How long...?

It is soon...

midnight is at hand...

He's coming...

You need to hide...

What good will your friends do?...

He won't stop...

You're not safe...

He's here...

Now...

NOW...

WAKE UP NOW!

I was jerked awake from my restless slumber and found it utterly freezing in my dark room. Clutching my blankets close to me I took in a deep breath and looked around, trying to conjure up the parts of my room that I hadn't already made out. I took a quick look at my alarm clock after making a quick overview of my room. 4:23; crap. I slid underneath the covers once more and groaned, trying to keep my face as warm as I could before exposing it to the bitterness of the still air around me once more.

Tap tap... *giggles*...

My eyes opened wide and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I slowly took the blanket off and looked around my room once more. My closet door was wide open, as usual, and as dark as it was, I could still tell there was nothing in there; I moved on to the bedroom door. It was slightly open, still so close to being closed, only letting a slit of equal darkness outside in the hall escape into my room. So I got up carefully, feeling my heart rate climb. I wrapped my fingers around the golden door knob, and kept to the side of the door that didn't give away my position of awareness, and flung it open. Nothing. I looked out, from side to side, and shrugged my shoulders, reassuring myself in the theory that maybe I was still dreaming.

Tap tap... *hushed and insistant snickering*

I looked around and noticed my window once more. There was an uneasy knot forming in the pit of my stomach as I made my way over to the window. I looked out, feeling extremely uncomfortable; there was nothing. I opened it and dared myself to look out. The cold air surrounded me quicker than silver, pinching my face and every other part of my body that was exposed. I looked outside, my teeth chattering harder than anything. Again nothing. There was almost complete silence with that one glitchy light that flickered on and off in the night; that light always gave me good ideas for writing scary short stories. That was when I saw it- saw him. That grotesque figure standing on the sidewalk. His shadow was creepier than he was as it stretched out until it was too close to me for comfort. My breathing became ragged and I started to blink, thinking feverishly that it wasn't true. That lone figure looked too familiar for it to be anyone other. I felt petrified. Like his glare was holding me captive in my own despair. I thought I saw something cross his face, but I had had enough by then.

I slammed the window closed and ran screaming up the stairs to Darry's room, furiously turning every single hallway light on. By the time I had reached Darry's room, him, Bridget, Charlotte and Soda were all up and out, yawning and rubbing their eyes. I was breathing hard and I could feel tears run down my face; I finally leaned my back against the wall and buried my face in my hands, shrinking away from reality to take time to let my emotions burn out. I felt someone put firm hands on my shoulders.

"Ponyboy what happened?" I heard Darry ask in a soft tone. I involuntarily got up and threw my arms around Darry's waist, squeezing him as hard as I could. The thought that maybe squeezing him in a huge hug would make everything go away- I hoped so desperately.

Darry was rubbing my back and stroking my hair and I could hear Soda tell Charlotte and Bridget to go and take care of the children- that they'd calm me down and talk to me. So I heard them leave and I looked back, to make sure that they could not see my embarrassing face. I loosened up my hold on Darry, but didn't let go, for fear that something bad might happen if I did.

"What is it, baby? What's wrong?" Soda pressed, giving me a wild look of concern. I looked around the hallway again, making an overview of it before looking at my brothers. They both had the patience for me, since I knew there was no way that they were going to work, or that I was going to school today. I gulped and felt myself get pale. My lips felt drier than ever as I started to talk...

"I- I-I-" I felt the tears start back up again and I began to shake. Soda scooted closer to me and wrapped his arms around me too, letting me know inarticulately that there was nothing to fear- that they were here and would always help me with whatever I needed help on. I looked at Darry straight in the eye with a horrified look on my face.

"I saw him..." Darry looked at Soda, not quite getting what I meant.

"Who?" he asked uncertainly. I felt tears well in my eyes.

"Paul..." Darry fell silent and I could tell that he was trying to figure out how it could've been possible; he wasn't expecting this. Soda held me tighter, though I knew he was comforting himself as well.

