After Johnny and Dally died, I haven't been myself. I can tell that Soda and Darry worry about me. Maybe even Two-bit worries about me. Hell, even Steve is worried. I can tell the way they look at me with concern when I walk in the room. Dally's words just keep echoing in my head, "you're tough like me and nothing can hurt you." I couldn't get away from it, no matter how hard I tried, so I eventually accepted it. I became like Dallas Winston. I learned how to fight with any available weapon I had, even if I had no weapon I could take care of myself. I normally carry a switch blade, though. It's a black-handled switch with some beautiful engravings in it. I did the engravings myself, but it was Johnny's, I stole it from the hospital a month after his death. It's been three months since then and ever since the incident with Bob, the soc, I have been training myself to fight alone, knowing his friends are still out for revenge. I prefer people not to know about it, they would just worry, but if I had to fight in front of the gang, I would do it if needed.
Back to present
I walked up to the house at 11:24 pm: an hour after curfew. I saw the gang inside through the windows and saw Darry on his recliner glancing at the clock every now and again. I knew he'd be angry, normally I would be scared, but I'm not the same brother they knew. I can handle myself.
I opened the door and casually strolled in. They all stared at me, then at Darry, who was fuming. He was glaring at me with his cold, ice-blue eyes. I glared back. I guess I had one hell of a glare because he glanced away at Soda and looked down for a moment before remembering why he was mad.
"And where have you been? It's an hour past your curf-" I cut him off
"I was just on a run, just relax, Dar." I answered.
"'Just a run?' That run took three hours! Why did it take so long?!" He yelled, obviously growing angrier by the second.
"I didn't want to come home so early, so I kept running until I was done. I have track at the end of summer and I have to practice." I responded, keeping my cool, a trick I've learned that it is handy with my brother and socs alike.
"We have rules here for a reason! Why did you think you could just forget them?!" He was definitely losing his temper now. He was standing a few feet away, in between me and my bedroom door.
"I don't know, now just let me go to bed." I responded, using a cold tone I didn't think I'd ever use.
"Nope, you have to explain what's been going on with you!" He started to make a wider stance so I couldn't get by. Or so he thought. I side stepped around him, and, as his arm grabbed my wrist roughly and tightly, I ripped my hand from his grasp and grabbed his wrist with the same force. I twisted his wrist just enough to hurt like hell, but not enough to do damage, and kicked his foot as he tried to get a better stance, so he fell. I glared at him, then at Steve, who tried to get up to help keep me from getting to my room. Guess my glares work on him, too. Darry got up and just stared at me. The gang just gaped at me, staring as I walked into my room and slammed the door. I heard their voices talking about what happened.
"I can't believe he just did that," must be Soda.
"I can't believe he could do that," Two-bit that time.
"What happened to him? He used to be a bratty kid, but now he's just a mean bratty kid," obviously Steve, but then I heard a slap upside the head and heard Soda telling him to stop. I silently laughed. I leaped onto the bed after changing into some sweatpants and fell asleep listening to Two-bit laughing at the TV. I guess Mickey was on.
Chapter 2
I woke up and the sun was shining in through the window. I glanced at the clock. 9:42. I guess I missed the sunrise, but I didn't care because I'm not the old me anymore. I'm becoming colder, meaner, tougher. Just like Dallas Winston. As he said, you get tough and you can't get hurt, right? I hear the radio and TV volume very loudly, so I guess most people are here now. It's Sunday today, so my brothers don't have work. I rip the covers off and walk into the room. I walked into the living room. Steve was on Darry's recliner and Two-bit was relaxing on the couch.
"I see Sleeping Beauty is awake!" That was Two-bit. I glared at him like I did last night. It seemed to shut him up.
"Where are Darry and Sodapop?" I asked, confused as to why they aren't here to yell at me. Not that I'm complaining.
"They went to get groceries. They'll be back soon."
"Okay, I'm heading for a run, maybe go to the DX and get some candy."
"Okay, be careful, there are still socs in our territory."
