(A.N. Woohoo! I added a little more detail to this chapter, still pretty short though, Hope you like it better!)

DISCLAMER: I do not own the Outsiders or any characters but Danielle!

Chapter 8 – Denial and Betrayl

Danielle's POV

I stared at him, he was gone, gone, an empty shell. He wasn't breathing, moving, nothing. His once emotion filled brown eyes were now closed, empty of all emotion. I felt Pony's hand on my shoulder,

"It's going to be okay Danielle," With tears in my eyes I looked over at him,

"No, no it's not," He hugged me,

"Okay, we'll wait for you in the truck." I couldn't say a word, I couldn't choke out the right words.

I hopped over the fence slowly trudged over to the barn, the converse on my feet kicking up dust the whole time. My friend, Jani, that I ride with sometimes ran up to me and gave me a big hug, she was Pointer's owner. Her light brown hair was making my wet face itch.

"Are you going to be alright? Are you going to come back?" I looked at her in her chocolate brown eyes and answerd her question as honestly as I could.

"I, I don't know." She let go of me and said,

"I'll come see you if you don't," She was always a good friend. I continued walking into the barn, savoring every small step I took. Jack's old stall was wide open. I walked over to it slowly.

I pulled out the smalle nameplate in the slot on the door and reached over to the inside of the stall. I pulled the door closed and locked it closed, the sound of the latch closing echoed in the barn. I collected Jack's tack and brushes, there was no point in leaving them there. When I walked outside I avoided looking at the pasture completley and ran to the back of the truck, I never wanted to go back. I simply threw all of the gear into the back of the truck and hopped in. Ponyboy tried to comfort me but I pushed him away,

"You can't help me now, no one can," He stared at me in disbelif, I was never mean to him, except for before, let alone did I ever snap at him, I just ignored the stunned look on his face though.

When I felt the truck stop I simply ran into the house, Steve and Two-Bit were waiting for us but I just pushed them out of the way and ran to the attic. I took the old brass key and locked the door. I slipped the ring Ponyboy had given me off of my finger and pushed it underneath the door for him to find. He won't understand, I can't risk losing him too now...

Ponyboy's POV

"Hey Pony, is the horse okay?" Two-Bit was actually not trying to crack a joke for once.

"We put him down, he broke his leg and couldn't even get up," I cringed at the memory of the poor animal, even Steve had a look of sympathy,

"How is she?" Steve asked me, Soda walked in shortly after carrying the old tack and equipment,

"She ain't doin' so good," I answerd. Soda passed me the tack,

"Don't give this to her, just, put it somewhere where she can't find it." I just nodded and listened, I wasn't planning on bothering her, she had a lot on her mind and needed to be alone. After I stashed the tack under my bed I pulled out my scetchbook and pencils from my bag. I might not be able to explain how I feel to people, but I can express it through my artwork, it's easier that way.

I started to work vigorisly, sometimes I would lose my complete thought process and just be totally consumed by my artwork. I had tried drawing it several times, but I couldn't get the picture I wanted down, a simple picture of Cracker Jack, it only turned out right when I drew Danielle riding him. I heard the door slowly creak open and Sodapop's face peeked through the opening,

"Hey Pony, can you get Danielle down for dinner, she won't even open the door," Soda asked me, he was pretty upset looking too. He probably felt like we failed Dallas, we were supposed to keep his little sister happy and healthy, man, did we fail!

"I'll try, but she just needs time alone for a little while, we shouldn't bother her too much." I still left my half finished drawing on my bed and ran up the stairs to the attic door. When I reached the door I saw the glint of something gold on the floor. I bent over and picked it up, it was the ring. I felt hurt and betrayed, like someone pulled my heart out of my chest. After all I had done for her she had to twist me around her finger and then break my heart! I threw the ring back at the door and walked down the stairs doing my best to hide my emotions as I sat down at the table.

"She doesn't want to come down," I can't believe this is happening, she betrayed me.

After dinner, I ran into my room, took the drawing I was working on, crumpled it up and threw it in the watebasket in the corner of the room. No one has ever done this to me before, and she'll never do it again...