*I don't own the Outsiders.

(JPOV)

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Wind whipped through my greased hair as I ran. I might not be the fastest runner but I made it to the Curtis House in record time. I flew through the door breathing hard.

"Johnny?" Soda and Darry were starring at me in bewilderment. "What's the matter, Johnnycakes?" Soda asked in a soft voice, stepping closer, trying to calm me down.

"You gotta call 911," I gasped out. "Socs attacked me and Ponyboy, he's in the park hurt, hurt real bad."

Horror washed through their expressions. Darry grabbed the telephone roughly and dialed 911 telling them to send an ambulance as quick as possible to the park.

As he talked to the operator, I turned to Soda. "Come on lets go, I left him there alone and he was asking for you and Darry." Without a word he took off out the door, I followed. Darry was soon right behind me.

From the dim light of the street lamp I could see a bundle lying too still on the ground.

Ponyboy

Bile turned in my stomach, but I swallowed. Everything was catching up to me. This is bad, I thought to myself. I was never one for praying. Sure I went to church a few times with the Curtis family and a few times with Ponyboy after his parents died, but I was to the point where I wanted to drop to my knees and pray.

Soda already reached Pony, I watched as he knelt down next his little brother. Me and Darry came to their side. Pony groaned, Soda was murmuring softly that it was going to be okay and that the pain would be gone soon.

With disgust I realized my t-shirt was completely soaked through with blood. Soda, who never had a care in the world looked so worried and concerned. That was almost harder to see than Pony laying there sallow, breathing slightly labored.

I glanced at Darry's face, and I had thought looking at Soda's expression was hard. Darry looked closer to crying now than he did when his parents died. His expression for once was easy to read, instead of the ice I was used to seeing. He looked panicked, guilty, worried, and I knew if he spoke he would end up breaking down.

God, please let him be okay.

Sirens rang close, I watched with tears running down my face silently as they loaded the youngest greaser into the back of the ambulance. Soda and Darry both jumping in the back with him. Before they left, Darry turned towards me. He placed a warm, calloused hand on my bare shoulder. I'm not sure if he spoke so softly because he was holding back tears or because I looked so scared. "Johnny, its gonna be all right, you go get a shirt and jacket from my house its too cold to be out here without 'em. You and the guys can come by later or I'll call the house and let you know what's going on. Okay?"

"Yea, I'll get the gang and we'll be down. You know we'll all be down there soon. Plus Steve and Two-Bit can help distract Soda while we wait. I'm so sorry, Darry. It happened so fast." I knew I looked pretty pathetic as I met his concerned eyes.

"Johnny, you listen to me," he placed both hands on my shoulder forcing me to look him in the eyes. Firmly he told me, "This is not your fault. Don't feel guilty and don't worry, you hear me?"

"I hear ya," I said softly, glancing down at my feet. Darry began walking away and I called, "Remember it ain't your fault either."

I turned and half ran back to the Curtis House. I was trying not to think about what I just saw. It's a nightmare I'll wake up soon. I continued thinking this even as I made the phone calls, alerting the gang to tonight's events.

I grabbed an old jacket of Soda's and left for Buck's.

My best buddy is in the hospital and the gang, especially his brothers, are worried sick. With a shock I realized how mad I was. I was probably livid (a word Pony taught me). Damn it Dally you better be there.

God forbid Buck or someone answers the telephone.