Chapter five

Ponyboy stood before his house, knowing that his wife would be angry with him. He nodded to the father and daughter standing next him, a signal that they could go into the house.

" July and the twins should be sleeping," He whispered to them as they walked into the house. " There's a guest bedroom upstairs. Keith, you better get some sleep. We rise early in the morning."

Keith nodded to his old friend and started climbing the stairs, his daughter at his side.

Ponyboy sighed and sat down on a couch in front of a TV in his living room. He flipped the television on. He didn't sleep anymore, every since he found out that Keith's wife had died. But tonight, he fell asleep to the sound of blaring TV.

" Ponyboy, wake up," Keith whispered to his sleeping friend several hours later. Through the window, you get could see the first rays of the morning sun. " My daughter's upstairs sleeping. Let's go."

" Okay," Pony replied, but there was one thing he wanted to do before he left. He climbed the stairs to his room where his sleeping wife lay. He touched her gently on the arm. Startled, she woke.

" Ponyboy," she whispered, "when did you get home?"

" Lat last night," he replied. " But I have to go again. Stay here with the kids. Keith's daughter is here. Watch after her. We will be back as soon as we can."

" Pony, this is silly."

" No, it's not. Many people have died. People close to me. I don't want you or the twins to… get hurt either."

" All right. If you must. But be back soon."

" I will." Ponyboy kissed his wife and started to leave the room.

" Pony, wait!" Cried July. Pony turned to see what his wife wanted. " I love you," she whispered.

" I love you too." With that, Pony opened the door and walked across the hallway where his children slept. He watched them sleep for several minutes before Katie woke up.

" Daddy, you're home!" she cried.

" Yes, I am," he gave his daughter a small smile, " but I will have to leave again."

A tear slid down her cheek. " Will you be home soon?"

" I'll try." He kissed his daughter on the forehead and then turned to Caleb, who was still asleep.

" Goodbye," he said to his sleeping son and he have him a kiss on the forehead.

He left the room, closing the door behind, not wanting to think that that might be the last time he would ever see his children.

He descended the stairs where he saw Keith, standing up and ready to go.

" Ready?" Pony asked.

" Ready," Keith replied.

They left the house into the cold, morning breeze. They walked to the car, Pony driving. There was a murderer to catch. Not time was to be wasted.

So the two friends drove down the road, feeling tired, but ready to face anything.

That's where I shall stop for right now. Flames are welcome, reviews are mandatory. I'm sorry that I haven't updated sooner. It's the bunnies. The kind of scare me and the surrounded my computer. And I lost several teeth and I had to fight the tooth fairy off every time she came. Uh-oh, another loose to...run!

Blame it on the Government