I was cold, I was hungry, I was tired. Not to mention stupid. If I hadn't run away, I would be nice and warm in Soda's arms. Ponyboy would be giving me leftovers from dinner. I would fall asleep in front of the TV while the gang watched. I shouldn't have done what I did, but I feared they wouldn't love me as much if I came home, or would call me a bad dog.
So I just continued walking, not really sure where I was, when I heard footsteps. I turned around to see a few Socs walking together. Immediately I jumped behind a nearby bush, listening while they passed by. I was so glad they hadn't seen me. Considering the state I was in, I wouldn't have been able to put up much of a fight.
It was the fourth night since I had ran away, and I knew my way around the whole town. I hadn't left Tulsa, just in case I ever did want to go home. I desperately wanted to, but told myself no.
I slunk past a restaurant that smelled particularly appealing, but finally kept on going. I hadn't slept much in the past few days. I had learned to be a light sleeper, in case anyone tried to attack me in my sleep, so lots of sounds woke me up. A group of Socs walking past, a car horn from far away, the mumbling of a drunk man down the street. My sensitive ears picked up a lot more than people thought.
I rounded a corner, and saw a gas station. Lazily I looked up at the sign, which read "DX". It seemed familiar, but I didn't think much of it. My only thought was food and a safe place to sleep. Finally I managed to sneak around to the back of the building, where I saw a dumpster.
I tore through lots of old junk, empty oil containers and broken car parts, when I finally came to half of a sandwich. I didn't even care what kind it was, I just sunk my teeth into it, letting the flavors fill my mouth. It tasted kind of familiar, but I didn't feel like thinking about where I had tried it before.
I was now exhausted and full, and I curled myself up against the wall of the DX station. The sun was setting, and I was close to being asleep when I smelled the familiar scent again. I now became more alert, my ears perking up.
"Alright Steve! I'm taking the trash outside just chill." A very familiar voice said.
Soda! It was Sodapop Curtis! It all came rushing back to me. His shirt that had the DX logo on it, the smell of him on the sandwich, the sound of his voice. Speaking of his voice, it was getting closer to me.
Now that I knew I was so close to the gang, I wasn't sure if I was excited or scared. Did I really want Soda to find me? He was coming closer, and I didn't have enough time to run away. Instead I did my best to hide in the shadows, pressing myself against the wall.
Finally the boy I loved so much came into view. I wanted so desperately to run to him, and feel his love, but I forced myself to stay where I was. I was so close to him not seeing me, when I accidentally moved my tail a little. I couldn't help it, I was just so excited! He froze, staring at the corner I was pressed up against. I prayed that he wouldn't see me, that it was dark enough. Instead he flipped out his switchblade and crept closer to where I was.
I still had a little bit of hope that he might forget it and leave, but then his eyes lit up.
"Shadow?! Is that you girl?" he exclaimed. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I knew that someday I would have to go back to the gang, I loved them too much to leave. I jumped up on Soda, my paws scratching at his jeans. He started laughing and bent down next to me, letting me lick his face while he hugged me.
"Steve! Come here! Look who I found…" Steve turned the corner, and then he saw me and Soda on the ground together.
"Shadow!" Steve yelled, and I raced towards him, letting him pet me. They both talked excitedly, thinking up devious plans to surprise the gang with me. I hopped in Steve's car, and he drove us to the Curtis's, me sitting in Soda's lap. I couldn't wait to see the rest of the gang.