"Dream," Darry said with finality, though the way he said it, it sure didn't seem like Darry thought it was a dream. I shook my head.

"I was awake! I heard tapping...and I even came out into the hall to see what it was... and then I checked outside my window and-" I stopped and took a deep breath as I remembered his figure just standing there... watching me... waiting...

"He was there..." Soda said in a fearful awe. Darry bit his lip and looked at me. I helplessly continued on in my storytelling.

"He was just standing there looking at me like, like he wanted to kill me but he just didn't know how! I got so scared... so so scared... I just-" I buried my face in Soda's chest and let out small and silent sobs, curling up in his arms.

"Hey, hey look at me!" Darry said in a reassured voice. I looked at him. He had his hands on my upper arms and he had that detirmined look in his blazing blue eyes.

"We're gonna get him- you'll be safe, Soda's gonna be safe, and so will Bridget and Charlotte and everyone in this household. I know the gang is gonna be safe too... Don't worry about it, 'kay?" I nodded. When Darry said something was going to be alright, I automatically assumed it would be. I had gotten in that habit when I was five years old... I had pressed on a lot of questions about mom and dad when I was five...

"Leave the worrying to me and Soda... just go back to bed- would you like Soda or I to sleep with you?" I looked down the hall for a minute. Then sheepishly, I nodded and pouted a little bit as I started playing with my fingers, feeling an awful lot like a toddler. I could see Darry smile out of the corner of my eye and they both got up from off the floor, extending a helping hand for me to get up.

Once we got back to the bedroom I looked at the window and froze in the middle of the doorway. Soda had slipped past me and went up to it, looking around before pulling the curtains down.

"Nothing else to see here..." he mumbled beneath his breath. I started to shiver, though not all of it was from the cold. As I slipped into bed, I immediately started wondering where Paul had gone... if he was still out there or not... if any of us really were safe...

"Pony come here..." I heard Soda whisper softly as he climbed underneath the covers as well. I did as he told, scooching closer to him. He embraced me in a warm hug of love.

"Darry and Two-Bit and Steve and Dally and Johnny and me- we're all gonna keep everybody safe... and George too... You dig, Pone? The police are helping out and everyone here's got nothin' to worry about- well, unless it's Charlotte's grumpy mood!" he whispered that last part about Charlotte to make sure she wouldn't hear. Char said that she was always in places where we least expect it, so we better watch we say about her behind her back. I smiled. It felt good to be around Soda when I needed it. He always comforted me- him and Soda. And I love them more than anything... It made me get the urge of wanting to meet my parents; I felt bad that I loved Soda and Darry more than my parents because I didn't get to meet my parents- they died a couple of months before I turned two- and sometime inbetween that, Paul found it necessary to kidnap me. I sighed, finding myself yet again unhappy.

"What's the matter, Pony?" Soda asked, stroking my hair. I looked up at him, searching his face for a hint of my mom and dad... I had only seen pictures of them, and although I could definitely tell which brother looked like which parent, I got mixed up and forgot, because up until that point, it had never mattered to me so much.

"What?" he said with a smile crossing his face. I had to smile too.

"Nothing..." I said nonchalantly. I transitioned my glance from Soda's face to the ceiling and let my mind wander for a while.

"You're so strange, you know that?" he said with a sigh of his own, laying down completely on the bed and turning of the table lamp. I didn't answer him- didn't have to. I knew I was wierd, and I knew that he knew that I knew that as well. It was a simple fact. I cuddled with Soda, just to make double sure that he was still there.

"Love you Soda..." I whispered.

"Love you too, Ponyboy..."

That was the last time I got to sleep with Soda- the last night I got to stay at my house.

"Aww, sh-" I heard someone yell out. Woke me up pretty fast. I immediately sat up in my bed and looked around, noticing straight away that Soda was gone. I wonder if he had even slept with me the whole night. I got up and walked right out into the hall, making somewhat of an effort to keep thinking straight since I was walking into the walls around me; I just woke up, so don't judge!

