~I do not own The Outsiders~

"They can't tell me who to be,
'Cause I'm not what they see.
Yeah, the world is still sleepin',
While I keep on dreamin' for me.
And their words are just whispers
And lies that I'll never believe".

Sodapop's leg jumped up and down nervous of just thinking where his little brother could be doing. Knowing he was angry of what had happened meant nothing good was coming out it, Steve and Twobit had shown up called by Darry minutes later so they could help to find him. Darry was pacing around the room running his hand through his hair feeling so many things. Anger, hurt, anxiousness, sadness, guiltiness... He felt guilty since it was his fault that Pony had run off again. Memories of the awful night years ago surged in his mind making him more anxious. Grabbing his keys from the coffee table he couldn't control that bad sensation in the pity of his stomach so he barged right out of the house. Sodapop snapped his head up from what he was doing following his older brother behind.

"What are you doing?" He asked stopping him.

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm going to look for our brother!"

Steve interfered, "I thought we were going to help you?"

Twobit nodded roughly, "Damn straight we are. Where do we begin?"

Darry rubbed his forehead, "I-I haven't really thought about it..."

"What about the library?" Steve asked.

"Nah, it's closed anyways. I'm thinking he might have gone to a party or somethin." Soda said.

Twobit shrugged, "Maybe the park."

Darry sighed, "Let's separate all right? Steve and Twobit, ya'll go to the Dingo and park, Soda and I will go around driving, maybe he's just walking."

They all agreed, Darry sighed already in the truck with Soda. His hands gripped tightly the steering wheel, Sodapop pressed his lips together knowing what he was thinking. The truck started, the engine running smoothly. Middle Curtis placed his hand on his brother's shoulder confirming the tense building up on him.

"Darry..."

"Don't Soda...I don't really want to talk right now..."

"We'll find him Dar."

Darry frowned sadly, "I just don't want to repeat the story Soda...It would kill me..."

"It won't...It can't..."

"Let's hope Pony is ok. That's all I want."

ooOoOoOoo

Seven young Greasers arrived at their destination. The usual spot for a fight was the lot but this time it was somewhere else, it was an abandoned warehouse less than a mile away from the Tulsa park. The fight had to be in another more discrete place where no one could be interrupted. Ponyboy was feeling nervous as he was in the car with Curly and some guys getting closer to their destination. I wonder what Darry's doing...Is Sodapop worried? Are Twobit and Steve looking for me? What the hell am I doing? He was already feeling regretful of even coming but it was too late to chicken out. First of all it would make him look like a wuss and second, because he'd be letting his fellow Greasers down.

At the warehouse, mustangs were parked there with Socs waiting a look of disgust when Pony along with the guys stepped out. Supposedly it was a clean fight, no weapons just one's bare fists. Curly had a smoke in his mouth making it smaller by every puff of smoke he did. For a couple of minutes they organized themselves, this time Curly was the leader. He always wanted to be leader of the 'pack', Tim was the alpha this time it was his younger brother.

Finally it was time, there were about two more Socs then they, either way Pony thought they could take 'em. The Greasers put on their tuff faces glaring at the Socs who were scowling. Curly stepped forward smirking, his chin up high not showing any signs of fear. One of the Socs that was about his height also stepped forward amused by his brave face. Ponyboy swallowed hard, I'm really going to do this...Holy shit I don't even got nobody to watch my back either. When he got into a rumble with his buddies they'd usually be by his side helping him in anyway. This time nobody would help him. He was all alone. No Darry, Soda, Steve or Twobit.

"So you think you're all ... tuff, huh?" The Soc asked as he spat the word tuff.

Curly narrowed his eyes growling, "Tougher than you I'll bet."

The Soc suddenly punched him on the face, Curly stumbled back but quickly gave a bigger blow back. The enemy fell down. The fight was on.

Ponyboy made his hands into fists prepared as one of the Socs had already picked him out. He tried punching him on the face as well, Pony was quicker. At 16 going on seventeen his body had changed, his strength and abilities too. So he backed one step back then aimed at his stomach knocking the wind out of him. The Soc fell on his knees, Ponyboy slammed his fist to his mouth. Blood flowed out. One victory and more to go. Curly had his hands full with two on his tail. The rest were fighting on their own. He fought another two, punches, blows to the face, blood spilled everywhere. Pony had his own bruises and cuts. One he knew that was forming on his left cheek, another on his temple and busted bottom lip. He also felt his ribs had bruised up.

The Socs began to retreat, Greasers had won! Some guys pumped their fists into the air shouting happily. Some were on the ground moaning in pain yet glad to see them run like cowards. Ponyboy had a weak smile as he tried to regain his breath, I did it. I did this on my own. We won! The feeling of being proud only lasted moments.

Curly, who looked like shit, turned around to see Ponyboy standing up straight. His eyes widened though when he saw who was behind him. Shepherd immediately shouted, "Look out!"

Ponyboy slowly faced behind him, the same Soc who he had beaten in the beginning was grinning evilly holding a blade in his hand, "Tuff enough for this?!"

Young Curtis's mouth was shaped into an 'o'. The cold metal object penetrated abdomen, a warm burning sensation was felt as his eyes filled up with pain. His legs wore out so he fell on to his side, everything began to get hazy and the voices sounded far away. The blade was still stuck to him, he saw people fighting again. I thought the fight was over...Is it starting again?...I should get up. His thoughts were fuzzy as blood flowed out, he tried getting up unsuccessfully, the pain was too much so he groaned loudly. Wh-what's going on?...

