Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.
Wednesday, September 29th, 1965
9:52 A.M
"We've got a mole in our rank gentlemen. Who the hell was in charge of security?!" Helms demanded.
"I was," a young officer said stepping forward.
"Then you wanna tell me how a wanted serial killer got in here and killed one of your inmates without being noticed?!" Helms snapped.
"T-the last time I saw this inmate was last night. I did a role call ten minutes before 'lights out.' An officer comes into their cell and they are all patted down. Then they are ordered to bed. Then they are awoken at six for their daily jog and breakfast. This is exactly what my fellow officers discovered this morning, sir," the officer explained.
"And you didn't notice anything unusual during that time?" Helms asked.
"No. And we do 'walk arounds' every few hours to check on prisoners. He never moved from his cot."
"Wonderful," Helms said rubbing the bridge of his nose. Carlos, Curtis, since it's pretty obvious who killed him, see if you can find anything that can help us
"Right away sir. Come on Curtis," Carlos said. The two went back out to the car to gather the suitcases with the various investigation tools and binders needed.
As for you," Helms warned turning back to the officer. "You best get all your men who were on duty last night over here within the next fifteen minutes before I arrest you all for aiding and abetting a serial killer." With that, Helms and the officer walked away.
"Work on taping the area off, Curtis," Carlos said.
"How far off?" Darry asked.
"Enough so people can't contaminate my crime scene," Carlos snapped.
"Okay," Darry said.
'Someone's in a mood,' he thought. Darry got the tape out and started securing the area. Meanwhile, Agent Carlos got his gloves on and got out the binder to mark who enter/exited the scene. Then, Darry got his gloves on and went over to the body. Jose was still in his prison uniform but the chest area of his shirt was completely covered in blood.
"Where was he stabbed or shot?" Darry muttered. The orange shirt was a plan v-neck that was perfectly fine besides the blood. "Agent Carlos, something's not right here. I can't find where he was…"
"Don't touch the body, Curtis!" Carlos yelled.
"I didn't! But where was he stabbed? There's nothing here but blood," Darry explained. Carlos came over to the body and examined it for himself.
"Sh**!" Carlos said. "You're right. I'll do my own examination in a second. Keep looking around, but don't touch anything. Remember, put one of these evidence markers down and I'll take a look once I finish over here. Stay on that side of the scene," Carlos said pointing to the area where the bed was.
"But there's hardly anything over there besides the bed," Darry said.
"Then you better search every nook and cranny of that bed," Carlos said.
"Dude, you're really starting to piss me off right now. I'm supposed to be investigating with you," Darry reminded.
"And I also have a job to do and you're not gonna stop me from completing Special Agent Helm's mission. If you're not committed to playing this game, then get out of my way," Carlos yelled. Darry rolled his eyes and went over to the bed. Darry carefully removed the blanket and saw nothing but a flat pillow and white sheets.
'What did I tell you?' Darry thought glancing over at Agent Carlos. Suddenly, Darry saw a little slit in the sheet towards the middle of the bed covered up partially by the grey blanket. He pushed the blanket to the foot of the bed and there was a foot-long slit in the sheets with some of the mattress stuffing coming out. Darry could see the white stuffing, but something else white shoved inside the mattress. Darry's eyes went wide and he reached inside to pull whatever was shoved inside. He carefully pulled as gently as he could, until he pulled out a crumpled-up envelope that had 'Darrel C.' written on the front.
"What the hell are you doing over there?" Carlos asked. Darry turned around to face him with the letter still in his hand. "What's that?"
"Another letter. It's gotta be from Lynch," Darry said.
"What's from Lynch?" Special Agent Helms said coming to the scene. Darry held up the letter.
"I found it in the mattress," Darry said.
"The mattress?" Helms said coming in after signing the book. He went over to Darry and looked at the mattress as did Agent Carlos.
"It was in that slit there," Darry explained.
"Well, that's not the first time I found something in the mattress," Carlos said.
"Carlos, mark down the slit and another for the note. Go ahead and open it, Curtis," Helms said.
"Yes sir," Carlos said and went over to the briefcase to get two yellow evidence markers. Darry meanwhile carefully opened the letter and found a photo of the boys locked up and beaten with Johnny's clothes ripped up. After taking a calming breath, he put the photo back in the envelope and read the letter aloud.
