Sodapop's POV

I watched as my baby brother was driven away in the back of a police car. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. Everything swirled around me, and time seemed to speed up. I tried to reach Ponyboy, but I couldn't. My baby brother was leaving again. No. I wouldn't allow it.

The car Pony was in, turned the corner, and then it was out of sight. I calmed down a bit to get my facts straight. Darry was demanding a cop to tell us what was going on.

"Please," a cop was saying. "Calm down. Your brother has been suspected for murder."

Everyone fell silent. Even me. What? Surely they have the wrong guy! Darry was the one to brake the silence.

"What? How?"

The cop cleared his throat. "The Tulsa, Oklahoma police department was informed that there may be a Ponyboy Curtis wanted for the murder of Rickey Wilson, in our city. An officer spotted him walking down the street this morning. We tracked him down to this location. He will be held in our department over night. The New York police will pick him up tomorrow, and transfer him to New York city. You may visit him at our station." the cop concluded, and walked away.

Wow. That was a lot to take in. My head was spinning with all the big words and information. I dropped out of school, so no one can expect me to take in everything all at once. It took a couple seconds, but I finally understood what he said. My little brother has killed someone.

My eyes widened, and I gasped. I turned around to face an equally shocked Darry, Two-Bit, and Steve.

"Dar, we gotta go down there…" I trailed off, leaving the sentence to hang unsure.

Darry nodded, but he looked mad.

Everyone piled in the truck, and we started towards the police department.

Oh, Ponyboy… What have you done now…

Ponyboy's POV

I was locked in a cell. Boy, this brought back memories. I was freaking out on the inside, but completely calm on the outside. I have rep to keep, anyhow.

But… "Damn! The bastards found me! Everything was going so good… when all of the sudden some cop kicks the door open! Its actually a little funny if you look back on it… oh shut up." Great. I'm talking to myself.

I'm here because I killed Rickey… murder… NO! It was self-defense! They made a mistake. I have a witness. Chris. They'll take me to court I'm sure… its just like last time… Johnny was going to court, but then… he died.

I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I hate admitting that to myself, but I know I need to. I'm tough. Block out emotion. Yeah…

I heard multiple footsteps down the hall. I turned around and saw the gang walking towards my cell with a cop. Steve looked curious, Two-Bit looked anxious, Soda looked unsure and anxious, and then Darry… uh, oh. Darry looked pretty mad.

We stared at each other in silence, for a couple seconds, before Darry exploded.

"Why are ya in here, kiddo!" he asks.

"I killed someone." I said bluntly. But the look in everyone's eyes, tell me they already know. Soda gasps. I feel bad that I had to do this to him.

Darry shakes his head slowly. "Why…?" he asks quietly, and I'm very surprised to see tears in his eyes.

Before I can answer, Sodapop shouts, "Wait. So this whole time ya were here to hide from the fuzz?"

Wow. Way to make a guy feel like shit, Soda. I gaped at him, speechless. I don't know how to respond. I don't want to hurt him anymore than I have to, but that seems impossible now. But damn, Soda really knows how to kick my ass with words.

When I don't say anything, Soda storms off. He looked hurt. I felt terrible now. I guess only Soda can break through my barrier of no emotion.

Steve looked at me with hatred showing in his eyes. Then he walked off to find Soda. I looked at Darry and Two-Bit. They looked real disappointed in me.

I found my voice again, and said the first thing that came to mind. "It was self-defense."

Darry and Two-Bit looked up, surprised by my sudden announcement. "What?" They ask in unison.

I told them everything that happened that day. Rickey was drunk, he had a heater, I stabbed him, and ran. Of course, my story had more detail when I told it out loud.

Darry and Two-Bit looked shocked.

"I'm so glad it wasn't on purpose." Darry let out a relieved sigh. "But now what? They're gonna transfer ya to New York. I guess we'll have to drive up there for the trial."

I grinned. "So yer not mad?" I asked.

Darry looked at me. "Oh, I'm mad, but I am not gonna loose my little brother again."

I smiled.

Two-Bit cleared his throat. "I guess we should go tell Soda and Steve then. Besides, I'm pretty sure me being in a police department is NOT a good idea." Two-Bit chuckled.

Darry and Two-Bit left me alone, with only my thoughts.

Johnny killed someone in self-defense. Now I killed someone in self-defense. Johnny ran. So did I. I got hauled in. He didn't. But this is such a similar situation to last time. Will this end as bad? Wait… Johnny killed someone, and he ended up… dead. Now, I killed someone… Does that mean… Oh, god. Please don't let this end badly.

AN: Sorry this chapter is kinda short. I hope it was still enjoyable. I have made a new poll! Please check it out! Review! ;D