By the time I got into the truck and headed home, I was exhausted. I was lucky I didn't fall asleep as soon as I sat down. It was a trying day without rest. I didn't think it would be so hard to finish this project, but it took even longer than I expected.

It was 8:30 by the time I started driving home. I still had to stop at the grocery store, and I wasn't up for it. So I just pulled up at the gas station across from the lot.

I went inside and grabbed a loaf of bread and some meat for tomorrow's supper. And just to be on the safe side, I grabbed some chocolate milk for Pony.

When I left the gas station, I heard a scream. I looked around but didn't see anyone. Then, I heard it again, only this time it was my name.

I rushed over to my truck and poured the bags inside. Then I ran toward the scream. I saw a lone figure surrounded by about four others. Fearing it was Pony, I ran toward them.

When I got to them, I grabbed hold of the one closest to me, pounding him in the face. Unfortunately, with four against me, I was too out numbered to keep them off for long. I looked around, seeing if Pony was near or who it was that was being attacked, when I noticed that whoever it had been screaming my name, was now fighting me. This can't be happening, I thought.

Ponyboy's POV

I was worried when Darry wasn't home at 8. But I figured he'd be okay. He probably was just at the store or getting a bite to eat. I thought the sky looked beautiful, so I decided to go to the lot and look at the stars, like I had done with Johnny so many years before. Then, remembering what had happened the last time I stargazed with Johnny, I left a note on the kitchen table in case Darry came home before I got back.

I was almost to the lot when I heard a fight going on. I didn't want to get involved in it, but curiosity got the best of me.

I walked timidly, so as not to be noticed. When I saw what was going on, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Darry was surrounded by five guys. Two of them had him by the arms, so he couldn't get loose or fight back. They were punching and kicking him all at once. A hot rage came over me and I charged at them.

"Get away from my brother!" I screamed at them. I took my rage out on them. I hit one, then the other, before one could recover. The two holding Darry were next. Darry looked scared, but not for himself. His face was bloody, and I don't think he could see out of his swollen left eye.

I thought I'd succeeded when one of them pounced on my back.

"It looks like we can get rid of both of you in one day." One of them said. His voice was deadly.

"Get off me!" I yelled at him. But he didn't let up.

I was hit in the stomach, and when I doubled over, they hit me in the head, hard.

I blinked, trying to remain conscious, but to no avail. I passed out cold, terrified for my brother left behind.

When I came to, they were all hitting Darry again. They must have thought they had killed me since I didn't feel any worse.

Darry looked ready to die when one of them took out a metal object. I looked at them, trying to stand up. I realized what it was. . . it was a gun.

"This is what you get, Greaser." The one with the gun said. The others looked as shocked as me and Darry that he had a gun.

"Ted, what are you doing? You never said anything about a gun, man!" One of them said with a shaky voice.

"Doesn't matter. This greaser gonna die."

Darry stared down the end of the gun. I slowly got to my feet, yelling at the one with the gun.

"NO!" I screamed and ran in front of Darry, blocking the shot.

The next thing I heard was the loud sound of a shot being fired. I felt a hot pain in my stomach, and I knew I'd been shot. Good, they didn't kill Darry. I slowly crumpled to the ground, hearing Darry's voice yell my name.

A smile crept over my face, as I lost consciousness.