A/N: This chapter had WAY more emotion than the other chapters have so far, so I hope you like it!

Songs for this chapter: "Take Me Away" by Avril Lavigne

"When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne

"Perfect World" by Simple Plan

I was right. That night was the worst one of my life.

First off, I stammered, and whenever I was asked a question, I didn't know what to say because I wasn't listening. I got a headache and my stomach hurt, and I didn't have much of an appetite that evening. I could only play with my food and think about Caitlyn. When they asked me what was wrong, I said nothing because I didn't want to worry them, because, well, they were powerful people, and if they thought something was up with Darry, well, you know. And if I told them about my problems, well, that would just be awkward. So I decided to stay quiet.

After they left, though, was a different story.

Darry had just closed the door. He then turned and faced me, too many emotions to count on his face. "Ponyboy, what's wrong?"

"Darry, I told you, and the people from the state, that nothing's wrong," I told him, trying to sound frustrated instead of upset.

"Ponyboy Michael Curtis, something's wrong and I know it. You have to tell someone…"

"What if there is nothing wrong, huh? Ever think of that? And besides, if something was wrong, I wouldn't go to you. Do you really think I would?" I questioned him, my voice rising again. To be honest, I didn't have to fake it.

There was hurt in his eyes, I could see it from where I was standing. "Don't you lie to me, boy…"

"I'M NOT LYING!" I suddenly yelled, the anger finally getting the best of me.

"DON'T YOU USE THAT TONE OF VOICE ON ME!" Darry yelled back, apparently not able to stay calm, either.

"I. DON'T. CARE!" I nearly screamed at the top of my lungs.

Darry seemed dumfounded by this and didn't know what to say to it. He seemed to be looking at something, but what…

I turned and saw what he was looking at.

It was Soda. He just stood there, a blank look on his face. He seemed upset, but he was too frozen to run. I didn't know what to do at this point. I just stared at him, thinking, thinking hard, before I made a run for it.

I bolted past Darry and out the door before they could figure out what was going on. I hardly knew what was happening, either, except that I needed to run. It was what I needed to do. What I needed to get away from those faces, to get away from the pain in the house. To get away from being asked questions and demanded answers. This was all I knew.

Suddenly, I stopped. But why? My senses came to me and I realised that I'd run for blocks and blocks and ended up at the fountain in the park. The same fountain I was nearly drowned in just over a month ago…

I broke down at the memory of that night. I couldn't take it, I just couldn't take it. I couldn't take the memory of Johnny killing Bob to save me, which brought on more memories of him, bringing on memories of Caitlyn, being so like Johnny. I couldn't take the fact that I missed our special date, not knowing how she would react. It was so important to her, and I'd ruined it. I'd ruined it all.

I was crying, using the fountain for support, when Darry and Soda caught me. I felt so broken, yet I could not tell them… I couldn't even tell them after Soda held me like he held Johnny and asked "What's wrong, Pony?" in that same voice he used to talk to Johnny that day he was beat to a pulp. Johnny…

I cried even more and couldn't tell what was happening. I think that one of them said "I think he just needs some rest." before I was taken home in Darry's arms. I was put to bed, tucked in, and fell asleep.

It was horrible. I had a nightmare of all of the worst things in my life. The worst things that would happen to me…

First it was my parents. I was at their funeral, watching us. I watched Darry stand there while Soda and I bawled our eyes out. I saw their graves. I saw everything, and seeing my brothers so upset hurt me, but I couldn't do anything. Then I saw some of the worst fights Darry and I had. And I saw that every time, Soda was there, a sad look on his face, and sometimes he would even walk out of room and nobody would notice until the fight was over. I couldn't do anything, and I felt so guilty for fighting with Darry that night. After that I saw the fight in the park, I saw the whole thing. I saw Johnny fighting for me, screaming bloody murder at them as they ran away, then I saw him pull me up and try to wake me. When that didn't work, he sat by the fountain to observe what he'd just done. I never thought he'd do it like that, that he was tough enough to even do that. To me, he was always sweet, quiet Johnnycake. Then I saw the days of the church, the fire, the nightmare I had, the one I didn't remember, which I still didn't recall, the rumble, Johnny's death, Dally breaking down and deciding to die himself. Everything. I saw everything.

And then I saw Caitlyn.

She was beautiful as ever when I saw the scene when we first met. I saw every happy and sad memory of us. I saw our kiss in the rain, I saw her getting beat up for me, I saw that Soc cutting up her leg, her passing out, her in the hospital, the dance, but then, of course, I saw myself making that promise to her. Then I saw her, what I'd imagined happened. I saw her at the restaurant, waiting, then crying and yelling when she'd got home. I wonder what she was doing now…

Suddenly, I woke up. My pillow was soaked with sweat, I was breathing heavily and I was shaking like a leaf. I looked beside me. There was Sodapop, dead to the world. His arm was around me and he was peacefully asleep. I guess I hadn't screamed. But I crawled under his arm more securely and stayed there for who knows how long until I fell asleep again.

I hoped I wouldn't have that nightmare again. And, most importantly, I hoped none of it was true.

A/N: Aww, poor Ponyboy. :( I hate it when I have to do this to the characters, but for the sake of the story, I must.

Okay, so I hoped you enjoyed that chapter. It was hard to plan out. I hope you keep on giving me those wonderful reviews! :D