I knew the guys were already heading to the park for the rumble; I could feel it. I was still cooped up in my hospital bed in my underwear and my arm still hurt. With a couple winces I sat up and pulled my jacket over my arms. It felt sort of rugged but at the same time a comforting warmth, and then some hurting on my bandaged arm. I still sat there, and when I felt the strength I stood up and pulled on my jeans. I sighed, lit a cigarette, and made my way out of the room.

I walked by the nurses and doctors; surprised they didn't recognize me. I hid my bandaged arm as I walked swiftly right past the doors and made my way to the park. I didn't think the rumble started yet, so I walked at an easy pace. I still held my arm since it was still kind of in pain, and I was cold because I wasn't wearing a shirt under my jacket. After a sharp, cold breeze rolled by, I shivered and breathed out a bored, cold breath. Even though it was dark I could still see the little air cloud escaping my mouth. Then I felt a small raindrop on my head so I looked up, and one hit my eye.

Annoyed, I walked a little faster. Inching closer, I heard some yelling and saw that the rumble has already started. I picked my speed up to a run as I ran on and off a pickup truck, past a big bonfire, and a couple greasers that weren't in my gang getting beaten. Some Soc came running at me, already had a bruised face and ripped-up clothes. I grabbed him and flipped him over onto his ass on the ground. I snickered. One down, more to go.

It suddenly started pouring down rain. I looked up and around into the sky, and I felt myself getting hit around by a Soc. Crap, I was distracted. I kicked him in the nuts, just a couple scratches on my face, and got up. There was a couple Socs near the truck so I grabbed them and shoved their heads in the metal. I smiled. I loved beating the shit out of people I hate. I saw a couple dirty and bloody Socs leaving the park. I smiled bigger. We're winning. More and more were leaving by the minute. Socs were coming at me still, but with my fist raised and my foot ready, I beat the crap out of them. After seeing Paul, Darry's arch rival crawl away, I knew it was ending. Instead of cheering like the rest of the greasers, I ran over to Ponyboy who was lying on the ground, badly beaten. "You all right, kid?" I shouted over the cheers as I picked him up. He didn't answer, so I grabbed him and put him in the truck.

Stupid people, leaving their keys in a car.

I put him in the front seat and didn't care that I was speeding to the hospital. Not only did we have to help heal Pony, we had to visit Johnny. He was sitting, hurting in the passenger seat, but not a terrifying kind of hurting. If he was older he wouldn't have been this badly beaten. When I saw blue and red lights behind us in the rear-view mirror, I sighed and pulled over.

"Act sick." I said quickly to Ponyboy. The policeman came over to my window.

"You better have had a good reason for speeding like that."

"This kid fell off his motorcycle and I'm taking him to the hospital."

The policeman stared at us for a long time and it was getting on my nerves.

"How bad is he?"

"I don't know! He looks pretty bad to me. Do I look like a doctor to you?" I smart-mouthed.

"Follow me." He said, going back to his motorcycle and driving in front of me.

While getting escorted to the hospital, I looked at poor Ponyboy. If only he was tough…

"I was crazy; you know that, kid?" I said, trying to get Pony's attention.

"I was crazy for wanting Johnny to stay out of trouble. I was crazy for letting him run into that church. If he was smart like me, he wouldn't be in this mess." I looked at him again to make sure he was listening.

"You better wise up. Get tough like me, and you don't get hurt."

I felt a lump in my throat.

"Watch out for yourself, and nothing can touch you!"

I let a couple tears roll down my face.

When we parked at the hospital, I went around and carried Ponyboy out of the car. I told the policeman thanks and walked in the front doors. I put him down when I made sure the cop was driven away and out of sight. I asked the nurse where Johnny Cade's room was, and after she told me I put my arm around Pony and we walked to Johnny's room in silence.

There was a doctor in front of the room.

"I'm sorry boys, but you can't go in."
This was getting on my last nerve. I was pissed at everything and everyone. I grabbed the doctor's collar and pulled out my switchblade.

"What do you mean we can't go in?" I said, not caring if I was going to be in trouble.

"He's dying."

I let him go, shocked, and went into the room. Johnny was lying on his back, motionless. I felt kind of choked up. Was he dead already? Looking over at Ponyboy, I could tell he thought so too. After Johnnycake made the slightest movement, I walked over to him and kneeled. Smiling and holding his wrist, I told him about the rumble and how we chased them right out of our neighborhood. Johnny wasn't really proud.

Stuggling to choke it out, he said: "Fighting's useless."

And asked for Ponyboy.

I could hardly hear what he wanted to tell Ponyboy, and after he did, I heard a stifle of a gasp, then his head turned.

He didn't make any more moves from there. It was completely silent. The lump in my throat was back, and it was so big I couldn't even try to swallow it.

"Johnny…"

When I gathered the fact he was dead, tears were already streaming down my face at an endless rate.

"Johnny, please, don't die on me now."

It was too late. I started crying. When I felt like I could move again, I stood up and stormed out of the room. I didn't care what I bumped into; I didn't even realize I left Ponyboy in the room with Johnny's body.

When I escaped the hospital, my running slowed to a slow walk, and a doctor approached me, telling me I wasn't allowed to be here. Now I was really pissed.

I took out my unloaded gun and pointed it at him.

"I'm allowed anywhere I want."

I shot at him, though no bullets came out, and yelled at him.

"Why do you even bother helping people huh!" I shouted.

"It doesn't do any good." I said really quietly, still crying. I ran home-and I was surprised. I never go home. I slammed the door coming in and saw my father holding a box on the couch.

"Dallas?"

I didn't speak. I was crying too hard.

"What's wrong?"

I still didn't answer. Why did he care anyway?

He rolled his eyes and looked away from me and back at the box.

"These were your sister's belongings." He said.

Shelley. He had to bring her up now, didn't he.

"And there's something for you."

Without looking at me, he handed me an envelope. Since I forgot where my room was (I'm at the Curtis' and Buck's house too much) I went to the closest room there was with a door that could lock. It turned out to be the bathroom, but I didn't care. I sat on the closed lid of the toilet and ripped open the envelope. All it said was 'Dally' in chicken scratch on the front. After unfolding the paper, it looked to be a letter.

A letter from Shelley. It took me awhile to make it out-a lot of words were bunched together and it was written horribly.

Hey Dal.

I'm writing this really fast so I'm sorry if the words are bunched together. The reason why I'm writing this really fast is because the men just left. I'm tied up in our garage now and luckily there was a spare notebook and crappy pencil nearby. Anyway, I don't know where they went. I hope they never come back.
If I do end up…you know, dying. I just want to say I love you. You were the best brother a girl could ever have and I could never ask for more. Those times we've had together made me realize that I have an amazing life. An amazing brother that cares about me and I know I care about him too. I wish I could run inside and run into your arms and you could tell me everything is going to be okay and I know you'd do that. I wish I stayed in bed, or even went to your room…instead of going downstairs for a drink of water. I wish I was still the same old me. But I'm not.
This is my last goodbye. The men are back, and they've got a knife.

Goodbye, Dallas.

With love…Shelley

Reviews would b nice!:D thannkksss for reading!