I haven't updated in about a month and i greatly apologize for that! I wanted to make this chapter perfect since it the last chapter. I know, i can hear the cries of anguish now! But, i still hope you enjoy!
"Carmen, oh thank god!"
The figure ran to me. I ran to him, knowing that voice as if it were my own.
"Dallas Winston it's about damn time!" I cried, flying into his outstretched arms.
"You're okay, he didn't hurt you did he?" Dally wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
"No, I'm fine. Where are the others?" I was so happy to see him, but what about the rest of the motley crew?
"We'll, at home, but I didn't know if you were actually here. So, I didn't want to get there hopes up…"
I nodded. That made no sense what-so-ever, but I wasn't in the mood to argue.
The head-lights of a familiar beat up truck drove by on the winding hill-side road. Dallas pulled me behind an evergreen tree in an effort to hide me.
"Dammit…why couldn't this place be easier to find?"
"Ow, I think I just sprained my ankle!"
"You two quit complaining. Steve, you go through the front and cause a distraction. Two-Bit, you and Johnny get the North tower. Darry, you and Ponyboy take the South tower. I'll check out the garden. Ready?" Sodapop's voice carried softly.
"No! Don't go!" I cried, making Dally jump. I ran from our tree and tackled Johnny. "Don't, he'll get you too!"
"Carmen? Oh, thank god!" I heard Darry breath uneasily.
"Told ya the little squirt could find her way out! But, no! Pony had to wake me up at two in the morning to save his girl, who didn't need savin'!" Steve complained loudly.
"Would you shut up," Dally muttered and glared.
"It's really you," I heard Pony mutter. His voice was thick and cracked in the middle of his words.
"Yeah, it's me…" I was cut off when his arms yanked me against him. He hugged me and I could hardly tell when I started to cry. My chest hurt and my stomach tossed. All the emotion of the last few days caught up to me in a rush and I crumbled under its weight. "Ponyboy, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I sobbed.
"You're sorry? I said I'd protect you-and I didn't! He got you." I realized Pony was crying as well.
"We better get the hell outta here," Johnny murmured. I wrapped my arms around Pony and he lifted me into the truck.
"We'll be home in a minute, don't worry," I heard Sodapop say over and over. For the first time in days, I slept soundly.
It was still dark outside when I awoke. It took me a couple blinks to realize I was in the Curtis household. I slowly lifted my aching body and yawned. I probably had morning breath from hell, I thought hazily. I rose from the warm bed, much to the displeasure of my muscles, and made my way down the hall. On tip-toes I peeked into the room Ponyboy and Sodapop shared. Sodapop was lying on his back starring at the ceiling.
"Soda?" I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
He hurriedly wiped at his eyes and sat up. "Hey, Carmy. How'd ya sleep?" Soda asked.
"Okay," I yawned and joined him on the bed. "Where's Ponyboy?"
"Talking to the police. He wants to catch the bastard that took you."
"I'm sorry. I should'a been more cautious."
Sodapop rolled his eyes in the dim light. "It's not your fault."
"Not yours either. So, whatcha been doin' for the past three days?" I asked casually.
"Pony tell you bout' Sandy?" Soda bit his lip and his eyes clouded with tears.
"No, oh god, what happened?" I feared the answer.
"She left me. Went to live with her grandparents in Florida," he answered in monotone.
My mouth hung open and a gust of air blew out. I knew he loved her. He had planned to marry her.
"Why did she…how could she…" I sputtered.
"Do that for two more days and you'll be where I am now." Sodapop's voice sounded dull and blank, yet I could see a tear trail down his face.
"Why?" I croaked.
"Got knocked up," Soda sighed and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Does Darry know?" I wondered, shocked.
"No! Not like that, it wasn't mine…not mine."
"Sorry, Sodapop." My own eyes burned with unshed tears. How dare she? Didn't she know how wonderful Soda is? How caring and sweet and fragile? For a second I wondered where that last word came from. But I could see how fragile Sodapop was when it came to someone he loved.
The next day was an absolute blur. Darry took me home after lunch…that was fun.
"Carmen Rose, you are so dead!" my mother had screamed, flying out the door and yanking me out of Darry's truck.
"Sorry, Mother," I had muttered, grinning as she crushed me in a massive hug.
But the best reunion? Dustin was sprawled on my bed when I raced into my room. He lifted his head dully and blinked several times before sitting upright. He glared at me for a moment before barking. It reminded me of when I was five and had drawn on my dad's Mustang with a Sharpie marker. My own dog was lecturing me.
"I know, I know! Gosh, Dustin!" I cried and threw myself at the mass of fur. He licked my face clean of fallen tears and nuzzled my neck. I held onto him for dear life and cried.
The police also questioned me. A young officer that my mom worked with asked me questions such as: "Did you go on your own free will?" and "Did he assault you in any way?"
Looking back, I realize the man did nothing wrong (besides kidnapping). That's why I felt remorse, remorse over his death.
"A group of punks scarred him so bad he had a heart attack. Guess payback really is a bitch," my mom laughed at that.
"But, there is one matter we haven't yet discussed…his will."
"His what now?" I asked.
"You are the sole recipient in his will. If you and your mother will sign here and here," the officer pointed at lines on a sheet of paper, "we will give you the deed to the mansion and all possessions."
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute," my mom held up a hand. "We get that huge house?"
"Technically your daughter does, but she is free to put it in your name."
