A/N: Warning: Cliff hanger below.
Please read lyrics. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders or the song Lost by Avenged Sevenfold.
Centuries pass and still the same. War in our blood, some things never change. Fighting for land and personal gain better your life, justify our pain. The end is knocking. The end is knocking.
The moon was nowhere in sight. It was as dark as dark could be this cold night in Tulsa. It was perfect for the night's affairs. Neither side needed light to see on this night. They didn't need to see - period. They were ready for this. They were ready to make some heads roll. An eye for an eye. That's what it was about.
The meeting place was picked on mutual grounds and decided upon the night before. With the cops going crazy in town, and would probably break up the fight in no time, the woods was picked. A special place in the middle where a camp ground used to be for boy scouts. Everyone was to meet there tonight.
On the East side, the boys spent their few hours before the fight, drinking and lifting whatever weights they could find, flexing their muscles. Singing fight music and sweating up a storm. Getting their adrenaline pumping through their veins. On the West, they spent their time fairly the same. They drank. They drank a lot. They talked and gabbed about the plan for tonight. They got dressed accordingly, listened to some music, and got pumped up. They weren't too worried though. This was their fight tonight.
It's an old tale. Rumbles have been happening since the brink of time in Tulsa. These boys who were getting ready to brawl, their ancestors had done it way before their time. It was in their blood by this point. As little boys they all heard tales of the finest of fine rumbles. Who won, who lost, why, sometimes who even died.
They had their own record books. They knew who was on top and who wasn't. Who'd screwed up the most. Who'd fought the hardest of battles. Why these battles were even fought. Those were the best of stories and only the finest reached the books.
The number one: Last year.
The East side and the West remembered that fight clear as day. The West remembered being run out of town, their tails between their knees. Times were different though. They kept those memories in mind tonight. It was motive. Sam's death was motive. Bob's death was motive. Too many lives have been taken from them and now someone had to pay the price.
Everyone in town knew what happened last year and here, the grounds are the same. Someone dies, so they fight. Each side is blamed. Someone's death has to mean something. The West side...they were going to make their love one's deaths mean something. They were going to make this fight mean something. They weren't giving up this time around.
They couldn't.
The clock hit ten. Each side was making their way up the steep heel and through the trees to the meeting ground, each one hooping and hallowing all the way there. It was time to start this thing and everyone was ready. Maybe a little too ready for such a large event.
There was a fire lit in the middle of the site. It divided both sides. It was how they saw each other. Once they all got there, all they saw was fire in the other one's eyes. Fire was in the enemy's eyes. The rules have always been the same. The leaders of each side meet in the middle and speak. They talk about the rules. Nothing dirty, no cheap shots, the whole ordeal.
Normally it was Darrel Curtis who spoke for the East but tonight, it was decided that a new person should rise.
Stepping up to the plate, the oldest, the sharpest: Tim Shepard.
And weighing in for the West was the king of kings: Michael James.
Both boys said the same thing that's always said. They made small talk. Tim kept it short unlike how Darry started things. Then they reviewed what's needed to be done and they were about to lunge when something happened, like it always does.
This time was different though. It set the pace for the whole fight. It's the theme after all.
Fire spread around in a circle. It started spreading and the yelling began. The East was lost for a minute and the West took advantage. They charged and rolled out all the punches. They tried something different. Something that should have been talked about long before but no one ever thought of the idea.
They realized the obvious. You're obviously strong as a whole. You eliminate the whole - the grounds are in your favor in this case. Take your man and run. Take them into the woods. Separate the pack. Take them one-on-one. See how that pans out. They can't find each other in this dark. No way.
Everyone ran. It took the East side off guard and they found themselves on the shorter end of the stick. They didn't pout for long. They weren't stupid either. They ran just as fast as they could. They grabbed their buddies and hit the woods and hoped the odds were in their favor.
No one was left at the camp site now except for two people. And they were right on cue.
It was becoming clear to everyone just how dark it was but the Socs were prepared. This was planned after all. It was the greasers this time who were caught with their shorts down and it was working in the Socs' advantage.
