Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or Ponyboy Curtis. Sigh. The true owner of "The Outsiders" is the best author ever, Miss S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories I write on this site.
A/M: Reviews are appreciated. This is the last chapter because I basically combined two chapters together. Sorry. So, when I said "18 or so" I meant 15. I'm excited for the ending I have planned and when I'm done with this I will update Sunrising.
Ponyboy's POV
"Ponyboy, I hate to say this, but Cherry is dead. I'm so sorry. She knew that he kidnapped you and he killed her." Darry told me. I wrapped my arms around him, sobbing. It was all too much. The smallest sliver of light i accomplished today was ripped away.
"Ponyboy, I know you don't want to, but Court is scheduled for next week. You need to testify." I was too tired to think of anything.
I went to bed with Soda following me, not answering Darry. I cried myself to sleep.
X (One week later) (Court day)
I walked into the courtroom in Soda's old suit and was met face to face euthanized Randy's cold stare that has haunted my dreams for weeks.
Mrs. James and I had talked one more time. I refused to talk about Randy, but I had talked about my favorite activities before the kidnaping. As much as I hated to admit it it helped a little to have someone besides my family (which includes the gang) to talk to, even if it was just about lighter things.
I listened to Randy and his friend's statements without any interest. I remember what Darry told me.
They called me to the stand and I shakily got to my feet. (A/N: Bold: Judge; Ponyboy: Regular)
"Mr. Curtis, who do you recognize in this room?"
"Randy, David, and Kyle." I mumbled after some hesitation. Just tell the truth and Randy will be locked up, I told myself reassuringly.
"Did they kidnap you?"
"What happened in the night of the fourth?"
I blocked out the all the questions and my responses, shaking in anticipation for the sentence. They continued like this until they let me go back to my seat.
"I sentence Randy Anderson to death by electric chair and David Smith and Kyle Fink to life in prison for murder of Sherri Valace and the kidnapping and attempted murder of Ponyboy Curtis. Court dismissed."
I knew I should be relieved, but my stomach twisted at the thought of Randy dying. It brought back memories of Johnny, Dally, and my parents. Darry hugged me, but it felt suffocating.
X
I had slipped back into and Soda tried to help, but I was a murderer, just like Johnny Cade.
Mrs. James kept meeting with me. Slowly, but surely, I began to come out of the darkness.
"Randy made those decisions to let grief rule his life. Don't end up like him, letting grief rule your life. You didn't make those decisions for him." That was when everything started to click.
Slowly, I talked more. I relaxed more. I was going out more. After a full year, I had a girlfriend.
You don't just stop because you lose someone. I had lost Randy, and myself. I could fix Randy, but I could fix myself.
A/N: Thank you to:
BunnyLuvsU
FrankElza
The Curtis Crew
Guest
Fluffy T. Banchuck
Seth Clearwater
Sadicofan
GreaserG1rl201