Chapter 4:

(Rose's POV still)

"What the hell do you want?" I asked as I pulled Johnny behind me.

"My money," he said.

"We beat you fair and square," I said.

"Give me the money and I won't hurt ya," he said.

"I'm not handin' it over," I said. "I suggest you leave now." Damn, Johnny and I were not even half way to my house. I guess I had to fight these guys then run. Let me see; there are seven guys and one girl. We're outside near the park. That's enough room. Now all I have to do is kick their asses well. "I don't want any trouble alright," I said. I didn't want trouble but not while Johnny's here.

"Maybe troubles lookin' for ya; get the broad guys," Rob said. Johnny and I ran with the guys behind us. The guys caught up with me first. I told Johnny to run however, Rob caught 'im. Johnny was thrown onto the ground and then gettin' kick by Rob. I got free from the guys and attacked Rob. I took the trophy and hit 'im on the head. No one hurts the boy I like.

"Johnny run now," I said. "Play time is over," I said as I got up and threw down my jacket.

"Rob man," one guy said. "It's Double Blade Rose man; we're out of here." His entire backup crew, except the girl and Rob, left. Johnny got up.

"So I finally meet one of the DDG," Rob said. "It's an honor."

"So what; get you're ass kicked by me," I said.

"No; I've always wanted to meet the gang," he said. "I'm sorry it has to end so soon." He pulled a heater out of his pocket. I heard a noise behind me so I looked and saw the slut had Johnny in her hands. She was touchin' 'im everywhere. He was trying to get away but that slut had a good hold on 'im

"Get you're slut hand off-" I felt a gun at my head. Must be Rob; damn.

"Take the boy Cassie; I don't care about 'im," Rob said. "This girl is the one with the money."

"I have the money," Johnny said. I looked at 'im. Why was he lyin'?

(Johnny's POV)

I had to get that gun away from Rose's head. I may not be strong but I can at least try. "What did you say brat?" Rob asked me. Rose wanted to smack 'im. I could see it in her eyes. "What did you say?"

"I h-have t-the m-money," I said.

"Cassie, search 'im," he said. I felt her hands going into my pockets. I tried pulling away again and again but nothing worked. I looked at Rose. She was mad. I wonder why she's mad.

"Rob, let Johnny go," she said. "He has nothin' to do with this."

"Yes he does," Rob said as he walked in front of Rose and I didn't see what happened next.

"He's got nothin'," Cassie said. I stepped on her foot and ran toward Rob. "Damn brat." Cassie came after me. I jumped on Rob's back. Rose saw her chance and made Rob point the gun to the sky. Cassie came and tried to get my off Rob. Then a gun sot was heard. Rob let go of the gun and Rose fell to the ground. I got off Rob and went over to her. She was holdin' her side. Did Rob shot her? Rob looked terrified and ran off with Cassie.

"Rose are you okay?" I asked. She shook her head weakly. She took her hand off her side and looked at it. It was red. I looked at her side and saw she was bleedin'. I saw Will and Paula come over to us. I guess they heard the gun shot.

"What the fuck happened here?" Will asked me.

(Darry's POV)

I heard the phone ring just as Dally and Ponyboy walked in. I had called Tim and some other greasers and asked them if they seen Johnny. None of them have seen 'im. I picked up the phone and answered it. "Hello," I said.

"Is this the gang that has a Cade boy in the gang?" Whose voice was this? I don't recognize the voice.

"Yea; who is this?"

"It's the DDG and we have the Cade boy. If you want to see the Cade boy again, you'll do as we ask." Wait; the DDG gang has Johnny? How is this possible? The DDG is a greaser gang. They wouldn't kidnap a greaser. Then again, I never excepted girls to be in the number one toughest female gang.

"What do you want for Johnny?" Everyone in the room was lookin' at me.

"Give us million dollars and we'll let 'im go. You have until noon tomorrow. Meet us in the park."

"We don't have that kind of money."

"Either you get it somehow or the Cade boy is a goner." The other person hung up the phone. I slammed the phone down. How the hell were we all suppose to come up with million dollars by today?

"What's wrong Darry?" Ponyboy asked. "Was that Johnny?"