Darrel
Do you like the photographs I sent you? I had such a fun time doing it. I wish you and Dallas could have been here to see it. It was glorious and my heroes once again did exactly what they were supposed to. Ponyboy keeps yelling and saying to Johnny-boy that you and Dallas will come and rescue them soon. Let's hope that's the case before I get bored with them. You know what happens when I get bored of my heroes. Time is ticking Darrel so I hope you don't disappoint me. You know, you've been working so hard, that maybe you should take a break? Go a save a Pepsi-Cola for yourself. You'll feel better.
Sincerely
Harrison J. Lynch
"Yeah, and as soon as I take a break, I lose my little brother and good friend," Darry said.
"Okay okay," Helms said gripping his forehead. "Carlos, I want you to keep working on this crime scene. I'll have one of my agents take charge of this investigation and interview those who were on duty last night. Curtis, you're with me. We'll go back and analyze this."
"Uh, are you sure you don't want Curtis to stay here and investigate more with me? Or I could go to the lab with him," Agent Carlos asked.
"No. I want you here and co-running this operation and how the f*** a wanted serial killer on our most-wanted list got into a secure facility without anyone seeing him!" Helms yelled.
"A-as you wish, sir," Carlos said.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
Two hours later
Crime Analysis Trailer
11:48 A.M
"I don't know if us sitting in a circle staring at it will do anything S.A Helms," an agent said.
"There has to be something. Lynch wouldn't have left it at the scene for us to find without a reason," Helms said.
"I mean, the only thing that gets me is the part where he says that time is short, but then immediately says afterward that Darrel should go home to rest and have a Pepsi. I have no idea what that means," the first agent said.
"Darrel? Do you see anything that seems odd? Don't be shy, it could be anything," Helms asked. Darry shook his head, and then re-read the letter over and over always stopping at the same spot.
Go and save a Pepsi-Cola for yourself. You'll feel better
Go home, and save a Pepsi-Cola for yourself.
Go home, and save a soda for yourself.
Go save…a soda pop
Go save…Soda
Darry's heart skipped a beat and his eyes went wide.
"Curtis? What is it?" Helms asked.
"Soda. HE'S GOING AFTER SODA!" Darry yelled, and jumped up and bolted out of the door.
"Sh**!" Agent Helms yelled, bolting up out of his seat and running right after Darry.
"Curtis!" he yelled, but Darry paid him no mind as he raced towards his truck. "Get in my car! Get in mine! It'll be faster!" Darry kept running but turned to look at the Agent. "Come on!" he said getting out his keys and running towards the right side of the parking lot. Darry soon changed his direction and followed him to a black Sedan. The agent unlocked and opened the door before unlocking the passenger door by the time Darry got there. As soon as he started the engine, the two sped off with lights and sirens blaring.
"I need all available units to head to the D.X gas station, address 154 Naveen St. code 3. Approach scene with caution, Harrison Lynch may be there."
"10-4. In route," came three different replies.
"Can't you go any faster?!" Darry asked.
"Not unless you want to hurt an innocent bystander. I need you to have a clear head right now and be prepared for anything," Helms said.
"Oh I will be," Darry said, pulling out his gun and checking the bullet tray.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
When they were one block away, the agent turned his sirens off but kept the lights on. They pulled up to the station to see a dark blue Buick Riviera parked near the front door with the driver's side open as Lynch was dragging an unconscious Soda towards it. Darry didn't even wait till the car screeched to a halt before jumping out and aiming his gun. Lynch looked at Darry in disbelief and ducked as Darry shot at him which destroyed his window.
"Curtis, don't shoot to kill! We need him alive," Helms said pulling out his gun.
"But he…!"
"He's the only one who knows where Ponyboy and Jonathan are. We don't have any leads besides being in Oklahoma," Helms said. Afterward, Darry took a deep breath and only slightly released his tight grip on the gun.
"Don't let him take Soda," Darry pleaded.
"I'll do everything in my power," Helms promised. "Alright, Lynch! Put the boy down and put your hands up!" Lynch tossed Soda to the side and then jumped in the car speeding off and nearly running the teen over entirely.
"Soda!" Darry yelled, running over to him while Helms started shooting at the car. It drove away into traffic, causing some cars to swerve to avoid hitting the car with fresh bullet holes on the back. Helms jumped in the car and chased after the suspect leaving Darry alone with Soda.
"Pepsi, come on little buddy. Talk to me," Darry begged. Soda had a bloody lip and more blood staining his dark golden hair. His eyes opened slightly, but they were dilated, and couldn't focus on any part of Darry. Then he went completely limp. "Sodapop! Hey! Stay awake, Sodapop Patrick Curtis!" Darry said slightly shaking him. Soda opened his eyes again but still couldn't focus on Darry. "Can you talk? Do you know where you are?" Darry asked as he scanned the rest of Soda's body. Soda didn't answer, but Darry noticed something on his right hand. Darry picked up his brother's arm and examined a smudge of red and brown on the outside of his fingers and palm.
