Two-Bit's POV

What the fuck, Steve? That's exactly what I was going to say once I caught up to him. I wasn't sure whether to be surprised by this act. Steve's been going through hell. We've all been going through hell since losing Soda, but Steve has had his post-war problems too. So him deciding to leave, well, seems like a breaking point. I was willing to call his bluff. He wasn't going to leave for good. He'd calm down and turn around.

Even if I believed in the bluff, I was speeding down the road. Eh, when don't I speed when I drive? But, hey, this was a real emergency this time. Before I turned onto the street of the Curtis house, I saw Steve's car exit the neighborhood and turn the other way. Good. I got here before I missed him. Time to floor it. I tapped the gas pedal further and got right up on Steve. He had to have noticed I was behind him, but just in case...I gave my horn a couple pushes. As I half expected, Steve's car started making distance between him and me.

"No, you don't," I muttered. I checked the other lane and waited for my moment. As soon as I saw no cars coming down, I merged over and floored it. My plan was to get in front of him and force him to slow down and eventually stop. It's not always best to test Steve, but I couldn't worry about the bruise I'd have later. Before I could make my move, Steve took off ahead of me, taking a sharp turn left to make me merge back into the original lane.

"Well, he isn't the best drag racer in Tulsa for nothing." I slammed on my brakes to make the left turn and continued to follow him. "You won't get rid of me so easily, though." With all of my antics, anyone would know I could go on and on and on and on with anything. If Steve Randle wants a goose chase, well, he's got one.

Steve's POV

Two-Bit was following me. Damn, the kid got him to drive over fast. I could get away, though. No one knew how to drive like me. I got a sharp turn to cut him off, but he wasn't lost yet. I had a decision to make. I could keep going until I lose him. Yeah, I don't want to consider my other option. I didn't want to talk to Two-Bit. I wanted to get away from everything. Be done. Maybe I could get past the city lines. Two-Bit wouldn't go further than that. No way he'd follow me out of Tulsa. He has to go check on Ponyboy. Give me a half hour, and I'll be gone. I'll be free. I'll be-

Fuck!

I needed gas. That damn lever was flirting with the E.

"Are you kidding me?" I barked, slamming my fist down on the center console. I reluctantly pulled into the DX, waving one of my old coworkers away. I'll pump it myself. I don't want to visit anyone. I don't want to talk to anyone.

I turned the car off, watching Two-Bit pull up behind me. I'd rather have the fuzz pulling me over right now. He opened his car door and walked over, knocking on my window. "Get out," he said.

The fuzz would be fine. Hell, even the Socs could be surrounding my car ready to pumble me. That'd all be fine. Not Two-Bit. Not right now, but I had no choice. I got out, brushing past Two-Bit, and taking the gas pump.

"What are you doing, Steve?"

"Getting gas," I said.

"Don't bullshit with me. Ponyboy said you were leaving."

"Ponyboy speaks the truth."

"So, where are you going?"

I only shrugged. That was the truth. I had no idea where I was going.

"Why are you doing this?"

I rolled my eyes. "I have to."

"Why?"

"Two-Bit, go away."

"No. You're not deserting the gang."

I scoffed. "What gang?"

"Shut your mouth, Steve. The gang is still a gang."

"Well, you all can have fun with your little gang."

Two-Bit raised an eyebrow. "What are you running away from?"

"Nothing. Two-Bit, seriously, go away. You're pissing me off."

"And you're pissing me off."

"Go check on the kid, Two-Bit."

"Fine. You're coming with me."

Two-Bit grabbed my arm. "No!" I didn't mean to, but I shoved him. "Don't you listen?! Just go! Get out of here!"

"Steve, you need to come back with me." Two-Bit's voice was low and calming, even after I just put my hands on him. He was always a good friend like that, even if he annoyed me from time to time.

No. Don't. Fucking. Feel!

The second the gas was done, I yanked it out of my car and slammed it down.

"Steve, don't do this."

I got into my car.

"Steve!"

I closed my door and locked it. I sat there, staring at my wheel. This was it. I could leave. I could drive away right now and be gone. Be done.

Darry's POV

What a day! I pushed to get the job done by today, and I did just that. It felt so damn good, but I was so damn sore now. But now I get a four-day weekend until we start the next job on Tuesday, as long as tomorrow goes smoothly. I didn't have to go in, but my boss would be there to do a final check of everything before an inspection happens later in the month.

The hard part about a long weekend was... having a long weekend. There was a time I'd be picking up shifts at the local bar, my second job, to make ends meet. But now I didn't need to do that. It was only Ponyboy and me. I could have real days off. A real weekend. The house was too quiet, though. Our money troubles weren't there anymore. I was in a higher position at my job now. Ponyboy was working part-time at the city library. It was great for him. He'd be at the desk and have time to read. He could put books away on the shelves and find new ones he wanted to check out. He was happy there. It helped him understand why Soda was fine working at a gas station. It may not have been a life-changing career, but Soda was happy there.

I walked into the house, ready to collapse on the couch and order pizza. Something was off, though. Something was wrong. I could feel it. Ponyboy and Two-Bit were sitting at the kitchen table, but they weren't doing anything. No cards. No chocolate cake. No board game. Two-Bit didn't even have a beer.

Shit. What am I walking into?

I made my way into the kitchen and leaned against the doorway. "What's going on?" I asked.

They both looked up at me. I tried reading their expressions. Sad. Upset. There was anger behind Ponyboy's sad eyes. Two-Bit's face had disappointment too. I wasn't getting the idea that someone was hurt. Not physically anyway.

"What happened?"

Ponyboy stood from the table. "I have to go to work. Can I use the truck?"

I reached into my pocket and handed them over. Whatever was going on, guess I had to talk to Two-Bit about it.

"Have a good night," I said, watching my brother walk out the door. I turned to Two-Bit. "Okay, what is going on?"

"He's gone," Two-Bit said.

I was ready to demand a more specific answer, but I realized I didn't have to ask. "What?"

"He left this morning. Packed up his stuff and left."

"Where did he go?" I asked, sitting at the table.

"He left town."

"Left town?!"

"Yeah. I caught up to him at the DX. He didn't say much, though. I couldn't get him to come with me."

I didn't know what else to say.

"Don't worry, Superman. Let Steve cool off. He'll be back either tonight or maybe a couple days."