Author's Note:

Hi everyone, sorry for the short chapter, but I hope you like it. Stay tuned for the next one.

Sincerely, keylime2001

Disclaimer: The Outsiders is owned by S. E. Hinton.

Chapter 4

(Rush Week Results)

Harley's POV:

Sunday….

It was the result day today for Greek Row. All the invites were delivered to the candidates yesterday and today we will figure out who will be pledging. Already a handful of freshmen have already disappeared including a few rushing Alpha Phi. Luckily, Linda's younger sister Claudia wasn't one of them. I didn't want to push my luck and go down into either the pantry dungeon or the laundry room dungeon quite yet again. I knew I would be pushing my luck. I had gotten up early because I was restless and had absent-mindedly gotten a bowl of cereal and a Pepsi and sat down at the table. I had already gotten ready for the day ahead. A day of tutoring, a shift at the library, and then the sorority house. I was nervous to hear what Dorthy had to say about what she found at her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Since it was 5:30 in the morning I decided to get a head start on my homework that was due this week. It was 7:00 by the time Pony shuffled out yawning. He was already dressed and ready for the day. By the time he came out, I was already on my third soda. "Good morning," Pony mumbled as he shuffled to the coffee pot. "How long have you been up?" I looked up at the clock. "A couple of hours," I said with a yawn. "I was too nervous about today." Pony shot me a concerned glance. "Have those missing freshmen turned up yet?" Pony asked. I shook my head. "Not yet," I said. "I don't want to push my luck though and go snooping in those dungeons again. I need to build up trust." Pony nodded understandingly. "I want you to be safe, you hear me," Pony said. I kissed Pony. "I'll do my best," I said with a small smile. Pony smiled at me wearily. "I'll hold you to that," Pony said. I knew he would.

Pony and I took separate cars to the library. Pony had the first shift during my tutoring sessions, and my shift was during his track practice. Pony would be getting home before I was because I had to be at the sorority house tonight. During a break in my tutoring sessions, Dorthy pulled me to the side. "Have they found the freshmen that have disappeared yet?" Dorthy asked me in a whisper. I shook my head. "I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up by sometime tonight to send a message to the new pledges," I muttered. Dorthy's face turned ashen. "I hope you're wrong," Dorthy said nervously. I shrugged. "If they do show up," I said. "I might be to see exactly what we are dealing with and maybe get some insight into the whole thing." Dorthy looked at me horrified. "You're warped," Dorthy said. I chuckled. "It comes with the territory of being a Greaser, a journalist, and a true crime fan," I said nonchalantly. Dorthy just shook her head at me in disbelief. "Did you find anything out at Kappa Kappa Gamma?" I asked her. Dorthy pulled out a packet of pictures for me and handed them to me. "They had binders back to 1947 which was the chapter's inception," Dorthy said softly. Sure enough, there were pictures of the binders with the same layout as the ones at Alpha Phi. "I also found the dungeon in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house in the pantry," Dorthy continued. "It looked like there had been people down there." In the pictures that Dorthy took, there were beds with ruffled sheets, blood on the floor, food cans scattered hap haphazardly, and much more. It was looking grim. I squeezed Dorthy's hand. "Thanks, Dorthy," I said. "I know it probably wasn't easy. I appreciate it." Dorthy nodded and went back to her shift. After my tutoring sessions were ending and Pony was wrapping up his shift, I pulled him aside. "Can you check with any of the track freshmen to see if any of them are pledging to fraternities today?" I asked him hopefully. Pony nodded. "I'll see what I can do," Pony said. "Stay safe tonight." I kissed Pony and nodded.

