Chapter 16: The Big Payback
"That's trouble."
"I know."
"What's gonna happen?"
"Kick back and listen."
……….
Johnny thought. He would have to leave. Before he did, he would have to take care of buissiness. His dad would have to be in a coma for a while.
"Alright. But I gotta take care of two things first. I'm-a need some help for the first job."
Tim looked up. Obviously interested.
"We're listening," he said.
…….
Johnny and Curly walked up towards a certain spot and ducked behind a tree.
"Is this usually where he is?" asked Johnny.
Curly nodded. Johnny peeked around the tree and saw Franklin. He was leaned against his police car sipping on some coffee. He still had that hatful look on his face. That disgusted Johnny. This would be the last time he saw that face.
He looked at Curly and nodded. Curly then stuck his head into the air and put up a sign. Johnny and Curly ran towards Franklin and intentionally knocked the coffee on him. Franklin screamed and called the young greasers dirty words as he hopped into his car. The cop darted off after Johnny and Curly, who were halfway down the street by now, in his car.
The car was catching up to then like the greasers expected. Johnny and Curly turned the corner and reached a dead end street. The cop swerved to a stop and got out of the car. He walked towards the greasers with fury in his teeth.
"You little punks! Do you know who you're messing with?"
Johnny and Curly just stood there. Trying to hold in their smiles. The Tim Shepard Gang then came out of nowhere and jumped the cop. Johnny and Curly joined in and they were holding down Franklin pretty well. Franklin was resisting which made it a not so simple task. But they managed to tire down the large cop.
They quickly picked up the cop and stuffed him into the trunk. Johnny quickly glanced at him and said,
"See how it feels."
He shut the trunk and got in the front. Johnny drove around for street to face it towards a building. The car was facing a tall building that was not yet finished built. Johnny smiled and grabbed a plank from Curly and stuck it on the gas pedal. The car burst onto speed towards the building. Johnny could hear Franklin beating the trunk trying to force it open.
To Johnny's surprise, the trunk busted open. But not in time. The car had an impact with the building and all the material from the building fell towards the car. More than one hit the now open trunk. Nailing Franklin dead.
…….
Johnny was relieved. He wanted to run by the Curtis house and drop a note off saying that he was leaving. They were the closest thing he had to family. Johnny had already written the note, but when he walked up to the door, he heard shouting from inside. Darry was yelling at Pony for something. The door suddenly opened and Darry was standing there.
"Johnny!"
By his tone of voice, it didn't sound like he was surprised. He grabbed Johnny and yanked him outside. Darry slammed the door shut. Johnny saw Pony and Soda sitting on the couch. How could he have been involved in this? They were in the middle of the street.
"What's your problem!" shouted Johnny.
"You dragged Pony into that war. That was why they've going at us. Ponyboy stole drugs from that kid you jumped! They wanted it back!"
"You're blaming me for this!"
"Yes I am! You dragged him into it! He doesn't need to be involved in stuff like that! I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I don't want you to drag either of my brothers down your dirty path!"
Johnny just yanked himself around and walked down the street. Darry walked up and grabbed Johnny's shoulder and yelled,
"I'm not done!"
Johnny didn't know what came over him. He reached into his pocket, flicked out his knife and stabbed Darry.
The only thing that rang throughout the night was Darry's screaming. He looked at Johnny. Johnny's eyes had grown a little. He didn't know what had just happened. He didn't want to be around when his brothers came, so he took off running. He was just glad that he didn't reach in the pocket of his jeans jacket.
………
Johnny snuck into the Southside part of Tulsa. He had already looked up the address, so he knew what house he would have to go to. He crouched in some bushes. Robert Sheldon was in front of his house waving at his parents that were driving off to a party. Robert walked into his house. He was home alone. This was perfect.
Johnny snuck through a window and snuck around the house. He peeked into the living room. Robert was sitting there reading a book under a lamp. Robert then looked up and noticed Johnny's presence.
"Hey!"
Johnny ducked around the corner. Robert ran towards him and Johnny tackled him. They both ran into the lamp and the lamp fell onto the floor and broke. They started getting it on, but Johnny pulled out the gun and started hitting Robert with the butt of the gun. Johnny jumped back up and pointed his lethal weapon at Robert. Robert noticed his heater and froze. Johnny put on his maniacal smile again.
"This is for jumping me," he said and was about to pull the trigger. But someone interrupted him.
"Johnny!"
Johnny turned around and saw Dally behind him. He must have heard about what was going on and followed Johnny.
"What?" yelled Johnny annoyed. Dally had a pleading but serious face.
"Don't do this. It ain't right."
This didn't sound right coming from Dallas Winston.
"You've killed people before," retaliated Johnny.
"If I have, it wasn't on purpose. You're going too far!"
"What do you mean!"
"You stabbed Darry. That's our buddy. That's too far. It's okay to be tough, but evil!"
Johnny was stuck. He wanted to shoot this soc, but he wanted to obey Dally. It was a bad situation.
"I-I-I…"
"Give me the gun!" demanded Dally and he grabbed the gun, with Johnny's hands still on it.
"No!"
Johnny's anger kicked in and they started arm wrestling for the gun.
"Johnny!" yelled Dallas as shots rang out throughout the house. The gun used all of its bullets before Johnny hit the floor. The gun still in his hand. He tossed it away and looked at Robert. There was a bullet wound in the middle of his chest. Robert was dead. Johnny would have been happy if he hadn't looked to the other side. His eyes widened. Dally was slumped against the wall. There was a bullet hole in his head. Johnny had accidentally shot his idol.
Tears flowed down Johnny's face. He didn't mean to do that. Johnny was his main idol. The only person he felt like a brother to. He cried right there. Dally was right. He had gone too far. He only meant to get respect. But he had gotten in over his head.
Sirens then rang throughout the night and snapped Johnny back into reality. He looked at the body and whispered,
"I'm sorry….Dally."
Johnny then grabbed the car keys near Robert, stole his car, and drove off out of Tulsa. For good.