Everyone stared at Cherry. 'In Between Killers'. The name made sense. They were no greaser or soc. They were in between. But the word killers is what made everyone look up.
"Give us some information about them," said Darry. Cherry had all ears.
"Okay. My cousin lives in another part of town. She told me about these guys. She said it was a bad idea to get involved with them. Which is why I wanted to tell you about them. They lived in another town. They used to rule this place. Everything was by their means. They were so powerful because they were so ruthless. Especially their leader. He goes by the name of Will T. He pretty much makes all the rules for the gang. They used to kill anyone who got in their way. But pretty soon. In that part of town, the police got more involved. They would catch anyone who dressed, acted or looked like a I.B.K. There was only one rule that Will T. made. Do not kill a cop. He knows that the gang would be ruined if someone did that. They really couldn't do anything in that town. Will T. heard about Tulsa from someone. The police aren't really as smart here as they were in the original place. They pretty much moved here. They had robbed plenty of money to get some houses here. Now I heard that they want to take over you guys part of the neighborhood."
Everyone stared. Tim just threw on a smile.
"Ain't no way they're gonna take over this part. We can all fight them off. There are plenty of greasers."
"Cherry. Let us know if you come across anymore information. Thanks," said Darry.
Cherry said goodbye and left.
The Greasers pretty much decided that they would all travel in groups of three or four like the I.B.K. to avoid getting the 'Two-Bit treatment.'
The next day at the DX gas station, Steve and Soda had to close up the place. The boss had left early and so did everyone else. Soda and Steve walked out of the back door and Steve locked up.
"So what do we do about this gang?" asked Steve.
"Wait until they enter our territory. Then we can probably think of something."
"That might happen sooner," said Steve pointing to his car.
There were three I.B.K's all around it. They looked up when they saw Soda and Steve.
"There are the greasers." Soda spoke up.
"Better name than I.B.K. You guys can't think of anything tuffer?"
Soda lighted a cigarette to look tougher and Steve spat on the ground.
They only outnumbered them by one, but he looked like he couldn't handle anything himself.
The I.B.K.'s started walking towards them. Soda and Steve quickly flipped out their blades. The I.B.K's backed up a little and moved to the side.
'What are they doing' thought Steve.
Suddenly, lights lit up behind Soda and Steve. It was a car! And it was speeding right towards them. They both jumped to either side, dropping their blades. Steve tripped after he jumped and tumbled on the ground. He looked back up and saw the car heading straight for him. The sound of a window breaking rang through his ears, but he didn't get to see what it was because Soda came out of no where and dived at Steve. Pushing both him and his body out of harm's way. They looked up and saw that the I.B.K.'s were robbing the gas station! Both of them got up and ran towards the store but suddenly Soda dropped down onto the ground clutching his back. Steve turned around and realized that an I.B.K. had hit Soda on his back with a pipe. The guy tried to swing it at Steve, but he ducked and grabbed the pipe. He ripped it loose from his grip and swung the pipe into the guy's ribs. They guy fell clutching his side. Steve then turned around to check on his best friend.
"Soda!"
"It's okay Steve."
Steve didn't notice the I.B.K. had gotten back into the car and they took off for their neighborhood. They had robbed the store and gotten away with it. But what made the matter worse is that the police showed up seconds later.
"Freeze!"
Steve looked up confused.
"What are you talking about. My friends hurt!"
"Put your hands into the air. Both of you!"
The police arrested Steve and an ambulance came to take Soda to the hospital. One of the I.B.K's used a pay phone to say that the station was being robbed.
Later on…
Darry was in the waiting room arguing with a police officer.
"You can't prove that he robbed the store!"
"He was at the scene of the crime!"
"So! The guy works there!"
They were going back and forth. Ponyboy just sat there waiting to see Soda. They said he would live, but Pony wanted to see his brother. Then a cop walked in. 'Not another one' thought Pony. But this one was a good one.
"Those kids didn't do it. Someone across the street saw the entire thing. Plus, there were no finger prints on the evidence."
"Thank You!" said Darry aloud, throwing his hands into the air. The two cops left and Steve and Tim Shepard showed up into the room.
"How's Soda?" asked Steve. He had been in a jail cell for the time being.
"He's fine," said Ponyboy.
"Good," said Shepard lighting a cigarette, ignoring the No Smoking sign.
The doctor walked in a couple of seconds later.
"You can take him home now. And you." He pointed to Shepard.
"Take it outside."
Tim just smiled and walked out of the hospital.
Darry got Soda out of the hospital and they all got into the truck. Steve rode with Shepard. On the way home, the Darry was thinking.
They were trying to tear us down one by one. They got Ponyboy scared, Soda with a hurt back, Steve put in jail, Two-Bit stabbed-. He paused. There was a conclusion that was circling in his mind. He was next.