Exactly one week later all of my stuff was once again in boxes. The guys came over to help us move. It was especially fun when Two-Bit brought water guns!
We arrived at the mansion, soaking wet and laughing so hard we couldn't breathe.
Joplin was a fairly large city, only ten minutes north of Tulsa.
"We won't be able to walk to each others houses now," Johnny murmured, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"We'll just have to drive," I shrugged. I was able to explore the castle in daylight and point out useless facts to my mom and Dustin. Dustin was very interested in the birds outside, unlike my mother who ran around exclaiming "Look at these Greek pillars!" and "Such beautiful Renaissance art work!"
It took three full days to move in completely. We had seven guest rooms! Seven! My mother had moved into the lavish North Tower, loving the alabaster and marble bathroom. The closet was big enough to fit a king sized bed in!
I took up residence in the South Tower, my 'old room'. I climbed the steps, Dustin on my heels, and swung open the door. I marveled at how little detail I noticed of this room. It was painted a shocking blood red and had silk and satin curtains on the bay windows, which were no longer barred. The bed (a king) had a gossamer canopy that cascaded over the bed's wooden frame. My desk and bookcases were pushed against the wall opposite my windows and my closet was slightly smaller than my mom's. I found the rope that opened the underground passage and decided to keep that a secret. The closet was overflowing with different era dresses that I never noticed. All of the dresses were expensive looking. I would only wear them to Halloween costume parties; I thought and laughed out loud.
Ponyboy didn't come over as much as I hoped he would. We had been neglecting each other since I was found safe and alive.
The first time Ponyboy stayed the night, was the first night my mom went back to work for Tulsa County Sheriff's Department. She was in her scratchy uniform and her hair was back in two ponytails. It was odd to see an adult with pigtails. She insisted that I call her if anything goes wrong and to stay in the house at all times. I smoothly lied and promised until she was gone.
Dustin whimpered and trotted into the glorious kitchen. I fed him and told him to stay downstairs, and bark if he thinks something's up.
"Be a good boy, love you, Dustin," he licked me affectionately.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, trying to calm my nerves. I had pulled out an ankle length dress for the occasion. It was a deep forest green with gray trimming. Very old-fashioned, too; like a princess from a fairytale.
I opened the trap door in my closet and snuck out. The walls were now lined with lit torches and it smelled better for some reason. When I emerged into the garden, I was pleasantly surprised to see my prince, pacing beside the rose bushes.
"Hey, you," I said, my voice hushed.
Ponyboy's head jerked up and his teeth flashed in a smile. It was so dark I could only see the gleam off of his leather jacket. I noticed the dull orange light of his cigarette and shot him and annoyed look. "You're going to ruin the moment!"
He put the cigarette down and stepped on it. "Ruin what moment?"
"Never mind, come on," I reached out and wrapped my fingers around his wrist, yanking him up the passageway. I didn't stop in my room, but instead led him to the library.
He gasped in surprise. "This is amazing!" Ponyboy raced through the room chattering animatedly about authors and genres.
"What do we do now?" I asked, sitting on the floor beside the fireplace.
"Watch a movie, maybe read," Pony grinned and held up a few leather-backed books.
"Not that stupid," I rolled my eyes, "us."
"What about us?"
"We are technically engaged, right? And you turn fifteen in a matter of months…and I'm no longer in any immediate danger…" I bit my thumb nail, drawing out my words, hoping he would comprehend what I was saying.
"We graduate high school in a few more years. After that we'll get married and live happily ever after. The end." Ponyboy shrugged.
"Never mind," I stood up to leave (or storm out) when Pony caught my wrist.
"We haven't had a chance to talk so I'm going to say this now. If something had permanently happened to you, I would never be able to forgive myself, never. I remember the last time we talked and…the things you said… something could happen. To you or to me, and we'd never be able to do the things that we want to do!"
"Like?" I put one hand flat on his chest and moved it up to wrap around his neck.
"You know what I mean, Carmen." Ponyboy bent his head to kiss me.
I starred out the open bay window at the midnight blue sky, dotted with silver and gold stars. "That was probably stupid, I'm sorry," Ponyboy murmured in my ear. I laughed softly and smiled at him.
"Don't apologize, and it was awfully stupid," I agreed.
He traced stars on my bare shoulder and then kissed the base of my neck.
"I love you Ponyboy Curtis," I sighed happily.
Pony looked at me through hooded eyes. "I love you too, Carmen Rose."
I felt like pulling out my diary and writing in it but decided against it. There was just too much to write and I would rather stay in Ponyboy's arms.
We stayed in my bed until dawn, just watching the twinkling of stars. Once Ponyboy left, I had a shocking epiphany. I had never been satisfied with life in California. My dad was a nightmare and my brother was always A.W.O.L. My mother was the perfect housewife with no personality and my only real best friend is coming to live with us for a while. Her parents died last week in a bank shoot out.
But in Tulsa, I was happy. I was whole, complete. I had friends I could count on and my mom was one of them. Better than that, was I had someone who loved me, despite of all the crap going on in my life. I reached under my pillow and slid my diary out. Inside were the entries of heartbreak and panic, of love and denial. I put it back and padded on socked feet to my window, where Ponyboy was walking away.
What we did was stupid but necessary. I believed that. I still do. In three days my best friend would be coming. I just wish I had warned her of Tulsa and the things you could get wrapped up in. Too late now…
Well, good solid ending? Ha! Now about that friend of hers'...Madison Elwell...aren't you guys lucky that's there's sequel =) But you still have to review!