*I don't own The Outsiders.
(DPOV)
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I decided to talk to Ponyboy again. I wasn't really mad at him; I was more worried he would leave us and we wouldn't be able to find him. He keeps to himself so much I wouldn't have a clue where to look if he left.
And that earring he got looks real tuff on him, but I'll never admit that to him. I can't believe he did that. He probably was careful with it. Two-Bit said something about it. "I think I'm getting the kid and he pulls this shit off," is what I think he said, laughing.
I think Two-Bit hit the nail on the head when he said that. With Pony, it seems that's always the case. He was easier to understand as a kid, but as he got older, it seemed the more difficult things got around him, the more complex he got. Sometimes, I wish he just stayed as that little kid forever. It would be a lot easier to protect him that way.
Then, he was hanging at that girl's house, Tanya or whatever her name is. I didn't even know he had any interest in any girls here. Maybe he doesn't. He could just have a girl as a friend, which is a weird concept to me. None of us in the gang really hung out with girls unless we're interested. It's just the way we are. Honestly, I hope those two are just friends. I don't know if I can handle a hormonal Ponyboy. If he were still a kid then maybe he wouldn't test my authority so much.
"Pony, will you come out here!" I called, waiting for an answer. I didn't get an answer, so I waited a few minutes, but I still didn't hear anything. The house was utterly silent, I kept the radio and television off when I could, there was no reason to run the bills up.
Still, the kid wasn't out here. He had to have heard me. If he didn't, I need to make him an appointment with the ear doctor. Maybe he fell asleep. If that's the case, I won't wake him up. He really needs to get more sleep, he looks like a zombie.
I knocked tentatively on the door, not getting an answer. He might be mad at me still. So I opened the door to find an empty bedroom. The curtains flowing in the night's breeze.
At first I left the room stunned. The disbelief quickly turned to fury. After all of this he snuck out again! He snuck out again! What is he thinking? Is he even thinking at all?
I began to pace up and down the living room.
That kid is really going to get it when I find him. The question is, where the hell is he? For all I know, he could've left the house the minute I sent him in there. Damn it! I guess I'll have to get Soda or someone who has an idea where Pony could be. But he could come home before that. I should probably shut the window and make it so he has to come through the front door.
Why is he doing this?
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(PPOV)
I shivered, wishing I had grabbed a sweatshirt from the closet, even if it wasn't mine. You think I would have thought about that when I opened the window feeling the cold air. I guess I was too busy thinking about other things, like always.
I didn't drink a drop of alcohol, knowing if anyone found out I was gone I was going to be in enough trouble without adding drinking to the list. I'm still paying for last time.
I know it wasn't going to look good that I snuck out again. They don't get it. I just want to get away from life and have a good time. I don't think about Johnny, Dally, Mom, and Dad; when I'm out with some of my friends. Even if I go out with just Two-Bit or Soda I feel a lot better than I do sitting at home. Now I'm going to be sitting at home for the next three weeks, if not more.
Darry doesn't understand that this isn't a punishment, it's pure torture. Heart shattering, pain inducing torture. I don't want to think about anything, I have the tendency to do just that, and he's giving me weeks of free time. Not a good mix. Not good at all.
Vroom...
Oh shit. I'm being followed.
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(DPOV)
"Do you have any clue where he might have gone?" I asked slightly panicked. It was almost one thirty and Ponyboy still hadn't shown up. My gut clenched, something awful was happening.
"No, I looked everywhere. Some people at the Dingo said that he left around eleven forty-five. I don't know where he went after that. No one I talked to knows either," said a bothered Soda. Worry was etched into Soda's frown.
If he left at eleven forty-five, he should be home by now. He would have been home over an hour stomach knotted and twisted even more. I couldn't even be mad anymore, I just wanted to throw my arms around him and make sure he's okay. Jesus, what if something is really wrong and he's out there all alone.
"Don't worry so much, it ain't like the kid doesn't have friends. He's probably crashing at one of their places or something." Steve drawled, half asleep. He wasn't too worried, thinking Pone was at a buddy's house. Yeah, that's something Steve would do but not Pony. He obviously didn't think about that.
"Maybe, he's just having some fun with Taylor," Two-Bit said, cocking an eyebrow suggestively.
"The day Pony gets some action is the day I die," Steve snorted.
"Hey, he's my brother, if he wants the chick he'll be able to get her," Soda said defensively, then blushed realizing what he said. No way in hell was our brother doing anything like that. I glared at the three of them; all of them finding it funny.
I walked into the kitchen, grabbing a cup from the drying rack that should've been put away, and filled it withwater. We looked everywhere. I don't even know what friend he would stay with. Sure, I know what friends he might be with, but after the Taylor thing, I don't really know who he's with anymore.
