Chapter 14: Beaten
A/N: Very Emotional Chapter here...so...here ya go.
The next day, Two-Bit went to school, half-heartedly of course, frowning throughout his classes, not talking to anyone.
As he sat behind the bleachers in the gym to eat his lunch, he didn't see Steve, who luckily didn't show up to pester him.
Two-Bit ate only half of his lunch, frowning, thinking about the rumble tonight, not really wanting to go.
His whole body was already aching and sore and he really didn't wanna get all beat up again.
But he also really didn't wanna see the gang, not knowing what he would do when they'd meet up in the lot.
What would Darry say? And the others?
Obviously he'll be on their side, of course, but he was afraid of what they would say, feeling a little queasy about it, honestly.
He didn't know what to think. He was very saddened about all this, to be frank.
After lunch, Two-Bit went to his afternoon classes, the first time he had made it through a whole day of school in days.
When school was over, he pursed his lips and began to walk to the lake, frowning at his bare arms, still not having his jacket.
When he was nearing the lake, he heard shouting and barking and he perked up, looking around for Ryker, picking up his pace.
He got to the lake and saw a small truck parked in the grass marked 'Dogcatcher', a man trying to pull Ryker forcefully into the back of his truck, yelling and pulling with his catch-pole, Ryker barking and refusing to move angrily.
Two-Bit gasped at the sight, his eyes widening, rushing over.
"O-Oh no please don't take him, sir! Don't take him away!" He pleaded.
The man was mean lookin', his face contorted with anger, his mouth curled up in a snarl.
"This dog is a stray! There have been complaints about him from all the surrounding neighbors! I'm takin' him in!" He growled, giving a yank on Ryker, who growled, tugging to get away.
"N-No, no! He ain't a stray, he's my dog, he is! Honest sir!" Two-Bit lied with big eyes.
"The dog ain't got a collar," The man snarled with anger. "He ain't yours….."
"No, he is mine, sir. I-I have the papers back at home, I do. I'm sorry, i'll get him a collar, I will." Two-Bit gave his best innocent, sincere look, frowning deeply, not wanting Ryker to be taken away.
The man eyed Two-Bit closely, sneering. "He's really yours?"
"Yes, sir."
"Get him a collar than. Don't let him roam around disturbin' the neighbors no more," The man growled, letting Ryker go with a mean huff.
Ryker huffed and quickly ran to Two-Bit's side, nuzzling his leg softly.
Two-Bit nodded at the man with a frown, his mouth open, eyes wide. "Y-Yes sir. I will."
The man nodded a goodbye with a snort and went off to his truck, driving off.
Two-Bit immediately turned to Ryker, bending down to hug him closely, wrapping his arms around Ryker's neck.
"Oh, that was too close, Ryker, i'm sorry. I coulda lost ya." He nuzzled his face into Ryker's fur softly, frowning. "Glad I didn't though."
Ryker nuzzled Two-Bit back gently, letting out a soft and affectionate whimper, licking Two's cheek softly, keeping close.
Two-Bit gave Ryker a squeeze of a hug, hugging him a long minute, loving his soft fur and warmth, caring for the dog dearly, his only friend now.
He pulled away, lips pursed, frowning. "Well, guess I better make sure you don't get taken away, huh? Come on, bud….." He got up and motioned for him to follow, walking off.
Ryker followed at his side, keeping close.
Two-Bit walked with Ryker to the pet store, keeping quiet, going inside, Ryker following him in, sniffing around curiously.
Two-Bit looked around, searching for the collars so he could purchase one.
Ryker wandered around, seeing a glass case with a snake inside, sniffing, letting out a soft growl at it.
"Ryker, over here….." Two-Bit whispered, holding a collar in his hands.
Ryker trotted over, sniffing the collar.
"This one, bud?" Two-Bit watched him.
Ryker bobbed his head a little, trying to slide his head into the collar to put it on, wagging his tail.
"Okay, okay," Two-Bit smiled, clipping it around Ryker's neck. "There ya go bud. You won't really need a leash. Let's get you some food bowls."
