I was dreaming. Been doing that a lot lately. Dreaming.
I was freezing- I was in the burning church but I was so cold. Johnny was screaming himself hoarse, and a large log had fallen onto us.
This wasn't right. This wasn't how it happened. Johnny kept screaming- he wouldn't stop screaming. Why was it taking him so long to die?
It was so cold. The fire eating me alive was freezing my bones like nitrogen, making me feel like glass.
He was still screaming, shoving at the log and crying hysterically-
"Ponyboy!"
What in fresh hell was my brother doing here?
"Pony!"
The flames turned to water, then Johnny was flailing, grabbing for me and pulling us towards the surface.
I woke up when we reached air; Soda and Darry were grabbing my face and my hands and just touching me reassuringly.
"How are you, baby?" Soda asked me gently.
I shivered. "I'm cold."