Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Outsiders

Here we are again Ladies and Dudes. I hope you all enjoy. This is the sequel to Living For. The story starts off with letters and days that the Curtis's get her letters. Some parts are in her POV, some aren't but I will let you know who's POV it is. Please let me know what you think, and enjoy my story :D


Keep Moving

Gone Twenty-Nine Days

(Soda's POV)November 30th

I couldn't help but run into the house when I got home this after noon. Just like everyday, I had grabbed the mail on my way inside. Darry had just picked me up from work and I startled him when I ran inside. This was just a marvelous day, I held in my hand two letters. Both of which have no return address. One was assigned to, 'Everyone'; the other read, 'My Brother's'. I'd know that hand writing anywhere. Jumping up and down I told the gang very loudly the exciting news.

"Got a letter from Lucy!" everyone looked up excited. Pony shot out of his room with Johnny in toe after hearing my loud voice. A large smile graced his face.

"Darry, a letter." Darry entered the house looking a bit tired, but his face was grinning at me.

"How long has it been since she's left?" Darry thought out loud as he closed the windows and doors.

"Fourteen days." I said, handing him the two letters as I kicked my shoes off. Everyone has been so down since she ran off. Everything's changed. Pony is having nightmares again. I moved into his room again. Since we don't have her small income, we seem to be struggling a little bit more. Even the gang seems more down. We have police and everyone else down our throats all the time. I just want her to come home but I don't want them to take her to prison.

"Well, lets read this one. Then later we will read the one to us." Darry said opening the letter and reading it out loud.

Dear Everyone,November 25

It is November twenty fifth. I have been gone nine days, but it feels so much longer! Sorry it's taken me a while to write, I had to focus on getting out of the state. First off, I'm sorry about everything. About leaving and running away. I know it was a rash decision, but you all have to understand. I wasn't going to an orphanage or girls group home! If I couldn't live with you guys, I would live anywhere. Sounds dumb but that's how I think. I'm sorry about worrying you guys over something so silly. I should of been more tough like you Dallas or more level headed like you Darry.

Shit do I miss you guys! I wish at least one of you was with me, it would be a party. It's too soon to come back, I'd be taken away for sure. Gosh, I really don't know what to say. Sorry. Thank you. I love you all! I suppose I could tell you what I've been up to. But before I do; I'd just like to say that if any of you rat me out, I will personally make sure you can no longer have children. You dig?

All of us started to laugh, even Dallas. "We dig." Steve said for the lot of us. Darry chuckled one last time before looking back at the letter with a grin. he continued to read.

Right now; I'm on a bus, on my way out of the second state I've been in. Lets just say that I'm a far way from Tulsa. Most of the way I've ridden the bus, sometimes hitchhiked. Then I had to walk, but I didn't care. It's been peaceful and quiet, Johnny I think you'd like it out here with me. We would even have to talk, we would just take in the freedom. I don't even mind sleeping under the stars, even if it is cold. It's just given me time to think, which was really something I needed. Don't worry about me though, I'm just fine.

Something else that is new is that I've changed my name. When people ask me who I am, I tell them I'm Maggie Lou Patrick. I know it's a little strange but it was the only thing I could think of at the time. Most of the time people don't even bother with my name, they just call me Baby or Miss. It either makes me feel old or smutty. I haven't decided which is worse to feel like, it depends on who's calling me it.

Two-bit, do you remember that one time when I was twelve and we had this bet to see who could go the longest without showering. But I lost because Mom made me take a bath after the fourth day. Then you only lasted four days because I had to give up? Well I beat you. It's gross, and you probably don't need to know this but I've gone five. the last time I took a shower was at this old lady's house, I paid her. HA-Ha. Right now I just can't wait to get off this bus so I can bum another lady for a shower.

That's all I really have to say. I'll try to write you guys soon. I love you so much. Dallas, keep out of trouble and away from the cooler. Don't forget that I want you to remember! Steve, take care of my twin until I return. Take him to the Dingo for a shake every once in a while in my honor. Two-bit, never forget your sense of humor. Use it everyday. Say something sarcastic for me! Johnny, you can have my room until I get back. Make yourself at home whenever you need to. Darry, don't work to hard. Ponyboy, keep dreaming big. Sodapop…..I love you babe.

Love Always,

Maggie Lou Patrick (AKA, Lucy Lou Curtis)

The room fell silent with our new found information. Even though the letter was full of love and humor, I know it meant more than that. Everyone seemed to feel the same way since it wasn't long after that everyone started to leave. Johnny left with Dallas to go hunt some action. Two-bit admitted that he was going to drink himself to sleep. Steve left, telling me that we should go get a shake tomorrow after work. They were all dealing with this in their own way, just like we were.

