Yes, I am starting yet another story, but unlike most of my other stories, this takes place before the book.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders or anything related to the story created by S.E. Hinton.

(Ponyboy's POV)

When I returned to consciousness, I realized something other than my own muscles was making me move. As light replaced dark, I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me.

"Hey, Pony. C'mon man, wake up." I knew that voice. It was Johnny. "Open your eyes Ponyboy."

I obeyed, slowly opening my eyes, and I found myself lying face-down on the hard pavement. It must've been after sunset, but the minimal amount of sunlight was still too much for my eyes to handle, so I squeezed them shut and groaned in pain. "Johnny? What happened?"

"I don't know man, we've been looking for you for a while, then I find you here knocked out, and lying in a puddle of blood." Johnny sounded worried, and judging by what he told me, it was understandable.

"Blood?" I asked. I opened my eyes again, raised my head, and noticed there was blood where my head was just at. I touched a spot of my forehead that was aching, and I winced when I felt the cut in my skin.

"Think you can sit up?" Johnny asked.

"I don't have much of a choice," I replied sarcastically. He helped me sit up and lean my back against the side of the closest building. The cool material felt nice on my back. When my vision stopped swirling, I noticed for the first time where I was.

I was in an alley between two buildings, probably on the outskirts of the shops and stores in town. Next to me was a dumpster, and nearby, my backpack seemed to be tosses to the side. What am I doing here?

"I'm going to get Dally. He ain't far," Johnny said. He ran out of the alley, and while he was gone, I leaned my head back against the building, closed my eyes, and tried to concentrate. What happened?

I felt a slap on my cheek and I opened my eyes. "There you are. I thought I'd have to break your nose for you to wake up," Dally said with a smirk, but his eyes gave aware his concern.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You fell asleep," Johnny said quietly. "I was only gone a minute or two, but you dozed off."

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"What happened kid?" Dally asked, a little harsh. "Socs get ya?"

I looked down as I tried to recall anything stored in my memory. I could remember flashes: walking down the sidewalk, fighting in the alley, but that was it. I couldn't remember anything else. "I don't know."

Dally grabbed my chin and moved my head around roughly, sending spikes of pain up and down my neck, but I didn't say anything. After he apparently saw what he needed to, he let go and looked me over. "I guess you won't remember them having a blade then, but I'd bet anything they had one by the looks of you."

"We should take him home, or maybe to the hospital," Johnny suggested.

Dally considered our options for a moment, then he quickly came to a decision. "Let's take him home before Darry loses it. I don't want to be on the receiving end of his temper if we bring the kid to the hospital before checking in with him."

With the way Darry had been acting since our parents died, I wasn't sure what would cause him more anger. Would he be mad at Dally about not telling him right away that they found me, or would he be more upset about a pile of hospital bills? He might just get mad at me for being hurt in the first place…

"Can you walk, Pony?" Johnny asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, ignoring the shooting pain that went up my neck and through my skull. I went to stand up, but the moment I put weight on my left leg, I collapsed onto the ground. Johnny was immediately at my side. I closed my eyes and shook my head, trying to hide my tears. "No, I can't stand… my leg…"

"I'll get Two-Bit. He'll drive us back to the house and get you back to your brothers," Dally said. I opened my eyes and watched him walk to the opening of the alley. He gave a long low whistle followed by a sudden high note– the whistle that only us and the Shepard gang knew. I heard a faint reply of the same whistle, and a minute later, Two-Bit appeared in front of the alley.

Two-Bit looked around, and when he spotted us, his eyes grew wide. "Glory Ponyboy, what happened?" He jogged over to me and knelt down to look at me eye-to-eye.

"He don't remember, and he can't walk," Dally said flatly.

Two-Bit pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it to my forehead, making me wince. "They got you pretty good, didn't they?" Then Two-Bit moved my hand so I was holding the bloody fabric to my head. "Keep that there. Dal and I are gonna get you to my car and bring you home."

I nodded silently. Two-Bit and Dally moved so they were at my sides, both putting one arm under my knees and the other behind my back, and they lifted me up. It was painful, and my head was throbbing, but I squeezed my eyes shut, gritted my teeth, and stayed quiet.

"I got your backpack, Pony," Johnny said form somewhere nearby.

That's the least of my worries, but I'm glad someone thought about it. I don't need Darry yelling at me about losing my stuff and having to replace it all.

As the guys carried me to the car, Two-Bit kept talking, filling the silence. "Shoot kid, your brothers sure are worried 'bout you. They got us all lookin' everywhere for ya. I'm sure they won't like the state you're in, but boy howdy, they'll be glad to see ya."

"Sorry for ruining your Friday night," I replied.

"Don't be… there's more important things than drinkin' an' playin' cards," Two-Bit said, suddenly serious. I always liked Two-Bit, and I knew he'd always have my back, but I didn't expect to have him prove it to me so often or in such extreme circumstances. He's a real good buddy.

They put me in the back seat of Two-Bit's car, and when I was no longer being moved, I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. Johnny sat next to me, holding my backpack and looking at me cautiously. When I felt my hand dropping from my forehead, Johnny reached forward and held the cloth to my skin for me.

I was suddenly aware that the car was moving. Two-Bit and Dally were talking in the front, but the pounding in my ears was too loud, so I couldn't hear what they were saying.

"You sure you don't know what happened?" Johnny asked suddenly.

I shrugged. "I was in a fight."

I could hear Dally snort from the passenger's seat. "Christ kid, we knew that much. You know anything helpful?"

I shook my head, but didn't say anything. Then I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

What's Darry gonna say?