(Ponyboy's POV)

(August 27, 1965, 10:30 pm)

A week had passed since I had been jumped. Needless to say, I hadn't been the same since the incident. The courage I had was no longer there, the strength of being a tough Greaser was lost. Their words of torment constantly replaying in my head over and over again were still there. I could still hear their cruel, maniacal laughter as they were beating on me, causing me horrendous pain. The scariest part about all of that was, they weren't finished with me yet.

Another nightmare had awoken me. I had seemed to get more of those every night of this week. Every one of them was the same. I couldn't move from where I was, I felt so helpless. I was absolutely petrified.

I gasped awake, bolting upwards in the bed, my vision becoming blurry with tears. The moment I did sit up, my sides burned with agony. However, the adrenaline was keeping it numb. My heart was racing inside of my chest, hitting my ribcage. Reaching behind me, I felt that Bexley was the only one in the bed, her back was facing me.

She was the only one in here with me. Soda was with Steve at a drag race that was downtown. I whimpered, grabbing both of my knees as a panic attack was coming. It was usually Bex who usually got them, not me. She first got them after mom and dad died and has been suffering from them ever since.

Despite me healing physically, the mental scars were still there. The bruises had turned to a yellowish-green color. The cuts on my body were turning into fresh scars, but they were scabbing over. My side still ached but not as badly as a few days before. The only thing that was permanent was the mark on my cheek, the knife left its mark. It was a reminder of what happened.

I shivered audibly, trying to hold back a sob. Bexley shifted next to me and opened her eyes. "Pony, what's wrong?" she asked, immediately seeing my tear-stained face. Her green eyes held a concerned look. I tried answering, but no words came out. Instead, a shaky sob replaced it. She sat up in bed.

"Hey, c'mere…" she softly said, pulling me in a hug. I hugged her back, my face was buried in her shoulder as more tears came. Then, I heard the sound of a car starting, I froze in fear and my heart skipped a beat. Bexley noticed the stiffness in my bruised body and she hugged me close to her. "It's okay, Pony… It's okay now…" she hushed me in my ear. Her nurturing voice relaxed a little; a little.

Since that day, I've been running away from the Socs. I could run but I couldn't hide. Everywhere I seemed to turn, I thought the Socs would be there, ready to jump me again. They knew where my house was. They knew about my family and friends. Because of this, my only chance of escape was to run. I knew that they were after blood, my blood; and they wouldn't quit until they got it.

"You alright, Pone?" Bex asked me quietly. I didn't want her to worry, so I uttered, "Y-Yeah… I'm okay." Needless to say, she didn't believe me. She knew that I was lying. "No, you're not. Don't lie to me, Pony." she replied, her voice gentle, stroking my hair comfortingly. She was right, I was far from okay. The immense fear was eating me alive and I couldn't sleep because of it. All I could do was wait; wait for the storm that would inevitably come.

(August 28, 1965, 9:52 pm, Nighttime)

(Bexley's POV)

The next night, Dally, Johnny, Pony, and I had made our way to the drive-in that was downtown. The movie playing was some sort of beach movie with girls in bikinis and music that you can dance to. It was Dally's idea to go since he wanted to hunt down some action. Plus, Johnny wanted Pony and I to go with him. Pony wanted to decline, too afraid that the Socs would be waiting for him. Darry and Soda practically made him go because they thought it'd clear his head.

The summer air was freezing, and Pony had forgotten to bring his jacket. I thought to bring my jean jacket, although it didn't do much to keep the wind out. Pony could hardly focus on the movie playing, he was looking around every which way. Paranoia was on overload, he would be ready to run if it was necessary. He was utterly terrified.

"Pony, relax would you? I'm gettin' edgy." Johnny's worried voice cut through the air. Pony looked around me with wide eyes, because I was sitting between him and Johnny. Johnny had a look of worry in his eyes, his features crisp with concern. "Take it easy with him, Johnny. He can't help it if he's nervous." I said, wrapping my arm around my twin brother's shoulders.

Ponyboy balled up his hands into fists in order to stop them from shaking, his eyes on the screen in front of us. I could tell that he was still scared that the Socs would sneak up and possibly snatch him from behind. I knew that he couldn't help how he was feeling.

