The sunset was always a comfort for Pony. Ever since the death of his parents, it had been hard to sleep or eat or meet the disappointment in Darry's eyes every time he brought back a bad grade. It was as if to say, if only you told them about the dreams. If only you'd told them of the dreams of burning metal, of them screaming in pain. If only….
He knew Darry should have been in college, wooing girls and maybe even playing on the school's football team itself. Soda should still be in school, not working a 9-4 at the gas station.
Pony was snapped back to reality with the taste of metal on his tongue- he'd torn off part of the skin on his lip. He blinked. Blood dripped slowly onto the porch deck, now washed in vivid red, orange, and yellow hues. Gold painted the clouds into a kaleidoscope of pink.
He sighed and lit a cigarette, the smoke trail snatched away by the sweet-smelling summer breeze. The wind also carried the sound of conversation from nextdoor, and Pony's eyes followed it to the mover truck perched in the driveway. They'd been there all day, but by now most of the boxes were in the house. He'd yet to see the neighbors themselves, not like he'd seen much of the old ones, either.
Pony ashed his cigarette and walked inside. The familiar sound of the TV blaring helped to comfort his nerves. Still, the number of people around made it overwhelming to focus on something for too long a time. So many thoughts, so many feelings, so much conversation. At least it wasn't school- no, that was even worse.
"Hey Pony," Johnny beckoned from the old ratty couch. Pony plopped down next to him and busied himself with a piece of the cover peeling away. "You doing okay?" Johnny asked.
Pony let himself smile. He knew Johnny was always there for him. "Yeah. Just thinking."
"You always seem to be thinking, don't you?" Johnny giggled. Pony grinned. Banter with his friend always helped. Although, it did bring back the dreams from a few months ago, about a burning building and the park fountain, and blood spilled beneath a crescent moon. At least he'd avoided whatever that was about.
"Dar says hes grilling burgers tonight. You're welcome to stay," Soda piped up from one of the armchairs.
"Can't wait!" Two-Bit replied from his spot in front of the TV.
"I think he wants to give some to the neighbors as a welcome gift"- Pony, seeing the others' faces, hurried on with, "or something." He'd "overheard" it earlier.
I wonder what they're like, Johnny thought. Pony wondered too. Maybe it's an older couple, or maybe someone younger like his parents. At that moment, the front door banged open and Darry came in, carrying a tray of burgers. The boys sprang up and hurried over to the table. Although it was really just the Curtises, Johnny, and Two-Bit, since Steve was at Buck's for a party and Dal was- well, wherever Dallas wanted to be.
After dinner, Pony found himself back on the couch, watching a movie with Two-Bit and Johnny.
"Who wants to go over to the neighbors'? I want to drop off some food for them," Dar said. Pony was right.
"I think I'll stay here, Dar," Pony said. "I'm tired."
"Same," Two-Bit said, and yawned. "Well, that does it. I'm going. Thanks for the food, Dar." He left, and Pony knew he was actually headed to Buck's for a drink and, as Two-Bit thought, "a hot blonde." He sighed.
Another few minutes later, and Pony was in his and Soda's room, watching his brothers and the neighbors- a thin woman and a boy that looked to be his age. The oak tree incessantly tapped against the window.
He eventually fell asleep.
A maze. It's cold, so cold, and snow is piled deep and thick against the hedges. Theres crimson staining the snow, dripping- drip, drip, drip- from the crazed man.
"DANNY!" he shouts, voice fogging the freezing air. A devil in human form yielding a blood-soaked axe.
Ahead of him, a boy. He runs but stumbles in the drifts. His hand smarts from the cold. The man is around the corner now, and the boy nearly cries out. Crimson is dripping, stark against a starless sky.
Pony woke with a start. For a moment, he doesn't know where he is, scanning the unfamiliar room for Soda- Soda wasn't there. Panicking, the images rose again in his mind, and he stifled a scream.
There's no one there to help, but-
Breathe. Pony jerked. The voice was unfamiliar but it's loud, and clear, much clearer than the normal thoughts of people around him. It's like it's aimed towards him, but that's impossible, right?
It's not impossible. We have the Shine.
Blinking, Pony took some deep breaths and the panic started to disappear. How do- I don't understand. You have "it" too?
Yes, the mystery voice "said" again. Pony wasn't alone anymore.