Hey everybody! So yesterday, I said i'd be writing an AU where Johnny lives. I decided to stick with the original story instead. However, i'll have alternative chapters added later to this story. Also, I wanted to give a shoutout to MiniHorseMeadow. Thanks for the great reviews and i'm glad you liked the story! Anyways, enjoy and SE Hinton owns the Outsiders.
Dally swore for a little bit, before Johnny repeated himself. The other three knew that the Greaser boy wouldn't react well to the situation. Even when the boy tried to convince Dally he'd be okay, saying he'd be let off easy and that it was for self defense. His long speech was something that made Ponyboy and Virginia think. He had such a fear of cops and this took big guts to say, especially in front of Dallas.
"We won't tell that you helped us, Dally," Johnny went on," and we'll give you back the gun and what's left of the money and say we hitchhiked back so you won't get in trouble, okay?"
Virginia only stared at Dallas. He chewed on the corner of his fake ID. By the look in his eyes, he didn't want the boy to turn himself in. Because he didn't know what happened in those walls. Johnny nodded, explaining how it wasn't fair to Ponyboy. The youngest Greaser squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, showing he was embarrassed. Then Johnny asked about his parents- a sore subject for everyone. All Dallas mentioned was the boys and about Two-Bit driving to Texas to find them. When Johnny asked again- the oldest boy snapped.
"No," he exclaimed," they didn't. Blast it, Johnny,what do they matter? Shoot, my old man don't give a hang whether i'm in jail or dead in a car wreck or drunk in the gutter. That don't bother me none."
Johnny was silent after that. Virginia and Ponyboy exchanged glances, thinking about how sorry they felt for him. The pained look in his eyes could make them cry. They thought about him as Dally drove out of Dairy Queen. Virginia knew Johnny cared too much. Dallas didn't give a damn about his family- he was that strong. The girl thought about her own family. She cared about her mother and uncle- but she didn't care too much.
"Blast it Johnny," Dallas said on," why didn't you think of turning yourself in five days go? It would have saved a lot of trouble."
Johnny was quiet, admitting he was scared. To add humor, the boys joked about ruining their hair for nothing. Virginia gave a sad smile, seeing Dally's scowl. Her smile faded in an instant, thinking about all the fights that went on. Most of them started off as simple arguments. But as time went on, they grew into big fights that lasted for hours. The fighting never seemed to cease.
"I think it would be better if the arguments just ceased," Virginia mumbled, Ponyboy giving a small nod.
"Save it Virginia," Dallas said (although he didn't mean it),and continued to speak in a tone he never used,"Johnny, I ain't mad at you. I just don't want you to get hurt. You don't know what a few months in jail can do to you. Oh, blast it, Johnny. You get hardened in jail. I don't want that to happen to you. Like it happened to me…"
Dallas was never like this. Him growing up on the streets...he was mean and cold. But being in jail at the age of ten...it made him that way. Johnny then asked if Dallas would rather the boy hide for the rest of his life. If the driver said yes, Johnny would do it in a heartbeat. His word was the law to the boy. Dallas suddenly slammed his brakes on the top of Jay Mountain, seeing that the church was on fire!
"Let's see what the deal is," Ponyboy said, jumping out of the car.
"What for?" Dally was irritated," Get back in here before I beat your head in."
Virginia and Johnny exchanged glances. Ponyboy was insane- but they followed him anyways. Dallas mumbled a few curses before following them. Virginia wondered how the fire could've started. She came up to the small crowd of children, Ponyboy asking what was happening.
"Well," the grinning man said," we don't know for sure. We were having a school picnic up here and the first thing we knew, the place is burning up. Thank goodness this is a wet season and the old thing is worthless anyways."
Ponyboy and Johnny exchanged glances, knowing they must've started that. They agreed a lighted cigarette must've never been burnt out. That's what caused the fire- probably. Suddenly, a lady came running towards them.
"Jerry," she said," some of the kids are still missing."
The man tried to calm the woman down, but she refused. Then faint yelling was heard. It sounded like it was coming from the church. The lady started freaking out, Jerry trying to calm her down. Ponyboy exclaimed he'd get them, the man tried to grab his arm-but he ran. Johnny quietly followed. Virginia had to go after them. If something happened to the boys, she'd feel guilty.
"You idiots!" Dallas yelled, following the three.
Ponyboy had thrown a rock at the boarded up window. He and Johnny climbed in, Virginia right behind them. Dallas stopped her before she could though. He didn't want her to be a fool like the other two had been. Going in to rescue little kids- it got you nowhere. Johnny and Ponyboy began to drop the kids gently to safety. Dallas and Virginia watched.
"You two get out!" she yelled, climbing in," i'm gonna check if anyone was left behind."
She ran in, searching for small children. She could hear Dallas scream about the roof caving in. The heat was becoming awful. She could feel the fire against her back. Her heart pounded against her chest. There weren't any children stuck in there. She ran to the window, falling towards the ground. Johnny pushed Ponyboy through the window and helped Virginia up.
"Go!" he yelled, pushing her out of the window.
Dallas saw his jacket was on fire- and Ponyboy was wearing it! He ran, elbowing him in the back, Ponyboy passed out then and there. Johnny screamed and Dallas noticed. He ran in after Johnny as the roof caved in. Virginia was trying to wake Pony up, but passed out before the firemen had gotten there.