'What the hell is this?' Darry whispered. He brought Soda's fingers to his nose and smelt grease and…makeup? He had seen his mother put on makeup hundreds of times before and could smell it whenever she kissed him and sometimes got makeup on himself accidentally.
"F…f-face," Soda mumbled.
"What'd you say?" Darry asked.
"Face. L-L-Lynch f-f-face f….f-f…fake" Soda slurred.
Before Darry could ask another question, another car sped up to them and two officers went over to them with an ambulance siren in the distance.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
Back with Pony and Johnny
4:51 P.M
"Johnny, y-you okay man?" Ponyboy asked. Johnny didn't answer. He just laid there in a daze with tears rolling down his cheek.
"Why won't he just kill us?" Johnny mumbled. "I can't take it anymore, Pone."
"Come on, Johnny. Darry and the others are coming! I know they are! They have to be. If we survived the fire, we can get through this!" Pony said.
"I'm not so sure. Where are they?" Johnny asked.
Suddenly, the door started to creak and grunting was heard outside. Both boys froze as the door was slammed open, and Lynch walked in fuming. He walked over and lit one of the lanterns and the boys saw that the scar going down his face was almost gone and left nothing but smudges on the top part of his face.
"AHHHHHHHH!" Lynch yelled and then started kicking his bulletin board and tossing his knives and everything else off the table. He continued yelling before picking up his knives and throwing them at Ponyboy. Ponyboy ducked and started to hyperventilate as he tried sinking to the ground as far as he could. Three knives were dodged by Ponyboy with one nearly grazing his head, and then Lynch switched to throwing them at Johnny who still hadn't moved from his spot.
After a few more minutes of yelling, Lynch suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, and brought his hands together at his forehead in prayer. Then he exhaled as he brought his prayer hands to his heart.
"Forgive me, boys. It's just that I'm frustrated. Darrel should never have been to my second safe house but he did thanks to that no good tattle tale. Then, he spoiled my fun with Sodapop! Why they took him back to the lab is beyond me. I was going to bring him here to surprise you, but he wasn't supposed to figure that riddle out so soon!." Ponyboy gasped.
"Y-you can't! You can't bring Soda here!" Ponyboy cried.
"And don't even get me started on Dallas. I could write a whole story on just him. Let me see," he said gripping his chin. Then he snapped his fingers with a big smile.
"The star of Texas refused to play.
The star of Texas went his own way.
He sees me here, he sees me there.
The star of Texas is on my trail."
Ponyboy just looked at Johnny in response.
"Eh, needs work, but we don't have as much time together as I would like. So I think there's only one thing that can be done," Lynch said. "Don't move boys." Lynch left the barn, but the boys didn't hear the sound of a padlock being locked. The door was just slightly open where they could see the light of the outside world they hadn't seen in nearly a week.
"J-Johnny," Ponyboy called. His teeth were chattering the teen didn't know if it was from fear or the cold. Johnny moaned.
"Pone," he whimpered.
"He l-left the door unlocked and you're not locked up. Get out of here, q-quick," Ponyboy said. "He said Dally's on his trail. Maybe he's nearby! You can go find him and get help!" Johnny perked up at this and attempted to stand on his knees, but he could hardly move without feeling pain. Then, he started to crawl towards the door very slowly. He was about a few feet away from the door when it opened back up and Lynch walked inside with a white box and black bag.
"Awww, I wasn't leaving you forever Johnny-boy. I've still got a few activities to try with you and Ponyboy. This next one is my favorite and I hope it won't be a disappointment, unlike Mr. Gregory. I caught him within a half-hour, but to be fair, I really wanted to get my hands on you two and he wasn't trying. But never mind him. I'm more focused on you two." With that, Lynch grabbed Johnny's wrists and started pulling him back to the middle of the room. Then he set his white box on the floor and opened it. Johnny tensed up until he saw Lynch pull out a spray bottle and gauze.
"Why don't you take off your shirt so I can get those bite marks disinfected," Lynch said.
"What?" Johnny muttered.
"I'm letting you two go," he said.
"L-letting us go?" Ponyboy asked.
"Yup. You're free to go. Well, not at the same time," Lynch said. Johnny and Ponyboy looked at each other. "Johnny-boy, I won't be able to clean you up if you keep your shirt on."
"What's the catch?" Johnny asked.
