Chapter Four

Okay so I know my story has lots of grammar errors and it seems to be confusing people -_- I'm sorry! Not everyone's perfect ya know? And I type on a small little netbook and sometimes I forget to check for spelling mistakes, when commas are needed or if a sentence sounds funny because one of the words is wrong. You guys should get it. Sometimes I forget my grammar skills…. And because this is Darry's chapter, things should be a little more detailed, more involved. But if it doesn't work out, I can put the story on a quick halt, edit it and re-upload it if it makes everyone happy… And sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Lack of inspiration to write.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS!

Knock! Knock!

My eyes fluttered open. Had I heard the door or was it just me? I slowly got out of bed and ran to the door and peeped out of the little hole. At first I didn't see anything and maybe it was just some dog rapping at the door or someone playing an early morning prank, but when I heard my name weakly being called from outside, I knew it was no prank.

"D-Darry!" I yanked open the door and saw Dallas, clutching his stomach which was bleeding furiously. His breathing was shallow and he was close to dying.

"Jesus Christ what happened to you?" I demanded to know. Dallas looked up at me with eyes that were paler than the ocean itself.

"A dark cloaked figure…. He's the one I think that's been…k-killing everyone…be careful darry." He said and coughed before collapsing on my porch and losing his last breath. I bent down by Dallas and saw him motionless. He died right on my porch. He must've either crawled or walked to my house because he was still alive whoever did this to him.

"Darry…?" Soda's tired voice called out behind me. I jumped a bit before turning my head.

"Go back to bed, Sodapop." I said sternly and he looked surprised. I never told them to go back to bed unless they were sick or it was the weekend.

"Darry what's going on?" he asked and tried to look out the door. I blocked his view but I heard him gasp. He saw Dallas and flew back to his room and shut the door behind him.

Can things get any worse?

The week passed by slowly and everything seemed different with our three gang members, Steve, Two Bit or Dallas not around. Now all we had left was Sodapop, Ponyboy and I, and Johnny Cade. It felt more lonesome and we couldn't really call ourselves "a gang" anymore. Seven people made up a gang.

Four?

Not so much.

I looked up from the paper and saw Johnny and Ponyboy playing gold fish and Soda trying to help them both cheat and win at the same time. It was humoring in a weird way.

I thought about what Dallas's last words were to me. He told me who it was that was killing everybody. Someone in a dark hooded cloak.

Who was next?

Would it be me? Sodapop or even lil' Ponyboy?

Or maybe Johnny for all we know?

I sighed not wanting to think about it.

But I had to. I was technically the leader of the gang and had to protect the guys from anything happening. And I had to make sure nothing bad happened to them, especially now.

"Darry? You look stressed out." Sodapop pointed out. I looked up at him.

"Why wouldn't I be Sodapop? There's a killer out there that's itchin' to maybe go after me, you or Ponyboy! Or maybe even Johnny! Damn it this place isn't safe anymore…" I said closing the newspaper I had been reading and pinching the bridge of my nose with a heavy sigh.

Sodapop and Ponyboy frowned and I heard someone walk over to me.

"It'll be okay, Darry. As long as we stick together I'm sure we'll be alright." Soda said trying to sound positive. But it was hard for him since the loss of Steve. Since the loss of three great people, well, who were great to us anyways. Ponyboy then furrowed his eyebrows a bit and looked at me.

"Maybe we should call the police? Report that we suspect someone is killing our friends and we need the police to investigate on it." I looked at Ponyboy.

"Ponyboy we don't even know-"but I stopped myself.

Dallas knew. His last words to me were the person who was killing everyone. From Cherry Valance to now him. I sighed and nodded.

"You're right Pone." Pony's eyes lightened up a bit.

"Do we have any suspects as to who could've killed them, though?" Sodapop asked making me nod.

"Yes. A person in a dark hooded cloak." I said and they looked at me with a puzzled look.

"Dallas's last words were that he suspected a guy in a dark hooded cloak was the one killing everybody…and he told me to be careful." I said, feeling a chill go down my spine. Even thinking about what he had last said to me made me feel creeped out and want to hide my family, and what was left of the gang, but hiding got you nowhere; it only got you killed.

"Well we definitely should tell the police then. If Dallas saw the guy who killed him, maybe the police can look for a person wearing a dark, hooded cloak." I looked at Pony, who had a glint of hope in his eyes. I sighed a bit and ran my hand through my hair a bit and nodded.

"Alright, let's call the police. They might be our last hope." I said and picked up the phone, dialing up the fuzz.

Fifteen minutes Later…

Soon enough the fuzz showed up at the door. Two police officers, one female and another male showed up. They didn't look the least concerned but Sodapop, Ponyboy, Johnny and I were at least relieved they had showed up. We were all that's left and I had to protect them with whatever protection I could use.

"Are you Darryl Curtis?" the blond headed girl asked. She had piercing blue eyes like Dallas's and was as tall as me. Her slender body was tall and straight and she was looking deadly serious, while the guy looked laid back and chilled. I nodded.

"Yes mah'm." I replied. She nodded.

"I'm officer Bradley and this is Officer Barlow. We came as soon as you called." She said flipping her ponytail back. I nodded and let out a sigh. Officer Bradley looked down at her notepad.

"You called about a guy who you suspect is the murderer of your friends?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. Me, Johnny, Sodapop and Pony all at once nodded.

"Yes. Our friends, Steve Randle, Keith Matthews and Dallas Winston were recently murdered not only a couple weeks ago. Dallas came to my door and told me it was a guy in a dark cloak with a husky voice." My voice faded. I hated thinking about the memory. Officer Bradley nodded and scribbled something on the notepad.

"This seems serious," she murmured and Officer Barlow nodded in agreement. He suddenly didn't look so laid back anymore. I nodded and heard Pony mutter "Obviously."

"Okay we're gonna send patrols out here and watch your house carefully." Officer Barlow said after reviewing his notepad. I nodded and looked at my brothers with a grim look. I didn't know if Police would really do much good, but it was some protection.

"Okay. Thank you so much officers." I said with a nod. The Officers nodded.

"No Problem ." Officer Bradley said and pulled out a card. "Here. If anything else happens call us." She said before the two of them left. I sighed and placed the card on the desk.

"What now Dare?" Pony asked sounding a bit scared but relieved the police were going to keep watch. I wrapped my arm around his shoulders.

"We keep an eye out for each other and watch our backs. There's only us now and I can't afford to lose you guys." I said giving his shoulder a squeeze. Pony weakly smiled and headed off to his room with Sodapop, leaving me and Johnny in the living room.

"You think the p-police might scare the killer away?" Johnny asked quietly. I looked at Johnny; his black eyes had scared written all over them. I really didn't know anymore.

"I don't know Johnny, but let's hope so."