Pre-warned that this is shorter then I would usually put up, its just I'm studying for my finals and the holiday is fastly approaching. Expect a longer chapter next time I update and Sorry for the wait...

1 week later...

His father stood in front of him, hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face, his eyes as cold as water freezing over a lake.

"What did you get this time?" his father slurred

Ponyboy looked down and saw coins falling through his fingers, he tried to grab them but his hands wouldn't move.

His father laughed, " I should have beat your mother senseless for having you, you worthless piece of shit" His fist was drawn back and he punched Pony in the face.

Colors swirled and blue turned into red and then bright white. A lone figure approached in a robe of black. Their head was down and their hands stuck straight at their side; Ponyboy was drawn closer as curiosity got the better of him.

"Hello?" he said, his voice bouncing off invisible walls, "Hello?" he tried again.

The figure turned in Ponyboy's direction holding up an object as if given it to him. As Ponyboy reached for it he figured out what it was, a blast sounded. Ponyboy was jerked back as a white hot pain sizzled through his chest.

"Someone help me!" he begged and that's when he started to scream.

"Ponyboy... Come on Ponyboy" Sodapop pleaded, Pony's eyes shot open and he quickly backed up against the head board.

Darry and Soda were in the room. Both dressed in their pajamas with worried looks on their faces.

"You ok?" Darry murmured bending down to look at him in the eyes.

It was the same every night for the past week. Pony would wake up screaming from nightmares with Soda and Darry already in the room. Darry would ask if he was ok and Pony would say yes. Soda would hesitantly say that maybe Pony should sleep with him tonight. Pony would say no scared that if he said yes to Soda...something would happen.

"I'm fine" Pony whispered getting his breathing under control

Darry and Soda looked at each other, "Hey Ponyboy?" Darry questioned "Do you know how to defend yourself?"

Darry was thinking that if Ponyboy learned how to defend himself maybe this nightmares would go away. Pony wouldn't be the weak one for once.

Pony shook hes head no. "Well tomorrow why don't you go down to the lot and practice with Two-bit or maybe Dally" Darry suggested

Pony nodded, going over the idea in his head. Maybe Darry was right, if he learned how to defend himself he would be able to sleep peacefully for once.

~/~

It was mid December as Ponyboy sat at the lot. He had put two jackets on before he had come outside and he was still cold. He wondered what it would feel like if he had still been sitting in that ally way. He sat on the curb waiting, just waiting for Two-bit and maybe Dally to show up to teach him how to fight. Darry was at work and Soda had reluctantly gone to school with Johnny and Steve. As he sat there, Ponyboy wondered what it would be like to go to school. He didn't understand the concept of going some where and learning stuff. He had always thought that people where born that way and he just got the short end of the stick for being dumb. As he was contemplating this a rough hand grabbed his shoulder,

"Well looky hear, it seems I've found a greaser" a deep voice laughed evilly

Ponyboy froze and sweat beaded on his forehead, his breath became ragged and his arms were clenched at his side. As he turned around slowly, the guy gave a laugh.

It. Was. Two-bit.

"Glory kid I didn mean to scare you that bad!" Two-bit apologized a small smile still on his face. Two-bit was almost back to his normal self the only thing left from his encounter with the Soc's were the bruises that where now mere shadows on his arms and around his eye.

"It's alright" Ponyboy mumbled, a tinge of red flowing into is cheeks.

"So, Darry's been telling me you want to learn how to fight" Two-bit responded, pulling out his switch blade and showing it to Pony.

"The first thing you need to no about fighting" Two-bit stated "is always carry a switch"

The morning turned into late afternoon as Two-bit showed him how to use a switch blade, throw punches, and when to get the heck out of any situation.

"Now lets see how fast you can run" Two-bit said, "start hear and run all the way down past the green looking house."

Pony nodded as he bent down getting into position.
"Ready... Set... Go!" Two-bit shouted, and Pony was off.

He felt like he was flying, running away from all his past demons, his feet where never touching the ground. He passed the green house in what felt like seconds.

Two-bit walked up to him , a broad smile plastered on his face "Forget what I said about using a switch blade, all you got to do is run and you'll get out of there faster then they can blink."

What did I tell you it was short, but... Can you please REVIEW!