Disclaimer: I don't own anyone but Jenna.

Chapter 8

Step into the Dark

Jenna's POV

Curly seemed like a nice guy. I was too afraid to go back to the Curtis's house, so I asked Curly if I could stay with him for awhile. He wasn't so sure; he said he would need to check up on that with his brother. He brought me to his house where I met his older brother, Tim, and his younger sister, Angela.

"Hey Tim, you think Jenna can stay for awhile?" Curly asked.

"Jenna? Isn't she Dally's sister?" Tim asked sounding surprised.

"Yeah"

"Jenna, why don't you go back to Dally?" Tim asked me.

"We're fighting…I don't want to see him…" I said not making eye contact with anyone.

"Fine, you can stay, but don't mention to anyone that you're here. If Dal finds out that I'm hiding you, he'll beat the living shit out of me." Tim said wagging his finger at me. I nodded my head slowly. Angela tapped my shoulder and motioned me to follow her.

She led me to her room and we started to talk. I told her about the fight with me and my brother. She seemed to have understood, she even told me that she would have done the same thing if one of her brothers smacked her.

She analyzed my face and left her room and then came back with some alcohol. I was a bit jumpy when she put some of the alcohol on a cotton ball, but I knew it was for my own good. She gently rubbed the cotton ball on the scratch. I bit onto a pillow so I wouldn't yell. My eyes watered and my jaws were getting cramped from biting on the pillow. In a few minutes the pain had left, and we began to talk again.

A week has passed since the incident with me and Dally. I've been living with Shepard's, and I've really fit in. They still treat me with respect, but sometimes Angel and Tim treat me like I'm their other sister. They pull pranks on me, they annoy me at times, and they even start arguments with me. Except for Curly though, he acts like a gentleman around me, which sort of freaks me out because Angel said he doesn't usually act that way. I was finally fully happy and was enjoying my life once again.

…

Today was just a normal night at the Shepard's. We were all sitting down in the living room when Tim brought up the subject about my brother.

"Are you ever going to see him again?" Tim asked.

"I don't know..." I responded.

"He's worried about you. I heard he was on the search for you ever since you left. He even asked me if I knew where you were…"

"What'd you say?"

"I said I had no clue"

"Tim, I don't care about Dally anymore. So let's stop talking about him, okay…" I spoke with some annoyance in my voice.

"You should go see him at least…" Curly spoke up.

Everyone stared at Curly with astonishment. My eyes went from bewilderment to anger. I was surprised Curly even suggested me to see Dally!

"He's at Buck's tonight…you should really think about seeing him, Jenn." Curly said and then walked to his room.

After Curly went back to his room everyone stayed shut. I sat on the couch staring at the TV, pondering what Dallas is up to at this moment. After all that has happened, I still missed him. I got up from the couch and told Angel and Tim I'd be back later. I heard Angela say, "Where are you go-" but Tim put his hand on her mouth and let me walk out the door without answering any questions. It seems he knew where I was heading.

I walked to Buck's and entered without knocking. Luckily, I've been to Buck's about three days ago with Angel, so I knew my way around the place.

"Hey little lady, what brings you here all alone?" I heard a beery voice say. I turned around and found Buck behind me.

"Is Dally here?" I asked.

"Yeah upstairs, first door to your right" He slurred. I smiled and then ran up the staircase to get away from Buck. I hated to be near tipsy people, then again who does…

I knocked on the door twice. Nobody answered. I knocked louder, and was answered by a loud and grouchy, "WHAT!"

"Dal, can I come in?" I asked nervously.

"Who is it?" He asked drowsily.

"Me" I spoke louder

"Me who?" He growled. Jesus Christ, he doesn't remember my voice anymore or what?

"Your fucking sister!" I yelled. I heard footsteps coming towards the door. Dally opened the door and stared at me for a minute. He was wearing a pair of jeans and had no shirt on.

Just looking at him made me feel happy and depressed at the same time, my eyes were getting watery from just staring at him. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran up to him and started to punch his stomach.

"You bastard, how can you hit me!" I yelled while I kept swinging my fists at him. Now the tears that were welling up inside me came trailing down my cheeks. My punches were getting weaker and weaker every time I spoke another word.

"I hate you…I hate you…" I trailed off with my punches becoming more like lightly taps. Then out of no where he swiftly held me firm against him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and I broke down in tears. His hand was placed behind my head, and his other hand was placed above my back. My brother was actually hugging me…it's been years since the last time he held me firm like how he is doing now.

He let go of me and I stared up at him, while I was still holding onto him. He smiled at me then scrambled up my hair. "I missed you kid"

I sniffled and then laid my head against his stomach "I missed you too bro"

Then I let go of him and he led me inside his room. I sat on the bed with him sitting down next to me. I saw his eyes widened when he saw the scar he left me on my cheek.

"Oh Jenna, your cheek…" He said gently touching the mark that he left me.

"It doesn't hurt anymore though…" I tried my best to not to make himself too depressed.

We spoke for a few minutes. I told him I crashed at Tim's house for the past week. If I hadn't told Dally to calm his jets, he would've went right now to the Shepard's house and beat up Tim right this minute. Then there was a knock on the door.

"Dally, two boys named Johnny and Ponyboy are asking for you downstairs." Bucks said through the door.

Dally sighed loudly, "I'll be right back" then he went out of the room. Minutes later Dally, Johnny, and Ponyboy all crowded into the small room.

"What's going on?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Johnny killed a Soc" Ponyboy answered.

My eyes widened and my mouth hung wide open. "What!"

"Take off the shirt stupid" Dally said, referring to Ponyboy whose shirt was soaking wet.

"It's a bit big on you, but it'll keep you dry." Dally said handing one of Buck's shirts to Ponyboy.

My big brother then gave Johnny a gun and some money. Then Dal sat on the bed and gathered Pony and Johnny together, while I joined in just to eavesdrop.

"Take the 3:15 train to Windrixville. It's a frieght. Soon as you get there get a week's supply of food." Dally said then took a drag out of his weed. "There's a pump in the back, so you won't have to worry about water. I'll be up there as soon as everything's clear. After that, don't do as much as stick your noses out the door, am I clear?" Johnny and Ponyboy nodded. I was a bit shook up myself.

I hugged Johnny and Ponyboy good-bye. "When Dal goes to check up on you guys, I'll come along with him." I said reassuringly.

"We'll talk about that later." Dally whispered to me as he led Johnny and Pony out the door. I waited for Dally to come back up to the room. Eventually when he returned to his room I asked him if I could tag along with him to go see Ponyboy and Johnny.

"I don't know, it could get dangerous…" Dally said trailing off.

"I want to go! Please!" I whinnied.

Before Dally could answer, the door was trying to be forced open, but the door was locked so no one could come in. "Dallas Winston, it's the police, come out with your hands behind you head." A stern voice demanded.

"Jenna, I want you to go to the Curtis house. Wait for me there, alright?" Dally whispered.

"Are you going to be arrested?" I whispered worriedly.

"I might, but don't worry, I'll make it through. Just wait for me at Pony's house." Dally spoke softly and then led me towards the window. "Climb down the tree. Make sure nobody sees you."

I jumped onto a tree's branch and carefully climbed down. I got a splinter on my finger but I didn't bother to get it out until I got down to the ground. I waved to Dally from below and he did the same. Then I ran around the police car- that was parked in front of Buck's place- and ran as fast as I could to the Curtis house.

Please R&R