Title: You raise me up
Author: A. Lynne
Rating: PG-13 (the rating may go up in later chapters)
Warning(s): Violence, Angst
Summary: Soda suddenly goes missing, and things just keep telling the Curtis boys that it wasn't a mistake.
Feedback: Yes, if you want.
Author's Notes: I realize in all those other new authors of fiction, how they ask to be treated kindly, with good, praising reviews only. And, yes, this is my first fiction for the Outsiders, but if you have a criticism, don't be afraid to say it (appropriately, though, please :)). I'm probably going to get a few facts mistaken, or maybe how someone says "ain't" instead "isn't", so go ahead and tell me if I get it wrong!
Another Author's Note: I'd just like you all to realize (that it, if you're reading this part of the message) that this chapter will be exceptionally short. I usually always make my first chapters shorter than the rest.
*Another* Author's Note: Johnny and Dally are still alive, everyone…well, in this story, anyway.
~
Soda's walk home from the DX gas station was abnormally quiet compared to his normal ride home with Steve. His brown hair swished quietly in the wind as it blew past him, and into the trees. However, that quiet was suddenly broken when his stomach growled unusually loud.
Must be hungrier than I thought I was, Soda told himself, but he was thankful for the fact that he was only a few more blocks from his house. He sniffed up into the air, almost smelling that sweet smell of dinner that one of his brothers was cooking.
His stomach growled again.
After strolling further toward the house, his ears caught a small rustle off into a side bush. Shrugging it off as just a lost squirrel, he moved on.
There was that noise again. The thick bushes rustled noisily, and moved in short swipes from side to side. Soda stopped on the path. Turning to face the plant, his eyebrows quirked upwards in uncertainty. The clatter immediately stopped.
Turning back to face his destination, Sodapop hastily walked to get home. It was dark, and if was like that fight between Ponyboy, and all the Socs, he knew he didn't stand a chance against his enemy.
But of course, it could just be that dang squirrel.
~
"Darry, when's dinner?"
"Same time it always is, Pony,"
"But that was supposed to be 10 minutes ago,"
"I think you can live until Soda gets here; wouldn't be fair starting without him. Why don't you go start you're homework?" Darry walked over from his place at the counter to put the dinner on the table.
"I already finished,"
"Strike one. Try that again,"
"I did! I always do it when I get home,"
"Strike two. Don't lie Pony. You went to hang with Johnny after school,"
"I brought it with me. We did it over there together,"
"Then how come your bag is right here?" Lifting the school bag from next to him, Darry held it in the air, "It's been here all afternoon,"
Tossing the nap sack over to his little brother, Darry sighed, "Do it now. When Soda gets home, you can have dinner. When that's over, finish it—"
"Alright!" Trying to get out of trouble, Ponyboy began to run to his room.
"Hey!" Stopping at the tone in his brother's voice, Ponyboy flinched, "You're grounded for 3 days for lying to me,"
"But Darry—"
"Is that clear? Now go!"
Just as Ponyboy was about to guiltily walk towards his bedroom, the front door opened and closed with a crash. He turned around, seeing Soda, flushed and panting, leaning against the wooden door.
Darry's concerned voice flooded the kitchen, "What's wrong, little buddy? Is the Socs? Did they hurt you?" He looked out the window, finding nothing, before turning back to his younger sibling.
"I'm not sure…" Soda sighed, "It's nothing. Just, probably, a squirrel." Dropping his coat onto the floor, he walked, head down in concentration, into his and Pony's bedroom.
He had forgotten his dinner.