AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Heya! How's it going? I just wanted to chime in and give you guys a disclaimer. This is the first short story I've ever written that I've made public. Plus, this is the first time I've ever used this site. So if the format looks weird, I apologize. I'd greatly benefit from some tips if you guys would like to share them.

Please tell me what you think in the reviews! I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!

- spacedreamerz

Pony's POV:

Before I knew what was happening, something pushed me back and I fall. The feeling ice cold water jolted my senses and made me realize that I was in the fountain. I tried to push myself up but at least three pairs of hands force me back down under the water. I don't understand what's happening. I try again to rise up out of the water, attempting to throw punches at them, but it's no use. I'm outnumbered. I just get forced back down every time. I wasn't getting out of this fountain. I began to hold my breath. I stopped trying as much to resist them, I didn't want to run out of air.

Johnny.

Every noise sounds muffled and distant underwater. I can't hear what's going on. Is he okay? Why isn't he helping me? Can he not? My thoughts began to race but soon shifted to one thing.

Drowning.

Omniscient POV:

They were trying to drown him. They were trying to kill him. Johnny's widened eyes were glued to the horrific act. Pony was trying to get the guys off him, To get a breath. They wouldn't let him. They kept pushing and holding him down. Bob was looking on at the sight with an amused smirk on his face and a lit cigarette in hand. Johnny had to do something. He had to help Pony. Johnny tried to move his hand to his switchblade, but he couldn't He tried to move forward but he couldn't. He was frozen in place, watching on as his best friend was getting drowned. His brain was screaming at him to do something. To run and get help at the very least, but Johnny couldn't. He was stuck.

Pony's POV:

The sides of my vision were going black. I could feel myself slipping further into the water. My head felt so light. It hurt to hold my breath now. My lungs were burning and my head felt like it was hit by a metal bat. It was like my chest was going to explode. I was beginning to pass out. I couldn't do this anymore. I had to breathe. Unable to hold my breath anymore, I sharply inhaled. My mouth and nose were met with nothing but a cascade of freezing water. My lungs were on fire. I shot of realization went off in my brain.

I was drowning.

I was going to die.

I didn't want to die. I couldn't do this to Soda and Darry. Not again. Not after mom and dad…

I had to get out of this fountain.

Omniscient POV:

Pony.

He began flailing around in the water wildly. Trying to push and claw his way above water. The drunken socs just laughed. Bob was looking on. His smile began to fade and his face shifted to uncertainty. He took a drawl of his cigarette, then let it drop to the ground.

"Okay guys…that's enough. Let him up." Bob slightly slurred, still a bit tipsy.

The socs didn't listen. They kept holding him down and laughing. Laughing like drowning someone was hilarious. Johnny felt white hot anger pulse in him. They were drowning his best friend. Killing his best friend. Johnny inched his hand towards his jean pocket. His shaking hands reached for his switchblade. He couldn't let this happen.

Pony's POV:

My vision started clouding. Everything began to stop hurting. I felt...peaceful. I could feel my body sinking further into the fountain. My back hit something hard, presumably the bottom of the fountain. It was cold. Slowly, black began to inch into my sight. My eyes felt so heavy. Like something was pulling them down. This was it.

Darry…

Soda….

Omniscient POV:

"Guys, I said stop!"

Bob was now shouting. His voice was frantic. His face went pale and his eyes were wide with fear. He realized what was happening. If they kept on, they were going to kill the kid. He couldn't let that happen. He didn't want him or any of his friends to have the fact that they'd killed someone on their minds. Bob wouldn't ever be able to sleep at night knowing that. He had to stop them.

"Stop!" Bob yelled again.

He began storming toward his friends but saw something gleam out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw the other kid. He had something in hand. It resembled a knife. Bob's olive green eyes locked on him.

Johnny grabbed the switchblade and positioned it in front of him. His eyes locked on the socs drowning Pony. He had to stop them. At whatever costs. With all his might, Johnny propelled himself forward. He dashed towards the socs. As quick as he could, Johnny began slashing at them. One let out a scream, and let go of Pony. The other two yelled and fell to the pavement clutching their arms. All three of the socs scrambled away at the sight of Johnny and his switchblade. Johnny's eyes were wide with fury. Their usual untrusting and lost gaze was replaced with danger and violent intent. Johnny's eyes shifted to Pony. His body lay limp in the fountain. Johnny felt his heart drop. He let go of the switchblade and hurried to his friend's side.

Johnny grabbed Pony and lifted him out of the fountain, setting him down gently on the concrete. His skin was a light shade of sickly gray. His lips were blue and it didn't look like he was breathing. Johnny began frantically trying to shake Pony awake.

"P-P-Pony? C-Come o-on…g-get up," Johnny stammered. He was trembling like mad.