"Hey Pony!" Jerrod yelled out, passing by the hall with a bright red apple in his hand and a huge smile on his face.

"Hope, Darry aint around because if he caught you sayin' that-"

"I didn't say nothin', and anyway, I aint the one you should be worryin' about!" Jerrod smirked before slipping on his backpack. I glared at him before making my way through to the kitchen.

"Oh, mornin' Pone- AW!- *sizzle* SSSHHHHIII-"

"You shouldn't swear..." I said softly to Charlotte. Sure, I swore... sometimes. No one, not even the gang, dug it anymore, not like they used to, the way some did and to be frank, things in my life just weren't that crappy to swear about. So I don't have a real reason to.

"Mmm..." Charlotte's lips were pursed; how much you wanna bet that she's considering to spank me right here and now?

"I'm sorry... I'm not tryin' to tell ya what to do and all, it's just-"

"Yeah, yeah I know I know!"-she took a deep breath in and let it out slowly-"I'm just stressed on this lovely morning... Early this morning doesn't seem to help much.." she said. I guess she didn't realize what she had said, but I deserved that. I pouted a little, feeling real guilty for what had happened this morning.

"Oh, no, Ponyboy please, I didn't mean it that way-" Charlotted turned the stove off and hugged me. She smelled of burnt chicken mixed in with blow powder- don't ask me how I know, I just do. I had to chuckle inside myself. Charlotte was tough and all, but when it cames to things like this, she melted within minutes- I guess it was just a girl thing.

"It's okay... So, you havin' problems with breakfast?" I asked, trying to change the subject. She let go of him and then muttered something to herself.

"Yeah, stupid good-for-nothing contraption's not workin' right!" she hissed through her teeth. I snickered a little.

"You want me to help you?" I asked politely. I could tell she needed the help, and since I woke her up early this morning, I figured I owed it to her. Before she could answer though, I heard someone scream my name from the living room. That's awfully convenient, I thought.

"Be right back-" I walked out to the living room to find a freshly showered and dressed Soda, who had finally shaved this week, with baby Jett on his lap bouncing up and down squealing with delight of being bounced up and down. I had to smile at this peaceful sight. Soda was always good with kids- him and Darry. I guess it's because they had experience with me when I was little; well, in technicality, since I was born.

"Golly gee..." I said softly. Soda looked up with surprise and amusement on his face. Then snickered.

" 'golly gee' !" he mimicked between giggles; Jett's laugh matched Soda's. My smile turned into a frown and I rolled my eyes turning to go back to the kitchen to help Charlotte... I get impatient with people who mocked me. It's just how I am...

"HEY HEY WAIT A SECOND!" Soda yelled quickly. I stopped but didn't turn around, hoping he'd get the message.

"Come here..." he said, laughter hiding on the edge in his tone of voice. I shook my head and started to walk in.

"Ponyboy!" he called out, this time sounding a little more apologetic. I turned around but avoided eye contact this time. I could be real bratty when I wanted to, and I guess I wanted to then... Since, you know, I get impatient with people who mocked me... even if it was my brothers- my family.

"Okay, I'm sorry Pony... Will you please come here," he said gently, letting a soft smile rest upon his face. I looked up and smiled too.

"Okay!" I said happily and went and sat down next to him. He burst into laughter and so did Jett(though Jett didn't understand what we did half the time, it seemed funny to me that he laughed and smiled everytime someone else did; then again I did that too, according to Darry, and Claire laughs about 88% of the day on a good day; so maybe he gets it from her...).

"You're funny, you know that?"

"Yeah... I do..." more laughter.

"Hmmm, wonder where Darry is?" as soon as he said that I heard screaming. I jumped and felt my heart beat rise. I started breathing raggedly and closed my eyes for a second. Ever since I was little, I could never take scares- not even little ones. It was just the type of thing where, if it was bad enough, I could potentially get a heart attack. My heart just didn't handle that very well- it was the reason the whole gang tried helping me not to have nightmares whenever it was that I did have them. Darry and Soda got so worried everytime I did. I had remembered a rumble being arranged when I was very young, and I could hear the bloody shouts and curses all the way from our house which scared me even more so since Darry and Soda weren't there to comfort me; it didn't help much to know that they were a part of that fight. I felt Soda put a hand on my shoulder and squeeze and I managed a small smile while trying to remember how to breathe.

