Chapter Five

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS! ONLY THE KILLER! BWA HA HA!

I'm sorry for the delay. School is a serious intervention. Thanks for anyone who reviewed, favorite, etc… I finally got to writing around chapter 5! I wrote it in school (: So… here's chapter 5!

SODAPOP'S POV

Everyone still seemed scared after the fuzz had come and told us they would keep close watch. I was still scared, for Darry, Ponyboy, Johnny and myself. As I lay in bed I held Pony close. Who knew where that psycho killer could be lurking? He could be in the shadows, or even in our room. The though made me shudder. But wherever he was, I just couldn't take the thought of risking to lose my baby brother.

My eyes looked around the dark room listening to the sounds of the rain hitting the roof and the calm breathing of my brother. I let out a deep, relaxed breath and closed my eyes, trying desperately to fall asleep.

My eyes squinted and I turned my head away into the pillow as the sunshine bled through the windows. After a moment, I realized that Ponyboy wasn't beside me in bed. I sat up feeling alert followed by the dizziness and blood rushing to my head.

"Where is he?" a frantic, panicked voice made me get chills. Jumping out of bed I made a beeline for the living room.

There stood Darry and Johnny, their faces contorted into worried looks. Johnny was fidgeting with his hands and Darry held the look of panic and fear.

"What's going on? Where's Ponyboy?" I asked hurriedly feeling my gut starting to shrink hoping it wouldn't dissolve. Darry turned towards me.

"I don't know. I woke up and looked around and saw he wasn't here. There was no note or no indication that he left the house. And Johnny didn't see him leave either." I glanced at Johnny who was staring at the carpet in almost guilt. I sighed.

"We gotta find him Dare. That killer is out there and he could've-"I didn't even have the bravery to finish my sentence. I looked out the window; it was a breezy morning and the sun was shining brightly. The weather didn't make me feel any better. Darry walked over and gave me a tight hug.

"We'll find him pepsi-cola." He said in a husky voice, swallowing hard afterwards. I hugged Darry back tightly and hoped he was right.

Knock Knock.

All of our heads went up at the sound of someone knocking on our door.

"You think it's the fuzz?" I asked looking at Darry with a puzzled look. It could've been possible they found new information. Darry glanced between me and Johnnycakes before finally shrugging.

"I don't know." He said before turning to the door. I bounced into step before him.

"I'll answer it." I said looking at the two before turning the door knob and getting the shock of my life.

"PONYBOY!" I gasped as the young fourteen year old stumbled forward into my arms, making me stumble for a moment but finally gain hold of him. Darry and Johnny came rushing forward helping me inside and setting him on the couch.

"Oh my god," I said as Darry got the first aid kit and started to clean Ponyboy up. He had purple and black bruises that were starting to form along the side of his face and arms and a cut on his forehead that would become a scar. Someone had beat the sense out of him, and it wasn't a soc.

"Who did this to him?" I asked still coming out of my own shock. Darry looked at me like I had grown two heads.

"Who do you think Soda?" he retorted before sewing up his cut. My anger flared on the inside but I kept cool. I then noticed the clenched up note in his fist and bent down and carefully peeled away his fingers and removed it.

"Look at this, Dare." I said and opened the letter up. Darry and Johnny were looking at me worriedly when I then frowned at its words and read it out loud.

YOU'RE NEXT

Darry had swallowed hard and blinked a few times before finally fixing up Pony and putting away the first aid kit. I froze. The guy was after my baby brother. No, I thought. I can't let Ponyboy be killed at such a young age. He has aspirations and dreams! Hopes and places to go. I have to protect him. I felt myself shaking and sat down on the couch.

Darry was in a daze but his expression showed fear and Johnny looked pale and scared. We were all more than scared. Ponyboy was frightened. He was going to die, unless someone stopped this guy.

It was too obvious; this guy had to be stopped, before he killed again.