Should I call the fuzz? He'll get taken away for sure if I have to call him in missing only two months after the Windrixville incident. I don't know what to do. I'm his freaking brother! I should know where he would go. Damn it.
I looked at the clock, one thirty-eight, it was going to be a long night.
XXX
The fucking sun is already up and he isn't here! I was going crazy now, since I just realized something. Pony would never stay out all night and not tell Soda he was going to. He may have snuck out on a whim, but he wouldn't stay out. He knows it would worry Soda. Unless he drank again and passed out.
God, if that happened please let someone be there to make sure he doesn't die.
Despite the fact I hadn't slept at all last night; I was up, pacing around. I think I cleaned the kitchen and bathroom twice already. I called into work, taking a personal day. I almost called for Soda but, he doesn't go in until the afternoon and stays for closing. I won't call yet. Nothing was distracting me, much to my despair. The whole gang was sleeping, none of them were real worried. Well, Soda was but he thinks Pony can take care of himself.
I still have my doubts, he's only fourteen.
"What's for breakfast?" Two-Bit grumbled, barley awake.
I rolled my eyes, "Whatever you make."
"I thought first one awake makes breakfast."
I smirked, "I didn't go to sleep, therefore the rule doesn't apply to me."
Two-Bit sat up, eyes going wide with disbelief, "He ain't home yet?" He glanced quickly at the clock, nine twenty-three.
I could tell by Two-Bit's face he was expecting Pony to be here by now. In all honesty, so was I. It didn't sit well with me that even Two-Bit was showing concern for my missing little brother. I know I should call the police station and have them look for him but that would risk everything. If he is all right and is just doing this to spite me, I didn't want to risk everything for that. But, what if he's hurt or something?
Two-Bit stepped on Soda when he got up. Soda swore loudly, waking Steve up. "Shut the fuck up you monkeys!"
"What kind of insult is that, Stevie?" Two-Bit said grinning. "Sorry Soda, I didn't mean to step on you. I didn't hurt you did I?"
"No, startled me a bit. I ain't use to waking up with someone standing above and stepping on me. Is Pony home?" Soda asked.
I shook my head at him.
Soda's eyes widened with alarm. Steve's eyes opened and I could see the disbelief in them.
"What should we do? Should we look for him again?" Soda asked, hopping up. Any hopes of sleep forgotten.
"We have looked, I don't know where to look. I thought about calling the police but that would guarantee him getting sent to a boy's home once they find him."
"Hell no!" Soda yelled.
"That's why I haven't called them."
Steve began to say something but the phone rang, I grabbed it, "Hello?"
XXX
"Do you think he's okay?" Soda asked for the hundredth time.
"Soda, I told you what I know. Tim said Pony got jumped by some Socs. He and Curly were walking home and found him. They said he was out cold but got him up. I don't know anything else, except that he's been there all night," I could hear the impatience in my voice, I was just as worried about Pony as Soda was. Soda asking question after question was not helping, and neither are the waves of fury coming off him.
I was going to beat the shit out of whoever hurt Pony.
I hope he wasn't hurt too bad, then again if he wasn't he would have come home or at least called saying where he was. Gruesome images kept filling my mind. I prayed he was better than what my imagination was spitting off.
Soda flew out of the truck before I even had the damn thing parked.
"Hey, Tim. Thanks for all of this," I said, walking into their trashed living room.
"Where is he?" Soda blurted, shifting from foot to foot.
"Come on, I'll show y'all. It wasn't a problem, Dar. We greasers stick together. Plus, I've crashed a few times at your place, I should start paying back the favor. He's right in that room there, Soda. Curly's been keeping an eye on him," Tim jerked a finger toward the door, noticing Soda didn't care about anything he had to say.
Walking into the room, or what seemed like a large closet. It fit a twin bed and a dresser. Somehow Curly had jammed a chair in between the two pieces of furniture. Otherwise, there was a door I assumed led to the closet and nothing else. There wasn't room for anything else.
Pony lied on the bed as Curly thumbed through a magazine. A bowl of water with a towel was close to Curley. Bandages and a few other first aid supplies were scattered on the floor in front of the bed.
Pony had a bandage wrapped around his ribs and another taped to his shoulder blade. I could see some blood soaked into the one on his shoulder. He was laying on his stomach, sleeping but obviously not peacefully. Soda brushed his finger through Pone's hair, I squeezed in next to him. Pone pulled away from Soda's hand and mumbled, "Stop fucking touching me."
Curly laughed, "Wasn't me this time, Pone. It's Soda. He's been cursing me out all night!"
Pony peeked out of one eye and looked up at us, then squeezed them both together tightly.
Tim laughed, "Yeah, looks like Dal did leave a little piece of himself behind. Kid, has some vocabulary."
Pony seemed to have just gone back to sleep, he was so out of it.
Do we ever catch a break?