Okay! Back on track. Sorry for the wait, the school year starts and every things gets thrown out of whack. I hope this chapter is a good one and remember, reviews make me happy and a happy author writes more! See how it works? It's a good cycle!

READ ON! I OWE YOU THAT MUCH!

-Jasmine

Ps. This chapter is for Chase01 for reminding me that I needed to write. You rock, Chase!

I ran out the door. He would be there! He would be there! I quickly found the cave.

"PONYBOY?" I called out. I heard my voice echo back to me and stuck my head in. I saw a dirty cake pan with a fork in it and a small worn blanket. No Ponyboy.

No Ponyboy.

If he didn't come here, then where? I sighed and walked back to the house. I could feel a lump growing in my stomach and trying to hold back the tears... Don't cry... Pony wouldn't want you to cry. I couldn't stop it. When I walked back into the house my eyes were red and puffy, tears were rolling down my checks and I couldn't stop them. When I walked in Two-Bit and Steve looked up from they're places on the couch.

"What's wrong?" Steve asked.

"He's gone!" I cried and clutched the door frame. Steve stood up and walked over, feeling my forehead.

"He'll be back, Zoe." Two-bit told me.

"She's doesn't look too good." Steve called out to him. Why is the room spinning? Can't they talk quieter?

"It's my fault." I told Steve. He looked down at me, confused.

"Why?" He asked. I kept seeing black spots... I had to tell someone...

"He said... loved me... I didn't... but I... do..." With that blackness invaded and I felt myself go weak. I barely felt Steve catching me yelling, "HEY!" and Two-Bit running over yelling, "ZOE!"

…

I woke up in my bed with Sodapop next to me.

"Pony..." I groaned, hoping he was there. Soda hushed me.

"Don't talk..." He told me. I nodded, though regretted it, because it only made my head throb more.

"Pony isn't here right now... He's stilling missing." I felt the lump forming again but didn't cry this time, I had cried enough.

"What...?" I managed to ask.

"You fainted." Soda informed me, dabbing my forehead with a cool towel. I felt relief at the coolness and thanked him in my head for knowing it was just want I needed. I needed to clear my mind, it was my fault that Pony was gone and I was going to bring him back.

"When can I get up?" I asked. Soda sighed.

"I'm not sure if you should go out looking for him again." He told me, it was like he read my mind. But I had to, he didn't get it. I needed to see Pony! I just NEEDED him!

"I have to." I croaked. He smiled and shook his head.

"I guess you can go out and look tomorrow. Just try and rest today, okay?" He told me. I frowned but agreed. I could use the sleep...

…

I looked around the room for a clue. It had been a horrible week in school. All the questions about Ponyboy... I didn't know anything. The teachers thought I would be able to think about my work, how would I be able to think! My beloved was missing! Where could he have gone? I was sitting at Pony's desk, there had to be a clue here SOMEWHERE. I looked through some of his letters to Johnny and Dallas, nothing there. Just a lot of angst. He had a lot of books there, maybe he ran away to a library... I finally saw a picture of him and his father. They were standing in front of a cabin. On the back it read, "Pony and Dad camping for the weekend." Below was the address. I smiled. Bingo. It made perfect sense, he liked to be in places where he's loved ones had been. The cabin seemed like a great place for him to be.

The Cabin.

I quickly ran around and put a few cloths in a bag along with some money and food. I had two days until school started again and I wasn't going back without Pony. I couldn't stand another week like this one... I would leave tonight...

…

Dinner was horrible. All the dinners have been horrible. Darry and Soda are taking Pony missing really hard. I don't even talk anymore... Two-Bit tries to make jokes but no one really listens. None of us are feeling good. It'll only get worse, what will the state do. They could take him away...

"Zoe." Darry called to me just as I was heading up for the night.

"Yea?" I asked. He gave me a grim smile.

"Thanks for being so helpful the last week. Pony being gone is hard enough. At least we have someone else to help think about something else... Just... thanks." I smiled.

"You're welcome." I told him and went into my room. I was going to break Darry's heart. Why did he have to go and say that? It's hard enough to just leave... But I'll come back with Pony... I know I will. I grabbed the picture off the desk and quickly wrote a note.

Darry and Soda,

Thanks for keeping me safe. I just, need to do this. I'm getting Pony. I know where he is. I just do. I'll be back my Monday, I have to go alone. Don't bother looking for me. I'm coming back and I'm coming back with Pony.

Love,

Zoe

I put that on my bed and waited for the house to go quiet before I slipped out the door and started for the cabin. I would find him.

I WILL find him.

I can't live without him and I'm not coming back without him.