Pony's pov

We were all kind of worried not seeing our new friend in days. I was in the living room with the rest of the guys, their faces concerned while watching Johnny coming in battered once again . Except Dallas of course, who had the same hard look as always but even his concern was spilling out Johnny's dad was at it again and he couldn't help his anger from coming out of his tough domineer. We had help clean off his wounds but he was still pretty bad off. It was so hard to imagine how someone could do this to their own child. His shirts were becoming increasing blood stained and ripped but there was nothing we could do about it. As we cleaned Johnny of Dallas was doing his usual rant on how sick Johnny's parents were and it was starting to upset him.

"What do you think happened to Jennifer?" I asked. Trying to change the subject. We had all hung out together over the past couple of months. It's almost like she just vanished, no one had seen her any were around town.

"Don't worry pone she probably just got sick, she'll be back" Soda said trying to cheer us up like he always does. Johnny's eyes widened more than usual and he looked suspicious, like he was hiding something. He looked distressed.

"I really hope your right soda" Johnny whispered sighing

I looked over at him shocked, was there something he wasn't telling us?

"What do you mean Johnny?" I inquired

"Nothing." He replied looking at the floor.

"It sounds like something's bothering you kido, you can tell me." Sodapop replied softly

"Not much really it's just that..."

"What?"

"Well remember when we first came in to the Curtis house?"

"Yeah"

"Well the night before I found her in the lot, her cheek was bruised and she was crying."

"I tried to go up to her but she backed away." "I had a feeling she was new and thought she was just jumped" "but then tough talking to her I realized she didn't know who Soc's or greasers were."

"That's strange, did you ask her how she got bruised?"

"No I was too nervous."

"Maybe they did jump her but she was confused because she didn't know who Soc's or greasers were?" Steve asked

"Or maybe she bumped in to something" I added

"Also she was always in a rush to go home,"

"I guess so" Johnny concluded quietly.

We were all thinking of something to cheer us up when I came to me.

"Hey guys why don't we see a movie in the theater, the one in the strip mall that was just fixed after those kids vandalized it."

"I hear there having a sale on tickets."

"That sounds like a great Idea; I haven't seen a movie in a while." Soda agreed eagerly

"That's because you can't sit still."

"Oh yeah, that's true." Soda said laughing

Darry took his truck (Him and soda had the day off) and we headed out.

Johnny's pov

We reached the mall and started walking towed the theater. The streets were crowded and full of people. I looked around nervously trying not to get bumped in to. I was thirsty, my mouth felt dry so I decided to go drink from the water fountain.

"I'm going to get a drink of water ill meet you guys in a couple of minutes "I said going up towed the water fountain

Suddenly I heard screaming up ahead, it sounded familiar. I ran up to the source of it.

"Let go of me,"

"Grandma please stop."

"Help!"

It was Jennifer, two adults were attacking her, and one of those was her own grandmother.

My Jaw dropped; I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't know if that was because I was surprised or I just didn't want to believe it myself. I froze in fear but quickly snapped out of it. I wanted to run up and stop them but I knew I couldn't do it alone.

"I have to go get the guys" I thought and started running as fast as I could.

Jennifer's pov

While running outside I was running so fast I ran right into my grandmother, she barley stumbled.

My aunt was right next to her, she grabbed me and got me on the sidewalk.

"How dare you try to knock down your grandmother?" My aunt shouted holding me on the ground.

I tried to escape her being a lot stronger and bigger/taller didn't help.

"I'm going to call the police!"

My heart was beating so fast I could hear it pounding.

"But I didn't…"

"Don't you dare lie to me you little bitch" My grandmother yelled kicking me in the side hard several times.

"Let go of me..."

"Grandma please stop."

"Help!"

I was continued to be kicked and hit so much that I closed my eyes tight to prevent passing out.

"What the hell are you doing, get off of her!" Somebody shouted.

I was too much in pain to figure out who it was. The person pushed my grandmother and aunt away from me, and punched them a couple of times. (From what I could hear)

"Don't! "I tried to shout but it was inaudible. All I could do was continue to hear the sound of violence.

Dallas's pov

We were Approaching the theater when Johnny ran frantically towed me.

"Johnny slow down, what's wrong man?"

"I should have known, this is all my fault, I should have said something"

"What is it?" Ponyboy asked

"Remember how I was telling you about Jennifer."

"Yeah."

"Her grandmother and some other lady are beating her right in public" Johnny informed his voice full of fear.

"God dammit, those bastards!"

"Johnny, look at me."

He could not meet my gaze, so I looked him in the eye.

"Johnny listen this is not your fault, It's those people, do you understand, it's never your fault"

Johnny nodded.

He led us and we ran to the scene.

One was holding her down while the other was punching and kicking her.

"What the hell are you doing, get off of her!"

They just ignored me so Darry and I ran up and got them off of her.

I was full of anger. How could someone do this to an innocent kid and then make Johnny fell guilty when he's already broken enough by his own parents!

I went out and started punching them as I filled with rage...

She's just a kid, she shouldn't be going tough this! All the times I've seen her fearful in the short couple of months I've known her. She was so law abiding, even not wanting to sneak in the daily double. No one denies Dallas Winston I wanted to scream 'What the hell is wrong with you kid, stop being such a wuss." But two bit stopped me, I almost punched him in the face. But now I knew why. She was too scared and was never in a gang before I'm assuming none of her friends was tough enough to break the law. I almost feel like thanking two bit …. Almost.

Jennifer started running away and Johnny ran after her, pony just stood in shock and soda was comforting him. Two bit and Steve were talking, trying to make sense of all of this.

I continued to punch them when Darry pulled me away from them.

"Dallas they're not worth it."

"We need to catch up with Jennifer and Johnny."

I still tried to release from his grip for a little, but then I realized he was completely right.