"I know, stop worrying about me, it's enough that Soda doesn't think I can take care of myself, not you, too." Two-bit stared at me, as if trying to read my expression or my thoughts, but I have always been good at hiding my thoughts and emotions behind a mask.
"See ya later, Two." I said and with no other words I sprinted off the steps and into a full speed run to clear my head from last night. I kept running, but right near the DX I heard the footsteps of Steve and Two-bit behind me, I guess they wanted to join me. I then heard the rumble of a car. I knew exactly who it was. Something like six socs surrounded me. I sighed, annoyed and not wanting to have to deal with them.
"Look at these little shits! Wandering all by themselves! How about we show him the way to hell? What do ya think, ya little shit?" A tall, dark haired soc teases, smirking at me. I guess he's the "leader."
"The only shits I see around here are the ones that I don't give." I responded, amused that they were getting so angry. I saw Steve and Two-bit smirking and trying to suppress their laughs. The socs didn't notice them, though. The leader looked angry, so much so, that his face turned red. I laughed.
"So, which one wants to try at me first? Huh?" The leader blew his fuse and barreled towards me, swinging a fist with a lot of pressure behind it. I know what to do in this situation, though, and ducked under it, taking the chance and momentum up to do an uppercut right to his jaw. I swear he lifted a foot off the ground and then fell into darkness. Unconscious. Everyone just stared at me, not understanding how I could be so fast on my feet and pack such a punch. I glared at the guy behind the downed soc, challenging him. He ran at me, but I saw his feet off the ground for a moment and crouched low, swiping his feet with my left leg so hard that it knocked his feet out from under him. He landed hard, then Steve knocked him out cold. I forget he and Two-bit were there. I challenged the other ones with my black handled switch blade, which I guess I pulled out from habit, glaring at the other socs, who were hesitant, then dragged their two friends into their car and sped off, not wanting to mess with the three of us. I smirked. Then realized that Steve and Two-bit were still here and turned around. They stared at me.
"Wha- how did you do that?" Asked Two-bit.
"I dunno, I just practice self defense sometimes and now I'm fast on my feet, but not just at running." I responded, but making sure my voice sounded cold and careless, like Dally. They stared, then Two-bit spoke up after a long silence.
"We should head home..." he suggested. We nodded and walked back home. As I walked in, Darry and Soda were on the couch. Darry was reading the newspaper and Soda was just staring at a blank TV screen, tapping his foot. We walked in and Darry stood up.
"Where were you?! I wasn't done talking to you last night!" He said quite loudly. I just stared at him, unfazed. He got angry and was about to yell, but as he was about to start giving me a "small lecture" I was already out the door. Two-big and Steve just stared at Darry. He was angry.
I kept running until my legs almost fell off. Then, I climbed a fire escape, jumping from that to an AC unit and hopped to the roof, just lost in thought the rest of the day.
Chapter 3
I slept on a random roof that night, not wanting to go home. There was no reason for not going home except for being too stressed there and I wanted to live my own life. Darry is too strict and doesn't think I deserve to have a life at all. I sat on the roof staring at the sunrise when I hear footsteps behind me. I whirl around and unleash my switchblade, ready for a fight. I saw a guy there, I would say about two years older than me, I guess he's 16, maybe 17. We stare at each other. He seemed surprised when I heard him, I guess he was trying to sneak up on me. Finally, he spoke up.
"Hi!" He smiled. I didn't return the same look.
"Hey, what do you need?" I responded, still a bit groggy because I just awoke.
"I just... I saw you fight, it was amazing, and I was wondering if you'd like to join my gang? I can take you to our leader, his name is Blitz, and I'm Danny, but most people call me Snatcher. Our gang is called the Falcons. Blitz has been keeping an eye on you, watching how you fight and defend yourself, also how your life is at home. He sees you aren't happy there, with the Curtis gang. So... would you at least like to meet Blitz? He can give you a home, food, a place in our gang, money for completing jobs, and a place to hideout from your brothers." He explained. It was a lot to take in, but it sounded exactly like how I wanted to live. I nodded after a long pause.
"I'll go to your leader, see what it would be like, and all, then my final decision will be made at the end." I responded. He smiled and told me to follow him.
