Hey guys, I am SO sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I really need to be better about updating, but I have been pretty busy lately. Thanks for reading, and it would mean so much if you would review it too!
He sat there for a long time, a tear or two ran down his face. Finally I laid my head in his lap, to let him know I was there. He responded by picking me up and burying his face in my fur. I don't know how long we stayed there, long enough for him to pull himself together.
"Why would she do it Shadow? What did I do wrong?" he said softly. I wished I knew the answer, or could at least tell him it would be ok, but all I could do was sit there and look at him with sympathetic brown eyes.
He finally got dressed in his DX uniform, and headed out the door, leaving me alone in the house. I had no idea what to do, it seemed like the whole gang was falling apart. Ponyboy and Johnny were gone, Soda was heartbroken, Darry was depressed and killing himself inside, and Dally was really nowhere to be found either. I wished there was some way I could do something to make things better, but it just seemed impossible.
I sat on the floor staring out the window for the longest time, thinking about what I could do to help the gang. There was no way I could really do much, after all, I was just a stupid little puppy.
Awhile after I turned my back on the window, tired of watching a few drunk hoods fighting. Not a minute later the door swung open, and a rush of cold air blasted past me.
"Damn its cold out there! Where's my favorite dog?" Dallas said as he stepped inside. I raced over to him, surprised after having not seen him for a few days. He bent down next to me, and rubbed my back roughly, but then quickly stood up. "I gotta go out and get Pony and Johnny, they killed a Soc! Can you believe it? Johnny actually killed him. Damn. I just wanted to come say good bye, before I head over to the old church up in Windrixville they're stayin' at. See ya later," he said, and pulled his jacket back over his shoulders as he turned around and headed back out into the blustery day.
I watched him leave, my tail drooping as the aura of sadness slowly returned to the house. I looked outside some more, bored and tired, and curled up. Just when I was close to dropping off, a scratching at the door awoke me. A fierce growl escaped my throat, and I looked out the window. To my dismay, none other than Storm was standing outside.
"Hey Shadow! Can you come outside?" he questioned. In response I struggled with the doorknob, trying to turn it with my mouth. Luckily it wasn't locked, and I finally was able to push the door open. I stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp air outside.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Oh, ya know, I just got bored and wanted to stop by and check on you." He said, starting to head off the porch. I quickly followed behind him, not asking where we were going, just trusting him. We passed lots of people, some greasers and some Socs, until finally he led me over to a small forest by a park. Laying there beside him, I felt safe and protected, despite the fact I had just met him.
"Shadow, why do you think people are the way they are? I've been watching you and the gang, and its just that everyone is so different, but there has to be a reason. Why is Soda so happy, Steve so competitive, and Dally so cruel. Why is it that the guy who doesn't love anyone love you and Johnny?" he asked me after a while. I thought for a long time.
"Well, sometimes it's the only way people can get through life. Soda hates seeing other people upset, so he does everything he can to make everyone happy. And Steve probably doesn't get enough attention at home, doesn't really have anyone but the gang. He thinks if he isn't good enough, they might leave him behind. And Dally must have had a rough past. I'm guessing everyone he loved left him, and it hurt him bad. So he learned to never let anyone get close to him." I finally responded. Storm sat there in thought for a minute, and then rose to his paws.
"I need to be going, and you should probably get back home. I hope that I will see you soon Shadow!" he said, but then paused. He looked up at me, and then lunged forward and touched his nose to mine, as I stared deep into his eyes. Before I could say anything he turned and ran away, disappearing into the forest.