Now, my brothers and I sit at the dinner table. Meatloaf and corn bread surrounding us at the table. Our plates full of food, our cups full of chocolate milk and our hearts throbbing loudly. Darry, to my left, held the second letter from Lucy. With a half grin he handed the letter to me.

"You read it to us, little buddy." I nodded to Darry, shifting in my seat slightly. I stared at the envelope for a moment before ripping it open quickly. Sighing, I began to read.

Dear Brothers,November 25

I am so fucking mad at myself for leaving you. So mad. I wouldn't blame you to be mad at me, I deserve it. I really do! Don't you think any different. I just hope that you can understand my reasoning. Even though I'm probably the hardest person to understand. It might help if you ready my notebooks. Yes, I'm giving you permission to read them. The night I left, I thought I grabbed them all, but I only snatched the one I was recently writing in. You don't have to read them but, I just thought you might want to know the truth about me. I owe you three that much. Some of the stuff in there might be a bit disappointing and disturbing, but it's the truth. They are all letters to Mom, there might be a few to Dad but mostly Mom. Will you do me a favor, one of you? Got tell them I love them. I used to go after school sometimes and I feel weird not going there every few days.\

Ponyboy…

I looked over at Pony who had small tears in his eyes. Frowning a little bit, I faced him. This part of the letter was being addressed to him, and him only.

Ponyboy, I'm so sorry I can't be there for you. My baby brother, is no longer a baby anymore. I remember those days where Mom would ask me to look after you while she went to the bathroom or something. Just so you know I never looked away from you. I stared until she came back, didn't want anything to happen to my baby brother. I'm sorry I can't make sure of that anymore. Anyway, you've got your birthday coming up, don't ya? Fourteen! Wow, your old. Sorry I can't be there to make you a cake, but I will find a way to get you a present! Don't you worry about that!

I had a dream about you the other night, you just showed up on the bus while I was asleep. Turns out that I started screaming for you. That night I was kicked off the bus. It made me think of your bad dreams and how I wish I could hold you when you have one. To sing to you until you fall asleep. To kiss you on the forehead in the morning and when I go to bed. I miss you telling me about your day too. I miss waking up and seeing your disheveled hair and glorious yawn. I love you baby brother, you'll always be mine.

Pony was in full out tears now, but he was crying silently. Darry was next, I turned towards him. He kept looking from his full plate to Pony then back to his plate. I continued to read, with a shaky voice.

Darry, Brother, I'm sorry. I've caused such a disturbance in your life. Not only did I prevent you from attending college, but I've caused you more stress. I know I have, and I'm so fucking sorry! I don't want you to worry about me, Okay!? I've got everything under control. You keep me strong and alert. This sound sort of strange but I talk to you sometimes. Usually in my head, just for comfort. You never answer back but if you did, I might just have to ship myself to a crazy house.

I just really miss our talks that we had every night before bed. You probably think I'm a sicko for talking to someone that isn't there, right? Well, you probably think it's strange that I wrote to someone that is dead also. Oh well, we are all freaks at some point in our lives. I suppose Two-bit is still in that stage of his life. HA! Brother, I love you! I miss your warmth!

Swallowing hard I looked at Darry, he had tears in his eyes as well. Now it was my turn I suppose. Breathing in some air to compose myself I turned the page over.

Sodapop…. hey babe! It is hard to be away from you. Out of everyone, I think I can't stand to be away from you the most! You are apart of me, I need you. The other day I thought I was going crazy, I started to here your laugh. Then when I close my eyes to rest, I see your smile. I miss the wondrous grin of yours! Every time I think of you there's a tightening in my stomach. It lurches like I'm going to vomit, because I need you. I've debated so many times to just come back to kidnap you so I wouldn't be alone anymore.

Don't be surprised if one of these days, you wake up on a bus. You'll just have to get used to it as I have. I can imagine you yelling at the bus driver to play better music, I know I've gotten the urge many times. But I wouldn't have the balls to do it as you do. It's those things that I don't have that remind me of you. And those things that I do have that remind me of you. Every fucking think reminds me of you, and I CAN'T stand it! It hurts to much. Twiny, I love you more than air. I miss you more than I would miss my left foot if I ever lost it! And right now, I'd rather loose it than be away from you any longer! I suppose I'll have to tough it out, without my Twiny.