"P-P-Pony, p-please…g-g-get up!" Johnny shrieked.

Johnny desperately shook Pony again. His dark brown eyes began to swim with tears. His heart felt as if was being ripped out of his chest and stomped on repeatedly.

"P-P-Pony, come on! P-Please get up! What about D-Darry and S-Soda? You c-can't leave them, P-Pone! You just can't…" Johnny began to break down.

He stopped shaking Pony and started sobbing. Ponyboy…his best friend was dead. He was the only one that truly understood him. He was his first ever friend. Now, he was dead. Drowned by a bunch of drunk trust-fund babies that can't do shit for themselves.

Bob stared at the scene. The kid was dead. His friends killed him. He killed him. His eyes were as wide as saucers. His stomach was hit with an instantaneous pang of unbearable guilt. His eyes began to fill with tears as he realized the gravity of the situation. He just got someone killed. A kid nonetheless. He had to have been just a couple of years younger. What was he going to do? Most likely go to prison for the rest of his life. His friends too. They were all going to be locked up. Bob's mind raced with possible solutions. One of them was unlikely to work, but he could try. Bob began slowly walking toward Johnny and Pony. His friends stared at him worriedly but didn't stop him. He stopped about three feet away from the two. The kid that had the switchblade was sobbing uncontrollably, cradling the other kid in his arms. Bob took a deep breath and then crouched down next to the pair.

Johnny's head snapped up and looked at who was crouched next to him and Pony. It was Bob. The dirty bastard that told them to drown Pony. Rage once again ignited in Johnny like an uncontrollable blaze. He glared at Bob with hatred. He never felt such hatred before. Not towards those socs that jumped him. Not towards his father who beat him. Nobody. Bob was a bit taken aback by Johnny's intense glare. He just hung his head a little and shifted his gaze to the pavement. It was hard for Bob to speak. His throat was desert dry and it was like he had a lump in it. He was afraid that he'd start crying himself, but he took another breath and forced himself to talk.

"I…I know CPR. I don't know if it'll help, but I at least want to try…" He managed to say.

His mother forced him to learn them after his younger brother nearly drowned in a lake one summer while in Bob's care. He remembers being so afraid that his brother was dead because of his negligence.

Johnny continued to stare at him. His eyes glistened with uncertainty, despair, and rage. Despite not trusting Bob at all, Johnny was desperate. He was willing to try anything if it meant Pony would come back. Johnny slowly got up. His eyes never leave Bob. He stepped back a few times. He looked at Bob enraged, yet desperate. Bob watched Johnny a bit weary but moved closer to Pony. The kid was now pale. His lips were still blue. He simply appeared as if he was unconscious.

Bob decided to skip the step of checking for breathing. The kid obviously wasn't moving at all. Bob's eyes softened. He decided to go straight to chest compressions. Bob placed one of his hands on top of the other and clasped them together. He pushed hard and fast on the center of Ponyboy's chest with the heel of his hands. Though nothing seemed to happen. Bob tilted back Pony's head and pinched his nose shut. Then, he placed his mouth fully over Pony's and blew. Nothing happened. He did this a few more times but to the same result.

Bob slowly stood got up. His eyes still staring at Ponyboy's lifeless body. Tears welled up in his eyes again. That was it. The kid was really dead. They killed him.

"I'm sorry…he's…dead," Bob choked out as tears began to spill down his cheeks.

Johnny then collapsed to the ground. He started sobbing again. He was really gone. Ponyboy was really dead. How was he going to tell Darry and Soda? They've just their parents not too long ago…now their baby brother was gone too. Why…why couldn't it have been him? Nobody would really miss him. Sure everyone would be sad for a little while, but they'd get over it. Pony had two older brothers that loved him and would do anything for him. He had good grades and was very creative. He had a bright future ahead of him. Too bright. Why did his light have to be snuffed out so soon? It should've been him. It should've been.

Bob watched Johnny crying. He felt his heart being ripped in half. He did this. This was all him. Bob glanced back to Pony on the cold, hard pavement. He didn't even know the kid's name. He didn't know a thing about him. Though he disliked him anyways. Because of his social class. How heartless was he? He just had someone killed because he had less money than him. He was a bad person. A terrible person. Bob forced himself to not sob as he surveyed his thoughts. He…had to leave. He just had to. Bob turned around and began walking back towards his blue Mustang. His friends staggered behind him.

Johnny heard the grumbling of a car starting and riding away. He didn't look up to watch them go. Johnny hoped he never saw any of them again for the rest of his life. If he did, he didn't know what he'd do. He'd probably kill them like they killed Pony. Johnny forced himself off the ground. The chilly breeze ruffled his hair and caressed his face. He had to go tell them. Soda and Darry. He had no idea how he was going to break it to them, but he had to tell them.

