Author's Note:

Hi everyone, I hope you like this chapter. Warning: there is a little bit of a graphic scene in this chapter so be warned. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Sincerely, keylime2001

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

Chapter 6

(Halloween)

Harley's POV:

Today was Halloween, and Pony got us into a Sigma Nu fraternity Halloween Party courtesy of one of the freshmen on the team. There was one big problem. There were still missing freshmen and an uptick in freshmen that went missing this week. The only way to fully connect anybody to anything was to catch Landon in the act of killing or abducting one of the freshmen and record Dean Thompson ordering a hit on freshmen. That wasn't going to be an easy feat. Pony and I were going to the party dressed up as characters from MASH. In a way, I think that it could play to our advantage if we did find something. We could blend into the foliage outside, but I didn't tell Pony that. In a way, I think that he was looking forward to enjoying his first frat party. I just hoped it wouldn't be a doozy. Pony and I took photos of us in costume to send to the gang.

"You ready for your first frat party," I asked Pony with a smirk. "You know it," Pony said. "Let's go. I hope nothing too crazy happens." I groaned. "Don't jinx us," I moaned. Pony just chuckled and rolled his eyes. "This will be fun, you'll see," Pony said as he dragged me out of our apartment door. We officially pulled up in front of Sigma Nu and the party seemed to be already popping. I had already brought my tape recorder and camera, and I had brought some tools to pick a lock. Pony gave me a big grin. "Let's get ready for our first big frat party," Pony said with a grin. I groaned. "If you say so," I mumbled. Pony dragged me into the party. There was a haze of weed in the air. It took sheer will for me not to gag at the smell. "I'm going to go find us some drinks," Pony shouted into my ear over the loud music. I nodded. Pony pushed his way through the sea of people. This would be the perfect time to check out the basement where I'm sure they kept the binders like at Alpha Phi. I pushed my way through the crowd I found a door hidden right behind the open bathroom door. It had a lock on it, with a sign that said Keep Out! I knew I hit the jackpot. I looked over my shoulder, but no one was looking in my direction. They were either too wrapped up in conversation, sticking their tongues down someone's throat, or drunk. Hopefully, Pony wouldn't notice I was missing in the crowd. I was able to get the door open and I made my way slowly down into the eerie basement. It was the same design as the basement in Alpha Phi's house. The only difference was in this basement the documents were stored in were beds, chains, and and stored food cans. It looked like they had combined the two rooms that were in Alpha Phi into one. I took photos of the whole room, and the binders, and sure enough the binders were the same as the one at Alpha Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma. After taking all the photos I made my way over to the bed. It looked like it had been slept in and the handcuffs lying next to it that were attached to the wall were open on the ground. I put on a latex glove and put my hand on the bed where there was an indent where it looked like someone had just gotten up from lying down. My blood ran cold. The bed was still warm. Someone had just been in this bed. I recorded my thoughts on my tape recorder. I flipped the covers down and I saw a few speckles of blood that looked like they were still being absorbed by the sheets. I took some shots with my camera. I knew I had to get out of there.

