I hope you enjoy this chapter! I had a lot of fun writing it and hope that it flows nicely :) I apologize for any misspellings.


"Where have you been?" The soft voice made me freeze. I felt as my heart pounded through my ears. I stayed on the floor, almost as if I was glued there. I hoped with every part of me that he wasn't there, that no one was there.

He stayed there, standing and looking at me. I panicked, rushing through things and ways to explain what happened. Or at least why I was on the floor. After a bit, I finally got my courage and spoke.

"Uh, h-hey Johnny," I whispered as I looked at him. He looked at me, most likely seeing the new bruises popping up on my face. I was thankful that Curly had patched me up before I came back so that he wouldn't have to see the blood.

I looked around seeing how the door was slightly creaked open. A soft glow was emitted from the living room to the inside of the room. The room was dark, almost as if I was sleeping. Part of me hoped that Johnny wasn't here before I came in, that maybe I could gaslight him?

"What happened?" Johnny asked, knocking me out of my thoughts. I looked down, unsure how to answer that without worrying him and everyone in the gang. I realized that I wouldn't be able to make him think differently, he knew I climbed inside from the window. We exchanged a silent conversation as he walked to me gently. I knew that he was scared of making me flinch. Not wanting to be seen as weak, I stumbled to get up, swaying as I did so.

"What happened Pony?" Johnny asked again, somehow softer. I bit my lip, trying to pick my words and not get Johnny roped into this. I already learned that if I told anyone, then they would be dragged into it, and… I didn't want Johnny to get roped into it.

Johnny continued to look at me, wanting the answer. It took everything in me not to tell him everything. Not to come clean and explain what had happened to Dally and how scared I was that he would get into it. That the socs would get him the way they got Dally. So, instead of telling the truth, I lied. I lied like I had in the hospital and when asked about Curly.

"I needed to go out for a walk. Being in here makes me feel…" I was lying through my teeth as I motioned around the room. Johnny's eyes continued to look at me, almost as if trying to see if I was lying. His big black eyes filled with concern and fear. His eyes didn't even follow my hand that wearily waved around the room, showing how much I was uncoordinated. "Who else is here?" I asked, trying to avoid any other conversation.

"Johnny! Where are ya?" I heard Two-Bit yell from the living room. Johnny jumped a bit, looking at me and then to the door. "In here," I called out for Johnny. He looked at me, almost as if trying to analyze me.

Before anything else could happen, Two-Bit opened the door. "Oh hey kid," he greeted. "Hey," I greeted back, trying not to slur my words. Johnny looked at him and then to me.

"Uh, did ya need to go to sleep kid?" Two-Bit asked. Thankful for a way out of the conversation I nodded. "Yeah, I'm real tired. Night," I lied.

Two-Bit nodded, looking at Johnny. Johnny kept looking at me, his eyes going over every bruise on my face. I knew that part of him wanted to stay, wanted to prove that he was my best buddy. But, I smiled at him, trying to show him that I would be okay.

He nodded a bit, walking over to Two-Bit and leaving. I tried to get dressed for bed. As I tried to do so, I felt my head throbbing, and how I couldn't stop swaying around. Even as the room was spinning, I forced myself to hobble to bed.

The room was warm as I struggled with the long-sleeved shirt and blanket. It was too hot for a long-sleeved shirt, but too cold to sleep without the blanket. There were small remnants of sound coming from the living room. Mostly Mickey Mouse and Two-Bit laughing. I wanted to blame that for my lack of sleep, but I knew it wasn't the real reason.

Either way, I couldn't sleep. My mind wandered to Dally. Was he okay? Guilt rippled through me like a rock making waves in a lake. Except, I don't think the waves will stop anytime soon…

I tried to focus on anything else. The sound of Mickey still rang clear through the house, proving that Two-Bit didn't know. Not yet at least. I hoped that Johnny wouldn't tell him, or that he wouldn't tell anyone.

What if they found out? Or what if Darry tried to go after the socs right now? My stomach tightened at the thought of that, a brief picture of Dally being stabbed running through my mind. Once again, I was scared.

My eyes closed and I felt as if someone gently touched my forehead. The contact didn't make me flinch until the person went away. At the sound of an engine, I woke up panicked, thoughts about what happened hitting me like a brick. I sat up in bed, trying to ignore how my body protested the movement. My breathing was heavy, and uneven, as I tried to listen.