(August 28, 1965, 11:30 pm, Nighttime)

The movie ends and we left right after that. The only ones on the street were Dally, Johnny, Ponyboy, and I. The whole walk to our neighborhood, Johnny and Dally were goofing around, talking amongst one another.

However, Ponyboy was quiet. His body was tense and I saw his chest tighten. To provide him with comfort, I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He squeezed back some.

Not long after, we made it to the lot, which was our usual hang out spot other than the lake, The Dingo, The Nightly Double, and some of the burger joints in town. Dally had said he was going to Buck Merrill's place. Johnny, Ponyboy, and I laid down in the lot.

We lit up a small fire to help us warm up in the cold night. I leaned back against the old car seat and let my head tilt back so that I was looking up at the stars. Pony seemed more scared now with just the two of us. He curled up next to me, bringing his legs up close to his chest.

For a long while, there was nothing but silence around us, that was until Johnny broke it with a simple question. "Pony, what happened that day?" he asked. Pony's entire body became stiff and his breath caught in his throat. He looked like he was about to be sick. He and I turned to face Johnny. "Huh?" Pony said, already knowing what he was asking, but couldn't find the answer to that.

"What happened when you were jumped?" Johnny said, clarifying what he was asking. Ponyboy was speechless, he couldn't think of anything to say. Johnny looked directly at him without blinking. Ponyboy looked away, burying his face in my shoulder with his eyes shut. He didn't want to be reminded of what happened to him that day. I pulled him into a hug, gently rubbing his shoulders.

"I can't, Johnny…" my brother gasped, his voice muffled in my shoulder. I glanced down at him and saw how frightened he really was. "Johnny, I don't think he wants to be reminded of what happened." I say, my eyes glancing up at the blacked eyed Greaser sitting next to us.

Johnny reached over and placed a hand on Pony's shoulder, causing him to flinch a little. Pony didn't want anyone touching him, unless it was Soda or me. "Bex, don't you want to know what happened?" Johnny said in a gentle tone, but it was firm. I looked up at him, feeling somewhat unsure. A part of me did want to know but another part of me wanted to leave it alone. Johnny was usually quiet as much as Pony had become over the last week, it wasn't normal for Johnny to talk like that.

"Pony, listen to me. This is something that you can't keep to yourself. It's been bothering your brothers and your sister here of how quiet you've gotten. We miss the old you." Johnny said. Pony looked up at him, tears in his greyish-green eyes.

(Ponyboy's POV)

I glanced up from Bexley, to Johnny, tears clouding my eyes. What would they think of me if I told them? Just thinking about it was painful enough; I would almost lose my head every time.

"I know how you feel, Pony." Johnny uttered. A pained glance flashed in his eyes, as if a painful memory hit him. That's when I broke, tears falling out of my control. Bex saw this and she pulled me into a comforting hug, rubbing my bare arm. I hurriedly wiped the tears away with the heels of my hands, but it was no use. I couldn't block out those memories anymore.

"What's wrong, Pony? Tell us. It's alright." Bex whispered to me. The tone in her voice was so soothing and nurturing, that's one of the few things she got from our mom. Hearing that told me, I could tell them. I trusted them, they wouldn't judge me.

I told them everything that had happened that day, from the Corvair chasing me, the Socs getting out before I could even think, they beat on me, threatened me into silence. I told them how I tried to escape but they were twice as strong as me, how they threatened to kill my brothers and sister if I screamed, showing the blade.

To say that Bexley was horrified was an understatement. "God, Pony… I'm so… so sorry that happened to you." she said, tears forming in her eyes. Johnny however, remained quiet, not saying a word. The horror in his eyes was plain to see.

"Both of you know why they did this, right?" Johnny asked, getting me to nod. I looked at Bex, and I could see the look in her eyes. She figured out why I was jumped. And I knew why all too well.

(Two Months Ago)

I remember it like it was yesterday. Johnny had been beaten badly by the Socs just a couple of days ago, meaning that he wasn't at school the next day. The story itself spread like wildfire between the Greasers and Socs. It brought along rumors that made my stomach rise in protest.

When he did come back to school, he was still bruised up, fear hanging over his shoulders. He was much jumpier than before. He was an easy target in the Socs' eyes.

Usually, Bexley and I would walk together for lunch but something came up and she had to stay behind.