I followed him for three blocks, not too far from my house, but it was hidden pretty well. He led me to a small, slightly hidden warehouse and walked up to the massive door. He knocked a pattern and it opened. I'd assume it was a code. Three fast, two slow, three slow, two fast. Just then, the door started opening, revealing a man, I would guess he's about 17. He had greased back dark hair that reached his lower neck. He had a sharp jaw line and he had straight, white teeth. He was just a few inches taller than me and was quite muscular. He smiled at me. He was standing there, arms folded. We walked in to stand in front of him as he looks me over.
"So, Ponyboy, I'd assume you were given an explanation of why you are here?" The man asked. I nodded, looking over the boys behind him, there were about 6 other boys there.
"I'm Blitz, the leader of the Falcon gang. I'll explain everything to you." He said. I nodded and followed him as we made our way to the center where a stage was, the other 6 boys must have left while we were talking because they were waiting there. They looked at me as I walked by them and I'd assume they were told about me because none of them looked very confused as to why I was there.
"This is Danny, but we call him Snatcher. His job is to mug people and shoplift food and items we need, hence the name. You've already met him." I nodded. Snatcher had dirty blonde hair just barely covering his ears. He wore no grease in it. His chin was sharp, but his face was more rounded. He was tall and lean. He was handsome, so was Blitz, but each in their own ways.
"And this," he said, motioning towards a much taller and stronger man, "is Gabe, but we call him Gorilla. His job is to announce rumbles to other gangs or socs, and to, well obviously, help in the rumble." Gabe's hair was black, shorter than the rest, but neat and looked clean. He looked nice, but didn't show it. I am pretty good at deciphering expressions, though.
"This is Scott, we call him Bouncer because he guards the warehouse while we are gone or asleep, and he is smart enough to see through anyone's lies, with the exception of yours, you are surprisingly good at lying." Scott had his hair swept to one side, greased like a wave over his head, falling down to his left ear. He had a scar on his eye, making it look grey and clouded over, but some of his brown hair covered it.
"Here is Matthew, Brent, Jack, and Darren. We call them by their names because they don't need nick names. They are here to do any job needed, not just a specific one." Matthew looked a lot like Danny, same facial structure and same dirty blonde hair. Brothers, I thought. Brent was short, but was skinnier than the rest. His dark hair swept back with loads of grease, reaching his shoulders. Jack was tall and muscular, like Gabe, and had blonde hair. His hair was also short and well-kept. He didn't have a very kind expression on his face or in his eyes. I had a feeling we wouldn't like each other. Darren seemed very happy and smiley all the time. His dark brown hair reached below his ears and had no grease in it, so it had a few loose strands.
"I chose you because you could be useful, Ponyboy. I've seen your intelligence and the way you fight. We could give you a nick name if you'd like to join us. You could be our interrogator and you can be the one to sneak around, collecting info. Your fighting style and speed can help in rumbles, too." Blitz said, trying to convince me to join them. "So what'll it be?" He asked. I nodded.
"I'll join." I said as Snatcher, tried to tackle me because he was happy about my decision. I saw it coming, though and turned around fast, grabbing his arm just in time and flipping him over my back. He landed on the ground and looked up at me. Everyone started laughing, including me, which was the fist time I heard my own laugh since Johnny and Dally died. Blitz slapped me on the back and congratulated me.
"We need a code name for you, Ponyboy, any requests?" He asked me. I shook my head.
"I've seen your talent at being sneaky enough even your brothers can't hear or see you sometimes, and you're fast, so maybe Viper?" He said. I smiled.
"Perfect." I said.
"Well, Viper, you should get some rest, you haven't slept well, I'd assume?" Blitz said. I nodded to him as Snatcher showed me to a room with a mattress. I thanked him and as he left I laid down, falling fast asleep.
Chapter 4
I woke up, after not experiencing nightmares, which I was relieved for. I walked outside, seeing that everyone else woke up around the same time I did. We all met in the center, making way for Blitz to walk up to a stage in the middle. He climbed the stairs to the center of the stage and we all got silent.