My shift at the library went by in a blur. There were so many people needing help and so many frantic kids trying to get ahead for the semester. It kept me busy though and forget about what was going on tonight, so I was happy about that. But, when my shift ended, my heart filled with dread. I hated being a part of Greek Row and I had a bad feeling about this case. In the car, I changed into a black mini-skirt, a red halter top, a black headband, and black sandals. I hated wearing this shit, but it was all for the story. I had to fit into the facade of what was Greek life. I had made a promise to Linda and I was going to follow it through. I walked up to the Alpha Phi house to a gaggle of girls inside. Cleo beamed at me when she saw me. "You look delicious!" Cleo exclaimed. I blushed and looked down at my feet. "Thanks, Cleo," I mumbled. "Ready for tonight?" Cleo chuckled and beamed at me. "Ready as ever," Cleo exclaimed. "Are you ready for your first USC one?" Cleo asked me as she led me to the group. "As ready as I can be," I said nervously. "You'll be great," Cleo said. "How about I throw you in the deep end and have you be a big sister?" I looked at her with my mouth a gape. "Are you sure that's wise?" I asked shocked. Cleo nodded. "It's your senior year and a freshman would feel comfortable with you because you are new too," Cleo said with an eye roll. "If you say so," I said hesitantly. Cleo smiled at me. "Great!" Cleo said. She looked out the window and squealed. "The pledges are here!"

Sure enough, there was a gaggle of girls coming up the front steps to the front door. Cleo threw the door open. "Welcome to Alpha Phi!," Cleo exclaimed. "We're so happy that you chose to pledge with us. You'll fit right in." Cleo waived the excited new pledges into the living room. I looked over the excited new faces and wondered which ones would make it to the end of the year. I knew it was wrong of me to think about that, but that's why I was here in the first place. Claudia, Linda's little sister, was one of the excited new pledges. I was hoping that I could be her honorary big sister. I knew that Cleo wouldn't allow for Linda to be Claudia's sorority big sister. Cleo went down the row of new pledges and had them sworn in as new members of Alpha Phi. Then she started assigning little sisters to big sisters. Linda's face was all nervous for her little sister. I knew that she knew that there was zero chance that she would be Clauida's sorority big sister and was nervous about who she would get. "Claudia, you're big sister will be Hailey," Cleo said when she got to Claudia. Linda looked relieved at the news. Claudia beamed at me, which I returned. At least I could help keep an eye on her. Then all of a sudden we heard a scream from outside. My blood ran cold as I bolted out the door with the other girls behind me. When I got out there, I saw a girl standing over the dead body of one of the missing freshmen. I heard gasps from behind me. "Call 9-1-1!" I shouted to the girls behind me. I saw Linda run back inside. I moved closer to the body, and I noticed it was one of the girls who was interested in Alpha Phi earlier in the week. I made sure not to touch her, but I grabbed my camera out of my bag and looked behind me. The other girls were moving inside and others were throwing up in the bushes. This was my chance to get some photos. I was able to get multiple shots from different angles. I got some photos of the wounds around her wrists which were consistent with the handcuffs in the basement and I saw some bruising around her throat, and around her eyes. Her eyes were also bloodshot. I made sure to get pictures of everything. I made sure to quickly put my camera away when I saw the police and ambulance pull up.

The police started questioning anyone. They didn't get a response out of anyone which was to be expected. I wasn't surprised that another one ended up dead, that no one saw anything, and that the police didn't seem at all surprised that another freshman ended up dead. It was a night and I was ready to go home. I made sure to check in with Linda and Claudia before I headed out. When I was heading out to my car, I saw Cleo who appeared to be Dean Thompson talking loudly by one of the trees at the edge of the yard. I slowly pushed the record button on the tape recorder in my bag and slowly hid behind the bushes before they could see me. "Why did she have to get dumped so close to the house?" Cleo hissed. "It was sloppy." Dr. Thompson sighed. "You are such a child Cleo," Dr. Thompson hissed. "You don't understand why it needed to be done. It's a warning. It needed to be close to some of the more popular chapters to send a warning." Cleo huffed. "Who did you have go after this one?" Cleo asked. Dr. Thompson chuckled. "My lovely assistant Landon was able to help with that one," Dr. Thompson said. "He is such a people pleaser. Now run along back to your precious house." Dr. Thompson stalked back to her car as Cleo walked back to the house. I slowly made my way out of the bush and turned off my tape recorder. I made my way to the library to develop the photos and then home. I couldn't wait to escape that whole scene.