"DARRY STOP IT!" I heard Bridget yell. Then more laughter and screaming. Soda got up and dropped Jett on my lap to go and see just what all the yelling was all about. Jett looked at me and then crawled and leaned against me, getting himself comfortable. I put my hand at his back and stood up slowly; I was interested in what was happening too. Nobody, and I mean nobody, screams like that unless something's up. So I meandered into the hall, making it seem like I just happened upon the occasion; I had to hold back chortles of laughter- I hate my laugh, and it was getting difficult what with seeing Darry and Two-Bit both engulfing Bridget in a huge man hug; Darry was in front, Two-Bit in back, with Bridget helplessly sandwiched in the middle.

"AGH! Darry- you- better- stop- this- NOW!" Bridget cried out weakly, trying to get out from between them. They both burst into laughter.

"Okay- one more time, Two-Bit!" Darry declared in a loud voice.

"NO!" Bridget practically screamed. They were hugging her so tight, if you listened close enough, you could hear their teeth gritting.

"OKAY STOP IT!" Bridget shrieked in a high-pitched voice; when a girl squealed like that, you had better stop or else... So Two-Bit and Darry let go and she dropped to the floor gasping and coughing. Darry laughed, high-fived Two-Bit, and tried to help her get up, but she angrily slapped his hand away and got up herself, pushing past me and everybody else in the hallway without another word. When she got angry, the whole house normally kept quiet until she calmed down. Darry sighed and patted Two-Bit on the back.

"What was that all about?" I asked, feeling slightly puzzled. I didn't get girls at all...

"Ah, she was having a 'hard' time waking up, so I dragged her out in the hallway to do that... You know how she likes hugs and stuff..." Darry said, yawning and checking the time on his watch. Two-Bit giggled beneath his breath.

"She sure does now..." he said. A big and broad smile crossed Darry's face and he ran past me; knowing him I'd guess that he was probably going to see if Bridget was okay; she normally was, but you never know... I walked back out into the hall and sat back down on our worn down couch; it was a dark and dry brown with a couple of stains from goodness knows what... But this couch had a lot of memories... some funny, some sad, and some just downright embarrassing... You know that- never mind... He'd kill me if I told you... :)

When everyone had gone to work, it was just me, Darry, and Soda all alone in the house. The silence intrigued me, yet creeped me out to a certain extent. I started to fiddle with the buttons on my shirt; it was new. Darry bought it for me last week. It's a light brown long-sleeved shirt with a couple buttons going down the front. It was pretty tuff... Darry walked in and grabbed the keys off of the coffee table. I got up and quickly checked my hair in the mirror hanging over the television set before joining Darry and Soda in the car. Not too long, but not too short with an exact straight hair-split line placed offish-left towards the center- agh, there was a hair out of place. I licked my thumb and positioned it so that it'd stick with the hair around it. Though I was a guy, I did have somewhat of OCD so I needed everything to look perfect(so picture me going through Zen's bedroom- it's an absolute horror to all clean-freaks around the world; but Darry told me Two-Bit was the same way too, so I figured if you put two and two together, really...). I smiled, proud of how handsome I was; vain, yes, selfish, absolutely not. I didn't want to go to the hospital today, but I guess I had to. Darry and Soda both needed to chill for a second, and I guess going through with this would help them do that. I just didn't want to get there and recieve bad news... and in addition to that, Paul was somewhere out there... watching... waiting... I shivered involuntarily, getting close to crying when Soda (who had chosen to sit in the back with me) had started to pat my knee and smiled. I smiled through the small tears on my face, and sniffled, telling myself to stop crying. I was safe now- what was the worse that could happen?