"Alright, everyone, time for jobs. Snatcher, you go and start getting supplies for a rumble. Get some switch blades just in case the rules are broken. Matthew, get everything set up to train. Clear out the room so we can fit two groups. Jack, you help Matthew. Brent and Darren you both just scout out a good place for a rumble. Stick to the rooftops. Don't be seen. Viper," I looked up, nervous for my first job, "you go scout out the gang for the rumble, watch over Gabe as he announces it. The rumble will be against the Curtis gang." I was shocked. I couldn't believe I would fight against my brothers in a rumble! Why, though? "We have to make sure they don't try to take Ninja from us with force." Blitz finished, as if he was reading my mind.
Everyone split off right when he was done talking. I followed Gabe, but I stuck to the rooftops as to not be seen. When we arrived to my old house I saw everyone inside. Gabe glanced up at me to make sure it was safe to go in and everyone was there. I nodded and got low, ready to leap off if they started a fight. Gabe knocked on the door a few times, causing Darry to get up and answer it. He was confused to see a random guy there, but waited to listen. I heard Gabe explain the situation, even from so far away. I have good hearing. Darry looked angry and his body posture showed him wanting to hit Gabe, but I'm the only one who saw it. The gang was behind Darry now, eyes wide, hearing about me with the Falcons. At the first sign of hostility in Darry's eyes, I leaped off, rolling at the bottom of the building to avoid injury, and sprinted to them, just in time to block the punch from Darry. They all looked shocked, except for Gabe, he was smirking. I nodded for Gabe to head back to the warehouse and he left us alone. I glared at Darry. He looked shocked, angry, confused, but most of all, surprised. Then he looked at the roof from so far away and wondered how long I've been up there. I glared at him once more and sprinted off, hearing the others trying to keep up, but once I climbed the building in record time they lost me. I caught up to Gorilla in an instant and hopped off the roof to walk next to him. We knocked the code on the door, and when it opened we went in. Blitz greeted us with a wave and walked over.
"How'd it go?" He asked Gorilla.
"It was fine, Viper here saved me from the big guy's fist. I like him." He patted my shoulder. I glared at him, not caring if he liked me or not. He stopped and looked away.
"I see you're more skilled than I thought, Viper, well done." Blitz complimented me. I nodded. Once everyone arrived, we started to split portions of the food Snatcher got. He then handed out a few switch blades to each person. When he got to me I denied it, showing my own switch blade. He marveled at it asking how I did the engravings. We then held a meeting for our plan for the rumble.
"So as you all have heard, there will be a rumble against the Curtis gang. If anyone has intel on what their strategy might be, don't be afraid to speak up." Blitz glanced at me.
"Well, I know a few things about them. The first is that they have no official leader, but generally follow by Darry's rules. He is the oldest and strongest. He isn't great at fighting, but he can pack a punch. Second is that they most likely will bring the Shepherd gang with them to stand more of a chance against a bigger gang. They will then have more people against us, but we are all better at fighting than them and we have strategies, while they just barge into the fight. Third is that they will fight hard, they don't want to give me up that easily, so be ready for that." I finished, then looked back at Blitz.
Chapter 5
We had our tasks for today, mine was to just be scouting around Tulsa, looking for good spots for a rumble or just generally any fight. I noticed a few and made sure I remembered them. I was walking and got trapped in my own mind thinking about the rumble tomorrow, but then I realized, too late, that I was near the DX that Soda and Steve worked at. It was a Tuesday so they were both working today. I spotted Steve working on a car, which means Soda was at the register. I turned around to go another way when it was too late.
