Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.
Darry sat with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face with Special Agent Helms as they waited for Agent Carlos. Even the head agent had his arms crossed.
At last, the door of the trailer opened and in walked Agent Carlos with an annoyed look on his face.
"Well, it's about time you showed up!" Darry said.
"Well excuse me for my tardiness on a day that I had to take off due to an emergency, Curtis," he explained.
"You requested off the day after my little brother was supposedly kidnapped and after one of our informants was murdered?!" Darry yelled.
"Not that it's any of your business but there was an important matter that I had to attend to. Just like you, I have a life outside of being an agent. So, can we get down to business already?" Carlos snapped. Darry jumped up and went over right in front of the agent's face.
"If you got something to say about Soda's attempted kidnapping then say it!" Darry snapped.
"Gentlemen, we have wasted enough time as it is already! May we please get started?!" Agent Helms said. Darry glared at Carlos one more time before going back over to where he sat.
"Thank you. Oh, and Carlos, if you wish to remain making smart comments, then perhaps you would prefer to go back to D.C and focus on other tasks like filing paperwork," Agent Helms said. Carlos didn't say anything, but went over to sit next to Darry. "Right, now gentlemen, much information that has been discovered within the last 48 hours that is throwing our entire investigation of this bast*** out the window. We need to put our heads together as we recently discovered that we have a mole and I'm sure the press is ready to tell the whole world about the attempted kidnapping. Unfortunately, with the new information that we have collected, that puts us basically back at the beginning of our investigation. Curtis, have you received any new packages?"
"Not unless one was delivered in the last two hours that we've been here," Darry said.
"We've examined the letter that was found at the jail and there's nothing else besides the Sodapop clue. That was a good job on your part, Curtis."
"What about the body?" Darry asked.
"Which body?" Helms asked.
"Jose's body. When I was over there, I did a quick examination of the body and couldn't find any place where he was stabbed, shot, or anything," Darry explained.
"What are you talking about? He was stabbed right in the chest," Helms said.
"Where?" Darry said.
"Carlos, can you show him please?" Helms asked.
"I suppose," he said still with a scowl. He went over to the other table and brought over the developed photographs from the jail. It showed everything from the entire cell, to the body, and the letter lying on the bed.
"See? He was stabbed right in the chest. I don't know why you're so focused on this," Carlos said pointing to the large slit in the jumpsuit surrounded by blood. Darry examined it closer.
"What? No! I swear, when I looked at the body, there was nothing right on his chest. Sure, there was blood or what looked like blood, but there was no cut. Even Agent Carlos mentioned that there wasn't a hole that led to his death," Darry explained.
"That was before I had a chance to examine the body properly. I told you that! And frankly, you are not trained enough to make that call. You may know the basics, but that doesn't equal experience," Carlos said sounding annoyed. "You obviously just missed it."
"I examined the body after we got Sodapop to the hospital and settled. I saw the stab wound clear as day," Helms said.
'No. I know what I saw. It looked like blood was put in a paint can at one point and then was just dumped on the body.'
"You're probably right. Sorry," Darry said.
"That's alright. But I do like your keen eye to details that might not seem like they are important. Keep that up," Helms said.
"Yeah, but just don't forget to let the professionals do their jobs," Carlos said and Darry just rolled his eyes.
"So, what I want to do is go over our policies in the case, and evidence and then compare it to the Sodapop's testimony. From there, we'll head out and look for that blue Buick," Helms said. "From here on out, every investigation will be done by the three of us. It might take longer than normal to investigate, but it'll avoid contact with our so-called mole."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? You lost me at the part where you said that it might take more time as if we weren't already on a time limit," Darry said.
"I know, Curtis, but I don't know what else we can do with that mole. Until we can gather more evidence, we've reached a dead-end," Helms admitted. "If either of you have any other ideas, please share them now." Neither of the two spoke up.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
Meanwhile at the hospital
After Soda's questioning by another agent was done, he was left alone in his hospital bed with another agent guarding his door. Currently, he sat in his bed reading over the newspaper for the tenth time making sure that there was nothing he missed about Lynch. Every once in a while, he would cast a glance over at his roommate; Scott Gregory. He was unconscious and hooked up to a heart monitor to help with his breathing as well as covered in bruises and wounds that had been wrapped up. Each time with only just a simple glance, he had to quickly turn away and try not to imagine what Johnny and Ponyboy would look like. Suddenly, he heard some talking outside his room.
"Look. I appreciate all that you do, but I'm not supposed to let anyone in here unless it be Dr. Bates," a male voice said.
"I understand that, but Dr. Bates ordered this nurse and I to check on the vitals for the patient and rewrap his wounds. Do you want to be held responsible for the infection or death of an innocent child?!" someone else asked.
"Child?" Soda muttered to himself.
"Uh…of course not. But I need to see some form of I.D first," the first voice said.
