Chapter 13: Blood Flowing Freely
The next day, Two-Bit got up to go to school, sighing, throwing on a fresh Mickey Mouse shirt, heading out the door.
He walked to school; there was no need or want for him to take his car. It's not like he could give Ponyboy rides to school anymore….
Two-Bit trudged to school, sighing lowly, wishing he had eaten something before he left, his stomach growling lowly.
He hadn't eaten any supper last night and he was kind of regretting it.
School was an absolute drag and for once, Two-Bit was not having fun.
He was actually bored. That never happened.
When lunch rolled around, Two-Bit sighed with a frown and headed to the gym to hide behind the bleachers, eating his sandwich slowly.
He sat alone, shoulders slumped, sighing, frowning as he wondered about Steve and Pony having lunch, wondering if they were missing him.
He ate slowly, with a frown, eyeing his sandwich sadly, missing each of his friends, wanting them all back.
"Uh, wanna tell me why the hell you're sitting back here?"
He heard a voice, making Two-Bit jump out of his skin, going wide-eyed, looking over to see Steve leaning coolly against the wall, arms crossed with a mean look.
"St-Steve? H-How did you know I was here?" Two-Bit stood, tensing, frowning as he shuffled on his feet.
"Where the hell have you been?" Steve growled, stepping towards him angrily, not answering Two's question.
Two-Bit frowned, eyeing Steve with big eyes, looking away nervously. "Uh, I-"
"Why the hell are you sitting back here?! What are you, a nerd?!" Steve's voice rose, gesturing angrily at his friend.
"Steve," Two-Bit sighed, trying to gather his thoughts together and not create a scene. "Look, I-"
"Where the hell have you been the past few days?! I've had to listen to the kid b**** about you for the past how many days and i'm sick of it!" Steve huffed with a sneer. "Why haven't you been at the house?" He demanded.
"Steve, would you just-"
"Well?! Where the hell have you been?! You avoiding us or something?! Steve accused angrily.
"Steve, I-"
"Well?!" Steve gave Two-Bit a little, rough shove. "Explain yourself, Two-Bit!" Steve growled in a loud voice.
"Steve, back off!" Two-Bit huffed, getting defensive, giving Steve a shove back.
"You tell me what's going on!" Steve snorted, shoving at Two's chest.
"You won't even let me explain!" Two-Bit glared a little, frustrated with his friend, pushing at him. "Jus' leave me be!"
"What's your problem, man?!" Steve snarled and shoved Two-Bit roughly into the bleachers, triggering Two's anger, who roughly shoved Steve away into the wall.
"Quit it!" He shouted, anger rising.
Steve, who's temper flared, threw a fist with a growl, missing when Two-Bit ducked, Two-Bit punching Steve in the side. "Stop it, Steve!"
Steve snarled and shoved Two-Bit up against the bleachers again, punching at him. "What the hell is your problem?!"
Two-Bit hissed in pain at the punches, trying to shove Steve away, not wanting to fight with his friend, punching him lightly. "Steve! Jus' cut it out!"
Steve snarled in anger, not able to control his temper, punching Two-Bit in the face, knocking him away roughly.
Two-Bit gasped with pain as his back hit the wall, breathing heavily, eyes widening when he saw Steve's fist coming towards him again, throwing his own fist, punching Steve hard in the face in defense.
He heard a 'crack' and blood immediately started flowing from Steve's nose, the Greaser cussing with pain, holding his nose, stumbling back up against the bleachers.
Two-Bit gaped in shock, going wide-eyed in horror. "O-Oh my gosh, Steve, I-I'm sorry, i'm so sorry!"
Steve leaned up against the bleachers, blood gushing out from his nose, running down his fingers and his hand, mouth open in shock, wide-eyed, his chest heaving.
Two-Bit gaped as he watched his friend, unsure of what to do, wide-eyed, frowning deeply, shakily stepping back, guilty for hurting one of his friends.
What had he done?