No one knew where everyone went. They knew they were in the woods somewhere. Smart guys though, the three who took a buddy, they kept going strong for a little while. They had a small advantage right now. They would have had a bigger one if they would have just grabbed one more person. The one person being obvious and that he didn't catch on to what they were doing.
Their mans took notice though and developed a new play. Let's just do it again. They took their man and made them go where ever they wanted. The trees came in handy and it became clear why the Socs were so bent on coming there. Screw up numero uno.
The greasers, at this point, were being hurt worse by thick wood than flesh hitting flesh. Scrapped knees and hands and bumped foreheads were the common injuries for them. They were lucky to walk a few feet without falling and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this was the plan all along. No one figured it out until this very moment.
Soon the three amigos were somewhat lost from each other. They could hear each other speak, but had no idea which direction to go. Right now, the focus was taking on your man and hoping you got lucky and hit skin. Throw punch after punch until you hit something solid and hard.
All were hoping for some light at this point. If only they could see. It was a cheap shot but no one was going to talk rules now. It started and it was too late to start bitching now. You get what you get and you make adjustments. Time is just a pawn in this game.
Hit after hit took place. Blood ran from the greasers. They were weak now. No back-up. No light. It was all about the odds and the odds right now, were on the Soc's side. The greasers were falling and they were falling hard.
In the far east side of the woods were the three boys. The ones who took a buddy and were kicking themselves for not snatching the other idiot. These boys were fighting hard. Praying for some sort of light. Their injuries were taking a toll on them now and they could feel their bodies weaken with every passing second they couldn't see.
They wished for it. They prayed for it. They asked for it. Light. Just light. Light up the fucking fire!
Their requests were answered and now, everyone could see...too well.
Orange light took over the woods and the sound of glass breaking was heard all around. Another bottle was thrown in the three's direction and engulfed their side of the playing field. They could all see now, that was for sure. The colors blinded them as the orange flames exploded into the air, lighting up the world almost.
But something was wrong. It was written all over the Soc's faces. This was too big. Both sides could see that. The trees were dry from the lack of snow this year. Trees were falling every which direction. The fire was taking over. It was all anyone can see now. It was heading for town. It was huge. It was growing. It was growing. It was fucking growing!
The Socs stopped. Everyone stopped and stared as it became real what was happening. Smoke was burning their eyes. They all looked up to the dark red sky. Fire jumped from tree to tree and yelling was heard from each side of the forest. It had started now all right. Do they finish it? Or do they run, trying to save themselves from this faulty plan?
It was clear this was a mistake as soon as the Socs started to bail out one-by-one. Everyone's hearts began racing and it was unclear where they were and how they got out. They were lost in an uncertain place and shock made their feet lock to the ground. All they could see were the flames. Which way is out? Should we run or stay? What's happening?
They couldn't stand and wait too long. The flames ate up the trees in no time and the power of the smoke became apparent.
The screen moves now to the three staring up at the fire sky. The flames falling in front of them. We keep the camera on them.
"Steve, Two!" Soda screamed, making him cough as smoke went into his lungs. He stumbled over himself as he tried to get to his friends. He rested on a perfectly still tree and caught his breath. "Steve! Two-Bit! Can you hear me?"
He coughed again and he heard the sound of more. He ran to it, jumping over burning wood and avoiding falling limbs. He went towards the coughs, praying to the only God he knew to pray to.
"Soda!" Steve was the first one to reach him. His face was completely black and red with blood. Soda reached up and felt his own warm blood run down his hand. He stared at the pasty red liquid covering his fingers.
"Where's Two?" Soda stammered out.
Steve looked around. "I just had him. Come on! This way!"
They pulled each other in the direction where Two-Bit sat. He was up against a tree, hurt and coughing uncontrollably. Soda took a step back at the sight of Two-Bit's torn body. The beating of his heart was uncontrollable. The tree above them was cracking as it burned.
"Soda!" Steve's scream came out in slow motion as he reached their hurt friend. He pulled on Two-Bit's arm. "Come on!"
Soda snapped to and rushed over to his friends. Two-Bit's injuries became clearer. His pants were burned off and there was a huge blood red burn taking over his calf. Puss was already forming on the injury. Two-Bit clenched it and screamed out in pain.