When I entered the apartment and saw Pony sitting at the table working on homework I let out a sigh of relief. Pony looked up at me with a grin. "That bad?" Pony asked. I rolled my eyes. "You have no idea," I said with a groan. I kissed him on the head and made my way to get cleaned up. When I sat down at the table I placed the envelope of photos in front of Pony. "More evidence?" Pony asked me with an eyebrow cocked. I nodded. "When did you eat?" I asked hesitantly. "A couple of hours ago," Pony said concerned. "Are they that bad?" I nodded. "You can only imagine," I mumbled. Pony opened the photo packet and he gagged. "I can see why you asked me when I had dinner," Pony said weakly. "Do you know her?" I nodded. "I recognized her from Rush earlier this week," I said grimly. "That's not the only bad thing. Listen to this." I placed the play button on the tape recorder. I didn't think anyone could get any paler than Pony did. He cursed under his breath. "I'm guessing you're going to go after this guy," Pony moaned. "I might as well," I said. "I've got the tapes and photos. Also, Dorthy found similar evidence at Kappa Kappa Gamma, which is at Alpha Phi." Pony sighed. "Let me come with you when you go as backup," Pony said. I nodded. "No resistance from me," I said reassuringly. Pony smiled at me. "Good," Pony said. "Oh by the way. Some of the freshmen did pledge. Sigma Chi and Sigma Nu." I nodded. "Do you think you can get us in?" I asked hopefully. Pony nodded. "I'll see if I can get us in for a party," Pony said. I kissed him. "Thanks," I whispered. "Let's call the guys."

"'Ello?" I heard Steve answer. "Hey Steve," I said. "It's Pony and Harley." Steve chuckled. "How's it going kid and Motorbike?" Steve asked. "It's going," I said with a chuckle. "Did Two-Bit meet with Marcia's parents yet?" Pony asked. Steve laughed. "He did," Steve said. "It got off to a rocky start, but I think he somewhat won them over with his sense of humor. It will take a minute to get them fully on board." I smiled. "That's good," I said. "That isn't why you called is it though," Steve said darkly. Pony groaned. "Wow," Pony said. "Someone is being perceptive." Steve clucked. "I just have been around you guys enough to know somethings up," Steve clipped. "How bad is it?" I sighed. "A girl ended up dead," I said wearily. "I also got the Alpha Phi president and the Dean of Student Affairs talking about it and they admitted some damning stuff." Steve cursed under his breath. "My thoughts exactly," Pony muttered. "I'm dreading telling Superman this," Steve said. "You guys better stay safe you here." I groaned. "You know we will Steveo," I said. "I'll send you guys copies of the tapes and photos to keep safe." Steve groaned. "Can't wait,' Steve said and hung up.

Pony's POV:

Sunday…

When I rolled over in bed and draped my hand over to Harley's side of the bed to squeeze her hand, I felt a space where she should be. I opened my eyes and noticed that she wasn't there. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 6:30. I groaned. Why is she up this early? I pulled myself out of bed and started to get ready for the dead. When I came out of the bedroom after taking a shower and getting dressed it was 7:00. Harley was sitting at the kitchen table with an empty cereal bowl, and two empty Pepsi bottles while she sipped her third, while she was hovering over her homework. Her right knee was bouncing up and down. "Good morning," I mumbled as I shuffled to the coffee pot. I was still so tired from getting up early. I needed that cup of coffee. I wondered how early Harley had been up to go through two sodas already. "How long have you been up?" Harley looked up at the clock. "A couple of hours," Harley said with a yawn. My heart sank. Something was obviously bothering her. "I was too nervous about today." I shot her a concerned glance as I walked to the table with my coffee. "Have those missing freshmen turned up yet?" I asked. Harley shook her head. "Not yet," Harley said. "I don't want to push my luck though and go snooping in those dungeons again. I need to build up trust." I nodded understandingly. I was glad that she learned her lesson from the previous stories she worked on, but I had an uneasy feeling about this one. This one was more sinister than the others. "I want you to be safe, you hear me," I said. Harley kissed me and I leaned into it. "I'll do my best," Harley said with a small smile. I smiled at her wearily. "I'll hold you to that," I said.

