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

Now, dear children, pay attention
I am the voice from the pillow
I brought something to you
Have cut it from my breast
With this heart I have the power
To blame your eyes
I sing till the day wakes up
A bright shine at the heavens sky

My heart burns

Mrs. Jones led Ponyboy out of the car to a red huge building (In Pony's view). As they passed he observed that the walls were white, security was on the front in a small room a man sitting down on a chair reading the newspaper not really paying attention. They walked down a long corridor surpassing a lot of doors with golden numbers on them, 14...15...16...One door was open revealing inside a boy about 6 to 7 years old. He was sitting down on the edge of a bed staring down at the floor, when Pony noticed him the boy stared back dully seeming tired of everything. Mrs. Jones noticed this too giving Pony a slight push signaling to hurry up.

Finally they ended up in a small office, there were 2 people inside. A woman and man sitting down discussing something. The Social Worker cleared her throat to gain attention. The couple stopped.

"Marie, Richard hello. This is the little boy I mentioned last night. I do believe you have a better living condition than the home he was in. Michael these are the people that will be taking care of you. Your foster family."

Ponyboy widened his eyes hearing that these strangers were going to take him in away from his home. The woman with brown eyes and black hair clapped her hands together, "Oh my! How cute you are! Of course we'll take you in!"

The man named Richard simply nodded folding his arms. All of them remained talking over the whole situation and what to do. Pony stood by the door wanting to run away but it would be useless, they'd catch him anyways. An hour later Marie and Richard were placing Pony in their truck ready to leave. Mrs. Jones gave Pony a stern look, "You behave Michael, these people are very nice to take you in. Take care."

Already inside he grumbled, "It's Ponyboy..."

Richard drove off, the ride home was silent. Not even the radio was turned on. Pony was too exhausted to feel sad or cry over this. As he looked out, the faces of his friends rushed to his mind. Twobit laughing, Steve making smart ass remarks, Dallas smoking, Johnny playing with him, Cherry in the daycare, Darry reading the newspaper and Soda sleeping next to him. He sighed sadly resting his chin on the side of the truck's door. His eyes drooped until he fell asleep.

Dallas kicked a bottle in front of the Curtis house as he thought about Pony not being inside no more. How everybody was bummed out. On the porch was Soda and Steve smoking.

"Hey."

"Hey Dally."

"You doing ok Soda?"

"No and I'll never be if ... If Pone ain't here..."

Dally licked his lips trying to think of something to talk about but nothing came up. Giving up he asked for Johnny.

"He's at his house. Said he wasn't feeling too good." Steve responded.

"Huh..."

Soda puffed out smoke, "And Twobit's getting all boozed up."

For a moment the thought if getting drunk appealed to Dallas but let it go not really in the mood. The air was so heavy it felt hard to breathe around. Steve finished his cigarette flicking it. Soda shrugged, "I'll call it a night. You guys staying?"

Steve shook his head as did Dally.

"G'night."

Darry was sitting on the kitchen table looking through an old notebook. Soda sat beside him tapping his fingers on the table. Minutes passed until he slammed on the table. His brother pressed his lips into a tight line.

"What the fuck are we going to do Darry?"

"Get Pony back I told you, we need a lawyer first to set a court date."

"Set a court date?! That means it takes time! Pony needs us Darry!"

"Right now I'm looking for the number of Dad's friend who's a lawyer. I'm doing the best I can Sodapop. "

"Bullshit."

Darry gritted his teeth, "Don't use that tone with me Patrick. I miss him too, everybody does. I may seem unconcerned but somebody has to keep it together...Pony..he" His voice was beginning to break, "I miss him so much. I'm really trying..."

Soda swallowed thickly rubbing his temple, "I-I'm sorry, I'm being am ass...It's just too hard..."

His brother patted his back,"It's ok, don't worry though everything will be fine...It has too, we promised Pony we would bring him back.

"Uuf...You're right... At least he's safer away from the crazy bastard in town."