"No; Johnny's been kidnapped by the DDG," I said.

"What?!" everyone shouted in the room. "What do they want?"

"A million dollars by tomorrow," I answered.

"Well be better start robbing a couple banks," Dal said.

"We can't do that," I said.

"He's right Dal," Soda said. "Darry, you still have all the money we were saving for Ponyboy for when he goes into college?"

"Yea but I don't think that's enough," I said.

"Let's check," Soda said. "Everyone else, bring as much money as you can without stealing it. Meet us back here at 11 tomorrow." Everyone got up and left. Why the hell would the DDG use Johnny to get to us? What have we done to them in the past?

(Johnny's POV)

I explained everything to Will and Paula as we waited in the hospital. We had not choice but the take her here. Paula called Anna and told her what happened. So she should be here soon. Will was walkin' back and forth. She was cursin' to herself too. Paula sat down next to me. Paula had carried Rose on her back to the hospital. "Calm down Will," Paula said. "Will hates hospitals," Paula whispered to me.

"How can I wait here calmly like you?" Will asked. "Rose was hurt badly."

"Actually the bullet missed anything vital." We turned around and saw the doctor. Anna and the rest of the DDGs came running in. "Are you the guardian?" the doctor asked Anna.

"Yes," Anna said. "How is she?"

"She'll be fine with some rest," he said. "She got the bullet out of her side and stitches too. You can take her home tonight."

"Thank you Dr. Howard," Anna said. "How much do we owe you?"

"I'll send the bill at the end of the month," he said. "You can take her home tonight. She's in the room at the end on the right." We all rushed to see Rose. When we entered the room, Rose was awake. She was sitting on a bed. Paula ran over to her and hugged her.

"How you doing baby girl?" she asked.

"Fine; where's Johnny?" she asked. I slowly walked over to her. She couldn't be here if I hadn't been there. Once I was beside the bed, she let go of Paula and hugged me. "I'm so glad you're safe."

"I'm sorry Rose," I said.

"For what?" she asked. "Don't worry about my wound. I've had much worse than this little thing. Hi Will, Abby, Krista, Lynn. Is Anna here too?"

"Yes," Anna said as she entered the room. "What happened?"

"Oh; I have a surprise for you," Rose said smiling as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the money. She handed me $100 then handed Anna the rest. "We can use the money I won tonight to pay for the hospital bills." Anna was surprised to see all the money.

"It's alright," Anna said. "We'll use it for something better. Tomorrow we'll going on a picnic and Johnny is welcome to come too."

"Sweet," Abby and Krista said as they jumped around. Paula joined in after a minute. Will handed over to Rose and lightly punched her on the arm.

"Looks like Double Bladed Rose ends up in the hospital yet again," she said.

"Why is she called that?" I asked. Abby, Krista, and Paula stopped jumping around and looked at me. Then everyone in the room, except Rose, looked at me.

"You didn't use you blades Rose?" Will asked.

"No; the trophy was harder; plus I had only one blade with me," she said. "Johnny, the reason I'm called Double Bladed Rose is-"

"We'll show you something when she really gets mad," Will said. "No reason to tell ya and ruin the fun."

"Can we go home now?" Rose asked. "I need something to eat again." Paula messed up Rose's hair.

"Sure thing baby girl," she said as she helped Rose up. Then we left the hospital.

"I'm sorry about this Anna," Rose said.

"I'm not mad; you used it for self defense," she said. "I'm just glad you and Johnny weren't hurt to badly. Will, I'm surprised you're not drunk."

"I didn't drink much today," Will said. "I only did two drinkin' contest."

"Good," Anna said. "Abby, Krista, Lynn, you stayin' the night?"

"Of course," Abby and Krista said.

"I guess," Lynn said.

"Don't you two ever go home?" Anna asked.

"I do sometimes but I like hangin' around you gals," Abby said.

"Same 'ere," Krista said.

"At least you go home," Anna said. "Lynn, how's your family?"

"Went on vacation without me," Lynn said. "They left a note saying they forgot until the day of the vacation."

"Can I please hit them with they come back Lynn?" Rose asked. "That was bull shit man."

"Rose, watch the language," Anna said. "You know you can stay over anytime you want."