Two-Bit got up and went to find them, lips pursed as he looked.
He found them, trying to decide which one to pick out.
Ryker came over, squeaking a toy bone in his mouth.
Two-Bit looked over. "You like that, boy? Do you?"
Ryker squeaked the bone happily, wagging his tail.
"Alright," Two-Bit patted his head softly. "We can get it for you."
Ryker squeaked the bone again in response, yipping happily.
Two-Bit grabbed a couple bowls, showing them to Ryker. "These?"
Ryker yipped and sat down, scratching at his neck with a low growl.
"Yeah, you're right, too bland." Two-Bit shrugged, putting them back, grabbing two more. "These?"
Ryker sniffed them, dropping his toy bone in one of them, wagging his tail.
Two-Bit smiled softly with a nod, taking off Ryker's collar, holding everything in his arms, starting over to the counter, grabbing some doggy kibble on the way over. "Great. We got everything then."
He went up to the counter and put everything down, getting out his wallet.
The woman at the counter smiled softly at Two-Bit and Ryker, ringing everything up, Two-Bit paying.
"Here you go….." She handed the items to him in a bag with a smile.
"Thanks." Two nodded, taking them, turning and walking out with Ryker.
When they got outside, Two-Bit took out the collar and put it around Ryker's neck, smiling softly.
"Let's bring the rest of this home, okay bud? Then we can head back to the lake, alright?"
Ryker yipped and trotted beside Two-Bit happily, tail wagging.
When they got to Two-Bit's house, Two-Bit opened the door, letting Ryker in.
"Kay bud, your new home. My room's upstairs."
Ryker started sniffing, looking around, cocking his head, following Two-Bit upstairs to his room.
Two-Bit went in his room, dropping the bag on his bed, taking out Ryker's things.
Ryker looked around, sniffing, nudging Two's clothes thrown on the floor with his snout.
Two-Bit got out the dog kibble and the bowls, setting them on the floor near the window, grabbing an old blanket from one of his drawers, throwing it down on the floor to be Ryker's bed.
"Well, this is going to be your home, bud. Hope you like it okay." He talked aloud lowly.
Ryker sniffed around, propping up on Two-Bit's chair next to the wall, looking up at Two-Bit's pictures of the gang on the walls.
Seeing the boys in the pictures and recognizing them from the picture of Two's that he had buried, Ryker growled lowly.
Two-Bit looked over, eyebrows furrowing as he dropped Ryker's toy bone on Ryker's blanket.
"Ryker…..what's the matter?" He came over, frowning.
Ryker growled at the boys in the picture, tail dropped down.
"Ryker, wha-? Oh." Two-Bit's expression softened, realising what Ryker was growling at.
"It's okay, Ryker…." He said after a minute, talking lowly. "You can stop. It's Okay…." He shook his head a little, letting out a sigh.
"Jus' forget about it…." He murmured lowly, looking away with a frustrated scowl. "Prolly won't be seein' them anytime soon anyhow." He sneered, kicking at one of his shirts on the floor.
Ryker turned and watched him, glancing back once at the pictures with a whine, turning and coming over to Two-Bit, nuzzling his leg softly.
Two-Bit watched him softly, the dog curling up on the blanket he had set out, chewing on his new chew toy.
Sighing, he sat down on the edge of the bed. "The rumble's tonight, Ryker….I really don't wanna go. Wh-What's everyone gonna say when they see me? What's Darry gonna say?" Two-Bit shuddered.
Ryker chewed on his toy, ears perked.
Two-Bit shook his head, letting out a sigh, his eyes briefly scanning the room, lips pursed.
"Everyone's jus' gonna think pretty lousy of me, I know it. And god knows I'll prolly get my a** kicked by them Socies….."
Ryker lifted his head and offered a quiet whine, coming over, licking Two's hand softly.
Two-Bit looked down at him, smiling softly. "Kinda wish I could jus' stay here with you, bud." He sighed. "But I gotta go. I ain't never missed a rumble before….."
Ryker whined again and nuzzled softly against Two's leg, looking up at him with big eyes.