I rushed upstairs, locked the door behind me, and started to shove my way through the crowd. I finally came across Pony. "There you are," Pony said with a relieved sigh. "I thought I lost you in the crowd." I grabbed his arm and started to drag him to the front door. "Harley, what are we doing?" Pony asked me with concern. "You're concerning me." I ignored him and yanked us through the front door. I looked back and forth and thought about where someone would want to take someone. Then it hit me. The backyard had a bunch of trees and bushes in the back. It was like a mini forest back there. I started to drag Pony back there, but he held me back. "Before we go anywhere else you need to tell me what's going on," Pony demanded with fear in his eyes. I sighed. "I think that someone is going to be killed tonight," I said in a hushed tone. Pony's eyes widened. "I found the document and holding room in the basement," I continued. "The bed was still warm and there was fresh blood on the bed. The best place to be killed at this crowded party is in that mini forest of a backyard." Pony's lip trembled. "Do you have a death wish?" Pony asked me frantically. "You want to go chase after Landon? You're going to get us killed!" I rolled my eyes. "Look what we're wearing," I hissed. "We'll blend in. Plus I need actual footage of him committing something." Pony sighed. "Fine, but we're telling the gang about this," Pony murmured. I rolled my eyes and yanked Pony along. We made our way into the backyard. We made our way quietly through the shrubs and the trees following a trail of broken branches. Then I heard some strangled sobs ahead of us and I pushed Pony down. I turned on my tape recorder and got out my camera. In front of us was Landon who was pushing a heavily drugged-up freshman frat member down onto his knees. I took some photos. The freshmen whimpered. The freshman boy had blood trickling from his nose and a big gash on his forehead. "Get down," Landon growled. "What did I do?" the freshman whimpered as he complied. "You know what you did," Landon said kicking the freshman in the ribs. The freshman let out a yelp. "You spiked the punches at previous parties and got other freshmen dangerously high on LSD," Landon growled. "Dr. Thompson sent me to clean you up and make sure you don't cause any more trouble." The freshmen whimpered. "I promise I won't do it again," the freshmen whimpered. "You know you won't," Landon said. Then out of nowhere he took out a knife and jammed into the freshman's throat multiple times. Pony started to let out a gasp, but I clamped a hand over his mouth and glared at him. I started taking photos frantically. Then Landon cut open the freshman's throat and cut out the kid's vocal cords. I pushed down the bile that rose into my throat. Then Landon started to drag the kid towards the edge of the clearing for the poor kid to be found and he pocketed the vocal cords in his pocket. Pony and I stayed hidden in the bushes until it was clear to escape. Pony and I ran out of the backyard made our way to the car and sped away. I made sure to go to the library with my spare key to get the photos developed.

When we made it to the apartment, Pony made a beeline for the bathroom. I could hear him start to puke into the toilet. To be honest, I couldn't blame him. I didn't think I could eat anything at all for the rest of the night. Pony came out looking pasty white and clammy. He sat down on the couch in the living room. I sat down next to him and pulled his head down into my lap and I started running my fingers through his hair. "It's going to be ok," I said. "It's going to be ok." Pony whimpered as tears started streaming down his face. "How can you say that after what we just saw tonight?" Pony asked me with a whimper. "I can't," I admitted. "But, I can try to make it okay. It was just another piece of the puzzle. We got evidence of Landon's involvement. We just need to get solid evidence of the Dean's involvement and the administrator's in her office." Pony looked at me with wide eyes. "Please tell me you won't do anything stupid?" Pony begged. I nodded. Pony started getting frantic, so I started to massage his shoulders. "Let's get you to bed," I murmured. Pony didn't protest. I got him into bed and he fell into a pitiful sleep. I knew he was going to be having nightmares for a while. But I knew I could help him through it. I wrote a letter to the guys and made sure to mail a copy of the tape and copies of the photos with them. After mailing it, I decided to call the house.

"Hello," I heard Soda answer. "Hey Soda," I said wearily. "How's your Halloween going?" Soda chuckled. "It went great," Soda said. "You will be shocked though. Two proposed to Marcia tonight and she said yes!" I felt my jaw hit the floor. "What!" I shrieked. Then I winced. I shouldn't be so loud. I was going to wake up Pony. But I didn't hear Pony move. "Didn't they only start dating last year?" I asked in shock. Soda chuckled. "They did, but I think they both knew it was right and they've known each other beforehand. I think it was all whirlwind." I chuckled. "Leave it to Two-Bit to propose during Halloween," I mumbled. "You got that right," Soda said. "You're grandmother is going to have a field day. I can't wait to see her try and plan something with Marcia's parents." I laughed. "That is going to be fun," I said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's Mickey Mouse-themed." This caused Soda to laugh hard. "I thought you guys went to a party though?" Soda said suddenly serious. "What got you away from a frat party?" I hesitated. "Well, that's a story," I mumbled. "Motorbike," Soda said hesitantly. "What's going on?" I sighed. I was dreading this part, but I knew it would be worse if I didn't say anything. "I don't mean to be a downer after the news," I said with a groan. "But another freshman got killed tonight. Pony and I saw it happen, but the guy didn't see us watching. I got photo evidence and tape recordings. It was Landon, the Dean of Student Affairs assistant. He stabbed the kid in the throat multiple times, and then cut out his vocal cords." I heard Soda puke on the other end of the phone. "You ok?" I asked. Soda let out a weary chuckle. "How are you asking me that?" Soda asked hoarsely. "You guys are the ones that actually witnessed it." I chuckled dryly. "I think I'm handling it better than Pony is," I said softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he has more nightmares about it." Soda sighed. "You look after him you here?" Soda said. "Will do, Soda," I said. "I'll talk to you guys later. Give Two and Marcia our best."

