Soda jumped up. I stood, transfixed with horror from the kitchen. A hand came in and punched Soda's face. Soda fell into the hall, his nose bleeding.
"Ponyboy! RUN!" he yelled.
"NO!" I ran to the phone. I was going to call the fuzz. What else could I do?
"I don't want you to run so you don't get hurt," Soda grinned sadistically. He stood up and grabbed the knife from the wall. "I just don't want you to see THIS,"
"No!" I yelled at him, almost dialing the last one.
Soda backed up as two buff guys came in. Socs. They both had heaters. My mouth went dry.
"Back off!" Soda hissed.
"Right," the Soc sneered.
"Like that's ever going to happen!" the other one said, laughing.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Soda sighed and crossed is arms.
"You're real cocky for a dead guy," the Soc glared. Suddenly, they both fell forward on the floor, right beside Soda's feet.
"That was a close one, Sodapop," a familiar voice said. He stepped into the house. Darry! Thank heavens!
"You were almost dead," Steve stepped in after, frowning.
"C'mon, Soda, be more careful next time!" Two-bit clicked his tongue.
"Oh…Ponyboy," Darry noticed me for the first time and stepped inside. I rushed to him, engulfing him in a bear hug. Under any other circumstances, I would've slapped myself silly, but right now, it was just too big of a surprise.
"Aw, there, there," Two-bit smirked, then his face became neutral. "He watched, Soda?"
"Yeah. I told him to run but we all know Ponyboy," Soda shrugged.
"Damn right," I sniffled, stopping the tears. There was no need for them right now.
"Well…we don't want to bury another Greaser tomorrow," Darry shook his head.
"W-what do you mean?" I asked, letting go of Darry.
"The Socs and the Greasers aren't too hot with each other right now," Soda ran a hand through his hair.
"What did you do, Soda?" I squinted my eyes.
Soda chuckled. "He's pretty smart,"
Two-bit and Steve stared at each other from the corners of their eyes. Darry sighed loudly.
"Hello? Someone tell me!" I glared.
"Not now. Maybe later," Darry winked.
I gaped at them. Was I too young to hear it or something? So what? I'd seen things no other kid has seen! All I knew was I was finding out. But I hate my curiosity…
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The funeral. To my surprise, Soda actually let out a little helpless sob. Darry put an arm around his shoulder as the priest read from his little black book. Steve told me it's a bible. Then, he bent his head down and started to pray. We all did the same. Dally's friends were all there, those from our gang and not from our gang. Johnny's parents were there. His mother was actually crying. I glared at her, remembering our encounter at the hospital. I didn't want to see her here, or her husband for that matter.
"I-I can't believe we're here," Two-bit whispered, his eyes starting to gloss.
"Yeah," I frowned. I wasn't 'bout to cry. I was through with crying.
"Listen, Ponyboy…about yesterday…please, just try to forget about"-
"I'll find out, Two-bit," I said, determined.
A hand touched my shoulder. I looked up. It was Barry.
"Hey," he smiled lightly, tears tugging from his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I half whispered half hissed.
"…I decided to be the good man and come," he shrugged. "Everyone will kill me for coming, though,"
"Don't worry about them," Steve turned to him, and for the first time, smiled. "Johnny will be happy you came. Dally too,"
"Thanks," Barry grinned at him, the tears falling. He wiped them away quickly.
"It's ok to cry," Steve said, sadness etched in his voice.
"Naw," Barry replied. "I don't want to. I've cried enough already,"
The service finished. They put Johnny and Dally's coffins side by side and started to rebury them. Johnny's mom started sobbing like hell had broken loose. Her husband squeezed her shoulders helpfully. The gang and I sneered at them. If they really cared, they wouldn't of left Johnny to run around and sleep at various people's houses just so he could escape his own. If they really cared, his father wouldn't of beat the crap out of him.
Naw. They didn't care one bit! It was just for show. After the coffins were no longer seen, everyone left…except us. The Greasers.
"You were a good man, Dally," Two-bit came up to their graves. "And…you really did care for Johnny. You never hit him, never got mad at him…how did we not see it before? Well Dally…'guess this is goodbye,"
"Yeah, buddy. Johnny, we'll come visit you as much as we can," Steve said, his voice fighting to keep steady. "We love you guys,"
"And watch over us in the war too come," Soda stepped up.
"And help me figure out what's going on," I cocked an eyebrow at the gang.
They all smiled and the sun started poking through the dull clouds. A way of promise from Johnny and Dally, I suppose.
"Greasers," an icy voice said.
We all turned, alarmed.
About fifteen Socs stood, against five of us.
"We aren't going to let you escape now!" one brought out a pipe. "You'll be joining your buds soon!"
A gunshot ran. A scream of agony. Two-bit had been hit in the shoulder.
-X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X-
Happy thanksgiving! Sorry for not updating in so long, I had a play script to write. DDDX So, yes! Here it is, with another amazing cliffie. Xo I'm called the Queen of Twists, by the way, so expect them from me. REVIEW!!!!!