Harley and I went to the library in separate cars because of our separate schedules today. Harley had a full load of tutoring this morning, which shocked me because it had only been one week of school. I watched Harley carefully when I could during my shift. At one point Dorthy stole Harley away to talk about something. I guess that she found something at Kappa Kappa Gamma. I was itching to know what she found, but I knew I would figure it out tonight. Today the library was hopping. Kids were going deep into their studies and prospective students were coming through on tours. Finally, as I was wrapping up my shift to head to track practice, Harley pulled me aside. "Can you check with any of the track freshmen to see if any of them are pledging to fraternities today?" Harley asked me hopefully. I nodded. I dreaded this conversation, but there were a couple of freshmen who weren't too terrible that I could ask. "I'll see what I can do," I said. "Stay safe tonight." Harley kissed me and nodded as she went to clock in for her shift. I felt a pit in my stomach. I hated leaving her for the day and I hoped nothing too bad happened at the pledging tonight. How wrong would I be?

At practice, I was able to ask a couple of the freshmen, Lyle Copper and Nigel Manningham if they were pledging any of the fraternities. They were pledging Sigma Chi and Sigma Nu respectively. "Let us know if we can sneak you or the Mrs into any of the parties," They offered. I nodded. "Thanks," I muttered. They were so desperate to win over the approval of the upperclassmen. I was grateful that I could use that as leverage for Harley. When I got back to the apartment, it was dark and quiet. Harley shouldn't be back in the apartment for another couple of hours, so I heated up some leftover mac n' cheese and sat down to work on homework. Then as I expected, a couple of hours later, Harley stumbled into the apartment. She looked like she was just glad to be out of the Soc's den. I didn't blame her.

"That bad?" I asked. Harley rolled her eyes. "You have no idea," Harley said with a groan and pushing her hair out of her face. Harley kissed me on the head and made her way to get cleaned up. When she sat down at the table she placed the envelope of photos in front of me. Alarm bells started going off in my head. No wonder she was glad to be home. That place gave both of us the creeps. "More evidence?" I asked Harley with an eyebrow cocked. Harley nodded. "When did you eat?" Harley asked hesitantly. My stomach sank. I knew it was bad if she was asking me that. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see the photos now. "A couple of hours ago," I said concerned. "Are they that bad?" Harley nodded. Figured it would be after we found that dungeon and the binders. "You can only imagine," Harley mumbled. I opened the photo packet and I gagged. Those images would be scared into my memory for life. "I can see why you asked me when I had dinner," I said weakly. I felt like I was going to puke. "Do you know her?" Harley nodded. "I recognized her from Rush earlier this week," Harley said grimly. "That's not the only bad thing. Listen to this." Harley placed the play button on the tape recorder. I felt the blood rush from my face as I heard Cleo and Dr. Thompson's conversation. I cursed so hard that Darry would've grounded me for a month if he heard me. "I'm guessing you're going to go after this guy," I moaned. "I might as well," Harley said. "I've got the tapes and photos. Also, Dorthy found similar evidence at Kappa Kappa Gamma, which is at Alpha Phi." I sighed. I knew she was going to say that. Why did I even ask? "Let me come with you when you go as backup," I said. Harley nodded much to my relief.. "No resistance from me," Harley said reassuringly. I smiled at her. "Good," I said. "Oh by the way. Some of the freshmen did pledge. Sigma Chi and Sigma Nu." Harley nodded. "Do you think you can get us in?" Harley asked hopefully. I nodded. "I'll see if I can get us in for a party," I said. Harley kissed me. "Thanks," Harley whispered. "Let's call the guys."

"'Ello?" I heard Steve answer. "Hey Steve," Harley said. "It's Pony and Harley." Steve chuckled. "How's it going kid and Motorbike?" Steve asked. "It's going," Harley said with a chuckle. "Did Two-Bit meet with Marcia's parents yet?" I asked. Steve laughed. "He did," Steve said. "It got off to a rocky start, but I think he won them somewhat won them over a little with his sense of humor. It will take a minute to get them fully on board." Harley smiled. "That's good," Harley said. "That isn't why you called is it though," Steve said darkly. I groaned. "Wow," I said. "Someone is being perceptive." Steve clucked. "I just have been around you guys enough to know somethings up," Steve clipped. "How bad is it?" Harley sighed. "A girl ended up dead," Harley said wearily. "I also got the Alpha Phi president and the Dean of Student Affairs talking about it and they admitted some damning stuff." Steve cursed under his breath. "My thoughts exactly," I muttered. "I'm dreading telling Superman this," Steve said. "You guys better stay safe you here." Harley groaned. "You know we will Steveo," Harley said. "I'll send you guys copies of the tapes and photos to keep safe." Steve groaned. "Can't wait,' Steve said and hung up.

