FROM NO ONE'S POV
A floor below the top of Sunset Boulevard apartment . . .
"We're never going to find her," Pony complains as he sits down.
"Relax, Pone." Soda assures him. "We'll find her."
"Yeah. We know where she is." Tiffany says. "We just need to make sure that she's there."
"Well, maybe-" Aunt Alice says but is interrupted by a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Soda says and open the door to reveal Ralph.
"Are you looking for a" - he looks down at the paper he's holding - "Arizona Carina?"
"Yes." Aunt Alice replies. "Come in. What do you know of her?"
"Hey Dally ole pal." Ralph greets Dally. "And who's this cute thing?" he winks at Cherry.
"She's my wife." Dally snaps.
Ralph's eyebrows raise. "Wife? Dude, you kidding?"
"AHEM!" Tiffany clears her throat loudly. "Back on topic please!"
"Okay, fine." Ralph groans. "She's on the floor above you. I was at the station when I heard them talking about finding this lost chick, Arizona. I just asked for a brief description when the officer shoves the picture in my face. Then I realized I met her before. Hot girl. Anyway, I went hunting around here . . . and found her on the top floor."
"Well, what are we waiting for!?" Pony jumps up. "Can't we go and-"
"Yes!" Tiffany squeals, catching on. "Let's go!" She walks out the door, everyone else following.
ARIZONA'S POV
I'm alone in the apartment, because Marie and Mr. Darksme went shopping, along with Randy. Also they said they'd take a whole day, maybe two. I barely had anything to do.
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
I lifted my head. I wasn't expecting anyone, and grabbed the gun Marie told me to use if I ever found out that I was a waste of space on this Earth. It wasn't loaded so I open the door and hold up the gun. When I saw that it was the gang, I nearly fainted. I dropped the gun and stumbled backwards. "Oh. My. Gosh." I breathe. I step away from them as they walk in.
"So . . ." Tiffany's voice trails off.
Pony walks to me slowly and gently takes me by the shoulders. "Are you okay? You're shaking."
I just collapse on him in response. He hugs me and I hold on for dear life.
"Glad we came before you killed yourself." Cherry says, rubbing my back.
"What have they done to you?" Pony asks me.
"Threatened . . . to kill me." I reply. "How did you find me?"
"Umm . . . he helped." Soda says, pointing to Ralph.
"Oh, okay." I say. "You need to leave. What if Marie gets back? I can't escape."
"Yes. You have to." Dally says.
"No." I say, sitting down. "I can't leave. They'll just kidnap me again. It was great seeing you all but . . ."
"Okay." Aunt Alice says. "Your choice."
"You don't understand." I say. "I'm doing it to protect you all. So don't . . . just go back to Tulsa."
A month later, I'm positive of these things;
One: I will never see the gang again
Two: The gang has forgotten about me
Three: The gang's back in Tulsa
Four: I want to die.
"What are you doing you useless piece of trash!?" Mr. Darksme cackles. He punches my face. "We're leaving for a few hours so have fun starving!"
And with a slam of the door he, Marie, and Randy have left. I collapse in tears. "I can't take this anymore!" I sob. "No. I need to die. I need to die. I need . . ." I get up and I walk into my room and carefully write a note;
'To whom it may concern:
I am dead. I have wanted to die. You don't know the hell I've gone through.
To Dally and Cherry: I have to admit, that you've always know that I wanted you two to be together ever since that day in the Nightly Double. Take care of each other. You don't know how valuable the other is . . . and what could've happened if fate wasn't set the way it was.
To Johnny and Emily: Emily and Johnny, you're great parents. I know that you'll give little Piper the love and care you never got as kids.
To Darry, Ivy and Two-Bit: Two-Bit, don't ever lose that sense of humor. There are lots of people who need it. Darry and Ivy, good luck with the new baby! I'll really regret that I wasn't there.
To Steve, Evie: Keep loving each other. Protect Victoria. Don't let her go through what we all had to go through. Trust me, this world is screwed up. I've said it over and over.