Johnny walked over to Pony. He looked so peaceful. Like he was just sleeping. Not dead. Another sob escaped Johnny as he looked at his friend. He couldn't leave him like this. Even though it was likely no one would come to the park at this hour, he didn't want to leave him like this. Johnny bent down and scooped Pony up. He was still wet and ice cold to the touch. Johnny shuffled over to a tree and put Pony gently against it, propping him up. Johnny slowly took off his leather jacket and covered Pony with it.

"I'll be back, Pony. I promise." Johnny croaked as he stroked Pony's hair.

Johnny got up and began walking out of the park, but not before looking back at Pony one last time. His heart was aching. He felt like he was dying himself. Johnny forced himself to continue walking. He had to get to Soda and Darry.

Johnny's POV:

Johnny stood in front of the Curtis residence. A thick cloud of dread was hanging over him. He had to tell Darry and Soda that their baby brother was dead. How in the world was he supposed to do this? He didn't want to do this, but he had to. He had to tell them. Johnny inched closer to the staircase.

What about Darry? Darry…he's going to blame himself for everything. He was never going to forgive himself. Even if it wasn't his fault. Soda…he's not going to be able to take it. Soda and Pony were so close. It made Johnny a bit jealous sometimes. He always wished he had a brother like Soda to defend and care for him. Why? Why did this have to happen to the Curtises? They've already been through so much grief. Now, they're going to have to go through it again.

Johnny began to tear up again. He started shaking.

No.

He had to calm himself down. Johnny took a few shaky deep breaths. He felt a little better, but not much. How could he feel better? He was about to destroy what was left of a broken family. Johnny walked up the steps, stopping in front of the front door. His heart was beating wildly and his breathing was getting all weird. Johnny looked down at his hands. They were shaking like hell. There was blood on them from slashing those socs. Their blood was splattered on his shirt too. Johnny bet he looked terrible. He sure felt it. Johnny looked back up to the door. He reached a shaky hand out towards the doorknob. Okay, this was it. He held his breath as he twisted the doorknob and swung the door open.

Soda & Darry POV:

Darry was sitting on the recliner arms crossed. He was staring off into space thinking of Pony. He hit him. He hit his baby brother. He never thought he'd do something like that. He didn't mean to of course. He was just stressed and angry. He…wasn't thinking. He just acted. He felt terrible. As soon as Pony ran out of the house, Darry wanted to go after him. Soda stopped him though. He said to just give him a bit of time and that he'd come back eventually. However, it's been almost an hour since he left and he's still not back yet. Darry had work in 4 hours, though he didn't care. He was far too worried about Pony.

Soda was sitting on the couch watching The Andy Griffith Show. He was bouncing his leg repeatedly and tapping the side of the couch. He was worried too. Sure, there have been tons of times where Pony has stormed out of the house because of an argument with Darry, but the arguments were never this bad. Never to the point of violence. Besides, Pony would usually be back in about 20 or 30 minutes. It's been an hour. Maybe Pony just needed more time to cool off. However, it was almost four in the morning. Almost daylight. Soda couldn't help to think something was off.

Suddenly, the front door swung open. Both Darry and Soda snapped their heads to the door in hopes to see Pony. Instead, there stood Johnny. His appearance frightened the two brothers. Blood was on his hands and splattered across his shirt. His breathing was ragged and his eyes were red. Both Darry and Soda stood up.

"Johnnycake? What's happened? There's..blood on you," Soda questioned gently. He already looked spooked. He didn't want to scare him by panicking.

Johnny didn't say anything. He just stood at the doorway refusing to look at either Soda or Darry.

"Johnny? What's going on?" Darry asked, eyeing Johnny carefully.

He looked terrified and exhausted. Was it his dad again? The socs? Was it…Pony?

Johnny still didn't respond. He just shook his head and wrapped his arms around himself. He was trembling a lot. Soda walked up and shut the open door. It was cold outside. Soda walked back towards Johhny. He laid a gentle hand on Johnny's shoulder. He didn't react.

"Johnnycake? Are you cold, buddy?" Soda asked more quietly.

Johnny shook his head. "N-N-No…i-it's…."

Soda and Darry's hearts stung a bit. Johnny sounded so small and afraid. They've never heard him like that before. All attention was focused on Johnny.

"It's what, Johnny?" Soda pried.

"It's…?" Darry said, waiting anxiously for Johnny to continue. He had no idea what happened to shake Johnny up like this. The last time he was this scared was when he got jumped by those socs.

"...P-P-Pony…he…t-the socs…in t-t-the park…" Johnny croaked.

Johnny then collapsed on the floor sobbing. Soda and Darry's hearts dropped. Soda crouched down next to Johhny and Darry hurried to his side.

