Soda ran. He just ran. Nothing was stopping him. He had to leave. He had to get away. This was for everyone else, so they could all get back to normal. Darry, Two-Bit and Ponyboy wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. He wouldn't have to be a burden. Not anymore.
Darry, Dallas, and Two-Bit all walked into the Curtis house. Their faces showed slight disappointment and dissatisfaction. No one had any bruises or markings, they weren't sweaty or out of breath. They looked like they still had all the energy in them since they left. Pony and Johnny were confused and started to think they didn't fight at all.
"What happened?" Johnny asked.
"They didn't show up," Two-Bit growled, sitting on the couch, "We searched around the area, but no sight of them."
"Someone must have told Steve and he chickened out of going to the drag race," Dally commented.
"But him and his buddies have tortured us before," Two-Bit pointed out, "I don't think he would chicken out of starting anything." Darry walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. He walked back into the living room and peeked inside the bathroom.
"Did Soda go to bed?" Darry asked, heading for the stairs.
"Um, no..." Pony said, looking down as he played with his fingers, "Soda...got upset and kind of ran off."
"You let him leave?" Darry asked, crossing his arms. Pony knew that stand. He was in deep trouble if he couldn't talk himself out of it.
"What could I do? Neither Johnny or I would have been able to stop him," Pony said, trying not to yell. He felt awful for not trying to stop Soda, but there was no way he could have really done anything. Pony hoped Darry could understand that. "We were all playing cars the entire time and he was having a good time but then he suddenly ran off. He thinks we all want him to go back to normal. He thinks he's a burden. It was awful hearing all of this out of him, because it's not true!"
Johnny stood up and hugged Pony. He felt horrible too. He felt he had caused Soda to have his outburst.
Two-Bit jumped up, "Where did he get this idea?"
Pony just shrugged, "He just thinks he can't stay here because he's not normal."
"This is what I was afraid of," Darry said throwing his head back and taking a deep breath, "We can't risk him running off again."
"How long has he been gone?" Dally asked looking between Johnny and Ponyboy.
Pony thought for a second, "Like twenty minutes ago or something. It wasn't that long. I almost went with him, but then you guys would have freaked out not knowing we were just on a walk."
"Where would he go?" Dally asked, "He must have said something about where he was going."
"Not really. He was worried about Steve too," Pony explained.
"What about Steve?" Two-Bit asked, looking out the window. He saw no sign of Soda walking up the street. He couldn't believe Soda thought those things. He would have to talk with Soda about all of this.
"Well," Pony began, "He was worried about his safety. I could tell. He was worried how bad you guys would hurt him."
Two-Bit turned back to everyone, "He was saying that to me too. He made me promise we wouldn't kill Steve."
"Kill Steve?" Darry asked. Sure, it may have crossed Darry's mind what he could do to Steve. Killing him though? Could he kill anyone at all?"
"Yeah, I guess he still really cares about him. I mean, we all still care about Steve whether we want to admit it or not," Two-Bit explained, "But Soda thought we would kill him for what he did and made me promise not to."
Darry punched the wall, "This is getting out of hand! Let's go find Soda before he gets himself into something bad." All the boys headed out and piled into Darry's truck. Darry started it and tried backing up, but the truck was sloppy in its trail. Then it suddenly wouldn't move at all. "What the hell?"
"Turn it off," Two-Bit said. Everyone got out and saw the problem right away. Darry's front tires had been sliced.
Darry kicked at one of the tires, losing his final nerve, "Who the hell did this! What the hell is going on!" Johnny and Pony ran over to Two-Bit's car, and found the same result.
"Two-Bit, yours is sliced too," Johnny said.
That's when Two-Bit felt a deeper rage towards Steve.
"Someone must have done this while we were gone," Dally said.
"You guys didn't drive?" Johnny asked.
Two-Bit shook his head, "Ironically we were worried about this happening if we did drive there."