"Poooonyyy?" Someone asked.

Pony tried looking where the person who had called him was, now his eye sight was fading, large black spots taking over.

"Jesus Christ! Kid, can you hear me?!"

He was getting weaker, the only sound that escaped his mouth were whimpers now. Pony gritted his teeth, My stomach hurts...

The last words he could make out before he was swallowed up by darkness were, "Get the car! The fucking car!"

Aaaawe man...Dar's gonna kill me...

ooOoOoOoo

Steve kicked a stone on the road getting back from every place he and Twobit could think of. His buddy's kid brother was nowhere to be found. Twobit whistled a tune trying to lighten up the mood. Steve rolled his eyes, Damn kid! Always getting into trouble...You are such a trouble magnet. Hell, you're a lucky smartass. Ya shoulda been dead with Johnny and... He shook his head, Im such a jack ass...

"I hope the kid's all right." Twobit said in a serious tone.

Steve shrugged, "Let's just hope we don't find him dead or somethin."

"Shut up Steve."

"C'mon man! You know as well as I do that kid is some sort of trouble magnet! Look what happened with Dally and John-"

Twobit stopped him and narrowed his eyes, "Watch your mouth Steve. I know you and Pone don't get along well but it's no excuse to talk like that about him! You don't know what he's been though and you never will. So I suggest you keep your damned trap shut."

Steve stayed silent stunned by his words. Twobit grumbled some words walking away, Christ...I'm really a big ass...

After some walking with no one talking they saw Tim pass by with an angry expression on his face. He nodded a hello to them stopping to make small talk.

"Tim. What's with the face?" Twobit joked.

Tim looked hard at him, "Going after my stupid brother. Someone told me he and some friends got into a rumble."

Steve raised an eyebrow confused, "But the lot is empty."

"The lot ain't the place they're fighting in."

Twobit thought for a moment until he gasped, "Holy shit...Holy shit!"

Steve shook him, "What the hell is up with you?"

"Steve! I know where Pony is!"

Tim looked at both of them not really getting it. Steve widened his eyes. The rumble!

"Take us where the rumble is! Pony's with 'em!" Twobit said nervously.

Tim nodded now understanding, "Hurry then, c'mon."

The three of them drove away. As they got closer, the warehouse was in sight. They saw Socs run to their mustangs jumping inside. Steve grinned knowing Greasers had won. Twobit on the other hand searched in the small crowed for Pony. Getting out he caught him. They heard Curly yell something about someone behind. A Soc with a blade. Twobit froze on the spot, Ah fuck...

Pony was on the ground, Tim and Steve ran full speed towards the Soc knocking him out. Twobit ran to Ponyboy, he had a weird look on his face. Blood spread across his shirt soaking it. The Greaser didn't mind getting blood on his own clothes. Curly was beside him in a second taking off shirt to clean him up a little. The blade was still stuck in him.

"Pony?" Curly asked.

He got no answer only groans.

Steve was now there with them breathing hard after beating the Soc up, "Jesus Christ! Kid can you hear me?"

Pony started whimpering shutting his eyes from all the hurting, Steve began to shout, "Get the car! Get the fucking car!"

Tim had the car running with no hesitation, they sped away like someone was chasing them. Twobit gulped holding on to Pony for dear life praying feverishly, Jesus, God, Joseph whatever, please please don't let Ponyboy die! I swear-I swear if you let him live I-I won't drink for a whole month! Only water and look for a job! Please just let him live! Johnny, Dally I know you can hear me!

At the hospital, nurses and doctors quickly attended Ponyboy seeing him in critical condition. Tim had to leave to see his brother saying as he left, "If you need anything just give me a call." Shepherd never offered help unless it was a real emergency or if he really cared. In this case it was both. Twobit asked if he could get to a phone. The nurse let him call. Beep...Beep...No answer. Nobody was home yet.

"I'll go look for 'em. You stay here just in case, call them back in 10 minutes." Steve hurriedly walked out of the hospital.

Kid you better live. I'm real fucking sorry for everything I did to you. Hell, if you live I promise...I promise to say it when you wake up.

ooOoOoOoo

Sodapop rubbed his eyes from exhaustion, they still hadn't found their little brother. They asked everywhere and everyone they knew. Even checked the graveyard but no, not even there. Darry was getting very impatient. Instead of feeling angry he felt restless. As long as he didn't see his brother the idea of him being in danger was present. Driving back home disappointed, Soda sighed. Oh Ponyboy please be ok.

Turning a corner, a loud voice called their names. It was Steve running as fast as he could to get their attention. Darry stopped the truck, "Steve? What is it?"

Steve panted, "Y-W-We gotta go to the hospital!"

Sodapop felt the blood on his face drain, "Why..?"

"P-Pony!...Accidet!"

Darry's stomach felt sick, his body felt cold like someone splashed him with a bucket full of ice cold water, "Get in."

Steve nodded, he got inside and saw the face of Sodapop. He could say that everything was going to be just fine, that he didn't have to worry but he knew it wasn't like that. So he kept quiet for the rest of the short ride. Darry was driving over the speed limit not caring if the police stopped him. Although that night it didn't seem so.

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)