I felt as though I was going to vomit myself, she feels the same way I do. Alone. I'm not alone, but I fell alone. Lucy is alone, and she is suffering with that. At least I know that I'm not imagining things, she needs me just as much as I need her.

As for a closing, I'd like to apologize one last time. For everything. For me. For running away. For not being there. For lying. For what you have to read in those notebooks. I really don't want to disappoint you but I feel it is inevitable when you are me. Can't help being a screw up when it's in your nature I guess.

Hang in there my brothers, I'll be back. I'll be a lot different than I was, I'm sure but it will be me non the less. And for that I want to ask you all to remember me the way I was. Hold onto that shit, don't let it go! I love you all. In the words of our father, now and forever.

Love you now and forever,

Lucy Lou Curtis (A billion hugs and kiss)

All three of us were blubbering to each other. Darry wasn't blubbering, but he was pretty close. Closes I've seen him to be, especially since he never cries.

"I love you too." I told her as I hugged Ponyboy to my right. The three of us when to bed without taking a bite of dinner that night.


(Soda POV) December 11th

We haven't heard from Lucy in a while and things have pretty much gone down hill. Ponyboy is still suffering from nightmares. Darry has gotten a lot stricter with Pony, yells at him a lot. I'm usually in the middle of their fights. That's when I miss her the most, she always found a way around Darry's anger. I think it's because out of all of us, she understands him the most. She understood all of us the best, she always knew what to say.

The gang is pretty much the same, only they don't mention Lucy anymore. I'm not sure if they are doing it out of respect for her or because they can't stand the thought of her not being there. So they pretend that she never was, she was never born. If your never there, then you can't leave. The whole situation has hit them pretty hard, sometimes harder than I think it hit me. Dallas doesn't come around as much as he used too. That's understandable, I guess. Johnny took Lucy's advice and moved into her room. Well not permanently, just on nights that he can't stand to be home. He stays pretty often, so it seems that he's living with us. Two-bit drinks a lot more, even though he drank a lot before. It's his way of dealing I guess, I'm worried about that guys sometimes. Steve is same old Steve only angrier. He lashed out at me a few days ago, which he never does.

The only thing that seems to be looking up is my relationship with Sandy. We really hit it off. I think I might love her, she's the only girl that I've ever really fallen for. She's the only person that I really talk to Lucy about or my parents. I can't even talk to my brothers about that shit. I think it's because she never met them. She isn't going through the same thing I am, like my brothers are. Sandy can take a look on the outside of the situation and can comfort me. My baby girl is so good at that, I wish she was here right now.

Darry and I read Lucy's notebooks together. Pony didn't want to, he felt like he was invading her privacy. Even though she told us we could read them. I'm not going to lie, I'm glad he didn't read them. Some of the things she wrote in there were a little frightening even to me. I never knew that she was hurting so bad. That she felt so alone all the time. She was too busy taking care of all of us to say something. How she hurt herself. Or the feelings she had for Dally, that was a shocker. It was also a little strange and out of place, I'm not sure if Dally ever knew about the feelings. The notebooks only mentioned how much she wished that they would be together. She was really upset when he left for New York, I never knew that either. Reading them just made me want to see her more. To tell her I loved her and that I would never leave her.

At least we got a letter from her today. Darry is reading it out loud right now. She only wrote one to us this time, so we waited until everyone left. The three of us are huddled onto Darry's bed, listening to him read.

Dear Brothers,December 1st

Holy crap have I been through a lot in the last few days. I've slept on a roof. Stole my first item of food, don't judge me! Umm lets see, I've sung on the corner for money. I've gambled for money, I won fifty bucks and lost eight. Tell Two-bit for me, I'm sure he would be proud. Also, I've been jumped. Don't worry, I was saved. It was CRAZY! I gave the guy a few good hits in the face but over all lost because I was weaker than a newborn pup! I hadn't eaten for a while, that was the day I stole food.

Anyway, the guy that saved me, offered me to ride with him. I gladly excepted after I stole the two of us hotdogs. His name is Walt. He is eighty-one years old, no joke! I've been traveling with him for a few days now. The two of us have become pretty good friends, only I make up lies about myself. You never know what kind of people might rat you out, even Walt. So as of the last few days, I'm nineteen year old Maggie Lou Patrick. I've been traveling since I was eighteen and was born in Illinois. Crazy right, it makes me laugh.

So Walt is so fucking funny. He's really nice but is rough around the edges. He swears like a sailor and sounds like one too. His voice is all scratchy and hard to listen to sometimes. Picture….picture Dallas and Two-bit giving birth to an eighty-one year old man, that's Walt.