"I know," Lynn said. Rose then jumped on her back.

"Ya; you're a DDG and we look out for each other," Rose said.

"Ya," Will said. We reached the apartment. "I call the couch."

"You always get the couch," Abby complained.

"Where's Johnny going to sleep?" Paula asked.

"In my room on my bed," Rose said. "I'm goin' to sleep on the floor in a sleepin' bag."

"Sure Rose," Paula said.

"I can sleep on the floor," I said.

"No you're not," Rose said.

"But what about you're side?" I asked.

"It'll be okay," Rose said.

"Johnny can take the guestroom," Anna said. "Will and Lynn can share on couch and Krista and Abby can sleep in Rose's room."

"Alright," Abby and Krista said as they rushed into Rose's room.

"You sure it's okay if I stay?" I asked. "I think my wounds are better."

"Nonsense Johnny," Anna said.

"Johnny, you're last name is Cade right?" Paula asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"You're new name is Johnnycakes," Paula said.

"That's what the gang calls me sometimes," I said.

"Well it's my new name for ya. Night gals and guy," Paula said as she went into a room. Abby and Krista came out and jumped on me.

"Johnnycakes!" They yelled. Are these people ready the DDG? I can tell Rose and Will are but the rest, I sometimes I have to question about it. "That's a cute name Johnnycakes!"

"Get off 'im or I'll tell Ponyboy and Steve you like 'em," Rose threatened.

"You wouldn't dare," they both said.

"Try me," Rose said. They got off me and ran into Rose's room. Rose ran right after them. Will had lit a weed and was laughin'.

"Will," I asked nervously. "C-c-can I a-ask y-you s-s-something?"

"Sure Johnnycakes," She said. "Ask me anythin'?"

"H-h-how d-d-do y-you k-know D-D-Dallas W-W-Winston?" I asked. She looked at me with just angrier. "Never mind," I said quickly. She calmed down and looked at me.

"It's not you're fault," she said. "Lynn, will you go put this out for me." Lynn took the weed and wet to put it out. Rose came in and we sat in front of Will. I guess Rose likes hearing this story. "I came from New York Johnny," she started. "I was young then. I am still young but back then, I was a little angel compared to what I have become now. I was in elementary school when I meet Dallas. He was so hot. Every time I saw 'im, my heart would stop. We were in sixth grade when he asked me out. I gladly accepted. One night though, everythin' changed. We were out on a date when a guy came up and asked Dallas to help 'im in a fight. Oh course Dallas couldn't refuse a fight so I let 'im go fight. He told me to wait on the bench for 'im and he said he would be back as soon as possible. I waited on that bench until midnight. I started to walk home. I was young then so I didn't know the dangerous of New York. I took the alley way and there were guys standin' there. They told me Dallas told them to come and get me.

"I knew they were lyin' so I ran. They eventually caught up to me. They pinned me to the ground of the alley. I was fightin' back as much as I can but nothin' helped. That when…" I saw Will hated the memory. Rose got up and wrapped her arms around her.

"Will was found by someone the next day," Rose continued. "They said she was raped. That's when Will started hatin' Dallas. He broke his promise and he didn't save her. I hate 'im too for what he did to Will." Now I feel bad for askin'. Did Dal really do that to her? That doesn't sound like Dal. "I think we should go to bed now," Rose got up and asked me to follow her into the guest room. "Will vowed if she ever saw Dallas again, she might kill 'im," Rose said. "Ever since that day, she grew tougher and tougher until the police moved her down here into a foster home. She caused too much trouble in New York."

"I'm sorry I asked," I said.

"It's alright," she said. "There's the room. Go ahead and get some sleep. We're going to have a lot of fun tomorrow so you better be ready. Do you need something to sleep in like a shirt?"

"If you have one my size then yes please," I said. Rose walked into her room. I heard Abby and Krista say something but I didn't hear it. Rose came out with a white shirt.

"This was Charles shirt; he gave it to me for some reason," she said. "You can have it. I don't want it anymore." She handed me the shirt. "Good night and if you need anything, my door is unlocked so if you need something, just ask."

"Thanks again Rose," I said as she entered her room again.

"Anytime Johnnycakes," she said as she closed the door.