What if it was the socs?

My breathing remained untamed as I tried to ignore the sound of an engine. Maybe it was Darry. Hopefully, it was Soda even. Part of me didn't even want to protest if it was Steve who was outside. Once the engine shut off, I felt the adrenaline deplete from my body. I fell back onto my pillows, sleep wanting to come to me quicker than ever.

~

"Is he sleeping?" A soft voice asked me. My eyes refused to open, seemingly as if they were glued shut. There was someone above me, breathing gently onto me. It tickled my eyelashes as they did so almost making me want to push them away.

"Is he? I hope so…" Another voice added. "Oh, why?" Said the first voice. The second voice faltered, leaving me confused as to who was talking again.

"He looked real bad Soda. Came in through the window hobbling. I didn't even understand what he was saying. Two-Bit had to send him to bed." My mind searched through what had happened. I felt as the person above me pulled away, most likely to look at the person talking.

"Really?" Was it Soda? My mind tried to supply me. "He said he hated it in here. But…" Was that Johnny?

I couldn't remember what happened. Every time my mind tried to think, it just drew to a blank.

Something must've happened, I told myself, something to make them worried. Then it hit me. They probably knew about Dally!

"Dal- ly?" My voice whispered. "What was that honey?" Sodapop asked me, most likely bending closer to me. I heard as Johnny shuffled around, but there seemed to be more people in the room. Still, I tried to speak. They must've known!

"Dally!" I said with more force, willing my eyes to open. When they did, I was quick to push myself up. Even as the cuts and bruises on my body burned and ached, I still sat up. Sodapop backed away quickly, watching me with wide eyes.

"Breath honey," I heard someone say as they touched my arm. I flinched away, hitting a bedside table. I groaned in pain, mostly from the injuries I already had. Although, everyone else thought that it was because of the nightstand.

I looked at everyone, my chest rising in an uneven rhythm. I felt like an animal being observed with the way they all stared at me. All of them except Dally.

"Where's Dally?" I asked looking around at Sodapop, Johnny, Steve, Two-Bit, and finally Darry. Darry, who backed away scared after I flinched, looked at me weirdly. "He's at Bucks? Buck told us himself. I don't like the fact that he left you alone," Darrys eyes followed me.

He's at Bucks? I felt as if my body relaxed, relief washing through me. Dally was okay!

At the sight of me relaxing, I saw as Two-Bit raised an eyebrow at me. "What is with you and Dally now?" He asked. I froze, Wasn't it normal to be worried about a buddy? Still, I just shrugged, "Uh- I had a bit of a nightmare."

Sodapop looked at me worriedly as I said that. His eyes glazed over mine, almost as if looking for something. Had I slept for too long?

My mind tried to help me as I thought. I looked at the window, noticing that it was dark. Isn't it normal for people to be asleep at night?

"Uh, so what's the occasion?" I asked, trying to play off how scared I was at the moment. They all looked at me, almost as if knowing what had happened to Dally.

"Just checking up on ya. Johnnycakes here told us that ya left," Two-Bit expressed as he looked from me to Johnny. I looked at him, watching the caution heavy in his eyes. They all believed Johnny. And I didn't even know what was happening.

"Oh, I just-" I thought about what I had heard before, "-I just hated being cooped up in here. Uh- it made me feel horrible." The lies felt too easy on my lips. I watched as everyone else in the gang nodded gently, understanding. I looked to Sodapop and Johnny watching as their eyes stayed on me though, until Sodapop stood up.

He ruffled my hair, "Should've told us. Now get back to sleep." I smiled a bit, nodding as I laid back down. I bit my lip hard as I did so, trying not to wince from moving around as everyone else left the room. I felt the gauze shift on the injuries, making a painful sting come from the cuts.

"Do ya really think he's okay?" I heard Johnny ask from outside my door. I waited, wondering who he was talking to. "I'm not sure… but- I understand what ya mean Johnnycakes…" Sodapop answered. I waited for a moment, looking up to the dark ceiling. My eyes slowly started to close, lulling me to sleep before I could even hear what Johnny was talking about.

~

I was running, my feet pounding on concrete in an unrhythmic tempo. There was nothing on my mind other than the dull thought about getting away. My body didn't hurt, well- not as much. A dull ache in my stomach reminded me of my first injury.