"I know bud, I know." Two-Bit patted his head softly, scratching behind his ears. "It'll be okay…..I hope."
Two-Bit swallowed, unsure of if what he was doing was really a good idea. He had a slight fear that he was going to get seriously hurt tonight, what with his already beaten up and sore condition not to mention his recovery from his concussion, and he really didn't want to end up in a hospital.
No, no, he, he really didn't want that.
Ending up in the hospital was one of the worst things that could happen right now; if he got put in the hospital, then the gang would have to see him and then god knows what would happen then.
He didn't wanna be in a hospital bed havin' to talk to them, no.
Two-Bit clenched and unclenched his fists, frowning as he thought things over.
Darry had really screwed his whole life up and he hated it.
He actually hated it.
To be honest, he also hated how HE was the one having to deal with this.
Why couldn't it have been Steve or Dallas? They're worse than Two-Bit, why couldn't it have been them who have to stay away?
Why did it have to be him?
Ryker licked his hand again softly, bringing Two-Bit out of his thoughts.
He looked down, offering a sad smile. "Thanks, Ryker….for being my friend."
Two-Bit fed Ryker his kibble in his new dog bowl before they headed out to go to the rumble.
They stopped by the lake first and Two-Bit was surprised to find his jacket lying on the ground underneath the tree where Ethel and her babies lived.
Ryker went over and sniffed it before Two picked it up, figuring it was Harper and the kids returning it.
He was glad to get it back though, especially for the rumble, sliding his arms into the sleeves, feeling natural again.
Ryker yipped and picked up a stick in his mouth, showing it to Two-Bit, wagging his tail.
"No buddy," Two-Bit shook his head no, looking away. "No play time today. I gotta go to the rumble."
Ryker whined, his tail drooping, dropping the stick at Two's feet, nudging at it with his snout.
"No Ryker, I said no….." Two-Bit huffed softly, stepping away. "You know I have to go."
Ryker frowned and gently bit at Two's jacket with his teeth, pulling at him lightly to stop.
Two-Bit turned with a frown. "Ryker, no. That's enough now." He gently pushed him away. "I gotta go now. I'll see ya tonight, alright?"
Ryker watched him, whining, lying down on the ground, looking sad, watching Two-Bit go with big eyes, not wanting him to leave.
Two-Bit went off for the lot, swallowing nervously, hoping that going to this rumble wasn't going to be a big mistake.
The gang was all there when Two-Bit got there.
He made sure to stay in the back, not wanting to be seen.
The Socs weren't there yet; it was just Greasers standing around chatting, waiting.
Two-Bit looked around the faces with stormy eyes, tense, half expecting one of the gang to spot him and call him out at any second.
He leaned up against a tree, fists shoved into his pockets, keeping his face lowered, eyeing his shoes, sighing lowly.
"Hey Two-Bit."
Two-Bit jumped and looked up, afraid it was the gang.
It was only Mark.
"Oh, hey Mark." Two-Bit relaxed a little, offering a nod.
"Hey. You remember my brother, Bryon right?" Mark smiled at his brother with a nod, Bryon offering his hand out for a handshake.
Two-Bit shook it. "Uh, sorta."
"You still got beef with the kid huh?" Mark nodded towards the gang, who still didn't seem to notice Two-Bit.
Two-Bit sighed lowly, shaking his head as he looked away. "A little." He mumbled.
"That's okay, you can stand with us." Mark gave a friendly smile, his fists jammed into his pockets, his brother nodding.
"Thanks." Two-Bit shrugged at them, still bummed out with the whole situation of it all.
He glanced back at the gang, who stood around waiting, Dally talking with Tim Shepard, both punching each other playfully. Steve looked riled up too, prodding at Soda with an elbow and fake punches.
Two-Bit watched them, his eyes narrowed a little, lips pursed.
When his eyes landed on Darry, he looked away, huffing, arms crossed.
"Hey, here they come…." Mark said lowly and almost everyone turned their heads as engines roaring filled the night.
Two-Bit turned, watching the Socs all pull up, the tense feeling in his gut rising.
This is a bad idea, this is a bad idea, he thought, getting more and more agitated.