Steve took his shirt off and held it against Two-Bit's face, blocking the smoke from entering his body. Soda took his two layers off and gave one to Steve and they both did the same thing.
Two-Bit let out a loud cough. "I gotta quit smoking, man."
Steve and Soda examined the damage. The burn was black and red and harsh. Two-Bit explained how a limb fell from an above tree and landed on it before he could react. He told them he couldn't feel that leg. He couldn't move or feel how to.
"Can you walk?"
He shook his head and Soda and Steve wondered if they even had enough energy to carry him outta here. They were drained. They were draining more as time ticked down and fire spread around them. They knew they couldn't even ponder that question. It was already decided.
Steve took one side and Soda took the other. The flames were growing and they needed to get out of there fast. Steve turned and spoke to Soda, "Hold your breath for as long as you can! Don't let the smoke get you!"
"I will. You just worry about yourself!"
They both locked on to Two-Bit's body and jerked him up, making him yelp in pain. He hissed and spit as an agonizing feeling rushed through his weak body. He put all his weight on his friend's shoulders and they moved quickly away from the scene.
"Two, man, you gotta go on a diet!"
It felt like, to them, that they had been moving for hours when it had only been a few seconds. In these few seconds fire was going faster than them. Racing against their feet. The smoke was hurting their eyes and their breaths were becoming shorter. It was getting them and they knew it.
"We gotta go!" Steve screamed as the crack of a tree falling echoed. "Pick up the pace!"
Soda moved faster but his body was becoming weaker. His feet felt like they were sliding out from under him. His eyes started to need longer blinks and soon, he was on the ground with a loud crash.
Steve stopped and tried to go to him, Two-Bit still hanging on his side. "Soda!"
Soda got to his knees and waved him away. He heaved for more air. "Go! Get him out of here! He's going to die if you don't! You both will!"
Steve, as he always had, didn't listen. "I'm not leaving you!"
Two-Bit groaned in pain as Steve tried to lower him and pick Soda up off the ground with his free hand. "You can't carry us both!"
"Then get your sorry ass up!"
Soda slowly came to his feet, fighting the odds, as he always did. He began to shake and he could feel his body failing. "Go," he told him, fire starting to catch them. "I'm right behind you."
Steve took a long look and thought, but went on. He turned around every so often to make sure Soda was still coming along. He was slow, but his feet moved. "Come on, buddy," he coached. "I'll buy you an ice cream after this!"
Soda's glimmering eyes sparkled at Steve. Red fire sucked the color right out of them. "Rocky Road?"
"Whatever you want bud," Steve yelled from over his shoulder. He refused to look at Soda's bleeding body, Two-Bit's bleeding body, his own bleeding body. He ignored the pain he was carrying for all of them. "Just stay with me, alright?"
Two-Bit was gone by this point. The pain had reached an intolerable level and the smoke had taken advantage of that. He needed to get out as fast as possible and Steve knew that. He picked up the pace, living on a pray that he could reach the exit before he himself caved under the pain. That is if he could even find the exit.
Soda stayed a few feet behind Steve the whole way until his vision began to get blurry. He forced his feet to run. His mother stood at his side, whispering in his ear. He could feel her warm breath and her smooth hands playing with his hair. His dad was behind him, rubbing his back and hugging on him as if he never left. They were pulling him in.
Come with us. Come with us.
Soda's feet stopped and he stood in awe. His head was light though it felt so heavy. Steve's voice jolted him and he took his last strength to get himself moving again. He didn't want to leave but he did. He ran as fast as his little legs would carry him and he prayed. He prayed to God as hard as he'd ever prayed before.
And God answered: "Welcome back to Vietnam!"
"Soda!"
The scream was heard miles away. It was the scream heard around the world. A best friend calling out to the other one. The falling of a friend, a brother, a son. Steve stopped moving and waited for something to call back to him. The cracking of limbs was all he could hear as an answer. He could see the road ahead. Their exit. Just a few feet away.
"Sodapop!"
He couldn't see anything behind him anymore. Smoke and flames ate everything away. He didn't know what to do. God, he didn't know. He looked at Two-Bit in his arms and at the black road ahead. God, what should I do?
