Chapter 3

Ponyboy walked stiff necked down the road. Soda and Steve where in front of him playfully shoving each other and laughing about something that Ponyboy couldn't hear. Two-Bit was beside him, going on and on about some blond girl that he had been having some fun with over the weekend. Darry strode silently behind them all, an observant protector.

It was Pony's first time leaving his neighbourhood since he had come home from the hospital. It was actually a sunny day for once and Soda had been so excited at the prospect of going out that Pony didn't have the heart to tell him no though it was about the last thing he wanted to do.

Now, however, the youngest Curtis was beginning to regret agreeing to come along. He seemed to jump at every little sound and couldn't seem to look up from the ground, barely registering Two-Bit's words.

When the group of Greasers had passed a crowd of Socs, Ponyboy had gone so pale that Darry had taken him by the arm and lead them all hurriedly away.

Ponyboy hated that. He hated that he was so afraid all the time. Before the kidnapping, whenever he had been out with his gang he had always felt confident in their numbers and abilities. Of course, that was when they had had Johnny and Dallas.

He knew that his brothers, Two-Bit and even Steve would to whatever it took to protect him but that didn't seem to be enough to let him walk down the road with his head up.

"What do you think, Kid?" asked Two-Bit looking expectantly back at Pony.

Jerking back to reality, Pony blinked at his older friend. "What?" he asked.

Two-Bit sighed and replied, "We're thinking about going to the gym to play a pickup game. What do you think?"

Pony shrugged and replied, "Sound good to me."

"Oh, no," Darry cut in, "Pony's not well enough to be playing sports. Especially with rough fools, like you, Two-Bit."

Two-Bit made a face at the oldest Curtis but Pony shook his head with a small smile. "No, it's ok," he said. "I don't mind just watching. Besides, that way the teams will be even."

With that decided the five boys began to make their way to the high school's gym. When they made it there Ponyboy felt all his energy was gone and he was actually more than happy to sit by the wall as his brothers and friends fought over who got the ball first.

It was of course Steve and Soda versus Darry and Two-Bit and soon they were all really getting into it.

Soda raised his fists in victory as his shoot got nothing but net and Steve gave him a slapping high five that rang throughout the gym.

Soda winced and hopped around as if it had really hurt him and Pony found himself actually smiling as he watched his family having such a good time.

Behind Pony the doors to the building swung open with a bang and he turned around to see who the new visitors were, hoping it was some of his old friends.

Pony's heart sank. No such luck there. Four Socs strutted into the gym, the lead boy bouncing a basketball, a much newer one then the one the Greasers were playing with.

The youngest Curtis didn't recognize most of the boys but the lead one with the dark brown hair and piercing green eyes he certainly knew. David Wills. He was one of the most popular boys at school and was known for his nasty habit of slashing people's tires for no particular reason. He also happened to have been one of Bob Sheldon's best friends and the boy who had tried to drown Pony in the fountain that fateful night. He must have just gotten out of juvie.

Darry caught their ball and the four boys stopped playing, glaring at their unwelcome guests.

David's eyes met Pony's and the two boys stared at each for several long drawn out moments. Then David burst into a horrible grating laugh and he said. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise! If it isn't Ponyboy Curtis, the resident celebrity!"

Soda stepped in front of his little brother. "Why don't you do us all a favour and go back to whatever hole you climbed out of!" he said sarcastically.

"Oh, you mean like the hole that Bob is buried in?" asked David in a similar tone.

Pony flinched at that and Darry hurried over as well. "We've got no business with you, David," Darry said, "And I really think that you don't want to do this here."

The two large young men stared at each for the drawn out tense moment.

David started to laugh and he and his buddies began to back away towards the door. "No, you're right Greaser," he said with a snarl, "Not today and not here but one day…." He left the threat hanging as he and his gang backed out of the gym.

Ponyboy shook. He couldn't seem to get enough breath into his lungs.

Two-Bit knelt down next to his terrified younger friend. "It's ok, Pony" he said uncharacteristically gentle, "They're gone."

Darry crouched down and offered his hand to his brother. Pony accepted it and Darry gently pulled him to his feet.

"Yes," though Pony, staring out at the retreating figures. They were gone for today but what would happen when they came back?

Ponyboy Curtis had been hoping that after everyone heard about what Daniel had done and what he had been hoping to start people would start trying to find ways to coexist without bloodshed.

It looked like he had been a fool. Again.

Well there Chapter 3, hope everyone enjoyed. I'm not too sure how long this story will be; I am kind of just updating whenever an idea strikes me. Review!