Six socs were behind me once again, causing me to stumble as I ran. Briefly, I looked back, watching as they all had their switchblades out. When I turned back around, Dally's limp body was in front of me. However, his body was accompanied by everyone in the gang. Everyone except-

"Greaser!" A soc cried from behind me. I turned around, ignoring the jolt of pain that came from my arm. I looked right at the socs, especially the one that had slammed me into a locker. He locked his eyes on me, sizing me up.

"Ya really think ya can help 'em?" Randy asked as he walked around me. I felt my hands go clampy as I looked at him. He pointed right to Dally, "That wasn't a dream."

My heart dropped. I had wanted to hold onto the hope that maybe I was delusional. But no- i was right…

Buck had lied to the gang.

My heart dropped as I thought about that. I had told him to not tell the gang, to keep it secret.

My eyes lingered on Dally's limp body. There was the essence of blood all around the bodies on the floor. No guilt would help me from what had already happened.

Before I could think, Bob was behind me. He grabbed my hair, throwing me back. The rest of the socs started to surround me as the edges of my vision faded to black.

~

My eyes shot open as I struggled to breathe. It was just like the first nightmares I had. Guilt settled in my heart, reminding me of what had happened. The picture of Dally ran through my mind again.

He must be at the hospital, I thought as I got up. Sodapop was right next to me, still sleeping, but, I couldn't wait any longer.

I changed quickly, making sure that Sodapop wouldn't wake up to the sight of his baby brother with gauze all over him. I made sure to choose something that would cover up most of the bruises. Making sure to pull on a turtleneck shirt just in case. My mind raced- what if they saw and get hurt? All because of me…

The thought of the cut made my neck ache a bit, reminding me of the fight last night. Just the fear of dragging Sodapop into the whole issue scared me more than anything. Carefully, I walked out of the room.

Steve was on the recliner, lounging as he slept. Johnny was on the couch near him, his eyes closed. Quietly, I made my way to the door, hoping it wasn't too early. The door creaked open as I snuck out and onto the porch.

Cool morning air hit me, making my skin prickle as I closed the door behind me. A small click was heard as I walked off the porch. Instead of opening the gate, I hopped it, ignoring the pain that arrived from hitting my feet on the ground.

I took a moment to steady myself, breathing rapidly. When I was sure my legs weren't going to pop off, I started running to the hospital. I tried to remember everything- something! But, my mind started to come to a blank. Why was I running to the hospital?

I ran halfway to the hospital before stopping. Damn, I should've taken a bus, I thought as I bent over to catch my breath. Almost all my injuries burned, especially my ribs. I stood on the sidewalk for a moment, watching cars go by. When I was sure I was okay, I continued walking to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital, I saw that it was a bit quiet. The smell of antiseptic filled my nose, making me scrunch it up for a moment. I made eye contact with the receptionist, as she just looked at me. Taking my chances, I walked up.

"I-Im here to visit a patient," I almost slurred out. Why was it so hard to talk? She gave me a weird look, probably thinking that I was drunk. Still, she nodded, "What's the name?"

"Dallas Winston." She nodded, looking at some files and calling over a doctor. "Oh, Winston?" The doctor asked as the receptionist looked at him. She gestured to me and the doctor looked me over for a moment.

"He's in rough condition, Im not sure if he should have visitors," The doctor told me. "What! I need to see him," I said quickly, ignoring the way my head pounded. It took a moment, but the doctor steadily nodded. I could see the glint of something in his eyes, concern? Or maybe curiosity as to how I knew Dallas Winston.

"Okay, well… follow me," The doctor started walking. I followed him, past a set of double doors and through different hallways. My head was spinning by the time we made it to Dally's room. The doctor gave me another look, almost as if telling me to prepare for what I was going to see.

He opened the door, revealing Dally on a bed. Dally was still sleeping, some parts of him wrapped up in casts. I felt my heart drop and my stomach sink. It wasn't a nightmare.

The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to gently flinch and groan in pain. "Are you okay?" He asked right after, taking his hand off immediately. I nodded trying to lie, "I- uh I just slept weird last night."

I hobbled over to one of the chairs, settling down. For a moment, Dally moved. I waited, trying to see if he would wake up. When he didn't, I sunk into the plastic chair.