"Soda! Goddamnit Soda, answer me!" He coughed and coughed. "Soda!"
How many lives will we take? How many hearts destined to break? Nowhere to run, can't escape. Full of ourselves, tied to our fate. The end is knocking. The end is knocking, yeah.
"What are you doing here, Danni?"
"I came to get some of my things," I say quickly and walking by them. "Randy where are they?"
He gets up and tells me he'll fetch them for me and to just stay in the living room with everyone else.
Marilyn won't look at me. Her face is twisted by now I'm sure. She hasn't spoke to me since Randy called it off. Maybe she thinks I've abandoned her. Maybe she's wondering if I even care if we remain friends or not. I do care. I care about her a lot, along with everyone else in this room. So much so, it scares me a little thinking about what it'll be like now without them.
Sam speaks first, right on cue. "How are you? You holding up ok?"
I nod. It comes as a shock that that's the first thing out of his mouth. "I'm fine. I just...it's kinda hard, ya know."
I hear Marilyn snort. I turn and see she's still not looking my way, like she's avoiding looking me in the eye. Sam ignores her and goes on, "It wasn't easy for Randy. You know that?"
I suppose I do and nod. I wish he'd hurry. It feels so cold standing here. "Mar," I reach out to her. "Are you ok?"
She doesn't look at me. She says bitterly: "Fuck off."
"I didn't do anything."
"You're going to go to the cops." She clinches her nails in the fabric of the sofa. "We all know you will. You're so bitter about the break up. Who knows what you'll do."
"You can trust me," I tell her. "You know that...you're still my friend, right?"
There's no answer. Instead Sam jumps in. "So we are in agreement, you won't rat?"
"No."
"Better not," Mike growls.
Sam scolds him and continues his train of thought. "It'd be best to clear the air here, Danni. Come to some kind of new agreement now that you've flopped sides again."
I think about protesting against the comment, but don't.
"I'm going to be frank with you." He leans forward and smacks his lips together. "You're no longer apart of us. We'd have nothing to do with it if it'd be our way but you've kind of got some dirt, don't you? Something of ours really."
I press my lips together and look away. "I know the deal. I promised I wouldn't rat, so I won't." I eye him. "You've got to promise me something too though."
Mike rises up from his sitting position. "We don't owe you anything! If you know what's good for you, you'll keep you fucking mouth shut or we'll shut you up!"
Sam shushes him and gets up and walks over to me. I hold my breath as he gets close to my face. "What do you want?"
"Don't hurt my family," I say quietly. "Keep them out of this. You have a problem, you deal with me. Don't go after them...ever. If I hear anything or even think you might...I might go tell."
Sam smiles sweetly and reaches out to move a loose strand of hair from my face. "You got it." Mike stands up again to protest but Sam makes him sit. "I don't want any problems. You stay out of here. You stay away from Randy and the rest of us. You're gone as of now. We've made our peace and we have an agreement. We won't touch your family."
"Got it. Thanks, Sam."
He pulls me back, stopping me from leaving. "I don't want to have this conversation again, Danni. I've got you. I control you now. I can end you whenever I want. You need to remember that. I can come after you...and no one would ever know."
"Sam..."
"Stay away from us. You don't want to find out just what we're capable of." He reaches into his pocket, a silver knife coming out. I hold my breath and he holds the cold metal to my neck. "You really don't want to."
I gasp and whimper, trying to reason. "Sam-"
Stinging pain goes through my neck. The feeling of cold running blood is all I can feel. I yelp and hold my breath as he grins slyly. He moves the sharp metal up to my lips without a second thought. He presses on them. "Not a word."
"Not a word," I echo.
"Or you'll be dead before another word escapes those pretty little lips. I know you, Danni. And I'm not afraid to kill your family...or you. None of us are."
With peace of mind so hard to find. We're dwelling on the drastic signs. Another way to numb our mind. And as you close your eyes tonight and pray for a better life you'll see it flying helplessly away.
The phone rang. We were just at the good part of the movie and I hesitated to get up. I cursed and drug my tired body off the couch and headed into the kitchen to answer it. "Hello?"