As I made my way down to the cafeteria, I turned the corner to see a few Socs tormenting a familiar looking Greaser, one wearing a denim jacket; Johnny. A flame burned inside of me, the scene in front of me angering me. Then, I started to sprint towards the Socs, a sudden surge of heroism coursing through my body.

I was the second shortest of the gang, meaning Bexley was a bit shorter than me. The gang didn't think they were tuff, just because we're the youngest. But today was the day I proved them wrong.

Anger blinded me as I ran towards the Soc, I was ready to tackle him. I dived in and used my left foot to kick him where the sun doesn't shine. He cried out from the blow to his groin and fell down in an instant. The look on his face almost made me burst out laughing.

However, said happiness disappeared as fast as it appeared when I felt the Socs' fist connecting with my cheek. The blow was sudden, giving me no time to react. The Soc picks me up by the collar of my jacket and pulls me towards him, daggers shooting from his eyes. "Oh, so you think you're a wise cracker, huh? You believe that was funny, grease-ball?" he spat dangerously.

By this point, I was scared. He held me off the ground so that my feet weren't touching the floor. It proved just how small I really was compared to this Soc. Quickly, I shook my head.

"Good, because you're gonna wish you hadn't done that. You best watch your back whenever you walk. My buddies and I are gonna get you good. You won't know when it's coming." the Soc growled.

"Hey, asshole! Leave him alone or you'll regret it!" Bexley's rage filled voice shouted. I looked over my shoulder and saw an enraged Bexley coming at us. The Soc noticed her and dropped me, letting me drop to the floor with a thud. He walked over to her and said, "You gonna make me, hm? What's it gonna be, she-grease?" I raised up, letting my hands hold me up.

My twin sister, I know, isn't afraid of the Socs. She knew how to stand her ground whenever there was trouble with the Socs. "Don't ever touch him again. Now do us a favor and leave before the audience gets pissed off." Bexley spat, her eyebrows knitted together. The Soc wouldn't break her, no matter how hard he tried to. "Hmph, you're lucky your little dirty broad was here to save you, you piece of scum. Remember what I told you, grease-ball. You best watch your back." the Soc said before leaving.

When he was gone, Bex came over to me and knelt down. "You guys okay?" she asked us, helping me off the ground. "Y-Yeah, we're fine." Johnny said, standing back up. He walked over to us, hands in his denim jacket. He was pretty shaken up from that Soc picking on him like that.

"What the hell was that about?" Bexley asked, sounding a bit on edge. I didn't want to tell her. Johnny shot me a look that told me that I should. And I did tell her all of what went down, and her eyes became wild, mirroring the same expression as me.

From that point on, I had been more careful and kept looking over my shoulder while walking the streets alone. Even when Bexley was with me, I was still on edge. Even she was on edge a little bit.

However, nothing had happened. The two of us now thought it was no more than an empty threat. I couldn't have been more wrong.

(Present Time)

(Bexley's POV)

"Pony, you've got to tell Darry and Soda." I tell him, though there was a glint of fear in my and Johnny's eyes. "Bexley, I-I can't… It's bad enough that you know. I don't want them to know. They'll go after you guys…" Pony yelped, his voice rising in his throat from the anxiety he was feeling. "Pony… There's no way you can deal with this on your own." Johnny groaned.

"I got to. I d-don't want them to get hurt. I can handle this." Pony said, voice trembling. His mouth said one thing but his eyes told another story. "Pony, there's a difference between handling it yourself, and actually dealing with it." I tell him, rubbing his bare arm gently. "What else is there, Bexley? You and Johnny might be next. If something did happen to either of y'all, I wouldn't forgive myself." Ponyboy said, his voice rising in fear.

Johnny and I locked eyes for a moment, thinking the same thing. It hurt the both of us to see Pony in this much pain. And he didn't want us to suffer in the same way he did. Johnny rubbed his shoulder and I pulled him into a hug. Our attempts to calm him down seemed to work because his body relaxed. I knew that he was relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with this all on his own.

Pony and I laid back against the car seat. I looked up at the stars, finding peace within all the hell we've gone through. My eyelids were becoming more heavy with each passing second and my heart beat started to slow. Before I knew it, I was out like a light. Ponyboy had fallen asleep as well, resting on my shoulder.