Pony's POV

"Oh, no." I gasped along with Darry. What were they doing? They couldn't go there. They'd be killed. What have I done now?

"We have to go after them!" Johnny exclaimed.

"Come here." Darry said, stamping to the house.

We all followed him. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I was hoping he had a plan.

Darry got into our cupboards, pulling out our spare switchblades and passing them out to everyone.

"We'll need more than that, but I don't want to be caught with a gun." He said.

"Darry." Soda said with a note of fear in his voice.

"What?" He said, turning to face him.

"Do you think this is such a good idea?" He asked and I noticed the glance he shot my way.

Darry looked at me, too, and then back at Soda. A silent message passed between them and they turned back to me.

"Pony, I don't think you should be a part of this." Darry said.

"Too bad. I'm coming." I said, turning and walking out the door.

"Pony!" Darry barked as he followed me out the door.

"What?" I said.

"You can't do this. You're hurt, you're scared, and I can't risk losing you." He said.

"Darry, the gang is out there. They need help. There's only the three of them with a whole town full of Socs just waiting to jump them. We have to do something. They're out there because of me, and I'm not going to risk anything less than what they risked for me."

Darry stared me down, and then finally gave in.

"But the minute there's any trouble, you beat it out of there. You hear me?"

"I hear you."

"I just can't lose you." He said, and then wrapped me in a warm hug.

"You won't, Darry." I said, my voice muffled from my face being pressed into his chest.

"Let's go." Darry said, and so we took off.

I had hoped we'd take the truck, but with four of us, we wouldn't really fit. The Socs' side of town wasn't that far away, but it was so far that you didn't want to get caught without a car or truck. But Darry and Soda could handle most anything. It was Johnny and I that worried me.

We ran part of the way and then slowed to a faster walk. I was worried about the gang. All three of them were capable of holding their own, but what if too many came along? Besides, Two-Bit gets his courage from the bottle. What if he was sober?

We walked through town. We were eyed coolly by most of the Socs, except for those who just ignored us. I was surprised no one jumped us, but there weren't as big of groups around. Besides, they can't jump us in broad daylight.

I looked around, searching for some clue that the gang was near by. And that's when we heard a curse being yelled.

"There!" Johnny screamed, pointing to an alley way not far away. It was so dark that I could hardly tell that it was them. But it was.

Only the street lights showed us where to go. Night had fallen and with it came a new terror.

Steve's POV

We were bashing their heads in, trying to get them to tell us where Pony was, but we were getting about as much as they were. We all had feared the worst when Darry and Soda hadn't come back. It had been hours since Pony's disappearance, so we assumed the Socs had gotten to him.

Dallas, Two-Bit and I had headed for the Socs' side of town. I wasn't particularly found of the idea, but I knew those Socs needed a good whipping. Dallas had been the one to point the group of Socs out to us. He had recognized them from when Bob shot him.

Johnny had wanted to come along, but we figured we'd need someone to stay behind in case we had assumed wrong. I was hoping that wasn't the case because we'd be in trouble.

Dallas was getting the worst of it, which surprised me. He was the best fighter of the three of us. But two of the four had gained on him, and Two-Bit and I only had one. I was surprised they were all holding out as long as they had. We'd been at it for at least a half an hour.

I punched my guy in the stomach, and he dropped to the ground. I ran over to help Dallas a little, until the other guy got his breath back at least.

Dallas sent a silent "thanks" my way. We were all always there for each other. We had each other's backs.

Two-Bit let out a screaming curse at his guy when he got cut in the side by a switch blade. And then Two-Bit's beloved switch blade that was used more for show than anything, was finally used in a fight.

A few minutes later, the rest of the gang showed up. I was glad to see them all. With seven against four, then we'd win for sure.

I looked over for a second and noticed Pony was with them. So we had assumed wrong? Oops.

Darry's POV

We jumped into the fight, beating on all four Socs. Dallas got to take a break from fighting, but he didn't let it last long. Soon he was back in the fighting again.

