He's just a kid

Disclaimer: I don't own the Outsiders

Dally was flipping through a magazine, not really reading it. The only thing on his mind was: Johnny is dead. He wanted to unleash the anger within him. He kept on flipping the magazine.

"Ahem." The shopkeeper said. Dally looked at the man and went on flipping his magazine. "You want to buy that son?" The shopkeeper asked. Dally looked at him. His eyes full of pure hatred. He grabbed the magazine and ripped it in two. He slammed the pieces on the counter and walked towards the shopkeeper.

"You know you'll have to---" the shopkeeper was stopped short. Dally had pointed the gun at his nose.

"Give me the money." Dally said quietly. "Give me the damn money!" he cried. His eyes blinded by his own tears.

"Man, I'm sick of you punks." The shopkeeper slammed the money on the counter. Dally took it and ran. He heard two bangs being made and felt searing pain in his side. Nevertheless, he kept running until he reached a phone booth. He picked up the receiver and waited.

"Yeah?"

"Darrel?" Dally said. His breath coming out in gasps.

"No…this is Steve."

"Well, get me Darry. Now." Dally waited for a few seconds before he heard a "Yeah?"

"Listen, I—I just robbed a store." Dally managed to say.

"Okay."

"Meet me in the park."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Dally hung up. He turned and started to run at full speed. He heard the sirens behind him. His heart pumping so fast he thought it might explode. He stopped in the park. Dally gulped and held out his gun. He could see the gang running towards him.

"It ain't loaded!" Ponyboy screamed. Don't die Dally. Don't die when Johnny's dead.

"He's just a kid!" Darry yelled. It was a tense moment. Dally was staring at the policemen. The policemen were holding their guns.

"Drop the gun and nobody gets hurt." A policeman said. "To 3. 1…"

"No!" Screamed Ponyboy. He went up to full speed even if he felt pain in his lungs and a stitch in his side.

"2…" Dally's hand still gripped the gun.

"Ponyboy!" Soda screamed. "NO!" Pony didn't listen to what his brother said. He sprinted. Just a couple more feet.

"1." There was a gunshot.

Ponyboy knocked Dally into the ground. His body slammed onto the ground.

"Damn! Ponyboy, what the hell are you doing?" Dally swore loudly. His voice was shaky. His eyes had tears in them.

"Dally!" The rest of the gang had caught up.

"Johnny's daed." Dally said in a quiet voice.

"We know." Two-Bit replied.

"It's not worth it. Life's not worth it without Johnny." Dally said. His voice was watery and shaking terribly.

"Yeah." Ponyboy's eyes were watering. "It ain't worth it with two people daed though."

"Hey kids! Watcha doing?" The policeman yelled. Darry stood up, so did Soda. Their eyes were set.

"Look. This kid had a tough break today." Darry explained. His voice was steady.

"The person he only loved died." Soda added.

"So…don't shoot." Darry said. He was waiting for an answer.

"Yeah. Don't kill him. Let him go. He's just a kid." Two-Bit said. The policemen gave the boys an incredulous look. They lowered their guns. Dally dropped the heater(gun) His face was a mixture of horror, disbelief and probably a little bit of happiness mixed in. The police cars drove off. The gang walked back to the Curtis's house.

"It's okay Dal." Darry slapped his back. "You'll live. We'll get through it."

"Yeah. You're still a kid. There's more to see." Two-Bit said.

"Hey Dally." Ponyboy went up to Dally. "Stay gold."

"What the hell?" Dally's eyes were blazing. "What's that suppose to mean?" Ponyboy laughed. Really. Dally's still a kid.