But yet, he didn't turn and run away, no, he stayed.
He wanted to run, he did, but he couldn't.
Even when both sides starting lining up to face off with each other, he still didn't run.
He swallowed the lump in his throat, lining up on his side, facing off with an ugly looking nerd of a Soc, trying to look tough so he wouldn't be targeted as lookin' weak.
It was Tim Shepard in the middle this time, but Two-Bit wasn't listening to what he or the Socs were saying.
He stared at the Soc's turtleneck in front of him, trying to keep from breaking out in a sweat.
The hell is wrong with me? He suddenly wondered, his anxiety rising. Why am I being so paranoid?
Two-Bit didn't even notice when the other Socs threw the first punches and the fight began.
It wasn't until he was hit and lying flat on his back on the ground that he realised what was going on.
He shook his head and got to his feet, raising his fists to fight.
Just as soon as he got to his feet, he was already knocked off them again.
He wasn't doing so hot in this fight; Socs were already punching his lights out and Two-Bit couldn't think fast enough in time to swing before another fist struck him.
Soon there were three duking it out with him, another yanking Two off the ground, the other Two holding him up so the one could punch him.
Two-Bit yelped at all the blows, his breathing going rugged and heavy as he got punched in the chest, spitting out blood, seeing stars.
He did manage to punch a few away, but then fell to his a** again after getting struck in the jaw.
"Ahhh, jesus," He hissed, holding his jaw in pain, trying to get up to fight, swearing at himself to knock someone down already.
A Soc grabbed him but Two-Bit forced himself to stay on his feet and fight, managing to give the guy a bloody nose but that was about it.
Two-Bit was sore all over, and recovering from his concussion still, he was slow, not quite fast enough to keep up with all the incoming punches.
Landing hard on his chest from another blow, he squeezed his eyes shut tight, wheezing with pain, mud smearing on his clothes.
"Come on, Greaser, get up Greaser," The Soc jeered, gesturing.
Two-Bit swore and pushed himself to his feet, raising his fists with a scowl, not fast enough to duck in time before the Soc punched him, knocking him back into another Soc, who snickered and took a swing at Two-Bit himself.
Two-Bit cried out with a yelp, landing on his back, whimpering, coughing, trying not to taste blood.
"Too easy," He heard Socs huff with laughter, peering down at him.
Two-Bit's face was bleeding, his lip was split and his ribs weren't doing so hot either.
Eyebrows furrowing, panting, he got to his feet, punching one of them, then another, trying to get his confidence and strength back.
He was able to beat up a few Socs, surprisingly, before an arm suddenly wrapped around his throat from behind, pulling him back, making Two-Bit stumble and cough.
He squirmed and tried to pull free but the person practically threw him to the ground on his chest, knocking the wind out of him.
Rolling to his side, trying not to think of the blinding pain, he looked up to see who his new opponent was, letting out a frightened squeak when he saw it was Darry.
Darry reached down for him with a glare and Two-Bit let out a strangled gasp, trying to crawl away but Darry got ahold of him and started slamming his fist into Two's face, bloodying and bruising his knuckles.
Two-Bit almost screamed as Darry pummeled him, uselessly trying to defend himself with his hands, squirming and wriggling to get away desperately.
"D-Darry! Darry!" He choked out, spitting out blood, hardly able to stand up on his feet, Darry shoving him down roughly, starting to kick Two-Bit in the ribs.
Two-Bit yelped in pain and curled into a ball, almost crying, trying to get away weakly.
Wasn't anybody seeing this?! He wondered to himself. Greasers ain't supposed to fight other Greasers! Darry can't be fightin' with me! Doesn't anybody notice?!
Two-Bit screamed as Darry picked him up again, yelping when Darry slammed him into a tree, hitting his head against the trunk, crying out when Darry slammed him a second time.
"D-Darry! St-Stop it!" He pleaded, his legs all wobbly, feeling his head go all numb from hitting the tree.
Darry ignored him with a mean glare, punching him again, keeping him up on his feet, punching him as hard as he could, blood pouring down the right side of Two's face.
