Chapter 11: The Wrath of Dallas Winston

While everyone was sitting there waiting for Darry and Sodapop to show up the phone rang. Ponyboy got up and answered it.

"Hello."

"Pony. This is Soda."

"Okay."

"How's Louis."

"He's fine."

"Get Two-Bit and run down to the lot. Dallas had started something with a couple of socs and a rumble is about to happen. Johnny can come to, but he might want to stay with Louis."

Ponyboy glanced at Louis and Johnny. They were sitting there talking. Johnny had never had an actual conversation with anyone. This is the most he'd seen him talk ever since he had been jumped. Him and Louis must have something in common.

"Okay, Soda. We'll be there in a minute."

Ponyboy hung up and Two-Bit asked,

"Who was that?"

"It was Soda. There's gonna be a rumble in the lot. Johnny you can stay with Louis if you want."

Johnny looked at Louis.

"Yeah. I'll stay."

Two-Bit and Ponyboy got up and ran out the door. As the door closed, Louis asked Johnny,

"What is a rumble?"

"It's when two gangs get together and fight."

"Is it violent?"

"Kinda. It depends. You can still look bad after punches, but sometimes they use knifes and chains."

"Oh."

Louis was quiet. He remembered the vision of his mother. He shuddered.

After a while, the door burst open and all the greasers came walking through. Ponyboy had a bruise on his cheek and he was holding his arm, Darry had a bruise on his jaw, Two-Bit had two black eyes, Soda was limping on his leg and his other arm was sore, and Steve had a bloody lip, hurt arm and a black eye. Dallas came out looking like he barely got hit. All he had was a bloody lip.

"Who won?" asked Johnny sitting up.

"We did! Of course!" said Dally. He looked towards Louis. "You okay, kid?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Louis and Johnny got up so some of the other guys could sit on the couch. Darry hit the armchair while Soda, Steve and Two-Bit crowded on the bed. Ponyboy sat down beside Johnny.

"Darry," started Steve. "Do you think we can crash here?"

"Not sure. Louis needs somewhere to sleep-"

"Johnny and I can sleep in the lot," said Louis sitting up. "We'll be fine."

Darry thought for a moment. Johnny would be there with him. He'll most likely be fine.

"Alright. You can sleep in the lot."

Dallas then got up stretching.

"I'm going to go on to Merril's place. He owes me money plus I need a little rest."

"Alright. Bye Dal."

Dally walked out of the door while everyone else arranged sleeping plans. Darry went back to his room.

"Okay, Steve. I'll hit the couch and you can have the armchair," suggested Two-Bit.

"Why don't you take the armchair?" shot back Steve.

"You wanna arm wrestle for it?"

"My arm is hurt stupid!"

"Then I win automatically!"

Soda cut in laughing.

"Calm it, you two. Two-Bit, let Steve have the couch since his arm hurts."

"Okay, okay," responded Two-Bit. He then turned his attention to Louis.

"Louis. Dally was awfully mad that you knocked your head. He did better than Darry out there."

Soda cut in,

"Yeah. He was crazy out there."

Louis then reached a conclusion. That settled it. Dally protected him and Johnny. Johnny always said how he had his back.

"Ready to go?" asked Johnny breaking into Louis' thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Let's go."

"Hold on," said Soda getting up and walking towards the back. He came back with pillows and blankets. He tossed them towards Johnny and Louis.

"Have fun on your campout," he said smiling.

"Thanks," said Louis.

The two walked out to the lot. They could see blood on the wall. Someone probably got knocked out real bad.

The two made their bed in the lot. They had planned on talking but something different happened. The calmness of the lot affected them. They fell asleep as soon as they had gotten comfortable.