"This is why they didn't show up," Darry said, suddenly realizing what happened, "They snuck here and sliced our tires so we can't get anywhere."
Pony's eyes went wide, "And Soda's out there!"
Steve put out another cigarette. His smoking had increased dramatically lately, and he knew he had to lower the amount quickly. He considered forcing himself to quit cold turkey. That could be hell. Now that Steve thought about it, he should really quit drinking so much too.
He slowly lowered himself onto the couch, rubbing his eyes tiredly. After everything happening lately, Steve was exhausted. One of his new friends, Lance, came down into the basement. Lance's parents were out, so it was perfect for Steve to catch up on some sleep.
"When do you need me to leave?" Steve asked.
"Not for a while. Just get some rest," Lance said, sitting on the floor and turning the TV on. Before Steve drifted off to sleep, Patrick and Vince rushed down into the basement. "What's going on?" Lance asked.
"We almost got caught man," Vince said.
"How?" Steve asked, sitting up, "They were suppose to be at the track. They thought we'd be there, so that's where they were going."
"They were," Patrick said, "Your old buddy ran off though."
Steve turned, "What do you mean he ran off?"
Vince shrugged, "He ran out of the house. Pat and I hurried behind the gate and watched him leave."
"Then we left," Patrick finished, "We didn't get to slash all the tires, but it still won't get them far." Steve lay back against the couch. Now he was really baffled. Soda had run off again, or did he get kicked out? Steve just shook his head. What did he care? Soda was nothing now. He was worthless. He didn't deserve to stay around anyway. He didn't deserve to be anywhere. He didn't deserve to live. Soda had practically violated him. He deserved the hate.
Steve stood up, "I got to go. I'll be back." Steve left the house and got in his car. He checked his glove compartment and saw his gun was still in place.
"Dally, go see if you can swipe a car from Buck or Tim! Meet us at the park," Darry said as they all began hurrying down the street. Johnny stayed at the Curtis house while Two-Bit and Pony followed Darry.
"How could Steve take it this far?" Pony desperately asked as they called out for Soda.
"I can't wait to get my hands on him! He probably already knows Soda is out there alone," Two-Bit said.
"I don't want to think about that right now," Darry said, "Just hurry!"
Their hearts were racing with anxiety as they searched the park. Thoughts, bad thoughts, raced their heads. They were hopeful to find Soda, but fearful for what they could find.
"He's not here," Pony sighed.
"Damn!" Darry yelled, throwing punches at a tree. He didn't care how much it hurt to do that.
"Darry, calm down, man," Two-Bit, placing a hand on the oldest greaser's back.
"I...I just..." Darry said, panting.
"I know," Two-Bit said. Suddenly the boys heard something. Then a faint light appeared on the streets and became brighter and brighter. It was a car driving slowly and the figure was obviously looking for something, or someone. The car came in better view for the boys and it was a car they all knew too well.
Darry went on a dead run towards the street. The car began to gain speed. "Steve!" Steve quickly drove away. "Steve! Where is Soda! You better leave him alone, you hear me! Leave Soda alone!"
Two-Bit and Pony approached Darry. They watched as Steve's car turned away.
"Come on Dally," Two-Bit quietly begged, "Hurry up."
Soda sat on the floor. He was hugging his knees to his chest. His head would lay on his knees as he rocked himself back and forth. Sobs and choking cries were muffled into his knees. Tears desperately escaped his eyes and dripped down his cheeks and lap. He was scared. He was frightened. Soda had no idea what would happen now, he didn't know what could come for him now. He wanted Darry. He wanted Two-Bit. He wanted them to hold him and make everything okay.
When the door opened, Soda couldn't stop crying, so he didn't look up.
"Hey, I'm going to head out now. Don't you run off. You hear me? Stay. Here."
Soda slowly nodded.
"I'm serious Soda. Stay here. I will be back and you better still be here."
Soda nodded again. The door shut. Soda went back to rocking himself.
"Help me please...Darry help me..."