Disclaimer: From now on, I will have a disclaimer for each chapter and only list the people I own in each chapter so I wont have to keep repeating the 'stupid soc Gary' and stuff in every chapter…ok I own Holly, Parker, Todd, Jordan, and Kyle. Please Review!
Oh, and I would NEVER EVER EVER kill Sodapop! Don't you guys worry! None of the gang will EVER die, I PROMISE! LOL! :)
Chapter 6
I asked him to repeat what he had just said. He stared at me with those pale blue-green eyes of his and said it again. "We can't find Johnny."
I covered my face in my hands and Two-Bit's mouth dropped open in shock. "What do you mean?"
Ponyboy swallowed hard and spoke up. "A bunch of Socs beat up Soda and Johnny while they were playing football," he said, trying to stop his voice from quivering, "They beat up Soda and Johnny before taking Johnny in the car with them."
My vision was suddenly blurred. What?! What was happening? Am I going blind?! Suddenly I realized what was happening-I was crying.
Two-Bit wrapped me up in his arms and the sobs came. I cried into his chest while Pony bit his lip to keep back the tears from Darry.
"Does everyone know?" Two-Bit asked gravely.
"No. Dally and Steve don't-I couldn't get a hold of them."
I dried my eyes and offered to head over to the Dingo to look for them. Ponyboy said he would come with me, and Two-Bit would stay with Darry in case Dally or Steve came by. I kissed Soda lightly on the cheek before walking out the screen door.
Since I don't have a car and we aren't allowed by law to drive, Ponyboy and I started to walk to the Dingo. It wasn't too far away anyways. We walked in silence with our hands shoved in our pockets. We were too shocked by all of this to even speak.
We arrived in front of the Dingo a couple minuets later and went inside. We scanned the area, and finally found Steve and Evie sitting at a booth in the back. Pony and I glanced at each other, then made our way over to them.
Evie noticed me and waved. Steve turned around too and gave the two of us a grin and beckoned for us to sit down. I sat down next to Evie.
"What's up, you two?" he asked, making room for Pony.
I cleared my throat. "Uh, Soda and Johnny were attacked by Socs a while ago," I whispered sadly, "Soda's almost unconscious back home."
"Where's Johnny?" Steve asked, looking pale. Ponyboy looked away, and I started to cry.
"No one knows!" I sobbed, and Evie hugged me.
"Oh, Holly, Pony, I'm sorry! Don't worry, we'll find them and kick the Socs' ass!" Evie said, leaning against my shoulder. I smiled despite myself; I didn't hear Evie swear that often.
I dried my eyes and we all stood up and walked out of the Dingo. Evie was hugging Steve, who looked deeply disturbed. I slung an arm around Ponyboy to comfort him; I can always tell when he is sad because it isn't very often. I think he feels like an outsider because he's the youngest and not as tough as the other guys.
He leaned in against my shoulder and we took Steve's car to the Curtis'. Soda was sitting on the couch, with his eyes shut painfully. I quickly sat down gently next to Sodapop.
"Hey, Soda," I said, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I just got beat up," he grinned at me, and ruffled my hair. "I guess better than I was. Darry cleaned me up a bit."
Two-Bit entered the room and sat down next to me. Steve was sitting on Darry's chair with Evie on his lap.
Two-Bit smoothed my hair. "Find Dally yet, babe?"
"Nope. No luck. Pony and I found Steve and Evie at the-"
Just then the screen door swung open and violently hit the wall. Dally staggered in, with Johnny hanging on to his shoulders.
Two-Bit and I quickly got up as Dally set Johnny down on the sofa.
"Johnnycake!" I cried, seeing his beaten up image. It was almost as bad as his previous attack; Soda, Steve and Pony had found him lying in the lot, banged up pretty badly by the Socs. Poor Johnny; he's a target for pain. His father beats the tar out of him, and his mother usually ignores him. Sometimes she yells at him and I can hear it echo down to my house.