He punched Two-Bit some more before he threw him straight to the ground again, kicking Two-Bit right in the face.
Two-Bit cried out in pain, his eyes squeezed shut, rolling to his back, everything hurting, thinking it was over when no one else hit him.
Then he was picked up and punched again by Socs, getting tossed around like a doll, fists flying at him, hitting him rapidly.
Someone clocked him a good one and Two toppled to the ground, landing on his side, blacking out from the pain.
He was only out for a minute though before he opened his eyes, looking around, everything all blurry.
He squinted, trying to tell what was going on, confused.
He couldn't hear anything, all he heard was ringing. And there was blood in his ear, that didn't help.
Despite being unable to hear, Two-Bit could make out shouting and judging by the blurry blobs passing in front of him, it looked like people were running.
Two-Bit's eyebrows furrowed and he let out a groan, closing his eyes, reopening them to see a quiet atmosphere.
Confused, he squinted.
Hadn't it only just been a second ago that he saw people running?
Two-Bit looked around; there was no one around, no yelling or fighting, no one.
His anxiousness and confusion rising, he lifted his head a little, looking around.
Where's the gang…..?
Two-Bit didn't see them.
His head smarting, Two-Bit shakingly sat up, confused, looking for them.
He looked around the lot, eyebrows furrowing, his confusion fooling him into thinking he just couldn't see them at the moment and as his shaking arms gave out under him and he collapsed back to the ground, he let out a faint, "Guys! H-Help!"
Eyes closed tight, his mouth open, Two-Bit expected someone to grab him gently in the next minute and help him, the pain in his chest smarting with horrible agony.
When he didn't feel anybody's touch, he opened his eyes, lifting his head to look for them.
"Guys? Guys! H-Help me!" He called out weakly, the pain returning, taking over his body, almost gasping from how much everything hurt.
He laid there, his chest heaving, unable to move, his tears returning, blood running down his face.
"G-Guys!" He choked out, starting to cry, letting his head fall back to the ground, wincing with pain.
Two-Bit was badly hurt and he laid there, pain-stricken, starting to panic when no one answered him.
"G-Guys?! H-Help!"
Where's Soda? Where's Dally? Where's Steve? Where's Pony?!
Two-Bit began to sob with pain, lying in his own pool of blood, crying out as he panicked from not having his friends there to help him.
"G-Guys! Pl-Please!" He pleaded, sobbing, looking around with wide eyes, trying to find them, weakly lifting his head up and then letting it drop, his chest heaving with pain.
"H-Help me….." He whispered through his sobs, closing his eyes tightly when he realised no one was coming to help him.
Two-Bit sobbed.
They had all left him behind, they all left him. They left him hurt and alone, all alone.
They didn't even stay to help him, they all just left him, they just left him.
Two-Bit cried and tried to push himself up again with his arms, quickly falling back down, crying out from the pain, sobbing when he remembered Darry from the fight, remembering how he had broken the rules.
"H-Help me guys, help me…..help me…." Two-Bit whispered, his eyes squeezed tightly as he cried, lying there unmoving, helpless.
Two-Bit couldn't believe they had left him; not just the gang but all the Greasers.
Not even Tim Shepard had stayed to help him.
That said something to Two-Bit and he continued to lie there, sobbing, feeling unloved, his body and heart beaten up and broken, not knowing how in the world he could possibly be repaired now.
Two-Bit laid there, crying and aching with pain for what felt like hours, still no one showing up to help him.
Whimpering, Two-Bit cried and sniffled, taking in shaky breaths, his body just screaming at him with pain.
He made several attempts to try and get up, but failed all of them.
He couldn't stop crying; the gang hadn't cared enough to help him, shattering his heart into a million pieces.
He felt like he had just lost all of his friends. And he didn't know if he would ever get them back.
Two-Bit tried again to get up, getting to his feet and trying to walk, stumbling, causing him to choke on another sob as he hit the ground.
It took forever before he managed to get to his feet and walk, though he could barely walk in a straight line, staggering.