"O-Oh Steve, I-I'm sorry!" He whimpered and hurriedly began walking off, tears filling his eyes, turning and running out of the school, too much in a dismay to look back.
Two-Bit ran, bursting out of the school, running off with a deep frown, heading to the lake, upset with himself for what he did, angry and guilty all at once.
Ohhhhh, why did he have to punch Steve?!
He ran to the lake and plopped down, swiping at his eyes with a sleeve.
He wasn't crying but there were tears in his eyes.
He felt bad for hitting Steve, knowing he hurt one of his closest friends, frowning deeply as he hugged his knees to his chest, squeezing his eyes shut tight, his heart hurting.
Each day, he was losing more and more of his friends, everything going wrong for him.
He didn't think one thing had gone right for him in the past couple days, upsetting him even more.
What was wrong with him that nothing could go right for him?!
Two-Bit felt like screaming, his face contorted with anger and despair.
He glared out at the lake in front of him, shaking his head a little with narrowed eyes. He looked around for Ryker, not seeing him, making the boy shake his head with a hmmph.
He sat alone for awhile, frowning, sighing, wishing he could go back to school and hang out with his friends, saddened that he knew he couldn't.
Two-Bit frowned and eventually got up, going over to the tree, leaning up against it to take a nap, needing to rest and clear his head.
He slept soundly and unknowingly for a long time, only waking up when he felt someone nudging at his arm.
"Wha? Huh? Ryker?" He yawned tiredly, blinking awake to see the familiar furry face of his friend.
"And us! Wake up Two-Bit!" He heard Ruby giggle, looking up to see her and all the rest of the little kids.
Two-Bit yawned, sitting up. "Hey kids….what's up?"
"Will you play with us, Two-Bit?" Cody asked anxiously, rocking on his toes.
"Yeah, Two-Bit, please?" Harper begged.
Two yawned, getting to his feet. "What are we playing?" He rubbed at his face tiredly.
"Cowboys!" Splat exclaimed happily, jumping up and down.
"Yeah, yeah, Two-Bit will be Billy the Kid!" Harper chirped happily with a big smile.
"Okay, okay kids, we'll play," Two-Bit chuckled lowly, awake now, smiling softly at all of them, admittedly a little excited to play with them even.
He grabbed Ruby gently, placing her on his back with a smile, smirking at her giggles. "Come on, kids!"
Two-Bit then proceeded to play with the young children, laughing and smiling happily, giving them all piggy back rides and chasing them around, enjoying himself, having a blast with them.
He couldn't even remember the last time he had even had this much fun with the gang.
It was kinda sad really.
But he pushed those thoughts away; these kids liked him and wanted to hang out and play with him, that's what mattered to him most right now.
Someone actually wanted to be around him. He had friends again.
Even if they were kids and birds and a dog.
Still, they were friends.
As long as they all wanted him around and he was having fun he could care less about who he was friends with.
Besides, he was having a blast with these kids. He hadn't laughed like this in what felt like forever.
Two-Bit stopped running to catch his breath, panting through laughter, grinning widely. Ryker stopped next to him, wagging his tail, barking playfully.
Ruby and the kids kept running and squealing, pointing ahead at the dock on the lake in excitement, laughing.
Two-Bit looked up to see them all run out on the dock, raising his head.
"Oh no kids, be careful!" He called, watching them, starting to come over.
The kids giggled and laughed, peering into the water, pushing at each other lightly, hollering and having fun.
"Harper's got cooties!" Cody shouted, trying to get away from Harper, running away.
"I do not!" Harper huffed playfully at them, grinning.
"Cooties!" Splat shouted, pushing her away with a squeal of laughter.
Two-Bit was watching, walking up to the dock, eyebrows furrowing. "Hey kids, be careful now….."
"Stop it!" Harper giggled but gave Splat a shove.
"Ew, she touched me, she touched me!" Splat squealed and gave Harper another shove, accidentally pushing her off the dock.
