Chapter One: Blasted Fools
Featuring:
Dallas Winston*
Ponyboy Curtis
Johnny Cade
* = featured character narrates part or all of the chapter
What if, everything was different?
What if Johnny didn't have to die, and because of that Dally still had something to live for?
What if Johnny lived because of Dally?
And all it took was a little instinct from a no good hood.
Dallas Winston:
"You no good piece of.." I hollered as many curses I could think of under sun, but there wasn't many, I'm standin outside a burning church, dammit.
Pony hadn't responded to my insults, he continued to hold that blasted child in front of my face. "Take her will ya? She ain't exactly lightweight!" The child was too damned busy crying out to her mommy to notice Ponyboy callin her heavy.
I held the misty eyed girl Pony threw at me, keepin' her at a good distance from my face, I ain't ever gon' let a child cry on me, even if she was bouta burn alive.
Pony lunged outta the broken window, it was only then I noticed the fire all 'cross his back. Blasted fool. It's his fault for runnin' into that goddamn fire. "Dammit Pony!" I kicked him best I could with a hollerin' child in my arms. Seemed plenty good, 'cause Pony fell unconscious. I worried for a bit about breaking his ribs with a kick that made him fall to the ground that hard. But decided he don't need anymore help than any other kid. Johnny.
Lord, how could I forget 'bout Johnny? I ain't ever gon' forgive myself if sum' happened to him 'cause of my distracted ass. "Dal? Dally I wanna git outta here!" Johnny hollered. He don't look too brave no more, he looked like he wanted out. It takes a lot of fear for Johnny to wanna call for help.
It was only 'till I looked up when I realized Johnnycake really did need me, more than he knew. That damned roof kept losing more n' more planks.
Somethin' took over me, cause for once I could use my head. I ain't too smart but I ain't no blasted fool. That roof was gonna collapse all over poor Johnny. "I'm comin' Johnny!"
I bent my knees and let go of the kid harsher than I shoulda, jumping through the same window Pony had left outta.
Johnny looked just as helpless as those damned children. Only difference was I needed Johnny to live. I couldn't get along without him man, he's my little brother.
He was bending his knees coughin' the life outta himself. The roof creaked again and I sprinted toward the kid. I picked him up like he weighed nothin' which he probably did 'cause of how long he spent livin' up here. Dammit, maybe I am a blasted fool. Leavin' Johnny and Pony up here all alone? Man I was just tryna kill em'.
My aim wasn't very good with all that damned smoke 'round me but I was still able to throw Johnny out the window, his arm must've broke some glass 'cause he let out a bloodied cry. "Dammit.." I muttered under my breath.
I ran outta that stupid church but that didn't stop a fiery plank from hitting me. The damn thing landed on my left arm, I winced, I could feel the fire begin to engulf me. Just like it did Pony. It was in no time when the fire went and spread up to the left side of my face. I winced again.
I used my shirt to pat down the fire the best I could it didn't do much. The burns already got to me.
"Johnny? Johnny.." I called but it wouldn't have done good anyway 'cause I fell to my knees before I could walk up to him.
I heard sirens. And for the first time it wasn't 'cause the fuzz needed me back in the cooler.
And what if, because Dally had the one thing he loved here with him, he learned how to appreciate Johnny, and show how much he cares. Learn to love.
And what if, he was able to open his heart up to someone new too?