"Pony? What happened to Pony, Johnny?" Soda asked again. This couldn't be good.

Johnny managed to say one thing through the sobs.

"D-Drowned."

Soda and Darry were frozen in place. The two looked at each other eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"W-What do you mean, Johnny? Drowned? Who? Pony?" Darry questioned. His voice was raised in panic.

Johnny nodded.

Darry and Soda's hearts began pounding frantically. Drowned? Ponyboy…drowned? How…?

Darry wasted no time. He hurried to the kitchen and grabbed his keys off the table. He dashed back to the front door, opening it and leaving the house. Soda didn't know what to do. He didn't want to leave Johnny here, but he wanted to go with Darry. Soda didn't have time to make a decision. Darry was on his way to the car.

"I-I'll be back, Johnny." Soda said softly to Johnny.

He got up and ran out the door, shutting it behind him. Outside, Darry was already in the car. Soda ran to the passenger side and rushed in. Darry didn't say anything, but cranked the car and sped out of the driveway to the direction of the park.

Johnny POV:

Johnny was sitting on the Curtis's floor. His eyes blurred with tears. He had a terrible stinging headache. When Soda left, he had begun hyperventilating. He didn't want Soda to leave. He didn't want to be left alone. His chest pierced with pain. Johnny didn't know what was happening. His vision was starting to get blurry. He tried to stand up, but it was no use. His legs weren't working. Was he…having a heart attack? No…he was too young to have one of those. Whatever it was, Johnny felt like he was dying. His stomach began twisting and turning in knots. The urge to puke was strong, but Johnny wouldn't allow himself to. The room was spinning and spinning. Everything started to turn grey, then darkness slowly consumed Johnny's vision.

Soda POV:

Darry parked the car a little ways from the fountain. The two brothers scrambled out and sped toward the fountain. There was no one there, but the two felt that something was way off. Something wasn't normal. Soda began walking around the fountain when he heard the sound of metal scraping against something. It was coming from beneath his foot. Soda moved his foot and saw a bloodied switchblade. Looking at it made him feel sick. Soda looked around for Darry and saw him standing in front of a tree unmoving.

"Hey, Darry! Come look at this-"

Soda stopped himself mid-sentence. Something was wrong over there. He began slowly walking toward Darry.

"Darry, what's wrong? Did you find some-"

Soda stopped in his tracks. There was someone propped up against the tree. Soda's heart sank.

No. There's no way.

He inched closer to the tree. His worst fears were confirmed true. Lying up against the tree was Ponyboy. Though his body was covered with a jacket, he could tell it was his brother. He was wearing Soda's hand-me-down shoes. The ones that Steve and Him doodled on with permanent marker. Darry wasn't moving. It was like he was a frozen statue. Soda started to tremble

as tears swarmed his eyes.

"Pony?" Soda whimpered.

He received no answer. Nothing but the wind ruffling through the trees. Soda inched towards his baby brother. He crouched down near him. Soda held out a shaky hand and clutched the jacket. He slowly pulled it off to reveal the seemingly unconscious face of his little brother.

His face was a sickish gray color. His lips were blue. There was no rise or fall of his chest. He was just still. Like he was asleep. Soda reached out to touch his brother's face, only to be met with no warmth. He was ice cold. Soda retracted his hand and recoiled.

No. This can't be happening. Not again. Please not again…

Tears ran down Soda's face. A lump formed in his throat. His baby brother…Soda reached out and held his little brother while giving grief-stricken sobs. He was so cold. It was like hugging ice. Soda held onto Pony tighter as he stroked Pony's messy brown hair.

Darry's POV:

Pony…not Pony. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Who would kill a 14-year-old child? Pony never did anything to anyone. He was a good kid. A nice kid. Who would do this to him? To us? Rage. Rage began wheeling up in Darry. Who? Was someone out to get them? Was someone trying to make their life miserable? Why them? They've never done anything to anybody. Not a thing. Then..why?

Darry's eyes started stinging with tears that ran quickly down his face. He watched as his little brother held on to his youngest for dear life. Like he would slip away if he didn't. Darry felt a rush of guilt overtake him. This was all his fault. He hit Pony and made him run away. He made him run right into his demise. If he had just controlled himself…he's a grown man. There was no excuse for him lashing out like that. Darry's thoughts swirled like a whirlwind in his mind. He felt himself shaking. Shaking with rage. Someone was going to pay. They were going to regret this.

Darry tore his eyes away from Soda and Pony. He began walking back to his car. A few sobs escaped him. He got in and started it up. He had to call the ambulance and the police. Whoever did this was going to be found. Darry was going to make sure of that.

A bit of a cliffhanger, huh? The truth is, I don't know if I want to keep this a short story or make a few more chapters. I guess I'll let you guys decide that.

Thanks for reading!