I just hoped this assistant guy of Dr. Thompson's wasn't going to do anything rash.

Steve's POV:

Sunday….

The guys and I were waiting eagerly to hear about Two-Bits and Marcia's dinner with her parents. Two-Bit was at a loss for words, which was unlike him before he left. That's how we all knew he really had the hots for Marcia and it wasn't just some fling. I just hoped that it didn't backfire on him, especially because Marcia was a Soc. When the whole thing made its rounds on the West side, I knew there was going to be hell to pay. Finally after what felt like an eternity of waiting Two-Bit sauntered into the house with a smile on his face much to our surprise. "How did it go Two?" Darry asked gently. Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow at him. "It got rocky at first when they found out I was a Greaser," Two-Bit said. "But I won them over with my sense of humor and the fact that I have a degree and have a steady job." Soda grinned at Two-Bit and slapped him on the back. "Good old Two-Bit with his sense of humor to the rescue," Soda chuckled. I rolled my eyes. "At least it went better than we expected," I muttered. "I'm dreading what tomorrow is going to bring from the Socs though." Darry glared at me. Two-Bit went pale. "Don't remind me," Two-Bit muttered hoarsely. The guys started to berate Two-Bit begging for information on Marcia's parents when the phone rang. I made my excuse to go and get it.

"'Ello?" I answered. "Hey Steve," Harley said. "It's Pony and Harley." I chuckled. Of course, it is. Who else would call here? "How's it going kid and Motorbike?" I asked. "It's going," Harley said with a chuckle. "Did Two-Bit meet with Marcia's parents yet?" Pony asked. I laughed. "He did," I said. "It got off to a rocky start, but I think he won them somewhat won them over a little with his sense of humor. It will take a minute to get them fully on board." "That's good," Harley said. Then it hit me. They probably weren't checking in on Two-Bit, something must have developed with the story and it must have been bad if they were sharing it. "That isn't why you called is it though," I said darkly. Pony groaned. "Wow," Pony said snarkily. "Someone is being perceptive." I clucked. "I just have been around you guys enough to know something up," I clipped. "How bad is it?" Harley sighed. "A girl ended up dead," Harley said wearily. "I also got the Alpha Phi president and the Dean of Student Affairs talking about it and they admitted some damning stuff." I cursed under my breath. This was getting darker and more twisted by the minute. It looks like the mean streets of Tulsa followed them to LA. "My thoughts exactly," Pony muttered. Then it hit me, that I would have to tell Darry and I knew that wouldn't go over well. "I'm dreading telling Superman this," I said. "You guys better stay safe you here." Harley groaned. "You know we will Steveo," Harley said. "I'll send you guys copies of the tapes and photos to keep safe." I groaned. "Can't wait,' I said and hung up. I always got a kick out of the funny photos and letters that Harley sent, but I always dreaded getting those tapes and photos of her stories. They always filled me with dread.

I walked back into the kitchen with a grim face. The guys must have noticed the look on my face because they stopped horsing around. "What's going on Steve?" Soda asked cautiously. "You're acting like someone took your car." I chuckled darkly. "It's not that," I said in a growl. "It was Pony and Motorbike. They got more info on the story and it is looking darker by the minute." Darry groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "What did Harley find now?" Darry groaned. I sighed. "A dead girl popped up outside the sorority house," I mumbled. "She also got a recording of the Dean of Student Affairs and the president of Alpha Phi pretty much admitting who killed the girl." Two-Bit looked like he wanted to make a joke but couldn't find anything funny to say. "Well, shit," Two-Bit said. "That really kills the mood for tonight." Soda slugged him on the shoulder. "Not funny," Soda muttered. "Hopefully they don't do anything stupid." I rolled my eyes. "You know there is a near 100% chance they will right," I said. Darry groaned. "I hope you're wrong," Darry said. "I can't get over those photos that Harley sent earlier this week." He had a point. But the photos and updates were only bound to get darker.