Sniffling and crying, his legs wobbled and he almost fell down again, wincing from the horrible pain from his ribs, holding his side.
Suddenly his stomach gave a violent lurch and before Two-Bit knew it, he was throwing up, using a tree to keep himself up on his feet.
Two-Bit whimpered as he vomited, his stomach growling and making noises; he hadn't eaten supper before this, nor a big lunch so he had pretty much just emptied his whole stomach.
He sniffled and wiped at his mouth with a sleeve, continuing to trudge and limp along slowly, it taking all his effort not to topple over.
He went to the lake, not having enough strength to make it home.
As he got there, he was so betrayed and heartbroken and angry at the gang and he was all banged up so he didn't know what else to do except be angry.
He grabbed a handful of rocks and started chucking them into the lake with angry growls, watching them plop into the water, eyes narrowed.
"Stupid friends…..whatta they good for anyways? Hmmph."
Two-Bit growled and reached down for another handful.
"Ouch! Ah, gah….." Two-Bit hissed in pain, quickly looking at his now bleeding palm, a piece of glass having sliced open his skin.
Two-Bit swore and scowled at the blood, hissing in pain.
But then, watching his now bleeding, shaking hand, Two-Bit began to stare.
He stared at the blood running down his hand, a million thoughts running through his head.
Slowly, he eyed his other shaking hand, his knuckles all bloody and scraped, turning that hand over as well, staring.
His eyes were stormy, his mouth an 'o' an odd feeling creeping up his chest.
After staring and thinking for a minute, closing his eyes shut tight a moment, Two-Bit slowly clenched his hands into his fist, taking in a deep breath.
Slowly, he reached for his back pocket, bringing out his switchblade, flicking the blade open, eyeing it, then his hand.
Voices ran through his head:
"They don't care about you! He's only pitying you!"
"Some best friend you are then."
"Friends forever! No matter what."
"You're my only friend now, Ryker."
"I don't ever wanna see you 'round here again!"
Eyes squeezed shut, Two-Bit was breathing shakily, the knife shaking in his hands, trying not to cry.
Should he do it? Should he actually…..cut himself? Is this what it's come to?
"Friends forever! No matter what!"
Two-Bit opened his eyes, taking in a deep breath, pulling down the sleeve of his jacket, revealing his wrist.
He eyed the knife, his eyes gray with a storm.
If they're all going to hate me, he thought, then I'm going to hate myself too.
And with that, Two-Bit took his knife and made the first cut, cutting lightly, though enough to draw blood.
He hissed in pain, watching the blood trickle down his wrist. Tears pricked at his eyes.
"That one's for Pony. And this one's…..for Soda."
He made a second cut, sucking in a breath, his breathing rate increasing as he began to cry.
"A-An-And this one's for D-Darry."
He made another cut.
"And S-Steve."
Another.
"And-And Dally."
Another.
"A-An-An-An…m-me."
Two-Bit cried, making the last cut, blood flowing across his wrist by now.
He eyed the vertical line of cuts, crying hard, his tears falling into the lake, making ripples.
Eyeing the last cut, his, his eyes suddenly narrowed and Two-Bit took his knife and made another cut over it, making a big 'X'.
He hissed in pain as he cut it, shaking all over as his blood and tears dripped into the lake.
"An-An' that's the gang….wi-without me n-no mores."
Two-Bit was practically sobbing by now, not even bothering to wipe at his face.
He stared at the six cuts, watching the blood drip slowly into the lake, his hand and arm shaking all over.
"Th-They all hate me now," He whispered to himself through his tears. "S-So so I have to too. I-If-If they don't wanna be my friend anymores th-then fine. I-I don't need them anyhow." He huffed, sniffling.
Two-Bit heard a whine and turned to see Ryker next to him, the dog sniffing him.
Ryker whined and moved towards Two-Bit's bleeding wrist, licking at the cuts softly.
"Ah, no, don't do that Ryker!" Two-Bit gasped and pulled away, crying. "J-Jesus, don't…." He sniffled.
Ryker whined softly, eyeing Two-Bit's blood with big eyes, frowning, going over to where he had buried Two's picture, digging it up.
