.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

"Inside a wall street mind a psycho lurks
Lines of cocaine cut in hell
Obsessive hands gently grab your neck
compulseivy you start to die
I hate people"

Johnny was helped by Dally and Darry, he walked inside the Curtis house slowly wincing when he got to Pony's room that he didn't use anymore. Pony got up on the bed crawling towards Johnny's side, he poked his arm.

"Awe you feeling bettew?"

Dally muttered, "Leave him alone Pone he needs to rest."

Johnny shook his head, "It's ok, yeah I'm feeling better."

Darry thought it was best if Johnny stayed some days to heal at their place knowing that if he had stayed at his own house he wouldn't get any better with his Father beating him or his mother constantly yelling. Johnny had refused saying he didn't want to be a burden but Soda nor Darry had none of it. In the end Johnny ended up staying, even Dally agreed it was a good idea.

Dally and Darry left the room, Pony kept asking more questions. Johnny asked him one.

"Are you ok Pone?"

Pony fidgeted with the blankets, "I'm okay...Just...scawed."

Johnny put an arm around him, "Don't worry everything will be fine. We'll take care of you."

"I guess...Hey want to wead a book? My Daddee told me it was a hawd book for me to wead. We can wead it together! Wait."

Pony got out of bed running out of the room, he came back with a book. He again got in bed snuggling next to Johnny, it was titled, "Gone with the Wind."

Johnny smiled softly, "Tuff."

They stayed for some time reading a couple of pages until both fell asleep.

oOoOoOo

In the living room everybody was talking. Darry had told everyone that Johnny had been jumped badly by some crazy fuck that had worn a white mask. The police at first didn't find it serious thinking it might have been some sort of bad joke but the woman who found Johnny had demanded it should be investigated especially if a young boy was almost hurt too.

Dally was furious already contacting Tim Shepard for help to find the guy who did this. Darry had Pony were in lock down mode, from daycare to home, if they wanted to go out everybody must stick together. 2 of the gang now had to pick him up just in case the masked guy showed up again, everyone was now paranoid. Johnny's beating had everyone heated, Pony was scared out of his mind, his nightmares getting worse that even therapy wasn't working well.

"Good thing Johnny will get better." Twobit said sipping some beer.

Soda growled, "He hurt Johnny so bad...And if that son of a bitch had also had hurt Pony, God I woulda found him and killed that bastard."

Darry frowned staying calm for everyone's sake, "For now let's lay low," He pointed at Soda, "And you, no trouble I mean it Soda you know what can happen."

Dally stretched in his seat, "Besides, I got Tim's boys on the lookout, I'm sure they'll do the dirty work."

Steve puffed, "All this sounds like a fucking terror movie. A masked killer out there on the loose."

"Maybe so but not exactly." Soda commented.

"Why?"

Darry also knew what he meant, "He's not a killer."

Dally nodded, "And let's hope it doesn't get to that."

Twobit closed his eyes, "Jesus..."

Soda along with Twobit were watching television. Johnny was in the recliner feeling better after some days healing but still aching a little. Pony was on the ground laying on his stomach totally focused on a puzzle that had a puppy. It was 3 in the afternoon, a cloudy day with fresh air. Just as Soda began making lunch there was a knock on the door, Twobit widened his eyes knowing that it wasn't a good sign. Soda washed some dishes quickly, "Uhh coming!"

Twobit quickly went to their bedrooms picking up clothes that were lying around hiding them and trying to make the beds as straight as possible. Johnny picked up some trash from the coffee table, also taking some clothes throwing them to Twobit who was now in the bathroom making it look clean. Soda, while putting on a nicer shirt, walked towards the door, before opening it he saw Pony hold out a pack of cigarettes his brother had forgotten to hide. Soda thanked him. He opened the front door feeling that the house was decent enough. Twobit and Johnny sat on the couch, Twobit 'reading' the newspaper and Johnny staring at a book.

"Hello Sodapop, Ponyboy...And..." Mrs. Jones began.

Twobit held out his hand, "Keith Mathews ma'am."

Soda gaped at how serious his goofy friend had turned in a matter of seconds. Johnny also presented himself in a low shy voice, "Jonathan Cade."

Mrs. Jones adjusted her glasses smiling, "Nice to meet you. Is Darrel here?"

Soda gulped, "H-he's still at work. He'll come by in about an hour or so."

She frowned, "So he left you and Pony alone with no adult supervision?"

