crap. Could never beat us," the Soc bragged loudly.

"Oh yeah?" Two-Bit inquired dangerously.

"Two-Bit," I moaned, "Shut up for Pete's sake, I ain't racin' them."

"Scared?" Another Soc taunted. They pulled up into our lane until I had to go to the left lane straight into oncoming traffic. I tried to speed up, my pride got the better of me.

My hands were white and I was scared, but my jaw was set.

Until I saw the blinding lights of a pick-up truck.

I heard a Soc yell and then we made contact with the vehicle.

I saw the swerve to avoid us, but it only made him hit me more directly. I wanted to, but I couldn't pass out, yet. I needed to do something and help Two-Bit. I was awake for a few agonizing seconds. I heard Two-Bit's scream. I heard the crunch of metal and I smelt the sickening, burning, acid smell.

And then I succumbed to my heavy lids and passed out.

Darry's POV

Where were Ponyboy and Two-Bit? They left hours ago. Soda was at a drag race so I was alone in the house.

I heard a knock on the door and saw two police officers.

Flashbacks of my parent's car wreck flashed before my eyes as I opened the door.

"H-Hello?" I asked in a quavering voice.

"There's been an accident, son. Do you know Ponyboy Curtis or Two-Bit Mathews?" He asked gruffly.

"Y-Yeah. That's my youngest brother and my friend." I felt my knees get weak. That couldn't be true. They can't be dead.

"Their at Tulsa Regional Hospital," he informed me as Soda cam up behind them. Oh thank God, not dead. Yet.

"What happened?" He asked me, fear evident in his wide brown eyes.

"There's been an accident, Pespi-Cola. Ponyboy and Two are in the hospital," I told him. Soda grabbed my arm and raced to the car and Steve followed suit.

"I'll drive," Steve volunteered, seeing as neither one of us were in stable condition to drive.

I handed him the keys. "How fast can you drive?"

He laughed. "Darry, I'll have you to the hospital in five minutes, max."

X

He did get us to the hospital in five minutes. It normally took us ten minutes to get to the hospital. Steve was only going about 80

"Ponyboy Curtis?" I asked the front desk. She smiled and pointed to a cop approaching me.

"Darrel Curtis?" He asked. I shook his hand and nodded.

"From what I can gather Ponyboy was driving on the left side of the road. The witnesses admitted to drag racing. Another car coming the opposite direction smashed head on into them-" it was around this time I was struggling not to puke. Drag racing? Pony never used his head.

"-Ponyboy swerved to the right to avoid getting hit, but he suffered most of the blow." The cop informed us. I thanked him and waited for the doctor to come out. It was two hours before he came out.

We went through introductions again before he started talking. "Keith has a broken ankle and stitches across his forehead, but he can go home." Two-Bit was okay. What about Ponyboy?

"Ponyboy?" I asked quietly, my normally deep voice an octave higher.

"He-"

A/N: Cliffhangers! The bane of all reviewers existence. Please review. Suggestions are totally appreciated!

Aufenthalt Gold,

~Alee