Harper screamed and fell in, waving her arms around in the water frantically, starting to cry, unable to swim, screaming out wildly.
"Sh**!" Two-Bit gasped, tensing, rushing over, ripping off his jacket, immediately jumping into the water.
The kids and Ryker all stood at the edge of the dock, gaping, frightened, watching with huge eyes.
Harper screamed as she went under, flailing everywhere.
"I got you!" Two-Bit shouted and gasped in a big breath, diving under the water, wrapping his arms around her, bringing her back up to the surface.
Gasping and coughing, Harper whimpered, shaking in Two-Bit's arms, crying.
Two-Bit held her tightly, keeping her head above the water, coughing, starting to swim her over to the dock.
"I got you, I got you!" He breathed out, panting.
Two-Bit swam to the dock and looked at the kids, trying to lift Harper up. "Take her!"
The kids reached down with open mouths, grabbing Harper's arms, Ryker gently grabbing her sweatshirt, pulling her up onto the dock quickly.
Harper cried and shivered, scared, her eyes squeezed shut.
Two-Bit hoisted himself onto the edge of the dock with his arms, his lower half still in the water, wide-eyed, hair dripping wet.
"Wrap my jacket around her! Do it, now!" He huffed.
Splat held Harper in her arms and Cody shakingly got Two's jacket, wrapping it around Harper like a blanket.
Breathing heavily, Two-Bit shook and shivered as he watched. "Now take her home, get her to her parents! Now!"
The kids nodded and began to shakingly hurry off, Harper in Splat's arms.
"Ryker, you too; make sure they're safe." Two-Bit huffed, nodding at the canine.
Ryker woofed and took off after the kids, leaving Two-Bit behind.
Two-Bit watched them go with an open mouth, hoisting himself up and out of the water onto the dock, soaked.
Shivering, teeth chattering, Two-Bit hugged his chest, rubbing his arms, waiting until they were out of sight before he turned to go home.
He was freezing, his hair and clothes soaking wet, teeth chattering as he slushed home in his wet sneakers.
He could care less that he was cold; all that mattered was that he saved Harper
He sneezed, hoping the kids would get home safely, hoping Harper would be alright and wouldn't get sick.
Two-Bit didn't know what he'd do if she wasn't okay. Do whatever he could to help her out, he guessed.
Teeth chattering, Two-Bit got home and immediately got into the shower, turning on the hot water, letting the hot water fall on him until he finally quit shivering and got warm, which took awhile.
He put new clothes on, frowning when he remembered he had taken off his jacket for Harper, rubbing at his bare arms, it feeling so unnatural not to be wearing it.
He combed his hair and greased it, sighing lowly, frowning at his reflection.
He had never felt so low about himself before.
Sure did feel funny.
Two-Bit shook his head, trying to shake away the negative thoughts, huffing, going back to his room, looking around at his walls and messy bed.
His eyes were gray, a little cloudy, saddened.
He let out another sigh, looking at the pictures on his walls, swallowing.
Why is it every time he looked at the gang now he got sad and angry?
Two-Bit was starting to get dismayed by this; why couldn't he just be with his family again?
He grabbed one of the pictures, pulling it off of the wall.
It was a picture of the gang when they were younger. Two-Bit was probably 12, 13.
Everyone was there, even Dallas and Johnny.
They were all so young and innocent, everyone smiling, except Dallas. Even Steve was smirking.
Two-Bit frowned at everyone's young, smiling faces, missing all the days they hung out and had fun together.
Sighing, he folded up the picture gently, putting it in his pocket, walking out, heading off to the lake.
He rubbed at his bare arms, there being a breeze, him not wearing his jacket.
He went to the lake, frowning, plopping down in his usual spot, hugging his knees to his chest, casting his gaze out over the water.
Two-Bit sat quietly, frowning, missing his friends, wondering what they were doing now without him.
Prolly off all having a blast as usual.