I never thought I'd hear the voice on the other end every again. I'd hope I wouldn't anyway. I never thought tonight of all nights I would get this call, especially from her. Her voice wasn't the same. Not now. "Danni!"
I pressed the phone against my ear. "Pony's not here-"
"You have to listen." The panic in her voice made my heart leap. She didn't sound like Cherry. Cherry didn't talk like this. I remained silent. "Something's going to happen. Something bad! I don't know if it already has but-"
"What do you mean?" The phone was becoming heavy in my hand. My heart ached and my knees shook as it became apparent what she was talking about. "Cherry are you talking about the rumble?"
There was a long pause. Like she was checking something or maybe second guessing herself. "Please tell me Pony didn't fight."
"No but Soda did!" My voice rose, panic taking over my body. Sarah rushed in and stood my my side. "Cherry, Dally and Steve and Two-Bit all fought. What's going on? Just tell me!" Another pause came. She was second guessing herself. "Cherry!"
"Go to town," she whispered, her voice returning to normal. "Just go to town, Danni."
"What? Cherry what's-"
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I tried to stop them..."
My mouth hung open. My palms were sweating and I needed to sit down or my heart was going to explode. My stomach had fallen out my butt and the urge to vomit was coming on. My whole body trembled. "Cherry what happened?"
I thought the line went dead but remained still, unsure of how to move. There was one last pause. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
The pone fell from my hands. The door didn't even close from behind me. I could hear Sarah's footsteps as I ran for the truck, pulling my way into it, panicly looking for the keys. Sarah jumped in yelling, "You can't drive!"
I desperately searched for the keys, throwing everything in my path. "I don't care!" My hands grabbed the metal and I put the truck into drive, spinning out of the driveway and speeding down the slick wet road.
I didn't cry. I didn't move. My body shook and all I could think was words I'd heard before. Words that haunted me in my sleep: I know you, Danni. And I'm not afraid to kill your family...or you. None of us are.
The truck's tires screamed as my foot slammed on the break. It wasn't hard to miss. I could see the smoke from miles back. My heart wasn't beating any more. I wasn't breathing anymore. I wasn't moving anymore. I sat here, in awe, too scared to move at this scary...beautiful light.
Flames. Flames everywhere. Symbolizing punishment. Punishment for all of us. This wasn't God. No, God didn't create such a thing as fire. Fire was punishment we all had to face at some point or another. That's why hell is fire. It symbolizes death, punishment, reminders, wrong doings. Our punishment sat before my eyes. My punishment.
I fell. My body slammed against the hard metal of the truck, my locking shaking knees not allowing me to walk. My hand reached for it. This was for me. This is mine. This is for all of us. For everything we have done. For what we did. This was for me.
Sirens came. Sarah was screaming for me, trying to catch me before I fell. I needed to atone for my sins. Burn me. Burn me. Why? Why am I standing on the outside and not the inside? It's me it wants. Come and get me, I beg. Engulf me. Take me. Fucking take me!
Sarah's arms stopped me from moving. She hugged my screaming body as I yelled at the light. My lungs asked for it again. They asked for my brother. They asked for Dally. They asked for my friends. I offered myself up. It was for me. I told it I'm here. I toll it I'm ready. I toll it I'm sorry. It's me it wants, not them. Come and get me. I'm ready. Take me instead. This is my punishment, not theirs.
It knew better though. Dying was easy. Living was hard. Watching everyone else die, kills you slower. It keeps you alive while, physically, you're already dead. The fire isn't here to take me. That'd be too easy. My punishment is more severe.
Revelation 21:8 "... and unbelieving..., and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone..."
Liars burn in hell. This is for you, Danielle. Live with your sins. Live with death. This is for you. Come and get your goods!
My knees went weak. They hit the pavement hard, blood pouring from them. I looked at the red flames eating my town alive. Eating everything. Eating everyone. Taking my life. I'm looking at my punishment. Mine. Ours. Red flames eating away everything.
"NO!"
We've all been lost for most of this life. Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us and I know that most of us just ain't right. Following the wrong steps, being led by pride. The end is knocking. The end is knocking.