"The nurse will come around shortly to check up on him," The doctor said before leaving. I nodded drowsily, ignoring the way my head steadily pounded. Dally looked younger as he slept, almost as if he had no hatred for the world.

I put my arms onto Dally's bed, lowering myself down until my forehead was lying on them. As a heart monitor beeped near me, I felt my eyes growing heavier. And bit by bit, I felt as a calm firm hand laid on my head, lulling me to sleep.

Johnny POV

We all knew that Ponyboy was hiding something.*

I knew by the way Curly had been buddy-buddy with him just before he was stabbed. Curly wasn't slick.

Still, it scared all of us when Ponyboy was stabbed. Especially when he had told me that I was his best buddy. It was then that I was scared that those would be his last words.

When I walked into Soda and Pony's room, I expected to see Ponyboy sleeping. Maybe Dally had left because Ponyboy was sleeping. But when I walked in, all I saw was Ponyboy on the floor. It was obvious he was in pain.

He looked at me like a deer in headlights. His gaze avoided my eyes for a long time as he slurred his words. I thought that he was drinking, maybe that he snuck out with Curly. But, that wasn't Ponyboy. I kept asking Ponyboy what happened, hoping that maybe he would tell me. Yet, he stayed firm, lying that he wanted to take a walk.

I understood him for a moment. He seemed tired, almost as if he hadn't been sleeping at all. Still, he slurred his words, then Two-Bit called out to me. Me and Two-Bit left his room for a bit, with Two-Bit turning on the TV.

I stared past the screen and at Ponyboy's door. Part of me was worried that he wasn't asleep, or that he was out again. I kept worrying to the point that Two-Bit recommended that we go check up on him. Two-Bit kept standing around him. "He was slurring his words?" Two-Bit asked, also slurring his words. I saw the beer bottle he had in his hands, a bit of concern hitting me. I nodded though, looking at Ponyboy.

"We oughta tell Soda," I whispered, gingerly touching Ponyboy's forehead, wincing at the warmth that excreted from it. His blankets were piled high above his neck, barely showing part of his upper lip. Two-Bit put a hand on my shoulder, "He'll be alright Johnny." I nodded, looking as Ponyboy's breath evened out. "C'mon, let's let him sleep."

I sat with Two-Bit in the living room, waiting for Soda. Two-Bit sat down in front of the TV while I sat on the couch. Sodapop came in, with Darry and Steve. "Hey, Johnny and Two, where's Pony?" Soda greeted.

"He's asleep but…" I gestured to their room. Sodapops eyebrows furrowed a bit as he looked to their door. I got up, leading him to Ponyboy's room. Darry and Two-Bit started talking, something about Dally.

Sodapop opened their door, going straight to Ponyboy. I explained a bit about how Ponyboy was slurring his words and just seemed off. Sodapop nodded, asking if he was awake. The rest of the gang came in, everyone except Dally.

Then Ponyboy woke up. He instantly asked about Dally, scaring just about everyone in the room. I knew how Ponyboy didn't like Dally much, always saying that he was too real. It was just something Ponyboy could talk about but he still cared about him. Still, it just confused all of us.

Darry gently touched his arm, scaring him to the point of hitting their nightstand. He writhed in pain for a moment, but instead of touching the part that he hit on the nightstand, he was cradling his ribs. I looked at Darry as he retreated, almost as if Ponyboy burned him.

We all noticed how weirdly Ponyboy was acting. It was then that I knew that something was off, but I couldn't do anything. Ponyboy seemed to have trouble talking, almost as if he didn't remember anything. But, after talking with him, we allowed him to sleep.

I chose to stay the night at the Curtis house. Steve stayed as well, taking the recliner while I took the couch. Sodapop gave me a grateful smile.

"So he was slurrin' his words?" Steve sleepily asked. "Yeah, man. Did ya see how he seemed confused too?" I answered. Steve nodded from the recliner, "I jus' thought he was drunk or somthin'"

I just looked at him in the dark. "Steve, do ya care about Pony or not?" Steve visibly stiffened, looking right at me. There was a soft glow from the porchlight outside, yet not enough light streamed in for me to see Steve's expression. "I- I do man but… ya know. I just don't know how to feel with him not telling us who jumped him."