"Ponyboy!" I heard Steve call. I turned around fast and creeped my hand into my pocket and curled my fingers around the switch I had in there. By then Soda heard Steve yell my name and was outside with him, both staring at me. I glared back, waiting for what they'd do. I then heard Two-bit's footsteps behind me. Shit. I know what each person's footsteps sound like, but Two-bit's are just loud stomps. They are easy to distinguish. I guess they knew I'd be here because Darry pulled up in his truck to my side closest to the street, blocking my way out. I was trapped. They started closing in on me all at once. Darry was out of the car now, but left it there so I couldn't run that way. I tightened my grip on my switch and did something they didn't expect. I ran right towards Soda and Steve. They looked taken aback by it,but kept advancing. I ran right to Steve and when he tried to grab me I jumped towards the wall, bouncing off of it, above Steve and gave him a shallow cut on his shoulder. He cursed at me, but I kept walking, knowing everyone went to see if Steve was alright. I heard Darry advancing towards me, but I knew this so I leaped up a building and ran across the rooftops. I got away and he couldn't follow me. I got back to the warehouse and knocked. The door slid open and I walked inside right to Blitz.
"Blitz we need to talk." I said.
"Sure, what's wrong, Ninja?" He asked, concerned.
"My old gang found me. They tried to corner me, but I obviously got away. We need to make sure they don't get to anyone in the gang." I explained. He kept nodding and then sighed.
"Alright, clearly you can handle yourself, but I'll tell everyone to stay clear of them as best they can and not to trust them." He responded. I nodded and walked off outside to clear my head. I spotted Danny and Gabe hanging out and walking around, so I caught up with them. We exchanged hellos and then I ran ahead, making sure nobody was there. Then I saw Soda and Steve walking. They spotted me and I stopped and glared, mainly at Steve, but I also gave a warning glare at Soda. Steve seemed angry and Soda seemed betrayed. I didn't let it get to me, though. Dally wouldn't. Steve got angry and started running at me. Right on time Gabe and Danny saw this and sprinted in between me and Steve. Steve stopped. He glared at me.
"Oh, so now you got body guards, huh? You little shit!" Steve yelled at me.
"Oi! Nobody talks to Viper that way!" Danny yelled back.
"His name is Ponyboy! Not your stupid nick name!" Soda replied. I guess he caught up to Steve while he was charging at me.
"Hey, Steve, how's the shoulder?" I asked amidst all the yelling as I took out my switch blade and cleaned the blade with my shirt. He was clearly angry now.
"Ponyboy you know what's best for you, so get back here now! Or else I will have to force you back home." Steve said, blowing his top.
"No jazz before the rumble, Steve-O. Relax, save your energy. And yourself." I said. My two friends started snickering. He grumbled something under his breath and stormed off, Soda hot on his trail.
"Man, Viper, that was one hell of a conversation!" Danny said.
"'Conversation?' More like argument!" I laughed.
"I would've felt bad for that Steve guy if he messed with us, we would definitely take him down." Gabe said. I nodded.
"Now let's go, y'all, the rumble's tonight, let's go train!" I said enthusiastically. We started running back to the warehouse. I got there first, obviously, I've always been faster than anybody. We entered and greeted everyone else that arrived there at the same time. I simply nodded my greeting to everyone as we gathered around the stage.
"Any good place for a rumble?" Blitz asked me. I nodded.
"Yeah, it's kind of a traditional rumble spot for my old gang. It's where we always go to rumble. It's the empty lot near my old house." I responded.
"Perfect, I'll send Gabe to tell them the location." He said. I nodded and walked off to the side.
"Alright, y'all! Time for training! The rumble is in half an hour! Here's how it goes. Two groups, one with switch blades, the other with fists. We rotate after ten minutes. Whoever I'm fighting will be up here with me on the stage. I'll choose the person this time. Viper, will you please be my sparring partner?" I nodded, eager to finally be able to fight after so long. "Great! Now split into groups and cooperate who has switch blades and who doesn't." Everyone split up at that moment and started talking amongst themselves. "Now, Viper, I brought you to spar with me because I'm the best fighter here, or at least I was. We can both test our skills. I've seen you fight with fists, now let's to switch blades." I nodded. I pulled out my switch and flicked it open, getting into a low stance and ready to fight.
"Ready, and... spar!" Blitz yelled. Me and him were going at it, I gave him a shallow cut on his arm, but didn't drop a single drop of blood myself. I smiled, dodging, flipping, parrying, everything needed to avoid that knife, when I saw the chance, I took it and tackled Blitz and put the knife to his throat, not close enough to draw blood, though. He tapped out and that's when I realized everyone stopped and watched us. They were gaping at me and I did a nervous chuckle. They laughed and applauded, even a Blitz clapped me on the back for that.