Johnny's eyes fluttered open and he tried to smile. "Hi, Holly," he said weakly, and I gently curled my fingers around his shaggy bangs. He closed his eyes again and Dally turned to me.
"I found him near the lot," he said, almost choking on his words, "The Socs decided to dump him there after giving him a few more punches. I broke three of the leader's ribs and gave the rest bloody noses."
I beckoned for Dally to follow me outside and we sat on the bench. "Dal, you've seemed really distant these past few days. Is everything ok?"
He hesitated. "You can tell me anything, Dally, I promise not to tell anyone else. It's good to talk to people; you get a lot off of your back," I repeated what my father had always told me. Those were good words of wisdom, and it was true. I always felt better telling my parents what was wrong.
He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I know I've been distant. I've just gotten," he quickly turned his head to stare at the screen door, probably to make sure no one was looking. Satisfied that I was the only one listening to him, he continued, "I've just gotten more and more worried about Johnny. His father has finally gone way too far on him; every time I see him there are bruises everywhere. Even his mom had started to hit him and shit. I'm just really pissed off and don't wanna take it out on the gang on accident. And now the Socs…"
He stared ahead, and I gently leaned against his shoulder. "It's OK to feel upset, Dal," I said softly, "It's only human."
"But…I'm tough! I don't let these things affect me!" he growled, frustrated with the fact he wasn't invincible.
I waited until he calmed down before returning inside. "Don't worry,' I had told him, "We'll make those Socs pay." He had nodded, and pulled out a cigarette. I just sighed and opened the door.
Johnny and Soda were awake, but still sore. Darry was pressing an ice pack against Soda's forehead and Steve was rubbing Johnny's back. Evie said that she had to go, and left. I sat down on Two-Bit's lap on the couch, and he massaged my shoulders.
"What's up, Holly? What did you and Dallas talk about?" he asked.
"Nothing much. Dally just said he was pissed off at the Socs." Well, it was sort of true.
"Ha. What else is new?"
I laughed, and stood up. "I should probably go say hello to my mother-wanna come with me Two-Bit?"
He stood up and put his arm around my shoulders. "Sure, babe. Let's go."
We said goodbye to the gang and headed outside. I wanted to walk, despite my numerous ambushing. I liked walking better than driving, mostly because I was used to it. I was beginning to have a premonition, and thought about Parker and Todd. I shook my head, ridding my mind of memories, and put my arm around Two-Bit's shoulders.
My life is so predictable. Right in the middle of Soda's house and mine, I heard the honk of a car horn and turned around. Parker, Todd, Kyle, and Jordan were in Parker's car, speeding towards us.
They pulled up along side us, and Two-Bit snarled. "What do you clowns want?"
"What?" Todd asked innocently, "Why so unfriendly, Keith?"
Two-Bit stiffened. "Go to hell, Chapman."
Todd smirked. "I probably will. But not until I screw your girlfriend," he flaunted, and Two-Bit nearly jumped into the car. I had to use all of my strength to hold him back, and Todd started to laugh.
"What? Does it bother you that someone else likes Holly?" Todd crowed, liking the fact he could push Two-Bit's buttons.
Two-Bit swore violently at Todd, and Todd just smiled. "Two-Bit!" I cried, "Don't let those jerks get to you! There's five of them and two of us!"
"I can take them," he growled, trying to shake me off.
"Two-Bit! Stop! Please! You'll only get hurt and I don't want to cause that!"
He stopped struggling and hugged me, still glaring menacingly at Todd. "Get out of here, shit head. Leave Holly alone."
"Oh, like I'm really going to listen to you," he drawled, "I will leave, but be warned, Keith, I will come back." Todd turned to me and winked. "Bye, baby."
I gave him the same gesture I gave Parker at school, and they sped off.
Two-Bit hugged my shoulders. "Sorry about them, Holly. I can't believe those jerks."
I leaned against him as we walked. We were close to my house. I giggled and said, "Thanks for sticking up for me, Two-Bit. You really are my knight in shining armor!"