Whimpering softly, he glanced back at a crying Two-Bit and picked up the picture gently, bringing it over with a whine.
Two-Bit sniffled and looked up, turning his head.
"No no, get that away! Get that outta my sight, I never wanna see that d*** picture again!" He immediately cried and pushed Ryker away, turning away, crying hard into his hands, sobbing.
Ryker whined and watched him, dropping the picture back into the hole where he had dug it up gently, burying it carefully.
He came back over where Two-Bit was sobbing loudly, nuzzling him gently.
Two-Bit choked on a sob, trying to wipe at his eyes with balled up fists.
"They all left me Ryker, th-they all le-left me! They don't even care anym-anymore!" He sniffled. "They all hate me! W-Well, if-if-if they all wanna-wanna hate me, then-then I hate-hate myself t-too!" He sobbed and wrapped his arms tightly around Ryker's neck, crying into the dog's fur.
Ryker whined softly and let him, licking softly at the blood on Two-Bit's ear.
"It-it-it's not fa-fair!" Two-Bit cried. "Wh-why does it have-have to be, to be me? I-I'm a good person, aren't-aren't I?"
Two-Bit pulled away and looked down at his reflection in the lake. "J-J-Jus' look at me," His lip quivered, seeing his reflection. "Am I really that bad?"
Two-Bit's tears fell into the water, rippling away his reflection so he couldn't see it anymore.
Two-Bit shook. "Wh-what is wrong with me?" He suddenly whimpered. "C-Crying? C-Cutting? I-I shouldn't be li-like this." His voice shook. "Wh-Why do I have to be li-like this? Like-like look at Soda and-and Dally and-and even Tim Shepard! Th-They don't get sad, they don't quit! Th-They keep-keep on goin' no matter what…..an-an' what am I doin'….oh, f***."
Two-Bit swiped at his eyes with a sleeve.
Starting to sob again, he hugged his knees to his chest, eyes squeezed shut.
"I hate myself…..!" He whimpered and hid his face, soaking his sleeve with his tears. "May-maybe I shoulda jus' gotten killed tonight, then-then all this could be over!" He sobbed loudly.
Ryker whimpered and tried to nuzzle his side softly, keeping close.
"No-no one would care if I woulda died anyways," Two continued to cry. "No one, not even Pony. Oh, why couldn't it have been me who died in that church fire, not Johnny? I-I deserve it more anyhow…..then-then John-Johnny could-could still be alive."
He choked on another sob.
"N-No-No wonder Darry hates me!" He suddenly sobbed out, hugging Ryker again tightly, crying into his fur.
Ryker whined and softly nuzzled him, keeping still for him.
Clutching Ryker tightly, Two-Bit sobbed. "O-Oh Ryker, wh-what am I gonna do?! I-I don't have any friends anymore! 'Cept-'Cept you of c-course…..Oh Ryker…."
Tears flowed heavily down Two-Bit's cheeks as he shook all over, crying loudly, sobbing into Ryker's fur, not letting go of him, not wanting to let go of him.
He sat there with Ryker, crying for a long time, miserable, completely miserable.
When he finally tried to stop crying, wiping at his eyes, he shivered, freezing from the night breeze, sniffling.
Ryker frowned at him and ran off a little ways, Two-Bit hardly noticing.
When Ryker returned, he dragged over a blanket to Two-Bit, whining softly.
Two-Bit saw it and lip quivering, he sniffled, grabbing it. He and Ryker made their way over to the nearby tree, Ryker helping Two-Bit walk, plopping down at the base of the trunk.
Still sniffling and shaking, Two-Bit pulled the blanket over the both of them and hugged Ryker close, nuzzling his face into his fur, mumbling lowly.
"Don't ever leave me, Ryker…...don't ever leave me. I don't wanna lose more of my friends. Please…"
Ryker whined softly and nuzzled him, licking Two's forehead softly in reassurance, keeping close, staying there with Two-Bit the whole rest of the night.
A/N: Well, sorry about the emotions. Should I keep updating right away or wait a little to post the rest of the chapters i've got done?