Why We Ended Up Here

Disclaimer: No, silly, I never have nor will I ever own The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton owns The Outsiders. *sighs* :( I simply borrow them for my own creative enjoyment purposes.

Candymouse22: Why? Because it's fun, that's why lol. And honestly same about the school thing. And maybe they will, maybe they won't... ;D Thank you so much for reviewing!

FrankElza: Thank you so much for taking the time to review. :) Here is the next chapter!

Amanda (Guest): Ha ha, I'm sorry! Thank you so much for taking the time to review.

Teeloganroryflan: Thank you!

Moontrail: I appreciate the criticism. I honestly jumped ahead because I've written a story like that and I didn't want to be repetitive. But maybe (I'm thinking about it) I'll add flashbacks about the days before the boys were taken away. Thank you so much for taking the time to review. I hope you continue to enjoy, despite the skip ahead. Glad you enjoyed the third chapter as well!

HappierThanMost: I'm glad that you enjoyed that part. Thank you so much for the review!

Of books and needles: Right! Poor guys. Thank you so much for your review.

Grayturtle: Thank you so much! And probably, tear jerker a are my favorite lol. I'm glad you think I keep everyone in character. Aww I'm glad you felt the emotion. :) Again, thank you so much for your review.

Chapter 4: Bedrooms and The Mess Hall

~ Saturday, January 8, 1966 ~

Ponyboy gripped his suitcase tight as he and Soda were ushered into their room. It was a simple yet small room, just a bunk bed and a dresser, but it would have to suffice. As long as Ponyboy wasn't alone, he was okay. Sodapop got to stay with him, and Ponyboy didn't want to leave his side.

When they were called down for dinner, Ponyboy realized he was in trouble. There were about twenty or so other males living in the same Boy's Home as them, every one of them bigger than Ponyboy. He was one of the youngest there, only boys twelve and up lived in that specific Boy's Home, and Ponyboy was extremely small for his age. That made him a real easy target.

Glancing around, Sodapop decided on sitting off in a corner by themselves, figuring it would be the safest bet for now. They all ate at a long table, reminding Sodapop of the ones at school. As the seats filled up, a muscular Mexican teenager begrudgingly sat next to Soda, mumbling something about "the new kids" under his breath.

Sodapop finished his last bite of a substance that slightly resembled mashed potatoes, he glanced over at his little brother, noticing the auburn haired greaser hadn't taken a single bite of his chicken or mashed potatoes. He had only chopped up the chicken and moved around the mashed potatoes, making it seem like he had at least taken a few bites.

"Eat something, Ponyboy. It ain't that bad," Sodapop tried to reason, giving his brother a small nudge. Ponyboy shrugged, laying down his fork.

"I'm not hungry."

"I know," Sodapop agreed, his own dinner sitting uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach. "But eat something anyways."

After a moment of silence a kid appeared, sitting in a seat across, looking to be about thirteen, with wildly curly blond hair. He looked less dangerous than the others, with a friendly, yet still slightly mischievous smile.

"Hello, boys," he greeted, leaning back in his chair. Sodapop gave his expression a once over, trying to get a read on him. Deeming him safe for the time being, Sodapop relaxed. Slightly.

"You got a name, kid?" Sodapop asked finally.

"My name's Daniel Thomas Crawford. But you can call me Daniel."

"Alright, Daniel. My name is Sodapop, and my brother here is Ponyboy," Sodapop explained, jerking a thumb over at Ponyboy.

Daniel almost spit out his chocolate milk. "Sodapop? Are you pulling my leg?"

Sodapop shook his head wordlessly. Ponyboy stiffened next to him.

"What kind of half crocked hippie names their kids Ponyboy and Sodapop? Where they stoned or something when they named you?"

"Nope," Sodapop explained dryly, having heard over a dozen insults over the years directed at the competence of his parents. "Just very original."

"I'll say," Daniel snorted, shaking his head. "Well, Ponyboy and Sodapop," Steve stood up dramatically, tray in hand, his voice taking on an announcer type façade. "I hope you find your stay here at the Tulsa County Boys Home very pleasant. Remember to all your friends about how great we were."

With that, Daniel left.

Ponyboy was running. His chest ached and his lungs burnt with every breath, desperately trying to intake oxygen, but he never felt replenished. Everything around him was pitch black and silent, up until the moment he felt himself bump into someone. He slowly looked up, his green eyes locking with Darry's pale blue, his older brother's expression as cold as ever.

"Darry? You came back for me!" Ponyboy shouted, relief filling his voice.

"Came back for you?" Darry gave a bitter laugh. "I couldn't be happier now that you aren't home. You're nothing but a whiny brat, always have been, and now that you're gone, I get to go back to college and live my life. Free from a spoiled, attention seeking kid like you."

The words sliced through Ponyboy like a thousand knives. "B-But, Darry..."

"No, not Darry," a husky voice corrected him. "You should know what your own father looks like, Ponyboy."

Ponyboy whirled around, coming face to face with both of his parents. "Mom! Dad!"

"As is you're actually happy to see us. Yeah, right. Darry had it right when he sent you to the state. You've always been nothing but an ungrateful, selfish brat, even though we did absolutely everything for you. And how do you repay us, huh, Ponyboy? By killing us!"

"I-I didn't," Ponyboy stuttered, tears falling down his face. "I didn't mean to..."

Suddenly, someone grabbed Ponyboy from behind and shook him. An animalistic, guttural scream ripped from deep inside his throat as Ponyboy shot up in his bed, drenched in a cold sweat and shaking like a leaf.

"Ponyboy, it's okay. You're okay. Wake up. You're safe," Sodapop reassured the younger boy, his voice soft and reassuring. Ponyboy wrapped his arms around Sodapop, crying.

"T-they're gone, they're really gone," Ponyboy sobbed.

"Sh, I know, baby," Sodapop hushed him, rubbing his back. He felt his own heart give a twinge of grief at hearing about his parents.

"Darry- h-he said he didn't want me. He said I'm an ungrateful brat, and-"

"Hush now, Ponyboy. That ain't the truth. It was just a dream."

Ponyboy paused, taking a calming breath before asking, "Is Darry going to be able to get us back?"

Unable to lie to his little brother, Sodapop responded, "I hope so, kiddo. I really hope so."

A/N: I am so sorry this took so long, guys! The night I had dedicated to writing ended up consisting of me writing my sister's ten page term paper, so after that my writing brain was slightly fried lol.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this very late update. Please remember to review! You guys rocked at reviews in the third chapter, thank you so much! Eight reviews, seriously! I was so excited. :3

Stay Gold,

~ Alee XxX