"Yeah, yeah sure. Here," the second voice said.
"Alright. But don't take too long."
"Sure. But do you mind standing a little more away from the door? Patient privacy and whatever. You can still guard the door and make sure no one else comes in here."
"Fine. But if anything happens to this patient, I have the right detain and even take other drastic measures against you."
"Understood. We'll be on our way in then," another voice said that sounded very familiar to Soda. The door opened, and Soda noticed two people wearing a white coat and pants, a mask and a white hat with a red cross on it. The door was then almost closed when one of the nurses peeked out to watch the guard stand at the end of the hallway. As soon as the door was closed, the two started to toss their hat and masks off. The 'nurses' now turned into familiar greasers.
"Ugh! I feel like I'm wearing Soc clothes!" Steve said while taking his mask off.
"The things I do for you guys," Dally muttered taking off his white shirt wearing nothing but a white tank top.
"Dally? Steve?!" Soda said sitting up. "What the hell are you guys doing here?"
"The hell are you talking about? The ONE day I actually didn't skip school, and my best friend ends up getting attacked. You couldn't have waited until I got there to nearly get kidnapped? I would have loved to pound Lynch in the skull," Steve said coming over and hitting Soda's shoulder. He and Soda then did a quick handshake with each other.
"You and me both. I just wish I knew it was him beforehand," Soda said. He then briefly told them about what happened at the DX.
"Damn, that's insane," Steve said.
"So seriously, why are you guys here; especially dressed like that?" Soda said.
"We've been trying to visit you all morning, but those ladies and that security guard out there wouldn't let anyone in. So, we had to improvise," Dally said. All of a sudden, his face got serious.
"I'm surprised you showed up, Dal. No one has hardly seen you the past few days," Soda said. "What have you been doing?"
"Just…searching around. I've gotten a few leads, but most of them have been dead ends. Where's your brother at, anyway?" Dally deflected. Soda's face dropped to a scowl and he crossed his arms.
"No idea and frankly I don't give a damn," he snapped.
"Whoa. Since when do you and Superman fight?" Dally asked.
"Since recently. Now can you…"
All of a sudden, the sound of someone hyperventilating occurred on the other bed in the room. "Who's that?" Steve asked. Soda ignored him, but got up and went over towards the other teen violently moving around.
"Hey. Hey! Wake up, man. You're okay," Soda said. The teen's eyes shot open and sheer terror were flooded in his eyes.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" he screamed. This caused Soda to cover his ears while grunting.
"Soda?!" Steve asked coming over.
"I'm fine," he reassured, and turned his attention back to the teen. "It's okay. You're safe in a hospital," Soda said.
"H-hospital? What…how….?"
"What's going on in there?!" the agent demanded from outside the door.
"Sorry. Mr. Curtis woke up and didn't realize who we were. We're just trying to calm him down. We won't be long," Steve said to the door. Soda looked at Scott and put his finger to his lips.
"I'm okay. Sorry, I just dozed off and I had a bad dream when the doctors got me up," Soda said.
"Well…alright. Just finish up in there and get out! Call me if you need me," the agent said.
"Thanks sir," Soda said. He then turned his attention back to Scott. "Just try take it easy and breathe," Soda said touching his shoulders.
"You're Scott, right? Scott Gregory?" Steve asked coming over.
"I…I thought I was…" he got out before beginning to sob. Soda could do nothing but give gentle pats on the back and whispering that he was alive and safe. It took a few minutes, but Scott managed to stop his sobs.
"W-who are you?" Scott asked.
"I'm Sodapop but just call me Soda; yeah, I know it's unusual," he said. "These are good friends of mine, Dally and Steve."
"D-did they catch him?!" Scott asked tensely. Soda nearly choked on his breath and already felt tears forming in his eyes. Dally crossed his arms and looked away while Steve just looked at Soda with guilt. After a moment, Soda shook his head.
"He's got my little brother and one of our best friends," Soda whimpered.
"He's…still out there?!"
"Not for long," Dally said pulling out his gun and double checking the bullets.
"I know that you've been though a lot and just got out of a coma, but we really need help to find them before…you know. Did he say anything to you about where he would be taking Ponyboy and Johnny?" Soda said gently.
"I…I don't remember," Scott admitted.
"Please try! Any little thing!"
"I can't! It was too horrible! I can't think of it again!"
"You don't have to relive anything he did to you. Just tell us about the place you held when you were with him." Dally asked.
"I…I…"
"Come on, dude! You've got to know something! You were kept alive for a reason. The least you can do is help us out before that bast*** has another chance to kill more innocent kids!" Dally snapped.
"Dally, that's enough!" Soda said. Dally turned to glare at Soda with murder. Soda just glared back at him, but eventually backed off. Dally then went over to the wall and leaned against it with his arms crossed.
"I'm sorry, Scott. We've all been on edge for days now," Soda explained. While Scott's breathing was still shaky, he gave a slight nod. "Please, do you know any little thing that could help us?"