"Well done!" Blitz complimented.
"Thanks, now fist fighting?" I asked.
"Sure, you throw punches for five minutes, then I throw them for five minutes. Got it?" He responded.
"Alright." I said, ready to fight. He gestured with his hand to start, and I threw a punch, I did it harder than I anticipated, and it knocked him down, luckily I knew not to hit his face so I hit his shoulder.
"You alright?" I asked him, helping him up.
"Yeah, man, I'm all good, been hurt way worse." He chuckled. He said to reset and so we did. I threw so many punches, one after another, all landing on his gut or shoulder. He tapped out and I stopped.
"Alright, that was good. Now you dodge, ok?" I agreed and got ready. He threw his first punch, but I saw it coming and sidestepped and ducked under the next. He grunted as I used his momentum against him and as he forced his fist forward with his body I ducked and swiped his legs with my foot. He fell and I helped him up. He was smiling.
"That was great! Alright, everyone! Time for the rumble! Get your switch blades ready just in case the rules are broken!" Everyone nodded and headed off. As I was about to leave, Blitz stopped me.
"Hey, kid, I see you're better at fighting than me. It would only be logical that you take on the big guy, Darry. I know if you want to decline, it's perfectly fine, you know, with him being your brother and all." He said in a low whisper.
"I'll take him on. I won't be afraid to win the fight no matter what. Just no horrible injuries. Just enough to make him back off." I replied. He nodded, happy with my response and patted my back, then went off to tell everyone to leave soon.
Chapter 6
As we walked to the lot, we all got excited. Danny kept running around and trying to lighten the mood by playing jokes. He reminds me so much of Two-bit. We were all laughing, but as we got closer we stopped and got serious. The Shepherd gang and the Curtis gang were already there. We lined up with each member. Some lined up with two because we were outnumbered. I wasn't worried, though, because my gang was very good at fighting. I lined up with Tim Shepherd and Darry. Soda glanced at me, clearly sad I was fighting Darry. I glared at Tim, making eye contact with Darry once in a while.
We made way for Blitz as he walked to the front next to me. He eyed Darry and Tim.
"You got those two?" He asked me quietly.
"Yeah, I got 'em, I can deal with these guys, you should go help Snatcher, he's against three people." I responded. He nodded and walked off next to Snatcher. I turned back to Darry and Tim. Gorilla had Steve and Soda, Snatcher and Blitz had Curly, Two-bit, and another person I didn't recognize from the Shepherd gang. Matthew, Brent, and Jack were hiding in the trees waiting for us to need assistance. Bouncer was with Darren guarding the warehouse.
I noticed everyone on the opposing side kept glancing at me, clearly waiting for the first move. I waited for Tim to do it. Darry was too smart to do the first move, and I knew Tim would eventually do it. Turns out I was right because he came charging at me with Darry right behind him. He tried to punch with his momentum from his run, but I grabbed his wrist and shoved him into Darry. They both fell and Tim got up quickly, angry. He yelled and sprinted towards me, but I just kicked his gut and flipped him over my back. He tried getting up, but I knocked him out with my fist. I turned to see Darry trying to grab me, but I jumped up and kicked his face. He stumbled back and I noticed Blitz needing help with Soda from the corner of my eye, but I got distracted and Darry landed a punch on me. Right to my right cheek, but I had adrenaline rushing so it didn't hurt yet. I fell, but got up quickly and slithered away from Darry and punched his face, then swiping his legs to get him to the ground. It worked, so I rushed over to help Blitz. He was on the ground with Soda laying into him with punch after punch. I uppercutted his jaw, not hard enough to do too much damage, but enough to make him fall and get dizzy. I helped Blitz up, and he ran off with Danny to fight Steve and Two-bit. Danny already knocked down the random guy from the Shepherds. I saw Curly trying to help his brother up and get him up to fight again, but Tim was barely conscious. I walked over to Curly, but just stood there. He noticed me and started dragging Tim away, with Darry helping. Steve and Two-bit were still fighting strong, though, and were squaring off with Blitz, Snatcher, and Gorilla. I ran over once they paused, all collecting their breath, and getting ready to fight again. I stepped in between the two groups. Two-bit paused, but Steve threw a punch that I easily deflected and knocked him down.