The police still could not figure out who it was or where was the masked man. What they did know was that he only wanted to do damage on the east side and only focused his violence on the greasers (specifically them). Already 2 were down and no other report was announced. They also noticed that every time he attacked it was with Ponyboy Curtis. It is believed he might be the main target. But being just an hypothesis they didn't mention this to his brothers...yet.

Sodapop went to bed while Darry stayed up a little more. He just couldn't sleep, everything was weighing more on his shoulders he felt he could break. But I can't break...Somebody has to stay strong to keep the pieces together.

"Michael. Michael sweetie wake up."

Pony rubbed his eyes, getting carried inside he saw a two story white house. It had a brown rooftop and 4 windows on the front with a black door and white porch. 2 trees were on the front yard, 3 in the back. A tire swing swayed hanging from one of the trees. A Dalmatian dog ran towards them barking until he saw the new member. He began sniffing him up and down, Pony stood still afraid it might bite. The man Richard shooed it away,

"We are in Weatherford Michael, welcome to your new home. That silly dog you just saw was Cookie."

Pony suddenly remembered Pepsi his kitten, "Do you have cats?"

"Oh no no, I'm allergic to them and I don't even like 'em, nasty little creatures... Here we are, this is your room. You're going to share it with Charlie, he's not home yet. Stay here while I go get your suitcase all right?"

As she went down the stairs Pony sat on his new bed, he saw another one on the other side of the room. There was a small closet, 2 dressers and a desk. Posters of The Rolling Stones were on the walls. Cookie ran into the room sniffing the floor onto Pony. His tail wagged sitting down staring up at him his tongue hanging out. Pony slowly patted his head, Cookie's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Cookie get out."

The dog snapped around quietly making its way out the room. There was a boy about 15 years old leaning on the edge of the door's frame, he had green eyes, blonde hair that reached to his eyes and a scar on his chin.

"You Michael?"

"Ponyboy."

The boy rubbed his chin, "Thas your real name?"

"Ponyboy Michael Cuwtis."

"Charlie."

Ponyboy sucked on his bottom lip feeling out of place, all he wanted were his brothers. Charlie lied on his bed, "Welcome to your new humble abode Curtis. Just follow two simple rules here: keep quiet and obey."

"Quiet and obey. Ok..."

After some time of showing Pony around the house until Marie called them for dinner. They sat around the table, on the plate was chicken and smashed potatoes. Ponyboy didn't really have an appetite being all homesick so he only took some bites. Charlie nudged him discretely. Marie cleared her throat, "I expect you to eat everything on your plate Michael. Everything."

Richard grunted something getting up walking away. Marie went back to the kitchen getting something.

"Here give me."

Charlie switched plates eating what was left on Pony's. Marie came back smiling, "Now, was that so hard?"

"Uuuh..."

At night time Pony laid wide awake looking out the window of his room. The moon's glow seeped through. His hands searched for something that he had forgotten back home, that his brother forgot to pack. His stuffed dog toy. Tears welled up, Dis isn't home... I want Soda, I want Dawy. I want Pepsi...

oOoOoOo

Charlie woke up to the sound of screams, his heart thumped fast as he saw it was Ponyboy screaming. Just as he was about to wake him up Marie slammed the door open.

"What the heck is going on?!"

Pony kept screaming twisting in his bed, Marie shook him.

"Michael wake up."

Pony didn't.

"I said wake up!"

Another failed attempt. She then slapped him awake. Pony shot up gasping for air. Marie put her hands on her hips, "Michael! What has gotten into you?!"

He felt a sting on his cheek, "I-I have bad nightmawes. I'm sowy..."

She sighed, "The social worker did not mention this...Get back to bed."

Pony sobbed trying to contain his tears inside. Charlie pursed his lips, "Better now?"

"Suwe."

"Your cheek hurt?"

"She hit me."

Charlie decided to go to Pony's bed, "Yeah...She's like that. Just learn to live with it. And trust me you haven't seen nothin."

Getting back to his own bed Pony tugged his arm, "Can you...sleep with me?"

"...Fine. Just-just this one time."

Pony smiled, it would have better if it were Soda but this will have to do. Goodnight Soda...Goodnight Dawy...Goodnight Pepsi.

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)