After awhile, Two-Bit heard a noise, looking over to see Ryker, perking up a little.
"H-Hey boy, the kids okay?" He frowned softly.
Ryker yipped and came over, nudging Two's arm gently with a soft whine, lying down.
Two-Bit started to pet him, nuzzling him softly, sighing lowly. "Good boy. Poor Harper and the kids. I like them little tikes, I'll admit it, I do. Reminds me of the gang when we were young." He looked away, frowning.
Ryker whined softly, watching Two-Bit.
Two-Bit sighed softly and took out the picture he had put in his pocket, eyeing it with soft eyes.
"Yeah, the gang, my friends. Well, I guess they used to be my friends…" His shoulders slumped, frowning, voice soft.
"That's Darry, who hates me now, and Ponyboy...He's mad at me too. There's Soda and that there's Steve. I punched him today, but I didn't mean to, honest. Oh, I feel so bad. And-and there's me. And there's Johnny…...oh, Johnny." Two-Bit paused, sighing with a deep frown.
"Johnny died, Ryker. We all miss him. 'Specially Dallas. That's him there next to him. He was even cryin' at his funeral. We all were….."
Ryker sniffed the photo softly, looking at each of the Greasers as Two-Bit talked about them.
Two-Bit admired all of his friends with a faint smile, eyes clouded over with sadness, looking over everyone's smiling faces, smiling softly at all of them, except for himself, eyebrows furrowing.
"Yeah, all of us, together. And happy. We was the best of friends. Until now." He spat, huffing. "We ain't a family anymore."
He tossed the photo aside with a huff, not wanting it anymore, frowning deeply, laying his head on his arms, eyebrows furrowed with hurt, his chest hurting with pain.
Ryker's ears raised, frowning, getting up, going over to the thrown picture, stopping it from blowing in the wind with a paw, sniffing it, glancing back at Two-Bit.
Two-Bit hid his face in his arms, sighing, hugging his knees to his chest.
Ryker frowned and dug a small hole, nudging the picture softly into the dirt, burying it carefully with his snout.
He turned and started to come back over to Two-Bit, nudging him softly, nuzzling him affectionately.
Two-Bit raised his head with a sad look, sniffling, wrapping an arm around the dog's neck.
"H-Hey Ryker, y-you're such a good friend…." He frowned softly, hugging Ryker closely. "G-Guess you're the only friend I have now." He sighed, snuggling into Ryker's soft fur.
Ryker nuzzled him and kept close, whining softly, licking Two's cheek softly.
"I miss them," Two-Bit mumbled into Ryker's fur, closing his eyes tightly.
"B-But who needs them anyhow," He huffed to himself, eyebrows furrowing. "Th-They don't need me I guess and I don't need them….."
Two-Bit huffed and got to his feet, starting to walk off. "Come on, Ryker, let's go get some ice cream…"
Ryker got to his feet and trotted next to Two-Bit, keeping close, staying alert as they walked into town.
It was too odd for Two-Bit not to be wearing his jacket and have his hands in his pockets, his arms shivering from the cold breeze.
He headed for Dairy Queen, looking down at the sidewalk, frowning softly.
He heard his name suddenly and he looked up, a little startled.
Soda and Steve were coming up to him, making Two's eyes widen, the boy tensing, stopping.
"Hey Two-Bit," Soda offered a smile and a wave.
Two-Bit glanced wearily at Steve with big eyes, looking at his nose, which was red and bruised almost, afraid of what Steve would say to him.
"Where you been man? Hey, did you get a dog?" Soda chirped with a friendly smile.
Ryker looked at the two boys and recognizing them from the picture, remembering they were the ones who were upsetting Two-Bit, he growled, showing his teeth, barking angrily at them.
"Whoa, hey!" Soda and Steve backed up, wide-eyed, frowning at Ryker.
"Ryker, Ryker stop!" Two-Bit frowned, bending down at Ryker's side, placing a hand on his back gently. "It's okay!"
