Chapter Eight
Sorry it's been a while. School gets in the way and I am busy on the weekends, lately, having friends over and stuff…. I haven't gotten any reviews since chapter 3, but I still post this story anyways. Here's chapter 8. P.s. sorry it's so short. And I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS! Just the killer!
~A Great Loss~
Johnny's POV
I was sitting quietly next to Ponyboy as we watched television together. Things were tense but the sound of the comedian on the TV relaxed us a little bit. A teensy bit. I fidgeted with my fingers as they sat in my lap and I tensed up. I heard Pony chuckle lightly and barely at a joke from the TV. I sighed and looked up before hearing the telephone ring.
Ponyboy jumped, too.
We exchanged glances before Pony reached over and picked up the receiver.
"H-hello?" he asked into the phone. I watched his expression carefully as someone from the other line spoke to him. Whoever it was, though, obviously had bad news because Pony's expression tightened and he looked like he was going to start bawling any second.
Pony's POV
I picked up the receiver of the phone and asked hello. I was ever so cautious because who knows; it could be the killer or someone dangerous. But it wasn't.
It was a lady from the hospital. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she asked if I was Ponyboy Curtis.
"Yeah that's me." I said slowly glancing at Johnny with a confused look. I heard her sigh gravely before telling me the worst news I would get in my life.
"Your brother Sodapop Curtis, I'm afraid he is at the hospital. He was brought in fifteen minutes ago and had severe burns all over his body, but…" her voice trailed off.
"But what!" I demanded feeling shaky and nervous.
"He didn't make it. His heart was starting to fail and he had a concussion. I'm so sorry." She said and she sounded like she meant it. My face tightened along with my throat and heart. I was shaking and Johnny could see it.
"He's still at the hospital if you'd like to come say your good byes. I've already contacted your older brother." She said gently before biding me good bye. I hung up the phone and started to shake violently.
"What's wrong Pony?" Johnny asked softly looking at me with pondering eyes. I swallowed hard and felt tears well up at the corner of my eyes.
"Soda's dead." I said before starting to bawl into my arms. Johnny swallowed and looked down. I knew he shouldn't have gone to work. My middle brother, the one I went to everything and talked to everything about, was now gone.
A few days later
It was Sodapop's funeral. It wasn't anything special but what was left of the gang was there, and some of Sheppard's gang was there, too. They had been informed of what was happening with us. The police were all over our case like vultures, trying to find out who was responsible for Soda's death, along with the rest of the gang.
I stood by Darry's side, trying to hold in my tears. But I bawled like a baby. Johnny looked down at his grave the whole time with a deep frown on his face. He didn't cry but he looked really sad.
My bottom lip trembled and I felt Darry squeeze my shoulder. I sniffled and trembled, looking at Soda's fresh grave stone which was next to Mom and Dad's.
"Darry we gotta do something. Everyone but me, you and Johnnycakes are all gone. A-all gone." My voice cracked and I exhaled a shaky breath. "What do we do?" I asked looking up at my older brother for an answer. Darry's ice like eyes were softened yet hardened at the same time. They didn't hold an answer like usual. They were bleak and stunned. Expressionless.
"I don't know Lil' Colt. We just have to be very careful." He said in a low voice followed by a sigh. I swallowed hard as the two officers, Barlow and Bradley walked over.
"We're very sorry for your loss." Barlow said giving us a grim look. "Whoever this person is has some serious issues." Bradley gave Barlow a look before looking at us with sad eyes.
"We are sorry about your brother, Ponyboy. Darrel." She said giving Darry a curt nod. Darry nodded back and I sighed. Johnny stared at the ground, not wanting to meet eye contact with the cops.
"We're gonna keep patrol around your house tonight and tomorrow. Watch for any suspicious activity. Please be careful and don't go to work, whatever you do. Ponyboy, don't go to school. Call in sick whatever it takes. It's officially not safe."