Pony barely had to do anything, which made me feel better. With all seven of us, it was basically two guys on each. I was the one who was fighting one-on-one.

We had just about bashed all their heads in when a few other Socs joined in. Now we all had our own man to fight. This wasn't going to be easy.

I was jumped on by one of the Socs, but I reached over my head and threw him to the ground. The Soc hadn't been expecting that. I kicked him in the ribs and then moved on to the next victim.

I punched a guy in the face as hard as I could and I saw the blood pour out of his nose. There was no doubt that it was broken.

Pony and Johnny were working together on one of the smaller guys that had already been worn out a lot. It made me feel better to know that Pony was closer to all of us. After all, we were just in an alley way.

Soda was beside me fighting his Soc. Half the time he was smiling. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. I thought it was funny that we'd come into their turf and then beat them up.

But that all changed when they all started taking out their knifes. I didn't want Pony getting cut up anymore than he had, and I thought about sounding the retreat. But Greasers didn't back down. Not in a fight. Not ever.

I heard a slight yelp come from behind me. Pony was in a bind, and so I turned to help him.

I punched his guy in the face and then he was on the ground. Pony looked at me with thanks, and we continued on with the fight.

But then another Soc joined in and I started getting worried.

"Pony! Go home!" I called out. I hated the thought of him running through the Socs' town all alone, but it'd be safer than being in the fight.

"No!" He called back. I couldn't really force him, but it scared me anyway.

Soon one of the Socs that was fighting Pony took out his knife, and I felt my stomach lurch.

I didn't know what he had said to him, but Pony looked scared silly.

I couldn't get to him. Two of the Socs were working on me, and one had a knife. I had to be careful, or I'd be in a bloody mess.

"Pony!" I screamed when I saw the Soc who was fighting him chase after Pony. I guess he had taken my advice to go home, but it was too late for that now.

Pony's POV

I ran as fast as I could. My sides were sore from getting punched so many times, but I had no bad injuries. I ran on and on, but I knew the Soc was still behind me. He had been drinking, and that scared me more than anything else.

I nearly collapsed into the old schoolyard. It hadn't been used in years, but some of the equipment was still there. I tried to hide, but I knew that no matter how hard I tried, he'd still come after me.

I took a deep breath and looked around. I didn't see the Soc anywhere around here. Maybe he had left.

"Hey, grease." A deep, slurring voice said behind me. I guess I wasn't that lucky.

I jumped, startled at the sound of his voice. I turned and took a few steps backward. I couldn't let him get to me. No matter what.

"What's that on your arm?" He asked. I looked at where he was pointing. It was where I had had stitches.

I backed up until I couldn't go any farther. Now I was really in a mess. I was pressed against a tree and the Soc stepped closer.

I tried squirming out of the way, but he came after me. He took his knife and traced it along the stitches. I felt the skin tear open again, and I groaned in pain.

"Get off of him!" I heard a familiar voice yell, and then Darry was beating in the Soc.

I had never seen such rage in my brother's eyes. It scared me, but what scared me more was that Soc.

I ran to the old play area, hiding behind the slide. If the Soc got away, I'd be safe.

I held my arm, panting still from my run and from fear.

Soon, it was quiet. Too quiet. I listened for any sound, any movement, and I worried that something had happened to Darry.

"Pony?" I heard Darry say. Thank God. He was okay.

I crept out from my hiding spot, and Darry saw me as I stepped out. It was hard to see for the darkness, but Darry saw me and he came running toward me.

"Thank God you're okay." He said, hugging me tightly.

"I'm okay." I stepped back from him. "Are you?"

"I'm fine. That Soc is going to have some headache tomorrow." He said, and something close to a smile showed on his face.

"Let's go back to the gang." I said.

Then, through the quiet of the night, a lone pained-filled scream was easily heard. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I noticed something familiar about that voice. But who was it who did the screaming?