I nodded, remembering the guys that got Pony. One of them had looked right at me, a familiar glint coming from his hands. Part of me had wanted to run after him, to get him back for Ponyboy. But, I found myself frozen, almost reaching for the switchblade in my pocket. Still, I had went back to Ponyboy, listening as he panicked from the blood leaking from him.

The thought made me curl up more on the couch. I didn't know the socs by name, but I knew that they went to school with us. And that they had jumped me too, not too long ago.

"Go to sleep Johnnycakes, I can almost hear ya thinking," Steve yawned. I nodded trying to steady my thoughts. Ponyboy was in the house sleeping in his own bed. When he wanted to, he would tell me and Soda about what was happening.

It would only just be a matter of time before he did so.

:3

There was a soft click of the front door. I shot up awake, watching as Steve didn't move. I looked outside the window, watching as Ponyboy hopped the gate. Quickly, I rushed to put on my shoes and run outside with him. My hair was still greased, albeit badly, but it helped with me not caring much about following Ponyboy.

The second I was outside, I saw him sprinting already a block and a half away. He was going in the same direction that the hospital was in. My stomach dropped as I followed him, trying to keep up. After a bit, I lost him.

The streets were empty, only with the occasional car passing by. I looked around, trying to see if there was anyone to ask about Ponyboy. When there was no one, I decided to see if he went to the hospital.

"-Winston?" I heard a doctor say. The name made me freeze as I started to walk to the receptionist. "He is in rough condition, Im not sure if he should have visitors." My heart dropped as I heard Ponyboy say something. Yet, his words were slurred. Before I knew it, they were walking off.

Dally was in the hospital?

My mind went back to what Ponyboy had said last night. Did Dally drag him somewhere and get jumped? Was Ponyboy hurt? Then my mind went back to Darry and what he said yesterday. Buck told him that Dally was there!

How would Ponyboy have known that Dally was in the hospital?

I felt shaky as I walked up to the receptionist. She held a bored expression on her face as she looked at me. "Im here to visit someone," I said, trying to play it cool. She nodded, "Name?"

"Dallas Winston." I hoped that she would say that he wasn't there. That maybe it was Ponyboy just having a friend named Winston. But, I knew that there was no one with the last name Winston anywhere near here. My thoughts were confirmed as she nodded, calling over the doctor again.

The doctor looked me over, a soft expression on his face. "Should I assume there would be more visitors for Winston?" He asked, most likely jokingly. I furrowed my eyebrows a bit, looking at him. "What happened to him?"

The doctor motioned for me to follow him, I nodded and started walking with him. "Winston came in here with multiple injuries," The doctor explained. He led me to Dally's room and walked in. I looked at the sight before me.

Ponyboy was resting his head on his hands, sleeping. But, that didn't shock me much. No, it was that Dally had his hand on his head, carefully ruffling his hair. Dally was awake, just looking at Ponyboy.

When the doctor entered, Dally looked up at us. His hand stayed on Ponyboy's hair as he looked at us. "Oh hey Johnny," he greeted. I looked at him, he didn't seem too put off by me being there. Instead, I watched as he glared at the doctor. The doctor continued to look at Ponyboy, almost as if assessing him. But, he turned and walked out, leaving the room with the sound of a heart monitor.

I took a seat next to Dally but in front of Ponyboy. I looked at the bruises on Ponyboy, seeing how some seemed new. My heart dropped, was he hurt on his walk yesterday?

"How did the kid know I was in the hospital?" Dally asked me after a bit. I looked at him, "You don't know?" He shrugged, "Well Tim told me I was in a fight but I must've been drinkin' or somethin'."

I looked at him a bit shocked, usually, Dally never got roughed up to the point that he didn't remember a fight. I looked at him fully, taking note of all the bandages on him. There was an obvious one on his stomach, from him not wanting to wear the gown. A bandage was wrapped on his stomach, in almost the same spot that Ponyboy was stabbed.

"Was it socs?" I asked, whispering it like it was a secret. Dally looked at me and then to Ponyboy. "I think so. Tim didn't tell me much." I nodded, "So what do ya remember?"

Dally took a deep breath, as if trying to remember. His eyes were softer as he looked at Ponyboy, a small frown on his face.

"I remember asking the kid about Curly and him telling me somethin'"


Another cliffhanger? Not really haha. Thank you so much for reading though! :D