Twobit interrupted, "Um no ma'am. I'm 18 going on 19. Have my license if you need to see. So technically I'm...an adult... Super-visioning...them"

She smirked, "I see...Let's start out with a quick check up on the house. Soda?"

Soda nodded leading her to the rooms, he turned around using his hand to imitate a phone mouthing to his friends, Call Darry.

Twobit watching them go away dialed Darry's work place quickly, Johnny had gotten to the kitchen cleaning up some more just in case.

"Can you get me Darry? ... Darry! You hafta come home quick, the social worker is here. Yeah...yeah...ok bye."

Pony tugged at his shirt, "Is evewyfing ok?"

Twobit nodded, "Sure thing squirt. You smile and stay cute for her."

After 10 minutes Soda and Mrs. Jones came back to the living room. Just then Darry stepped inside, he placed his tool belt on his recliner. Twobit and Johnny left after that.

"Darrel you're early, Soda had told me you we're coming later."

"I got off early."

"Well the house seems fine, needs better work though but now let's get down to business. The real reason I'm here is because I was notified by the police that Ponyboy Curtis was involved in some sort of troubling situation. He was with your friend Jonathan who was attacked some days ago. Am I wrong?"

Darry shook his head, "No but where is this going?" She saw Pony stare up at her, "Can I speak with you in private?"

Soda nodded at Darry to go ahead while he stayed with Pony. They went to the porch outside.

"I am concerned for his safety. I do not think it's an adequate place for a boy his age to live in if a dangerous person is loose attacking people, especially people that interact with Ponyboy-"

Darry interrupted, "Mrs. Jones we are capable of taking care of Ponyboy and about the attack. That was totally unexpected, how could we have-"

She held out her hand signaling him to stop, "Now now, what I'm trying to say is that if this happens again, I'm sorry to say this but Ponyboy Curtis will have to leave with me."

Darry felt his blood go cold, he still nodded, "We'll take extra measures for him to be safe, I promise."

She raised her eyebrow, "I know you will."

Soda gritted his teeth, "She said what?! No no no how could you have agreed to that?!"

"I didn't agree Sodapop! It's nothing I can even agree to or deny! She'll take away Ponyboy if that son of a bitch attacks one of us again!"

His brother sighed angrily, "But that isn't our fault! God damn it, fucking lady..."

"We really have to be very careful, that means your curfew will be cut short little man."

"I don't care ... As long as we have Pony with us."

Ponyboy was already asleep, Johnny had finally gone home to his parents. They didn't seem to care though. Darry told everyone the bad news. Their friends promised to keep out of trouble and take extra care of Pony.

Miss Sharon was aware of this 'loose killer.' She was stricter with family members or friends picking up the children, they now had to get inside the classroom. Soda and Steve hung out at night sometimes but came back early, Steve didn't mind much. If it was for his friend's safety it was cool with him. Even with Pony he always kept his eyes open when it was his turn and another friend to pick him up.

Twobit warned his mother and sister not to get home late. He would tell Karen to keep a blade with her at all time, he would also pick up his mother at work from night shifts. His sister Karen also had her curfew cut short to which she whine but in the end she just had to suck it up.

Johnny didn't go out much, the attack had him scared to go alone. Not even the Socs were that frightening to him. Dally would hang out with him sometimes, he promised him that he would get the guy for his scar that would never go away. The message on his stomach disappeared however.

Darry was stressed out more than ever, he had so many things taking up his mind. His brothers, the state, the bills, work. What had him thinking more was the message that the stranger had left. Strike one. What does he mean? Why Johnny? Had this been planned? He had called the police station a couple of times if they had a lead on this person but they would say no. Not even a clue, the only witnesses were the woman and Johnny. The only information was that it was a man wearing a mask, blue eyes, black pants, white shirt and rings. It wasn't really much.

Now one in the morning Sodapop lied wide awake, his little brother snuggled up on his chest, he stroked his cheek thinking, God Pony you can sure get in a lot of trouble...If that bastard had even laid a finger on you ... I don't even wanna think about it...I'm sure glad Johnny was there, he's such a good friend. I love you so much Pony.

With those thoughts he fell asleep hugging his brother.

It felt so good to let a little steam off. Such a productive day that was. I couldn't have imagined it better. I really couldn't kill that dark skinned kid , what was his name? Johnny...?

If I had then it would have been a boring plan. No no no the BIG objective here is for the end. Until then there will be death ... I'll think about it. Days have passed without me doing anything...yet...I believe the police are on my case but they will let it go eventually.

That is until... strike two...

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)