"Catch? There's no catch. I just asked you to take your shirt off. I'd rather not force you as that would be disgusting and wrong," Lynch explained.
"Not with that," Johnny continued.
"Why let us go?" Ponyboy asked.
"Oh, I see. Yes, all my guests have that same question when I do this. The way I see it, the greatest thrill that a man can experience is the thrill of the hunt. It's like catching you all over again and the fear it brings to the prey. It's my favorite pastime, and there's nothing more dangerous than the hunt of man," Lynch explained. "Now Johnny-boy, I'm not asking again. Take your damn shirt off before I cut it off!" he snapped. Johnny flinched and tried to sit up before he cried out in pain.
"Come on," Lynch said and helped him sit up. "Now, if you just start, I'll help with the rest." Johnny slowly took his arm out of his left sleeve grunting every other time he moved. Somehow, he managed to get one arm out. "See? Was that so hard?" he asked and then helped take Johnny's shirt off. Johnny's entire body was covered with fresh bite marks, whip marks, and some knife wounds that all showed various stages of healing with some of the bite and whip marks showing various colors. Ponyboy looked away from the two and allowed tears to roll down his face. "Now there's no need to cry, Ponyboy. I've got everything we'll need right here," Lynch said. We opened the white box and Johnny saw various medical equipment and supplies including bandages, ice packs, and a big bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Lynch grabbed the big bottle just as Ponyboy summed up his courage to look back. He opened up the bottle and poured it all down Johnny's chest. Johnny screamed and fell as his entire body felt like it was burning as the peroxide did its job.
"Sit up! You can't lay on the dirty ground while I'm doing this or you'll get dirt in the wounds and that makes it worse; especially once I put your bandages on," Lynch warned pulling Johnny by his arm up roughly. "Now don't move." Lynch poured more peroxide on Johnny and while it did sting more, it wasn't as bad as the first time. After that, Lynch pulled out his bandages and started wrapping up Johnny's wounds.
"There we go. It's not perfect, but it'll at least help. Now, I'll grab the food and water for you. I'm trusting you Johnny-boy, so no getting a head start early," Lynch said, going over to grab the gun and putting it in his pocket.
"I thought you hated guns," Ponyboy asked.
"I do. Good memory, but as I told you," Lynch said opening the barn door. Then he pulled out the gun and fired a shot into the sky. Both boys could hear various dogs barking nearby which gave them both a shiver. "I'm not afraid to use it." With that, he put the gun away and walked out.
Lynch was only gone for less than five minutes before he brought a tray full of chicken, fruit, and some bottles of water. He also brought two plates and put a good amount of food on each before giving it to each teen.
"Dig in, boys," Lynch said eating as well. Both boys refused to eat. "Well, this is rather rude. I prepped this food just for you, and you can't be bothered to eat it?"
"I-is it poisoned?" Ponyboy asked.
"Of course not. Death by poisoning is just as bad as death by a gunshot. There won't be any fun if the prey is injured before I even start. That's kind of cheating, don't you think?" Lynch asked. "Look," Lynch said taking a bite. "See? Not poisoned." Against his better judgment, Ponyboy's stomach protested and he grabbed the chicken and started eating which he had to admit wasn't bad. He couldn't decide if it was really good, or because he was practically starving after days without a decent meal or water. Johnny then followed his friend's lead and started eating.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break.
Just as the sun was almost set, the boys had finished eating and Lynch was finishing up patching some infected wounds that he had missed.
"So here's the plan. Johnny-boy, I just finished your last one so the door is open and you'll have the rest of the night to escape."
"W-what about Ponyboy?" Johnny asked.
"He'll be released tomorrow at 6:00 AM sharp. I'll give you six hours to run before the hunt begins. If either of you manages to escape, then you'll be free to go and I'll never bother you again. That'll be your prize. If I win, then I get to keep my catch and bring them back home with me."
"No. I'm not going without…"
"Johnny, I'll be fine," Ponyboy said.
"That's the rules Johnny-boy. It's not like I'm keeping him forever. I give you this opportunity to escape and you waste it?" Lynch asked.
"P-please just go!" Ponyboy begged. "We can meet back up later." Johnny squeezed his lips together before hesitantly nodding.
"Very well. Off you go. It's been an honor," Lynch said.
As the last sight of gold disappeared from the sky, Johnny walked out of the barn into the fresh air. Then with one last glance at Ponyboy before Lynch closed the barn door and Ponyboy was left in the dark.
I'm sorry for the delay. I've been so busy with life and my other stories that I forgot just how long it's been since I updated. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and we'll see you next time.
LaurenHardy13