"We know he likes to brag about what he's done. Did he every brag about them?"
"The…the Windrexville heroes," Scott stuttered.
"Yes! Exactly!" Soda said. "Start slow."
"M-most of the time…he talked about m-me. Until…"
"Until what?" Steve asked.
"Before he…set the house on fire," he explained.
"That's where you were held that whole time? How the hell did no one see or…hear you?" Steve asked.
"I wasn't there the whole time. I just woke up there after he…caught me again," Scott explained.
"Again?" Soda said.
"Yeah. The entire time I was with him, I was in some kind of a barn where I was shackled to the wall. He came in one night…no! I think it was early one morning which wasn't new. He said that he was setting me free and gave me a full meal and water, and even healed some of my injuries. I was so confused at first, but then he said that…he was going to hunt me." All three greasers' eyes went wide.
"Jesus Christ, what the hell is wrong with this bast***?" Steve muttered. Soda meanwhile went pale and looked like he was going to pass out, but let Scott continue.
"He said that if I could reach civilization, then he would let me go and never bother me again. But at the same time, he would be hunting me with his dogs. If he caught me, he would bring me back and…that would be it. I tried so hard to make it out. I came so close to reaching a town nearby, but he caught me. I think he knocked me out and I woke up in some kind of basement that I'd never been to before. Then he beat me one more time before he…poured gasoline everywhere and…" Tears started to roll down Scott's cheeks again.
"You…you don't have to go on," Soda whimpered now crying.
"So…when he set you free, you weren't near any kind of house or other barn?" Dally asked now fully standing up.
"N-not that I saw. I found a few stray barns, but they were all abandoned," Scott said.
"So, they'll be somewhere far out in the country," Dally said and then started marching towards the door.
"Dal, wait! We're not supposed to be here. At least put the hat and mask on before you get arrested again," Steve said. Dally then put on his medical hat and mask. "I know what you're doing, and I'm going with you," he continued and put on his own medical hat and mask.
"Do what you want," Dally said. He then turned back to Scott. "Thanks for the info," he said.
"I'm coming with you as soon as they let me out of here!" Soda stated.
"Just don't get nearly kidnapped again until then," Steve said.
"I'll try not to," Soda said. With that, Dally and Steve left the room while Soda turned back to Scott. "Thank you so much for your help. I'm sorry that we kinda overwhelmed you right as you woke up. All of us have been desperate to get Ponyboy and Johnny back," he explained. "Also, if you could keep the fact that Dally and Steve were here, we would really appreciate it." Scott gave a slow nod. "Thanks, now, how about we get the doctors and your parents here?" Soda then went back over to his bed and laid down.
"Whoa! Are you alright?! Help! We need doctor, now!" Soda yelled. The agent quickly opened the door and saw Soda staring at Scott.
"You're awake! Thank God!" the agent said.
"I just happened to look over and saw him staring at me," Soda said. Scott looked at Sodapop confused, but the greaser just looked at him and winked as the agent went over towards him.
"Are you alright, son?" he asked just as doctors started rushing it. Scott turned his attention to the agent before nodding.
Meanwhile miles away from Tulsa
Ponyboy ran as fast as his broken body could go away from the barn. There was nothing but miles and miles of cornfields; one of which he was currently in the middle of.
"Johnny?" Ponyboy called for the umpteenth time, but no answer was heard. He continued to move through the corn when he suddenly noticed a section of corn stalks had been stomped on. After examining the stalks, in the middle of the crushed circle of stalks, stood a line of corn on the cob that looked like an arrow pointing forward. For the first time in days, Ponyboy smiled and followed the arrow forward as best as he could. Walking forward a few rows stood another arrow pointing forward. After continuing to walk forward, he heard some commotion ahead of him. Ponyboy gasped and froze. It couldn't be Lynch already, could it? Had he lied to them?
"Ouch!" a voice yelled. "I don't know how long I can keep doing this, Pone." Ponyboy's eyes went wide at the familiar voice.
"Johnny!" he said and ran forward through the corn.
"Pony! I'm here!" Johnny called. Ponyboy followed the voice until he came to a half-fished circle of stomped corn with Johnny standing in the middle. "You made it, man!" Johnny said running over to him and they both softly hugging each other.
"I didn't think I would find you," Ponyboy said.
"I wasn't going to go too far and leave you behind. I almost was going to wait by the barn, but I didn't know if he would come after me or chase me…with his dogs," Johnny said.
"Have you run into anyone or seen any barn or something?" Pony asked.
"No. I don't even know where we are or where we're supposed to go," Johnny sighed.
"We just have to keep going. There's gotta be someone around here who can help us. We have to get as far as we can," Ponyboy said.
"You're right, let's get out of here," Johnny said. With that, the two friends continued their way through the maze of corn.
Hope you enjoyed.
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