To Piper and Victoria: I want you both to know that you have wonderful parents and I hope that you never have to experience the conflict the rest of us had to go through.
To Soda: I know you're still heartbroken over Chevy. She'll be back. Famous perhaps. But she lost one the most valuable things in her life. You. In the meantime, don't worry and stress so much. I knew about Sandy. She didn't love you. I knew about her long before any of you did.
To Ponyboy: I'm sorry it had to end this way. I really wanted to protect you. I love you. If there's another girl, don't let me stand in the way.
To Tiffany: Take care of the gang for me. And Alex. Thank you for being the best sister anyone could ever ask for.
But to you all, I have been keeping a great secret from you. I'm from the future. So is Tiffany. In the world we come from, The Outsiders is a book with a movie accompanying it. And I hate to say it, but here's what happens:
Dally and Johnny: I hate to say it . . . but you die. You were supposed to. Remember the church fire in Windrixville? Well, Johnny you were supposed to be seriously injured and died. And you're the one thing Dally really cared about at that time, so Dally, you lost it. You broke. I was right when I said you needed Johnny. Anyway, you broke and you went and robbed a store. You got wounded by the clerk and chased by the police. You wanted to die, so you raised that gun - it wasn't loaded - and you were seen as a threat to the police. So they shot you. They shot you. And you died. Because you wanted to be dead. And you always got what you wanted. I'm just grateful it didn't happen.
So, now you know about me and the secret I've kept. Stay gold. Stay gold.'
I set the pen down and fold the paper with tears in my eyes. I set it down on the couch and grab the revolver to load it. I slip the bullets in and remember how they used a similar gun in the movie of the Outsiders. I get up and I stand in the living room and lock the door.
"Countdown backward from thirty." I say aloud. "Here goes, people I know
Thirty . . . Twenty-Nine . . . Twenty-Eight . . . Twenty-Seven . . . Twenty-Six . . . Twenty-Five . . . Twenty-Four . . . Twenty-Three . . . Twenty-Two . . . Twenty-One . . . Twenty . . . Nineteen . . ." I hear a loud knocking at the door.
"Arizona? Honey, open the door!" Marie calls, pounding.
FROM NO ONE'S POV
"Let's go check on her." Tiffany says as the gang climbs up the stairs.
"Yeah, I wonder what's been going on with her." Soda wonders. As they approach they see Marie, Randy and Mr. Darksme pounding on the door.
"Arizona! Open the door!" Marie cries.
"What's going on here!?" Cherry asks.
"She's locked the door." Dally says, trying the door.
"Oh no." Tiffany says. "OH NO!"
"What?" Pony asks.
"SHE'S DOING IT!" Tiffany screams. "She about to kill herself! NO! Open the door!"
"We're trying!" Mr. Darksme says.
"ARIZONA!" Marie yells. "OPEN THE DOOR!"
"ARIZONA! OPEN THIS DOOR! OPEN THE DOOR! OPEN THE DOOR!" Marie and Mr. Darksme yell atop their lungs.
It doesn't look good . . .
FROM ARIZONA'S POV
I hear them yelling. But I keep counting. "Eighteen . . . Seventeen . . . Sixteen . . . Fifteen . . . Fourteen . . . Thirteen . . . Twelve . . . Eleven . . . Ten . . . Nine . . .Eight . . ." I hear the door lock moving and hear the door opening. Marie, Mr. Darksme, Randy, Soda, Dally, Cherry, Ponyboy, Tiffany, and Aunt Alice barge in. They look at me I slowly keep counting. "Seven . . . Six . . . Five . . . Four . . . Three . . .Two . . . One . . ." I say. I place the gun barrel against my neck
"No!" Marie says. "No, put the gun down."
"No." I say with tears in my eyes. "You're going to kill my friends, and torture me. You're going to put me back through hell. I'm done. I'm done. You're too late. Too late. Read the note on the couch for an explanation. Because I'm dead." I look at them with cold, yet tear filled eyes and pull the trigger.
Is Arizona TRULY dead!? Is this the end!?