Ryker huffed and stopped, but continued to glare at Soda and Steve, staying right beside Two-Bit.
Two-Bit stood, frowning at Ryker. "I-I'm sorry, he's not usually like that….." He shuffled on his feet awkwardly.
"It's okay," Soda smiled softly. "What's his name, Ryker? That's cool. When you'd get him, we-we haven't even see you for awhile, Two-Bit, where ya been man?"
Steve crossed his arms over his chest at this, raising a brow at Two-Bit with an almost mean look, making Two-Bit gulp.
"O-Oh, y-ya know, around….." Two-Bit shrugged, looking away, almost embarrassed. "I-I'm real sorry about your nose, Steve," He apologized lowly, looking sincere. "Ain't broken is it?"
"Nearly," Steve grunted with a huff, still looking cross, looking like he wanted to say more but Soda put a gentle hand on his shoulder, giving Steve a look.
"You excited for the rumble tomorrow, Two-Bit?" Soda changed the subject, smiling a friendly smile.
"Are you even fighting?" Steve huffed, looking over Two-Bit and his bruised face. Soda elbowed Steve's side gently with a look.
"C-Course I'm fightin'," Two-Bit shifted on his feet, trying to look tuff.
"Great. Why don'tcha swing by the house tonight, we're havin' our big before-the-rumble party." Soda offered, nodding with a smile.
"O-Oh, m-maybe," Two-Bit shrugged, looking away, thinking of Darry, pursing his lips.
"Well where you off to now?" Soda glanced around.
"Oh, I was jus' uh…...gettin' some ice cream."
"Great, we'll come with you," Soda smiled happily, turning to walk off.
Two-Bit's eyes widened. "N-No! I-I mean, that's okay. I'm in a hurry anyways." He lied, frowning.
"Oh, uh, okay." Soda frowned and stepped aside as Two-Bit walked past them. "S-See you tonight, Two-Bit?!" He called after him.
"Y-Yeah, tonight!" Two-Bit yelled back, frowning at his own lie, walking off hurriedly, Ryker at his side.
When he was out of sight of Soda and Steve, he frustratedly put his hands at his heads, letting out an exasperated yell, his emotions everywhere.
Ryker looked up at him, letting out a soft whine.
Two-Bit sighed loudly, shaking his head. "It's okay, Ryker…...jus'...stressed right now." He huffed.
He ran a hand over his face tiredly, eyes dull with sadness.
He trudged his way along to Dairy Queen, stopping to tell Ryker to stay outside while he walked in.
Ryker woofed softly and went to the other side of the parking lot, sitting in the grass, waiting patiently.
Two-Bit went inside with a soft frown, ordering two vanilla ice cream cones, paying.
He frowned as he took the cones and walked back outside, sitting at a picnic bench, Ryker coming over, hopping up to sit next to him calmly.
Two-Bit sighed softly and started eating his ice cream, holding out the other cone for Ryker, who first sniffed it, then began licking it as well.
He smiled faintly at Ryker, watching him, his loneliness sparking again with raw pain.
He was glad to have Ryker at his side, happy to have at least one friend who wanted to be around him.
Two-Bit ate his ice cream silently, watching Ryker with soft eyes, hanging his head a little with sadness.
Ryker finished his ice cream first, chomping up the cone loudly, eating the fallen pieces off the table hungrily.
Two-Bit pursed his lips and finished his, getting up, petting Ryker's head softly, turning and starting for home, dragging his feet a little.
When he passed the Curtis house, he stopped, looking at the house with sad eyes, wanting to go inside, staring.
Ryker stopped and looked at Two-Bit, then the house, sniffing, letting out a whine.
Two-Bit blinked and shook his head sadly, turning and trudging away, rubbing at his arms, not looking back.
A/N: I guess I'll do a few updates today for the holiday :) Please Review and thanks to Everyone who has reviewed previously; you make my day with each review and I look forward to all of them.