We all looked at each other and than burst out laughing. Lucy sure had a way with saying things. "I can only imagine what he really is like." Pony said slapping me on the back with a chuckle.

"Yeah, what is she thinking?" I said joining the laughter. Darry smirked our little sister's humor. He began to read again.

I know that it's been awhile since I've written, I'm sorry. Things have just been so busy and none stop. I suppose I could tell you where I am, because I wont be here for very long. Walt is visiting some buddies in New Mexico, they are swell guys. All are really old but are the best story tellers I've ever met, even better than Dad. They've just experience so much, I wish you guys could meet them. After a few nights of camp fires and beer, I'm hitching a plane ride across the country. One of Walt's friends owns a plane and lives on the other side of the US. He's offered me a ride, I've accepted. I wish I could tell you were I'll be going but I have to be cautious. For all I know, the state could of intercepted all my letters. Anyway, I'll be sad to leave Walt in the morning, but I've got to leave him. I can't get too attached to anyone.

I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. And that I miss you all insanely. That I'm dieing here without you. That I'll be home again sooner or later. I love you guys.

Love you now and forever,

Lucy Lou Curtis (Bazillion hugs and kisses)

P.S. Give each other a hug for me, RIGHT NOW!

The three of us immediately did as the letter said for us to do. After the hugs, Pony and I retreated to our own room. I snuggled into the bed next to Ponyboy. Neither of us went to bed quickly, we laid there for a while before fallin asleep. Thinking about all the new information we've received. Sighing loudly, I closed my eyes. At least she is okay. Still alive and kicking, right?


(Soda POV) December 15th

I got a letter from Lucy today. It was only addressed to me. Sitting alone in my room I opened it. There was twenty dollars inside the envelope. I locked the door for my privacy as I began to read the letter.

Sodapop, December 6th

Babe, I miss you so much. Today has been real shitty. It's day one hundred and sixteen, since they've died. I'm still counting the days. How pathetic can one girl be? Obviously, very. Everyday is getting harder, Twiny. Hard to go on sometimes, most of the time. Trudging through the snow with nothing but a bag on your back and spit in your throat to call your own. It's the truth, you're the only one I feel I can tell how I truly feel. It's just been SO hard the last few days. Ever since I got off that plane, thins have been going down hill.

At the air field I used the bathroom, somewhere that wasn't in a bush for once. It was the first time since about two weeks that I had seen myself in the mirror, I look liked hell. I still look like hell. The most noticeable difference was the weight loss. It's really starting to ware away at my body, I can't go on in the snow like this for much longer. I'll die or something. I've considered contacting one of you to get me, but I don't want to get home then be taken away. I've considered calling up Rose Peter, see if me and her can't negotiate something or other. I'm scared Sodapop, I'll admit that.

Anyway, enough about me being weak. The money is for Ponyboy, for his birthday gift. Will you do me a favor and go to the store for me? Buy him "Where The Red Fern Grows" and "The Town and The City"? They are books that I have read and I think he will like them. Please do this for me Twiny, I know it's short notice but I can't be there. I feel bad for that. So fucking bad about it! Please wrap them up and put my name on it. I'll owe you something big, okay! Please just do this for me! I hope he is surprised about getting the books. I hope he knows that I was thinking of him. He's not the only person I've been thinking about. You've been on my mind all the time Pepsi-Cola!

Hopefully I'll figure something out soon! Things aren't looking up since I've run out of money and have gotten sick. I suppose all I can do is keep moving. Otherwise, I'll stop. I'll give up. The only thing keeping me going is knowing I'll get to see you again. I love you silly goober.

Love you now and forever,

Twiny (LLC)

I had started crying in loud gasps. I'm surprised none of the guys heard me, if they did they didn't want to know what was wrong. Or they already knew what was wrong. It's really hard to know that my sister isn't doing well. She's out of money, she's sick and she is loosing hope. If I knew where she was, I'd join her. but than again I could leave Darry and Pony.

They don't get along well as it is, things are fucked up. God, I need a cigarette or something. I never smoke but hell, it might help.

I got up off my bed and scrambled out the door. Throwing my shoes on and coat I growled out to the guys. "I'm going to see Sandy."

"Sure. Hey, you okay Soda?" Pony asked as I ran out the door. I didn't want to lie to him, so I didn't answer. For the rest of the night I cried and stomped around at Sandy's house. She didn't care, she told me she like it when I opened up like that. The whole thing just makes me feel less of a man, like a pussy even. Fuck this shit! I want my twin back!