All Or Nothing

by Bagels.fics

Nobody thought it would come to this. Carla Brooke Curtis, just sixteen, was dead. Killed. Survived by her best friend, Sherri, her brothers, and her boyfriend, Keith. Who was the killer? That question is where it all began... "I saw her there first, on the ground, pale, cold, and naked from the waist down. 'Carla' was the only word that could escape my mouth." -Soda. Warning: Rape

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Lucky Encounter At The DX Gasoline Station

All Or Nothing

Disclaimer: Do I look like I own The Outsiders? No. The real owner of The Outsiders is the best author ever, S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write on this site.

A/N: Please tell me what you think! Criticism is welcome, but no flames. Flames killed Johnny. ;) Suggestions are always welcome, no matter what they might be. Thank you.

Sodapop's POV (February 8th, 1967)

I had to go back to work on the eight, my boss said, or else I would get fired. Heartless bastard said I needed to move on, and that he couldn't afford to pay a charity case. Darry almost blew a gasket, but we agreed to go back to work together on the same day.

So, there I stood behind the DX counter while Steve toiled away in the back over some rich kid's car, or some greaser's falling-apart pick-up. Sandy stayed with me that day, bouncing between watching me and checking up on me to hanging out with Steve when the front-area got too boring for her, while occasionally stealing a candy bar to snack on.

"Hey, Cherry," I called blandly as the familiar red-head walked through the door. My energy wasn't with me, and most of my "fans" as Steve called them left, uninterested and disappointed.

"Hey, Sodapop," Cherry greeted warily. I frowned and asked her what was wrong.

"We need to talk. I've been hearing some things on the West Dire, just talk really, but..." Cherry trailed off, sighing. "They've been talking about your sister, Carla, you know?" Instantly, my fists clenched.

"Who's been saying it and what have they been saying?"

I all but growled menacingly. She flicked back slightly. I remembered then that Carla and Cherry were, oddly enough, best friends.

"Bob and his buddies. Let's not talk here, okay?" Her voice grew small and frightened, so unlike her normally fired red-headed spirit, so I just nodded.

"See you at my house tonight, okay," I offered and she nodded, turning to leave.

Sandy patted my arm, "I'm going to go see Steve in the back," she whispered in my ear. I appreciated her giving us some space and privacy.

"Wait," I called to Cherry before she was able to leave. I grabbed some candy from behind the counter and held them up in the air.

"Hershey's bar or Candy buttons," I offered. She laughed, and it sounded beautiful to my ears. Sandy's was beautiful and kind, like a wind chime, but Cherry's was loud and demanded attention. It was confident and carefree. I shook those thoughts out of my head.

"Hershey, I love any kind of chocolate," She said, and I tossed it to her, "what do I owe you?"

"I'll remember that. And nothing, it's on me," I assured her. She thanked me again and left the DX with melted chocolate on her lips.

I couldn't wait until we met up again later, I needed to know what happened. She could have the information that I needed...

"Sodapop Curtis! Get you butt back here and help me already," Steve called from the garage, causing me to smile for real for what felt like the first time in forever.

A/N: For the first time in foreveerrrrrrr... 3

Word Count: 590 words

Aufenthalt Gold,

~Alee xXx