Thanks Mel49, ohremy, Fosterchild and NittanyLizard for your reviews! It's always great to get some feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed chapter one.
Chapter two;
It's just the nicotine that's coming over me
Or is it anything more than a smoke screen
Cause I feel like you've been living a lie
You're looking better than
Than you ever did
And nothing's better than
Than you once said
I've been waiting but I've been losing my
Losing my mind
- Even Better Yet, by the Format.
Pony's POV
All I know is that there's fire all around me and I'm screaming like hell, trying to get away from the flames. But something, someone is holding me back. I can see this big old door, and think if I can just get to it, everything will be okay, everyone will be alive on the other side. Mom, dad, Dally…Johnny.
But just as I reach out for the handle, something pulls my arm and I look round and there's Johnny, all burnt looking holding onto me, his big dark eyes all wide and desperate, and as I look into them, he's shouting 'There's so much I ain't done! Sixteen years just ain't enough."
"Hey Pony, shh, come on honey, it's just a dream."
"Johnny let go! We've gotta get out! Everything's burning!" I scream, but he's not letting go, just shaking his head and looking real doleful.
"It's too late Pony." He said, in barely more than a whisper, which sounded oddly clear over the crashing and hissing of the flames,
"Ponyboy! Quit yelling, it's okay…"
My head and heart were pounding, I had to get out, I couldn't breath! The acrid smell of burning was filling my nostrils and my throat was stinging, I was dying.
"It's too late Pony, but there's so much I ain't done"
"Pone!! Snap out of it"
Everything went black, and for a moment, I actually thought I was dead. My body felt weird, It was like I was floating or something.
"It's gonna be okay Pony, we're gonna be fine" Johnny kept saying, over and over, his voice getting all panicky.
But suddenly, I could feel two strong hands on my shoulders and I was tugged back to reality. I opened my eyes and blinked hard. Darry was still shaking me and Sodapop was looking real anxious at the end of my bed.
"Johnny…?" I managed to croak, making the pair of them look even more freaked out.
"No, Pony, it's just a dream little buddy…." Darry said calmly. His voice sounded hazy and distant.
"I'm okay…." I murmured, struggling to sit up, Darry's fingernails were kinda digging in as he held onto me, he was always rough without meaning to be, I guess that's just how he is. Like Soda can laugh at nearly anything even when he shouldn't and like Two-Bit shoots his mouth off without thinking…like I never use my head.
After that, I pretended to go back to sleep, but honestly, I couldn't. I was just so het up. All I wanted was a cigarette, but Darry had made me cut down over the last couple of months. He said it was cause he wanted me to make track team again the semester, but I know really it's cause we had the state on our back, making sure Darry looked after us okay, especially after what happened with Johnny…
Soda's POV
Glory, Pony sure did get worked up.
He had another one of his nightmares last night, he yelled so much I was sure the whole neighbourhood could hear, but everyone's got problems round these parts and no one called the Fuzz. That's all we need, the state thinking we're beating Ponyboy up or something, on top of everything else.
But the thing is, Pony beats himself up, about everything. And what I hate most is that he says he's fine. I ain't stupid.
Darry reckons he just doesn't want to worry us any. But he does. I damn nearly fell asleep at work today, I was laid down on back underneath this huge white SUV, cleaning her up and all, when I just sorta blacked out or something. I guess I must have just dozed off cause next thing I know, Steve's hollering at me and dragging me out by my ankles. Boy, some crazy stuff sure does happen to me.
Ooc; kay, so just a random filler chapter, I'm just trying to set the scene & yes, I know I suck at soda…