Ok, this is the last chapter. I'm sad to see this story end. I had fun writing it, but I already have ideas for the next story so that's ok. Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this story and to review or follow/favorite it, thanks!
We got on the bus. People were giving us weird looks, but we didn't care.
"You are going to be ok, Johnny" Pony said. I looked at him. He looked so helpless and scared. Like he wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do. I was in a lot of pain, but I told myself to just tough it out. We got off near the hospital. We ran into the ER and went to the reception area.
"We need help fast, my friend got shot," Pony quickly said to the receptionist.
"Fill out this form," she gave him the paper.
"Ma'am you don't understand we don't have time."
"Just fill out this form son," she said again, "the doctor will be with you shortly."
"It's ok Pony, we better fill it out. I can wait," I managed to say. We filled out the paper, and gave it back to the receptionist. Soon enough I heard my name being called to see the doctor. Pony went with me. The doctor looked like he was in his mid forties. He looked at my shoulder and shook his head.
"May I ask how this happened?" He asked.
"We were just walking," Pony said quickly, "while some thugs were running around. All of the sudden we heard a shot, and my friend caught a bullet." Pony could come up with a lie so fast. The doctor shook his head again. "You're going to be ok son," he assured. "We are just going to give you some local anesthesia." He seemed sympathetic. I was glad. I was concerned we were going to get someone who would judge us.
The doc told me to lie down, and gave me some local anesthesia. In a little while once the anesthesia was working he came up to me. He used some nippers to remove the bullet.
"You are lucky son that it's just the shoulder," he said.
"Yeah, I know," I managed. He then proceeded to clean the wound and then stitch it up.
"We are going to keep you here for a day or two. Just to make sure you are healing ok, but you should be fine." I nodded. I liked the guy. He was nice. I was so used to being treated lousy that this was like a breath of fresh air. All of the sudden I felt sleepy. I was tired even though I didn't realize it before.
"Get some rest you've lost a lot of blood," the doc said.
I looked at Ponyboy. "You should go home." I told him. "Darry is gonna be worried."
"Yes young man you should go," the doc agreed. "Visiting hours are over anyway."
"Ok, fine." Pony said reluctantly. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Pony," I called when he was almost out the door.
"Yes?" He turned around.
"Thanks." He nodded in response. "I'll be back tomorrow," he said again and left.
I decided to go to sleep. The time would pass faster that way. I slept through the evening and the next day up to the visiting hours. There was nothing else to do but sleep. The doc came in a couple of times to check up on me, and the nurse took my vitals.
Finally, I woke up, and to my surprise I saw Annie sitting in a chair next to my bed. She got up in haste once she saw that I was awake.
"Johnny!"She exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" I asked confused.
"Ponyboy told me what happened. I'm so sorry." I didn't get it. What was she apologizing for?
"I'm sorry," she said again. "It's all my fault. I told you to get out of the gang and you did, and look what happened."
"Don't be sorry." I said, smiling in spite of myself. I was really happy that she was there. "It's not your fault." I hurried to assure her. "I should've never joined the black panthers in the first place."
"It's ok, you made a mistake. It happens. Forget everything I said before."
"I'm really sorry about your uncle. How is he?"
"He's doing much better. He had a concussion you know, but the doctor said he's going to be ok."
"Ok," I nodded. She came up closer to the bed, and took my hand. "I'm so happy you are ok. I got so scared when Ponyboy told me."
I was really happy that she came by. "I really like you Annie," I said, squeezing her hand in mine, "I don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," she replied, squeezing my hand back. I saw a tear in her eye, but she wiped it off quickly.
The door opened, and Pony walked in. "hi Annie, hi Johnny. How are you holding up?"
"I'm ok," I replied. "I just wish I could go home already."
"I told Darry and Soda everything last night," he said, "about the black panthers and the robbery. I even showed them my tattoo."
"You did? How'd they take it?"
"Soda was ok, but Darry was really mad at first, but then he calmed down and said we are lucky we got off easy. Him and Soda are going to stop by in a little while."
We talked a little more, and then they left. Needless to say I was beyond happy that I got Annie back.
Later on Darry and Soda came by. They didn't even mention anything about the black panthers. Just asked me how I was doing, and talked to the doc.
The next day I was able to leave the hospital. My folks didn't even realize I was gone. Figures. Darry was right though. We did get off easy. For a week I was afraid the black panthers were going to go after us. But after a week nothing happened, and I realized that they left us alone.
After that things went back to normal. I got back together with Annie, and Pony seemed to get over his rebellious phase. We all hung out all the time. Nobody ever mentioned anything about the black panthers, not even Darry. It was like it never happened, and I liked it that way.