We snuck quickly onto the train that was going to take us to where Dally said. By the time we snuck past the guards in the train yard and climbed into a cargo area of the train, I was exhausted. I eagerly laid my head on Ponyboy's shoulder as I started to shiver. It was a cold night in Tulsa and with my hair being wet didn't help our situation. Pony wrapped his arm around me and whispered some comforting words into my ear.
Time flew by while on the train. My eyes kept dazing over in a haze and I couldn't focus on anything. I was tired, but every time I closed my eyes all I saw was the Soc above me tearing my clothes, kissing me and touching me in places that I didn't want to be touched. Finally I felt Pony shaking me out of my trance, saying it's time to get off.
Johnny quickly hopped down out of the train and next Pony. They both help me down and had to support me after because my legs gave out.
"Woah, Adds. Are you okay?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," I lied. "Just tired. My legs just probably fell asleep on the train."
We started walking out into the country. I knew I was slowing them down when Pony asked if I wanted a piggy back ride. I was so tired that I accepted his offer though felt guilty for I know he was tired too. One word and I can sum up the country perfectly for those who have never seen it: boring! All that was surrounding us was open land with nothing in sight for miles. Oh and did I mention grass. Yes, there is miles of grass in the country. We traveled most of the morning not even sure if we were heading in the right direction. Finally we saw some farmers in the fields. Pony put me down by Johnny and walked over to the farmers to ask where Jay Mountain was. He returned to us laughing and pointed to the mountain that was coming up.
"They say that's it. Dally said something about a church being over there," he informed us. "There should be a water pump in the back, so we're good on that. All we need to worry about is food."
"We'll catch some shut eye and then we'll go into town and grab stuff," Johnny suggested.
"Alrighty."
We arrived at the church after another forty-five minutes of walking. It was completely run down, but it would do if it was going to keep us hidden. Pony and Johnny had to pull some boards off a door way so that we could get in. Once we entered, to what I believe used to be the sanctuary of the church, both boys collapsed on pew and went to sleep. Myself, on the other hand, had no desire to sleep, afraid of what might plague me if I did. So I sat in the quietness of the church, sending up quiet prayers to God to get us through this mess.
I gave in to the feeling of exhaustion and laid on an empty pew. It was really cold in the church and I started to shiver uncontrollably. My arm that I had hurt before was starting to sting and become a sharp pain instead of a dull one. The adrenaline from what had happen was now running out leaving me with the real pain and shock from the attack.
Sleep would not meet me. I stayed up whole time the boys were asleep, replaying the attack over and over again in my mind, how Darry and Soda must be reacting, and just past times with Dally.
I was shaken back to reality by Johnny, who I never heard get up.
"Jesus Addie, did you get any sleep?" he asked as I sat up.
"N…No," I chattered, "Too….mu…much…pain..ann…and…scared."
He finally looked me over and saw me clutching my arm tightly to my stomach and the uncontrollable shaking of my body.
"Damn it. Addie, why didn't you wake one of us?"
"Need…ed…sleep."
"It doesn't matter. We could have slept later," he exclaimed. He placed his hand at my forehead. "Jesus Addie! You have a fever."
"What?" I asked in a daze.
"Yeah, a fever. I'm going to wake Pony up to watch you. Then I'm heading in town for food, maybe I can lift a blanket or something too for you. I'll see if I can find some aspirin."
"No…don't. Don't….waste money….on me."
"Dally and your brothers will kill me if I don't, and I would blame myself if I didn't. I already killed one person Adds, I don't want you to be the second."
There Johnny goes and played the blame card. I had to give in at this point, so I nodded my head and he went to wake up Pony.
Pony came and sat by me as Johnny left. He took off the coat that Dally had given and wrapped me up in it and pulled me against his chest.
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked.
"You guys…needed sleep," I answered looking up into his eyes.
"Addie you know better. You've always woke one of us up if you weren't feeling good. Why not now?"
"Different."
"No it's not different. But right now just sleep. When Johnny gets back we'll give ya some aspirin."
"Can't sleep."
"Why not? You got to be tired? I can see it in your eyes, you barely can keep them open."
"Nightmares," I shivered.
"Nightmares about what? Mom and Dad?
"Soc," I replied with a cough.
"They aren't going to touch you anymore. Dally sure won't let them near you after what happen. Besides you have three big brothers who will be willing to pulverize them if they even come in one block of you."
"Thanks Pony."
"Just catch some shut eye. I'll be right here when you wake up. I won't ever leave ya sis."
With those words I drifted off to sleep finally. Hands kept touch me. Someone whispering things in my ear that I didn't want to hear. I could hear Darry yelling about something. Pony getting beat up by the Socs. Something was holding me down and I tried to fight against it. Then the next thing I know I'm soaking wet.
I jolted awake to see Pony next to me looking worried and Johnny holding a bucket that was now empty of its contents. It took me a couple of seconds to realize I was actually soaking wet and not just from my nightmare.
"Adds, you okay?" Pony asked.
"I'm…fine," I shivered. "Why did…you throw water…on…me?"
"You wouldn't wake up. I shook you, pinched you, and slapped your face, you were dead out of it. I thought you would never wake up. Johnny threw water on you, it was the only way to make you snap out of it."
"Thanks Johnny."
"Don't mention it kid."
"Was it a nightmare?" Pony asked turning toward me.
"A bunch rolled into one."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"No. I'm fine. Did you get the stuff Johnny?" I asked.
"A week's supply of baloney, two loaves of bread, a box of matches, some aspirin for Addie, a blanket for her too, and…"
"Woooo, Gone With the Wind," Pony intervened. "How'd you know that I always wanted one?"
"You said something about it once. And remember me, you, and Addie went and saw that movie once."
"Gee thanks." I saw Pony pick up a brown bottle. "Peroxide? A deck of cards…Johnny you ain't thinking of—"
"We have to Ponyboy. We're gonna cut our hair and bleach yours."
"What about Abbie?"
"I don't think she's gonna be moving a whole lot. When she's better and we're still on the run then yeah, but right now she's fine."
Pony continued to pout and run his hand through his hair. Johnny brought me a cup of water and aspirin and placed the blanket over me.
"Come on Pony, let's get it over with. Addie you just rest alright, we'll be right outside."
I nodded my head and sunk deeper into the warm blanket and fell asleep. I didn't know if I was hallucinating when I woke up, but Pony had light blonde hair. But I couldn't remember because I went right back to sleep.