"Listen, Two-bit and Steve, everyone already left, Soda is waiting for you, go now while you have the chance, or face off against me again." I said, trying to reason to them to leave, but as Two-bit was leaving Steve sent another punch at me and I kicked his face, dodging his fist. He fell down, unconscious. Two-bit stared at me, then started dragging him away. I made eye contact with Soda when both groups were about to leave. He had sorrow in his eyes, and I felt something that I haven't felt in a long time: guilt. Guilt for leaving Soda and Darry. Guilt for hurting everyone. Guilt for worrying my brothers. I made a final decision.
Chapter 7
When we got back to the warehouse Blitz congratulated all of us for the win. I pulled him to the side to talk in private.
"Blitz, I've been thinking..." I paused, taking a deep breath. "I want to go home soon, it's almost time for me to return to my brothers." I finished. He looked at me blankly, then he smiled.
"Alright, it's your choice, Viper. It was nice to have you here. It was nice to train with you and help you find yourself. Thanks for helping in the rumble, it might have been useless, but now at least each gang knows of each other for later rumbles." He laughed. I smiled. He walked up the stage and called attention from everyone, then motioning for me to go up there with him. I walked up next to him and smiled. He smiled back, and began his speech.
"Great job tonight, everyone, I could not have done it without you. We have enjoyed the presence of Viper here, but it is almost time for his leave. He found himself and who he is, and he must get back to his family. Goodbye, Ponyboy. You will always be welcomed here. No matter how long." We smiled to each other as everyone applauded. Danny ran up and hugged me. I returned it. For the first time I can feel for others. I walked to my room, as everyone else did the same.
Chapter 8
I woke up early, getting up and leaving my room. I walked out to everyone waiting for me. They smiled at me and said fir farewells. I said my farewells to everyone and waved as I was about to leave.
"I might come back every once in a while, just to check up and get away from everything. It isn't too far so I expect some visits, y'all!" I said to them, they started smiling and waved. I waved back and left the warehouse, climbing to the roof and hopping from building to building until I reached the house.
I saw Darry and Soda talking, each holding ice on their wounds from last night. I then saw Tim, surprisingly, there on the couch laying down holding ice to his face where I kicked him. I guess he spent the night. Steve and Two-bit were arguing about poker and kept laughing and accusing each other. Then I saw that even Curly was there. He was sitting on the other side of Tim, relaxing on the couch with ice on his ribs. I guess everyone stayed the night. I sighed and hopped down, hearing the radio playing music loud and clear.
I took a deep breath and headed in. I stood there for a moment as everyone realized my presence. They stared at me for a moment, some looks less friendly than others, then Soda jumped up and tackled me. Well, tried to tackle me. I was balanced on my feet so I didn't get knocked down, I then felt Darry hugging me, too. They broke off and looked at me, silent. Finally, Soda broke the silence.
"Are you here for good?" He asked. I chuckled and responded.
"Of course. I couldn't stay gone forever. Besides, who would keep Steve in line!" He smiles and hugged me again, laughing.
"I mean, he's got a point!" Tim said as Steve glared at him.
"Oh, and sorry about the, uh, injuries, everyone. Except for Steve." I said. They laughed.
"It's all fine, Steve deserves a beating every now and again." Darry responded as we all laughed, with the exception of Steve.
"Hardy, fucking, har." He responded to that, then as we all smiled at him he lost it and laughed with us. We all went back inside and played games. As it was getting later in the afternoon, Darry spoke up.
"You know you'll have to tell us all about your little vacation, right?" He said. I nodded and smiled.
"How about we start now?" I asked. They all smiled and nodded their heads. "Well, the leader's name is Blitz and..." I continued on, explaining my whole time there and telling everyone about it. They all listened, even Steve and Tim. Man, it's good to be home.