Pony's POV:

I was really excited to let loose at the Halloween party tonight. It had been a long few weeks, but I was glad that Halloween fell on a Saturday this year. This meant the parties would be going extra hard since there were no classes tomorrow. Harley and I both had shifts today at the library and while Harley was tutoring I went to go pick up my tux at the tailor's. My track practice was canceled today. My coaches wanted to be nice to us since it was Halloween. I had also promised Harley that I would pick up our Halloween costumes for the frat party tonight. The freshmen that pledged to Sigma Nu got us into the frat party tonight. Harley and I were going as characters from MASH. I couldn't wait to brag to the gang at home about the frat party. I just hoped that Harley wouldn't get too uptight at the party and go investigating.

When I got to the apartment, Harley hadn't arrived yet, and I let out a sigh of relief. I could hide my tux in the closet in a place where she couldn't find it. I put it into the closet hidden behind some of my track gear and I laid out our costumes on the bed. As I did this, I heard Harley walk into the apartment. "In here," I called to her. Harley came in looking exhausted after a long shift at the library, tutoring, and working on her own homework. She looked like she could fall asleep standing up. Harley gave me a kiss when she saw me. "It's good to see you," Harley murmured. "It's good to see you too," I murmured as I kissed her back. Harley went to get cleaned up and we changed into our Halloween costumes. "You ready for your first frat party," Harley asked me with a smirk. "You know it," I said. "Let's go. I hope nothing too crazy happens." Harley groaned. "Don't jinx us," Harley moaned. I just chuckled and rolled my eyes. I was expecting something crazy to happen at the party. After all the stories I've heard about the frat parties, it was almost tradition for something crazy to happen at these parties. Especially since it was Halloween. "This will be fun, you'll see," I said as I dragged her out of our apartment door. We officially pulled up in front of Sigma Nu and the party seemed to be already popping. People were streaming in and out the door. People were stumbling around already drunk. I gave Harley a big grin. "Let's get ready for our first big frat party," I said with a grin. Harley groaned. "If you say so," Harley mumbled. Despite her protests, I dragged her into the party. There was a haze of weed in the air. I had started to get used to the smell after hanging around Gary at the library. It probably helped that Larry had been my roommate. "I'm going to go find us some drinks," I shouted into Harley's ear over the loud music. Harley nodded, as I pushed my way through the sea of people.

I found a cooler full of beers and grabbed a couple of them for Harley and I. Darry would kill me if he saw us drinking beer, especially at a party where our guard should be up. But, Darry was usually uptight, and I wanted to spread my wings a bit. What he didn't know wouldn't kill him. Plus most people here were hammered anyway. After I grabbed the beers I scanned the crowd. There was a mix of many different types of costumes and people not in costumes. There was also a girl already puking into the kitchen sink. I wrinkled my nose up in disgust. I tried to make my way through the crowd to try and find Harley, but I knew it would take me forever to find her. The house was packed full of people milling about and elbowing each other as they milled about. It was so loud with people talking and the music blasting. Then all of a sudden I felt an arm grab me, and as I looked in surprise, it was Harley who looked frantic and like she had seen a ghost.

"There you are," I said with a relieved sigh. "I thought I lost you in the crowd." Harley started to drag me to the front door without saying anything. She was starting to scare me. This wasn't like her. She didn't get freaked out that easily. "Harley, what are we doing?" I asked her with concern. "You're concerning me." Harley ignored me and yanked me through the front door. She looked back and forth frantically like she was looking for someone. Then she started dragging me again towards the backyard. I ground my heels into the dirt to stop her from dragging us any farther. My heart was beating fast in my chest. "Before we go anywhere else you need to tell me what's going on," I demanded trying to keep fear out of my voice. Harley sighed like she was annoyed. "I think that someone is going to be killed tonight," Harley said in a hushed tone. My eyes widened. Why did I have to jinx myself? Of course, she would work on her story tonight. "I found the document and holding room in the basement," Harley continued. "The bed was still warm and there was fresh blood on the bed. The best place to be killed at this crowded party is in that mini forest of a backyard." My lip started to tremble. Shit, Shit, Shit. This was going downhill fast. "Do you have a death wish?" I asked her frantically. "You want to go chase after Landon? You're going to get us killed!" Harley rolled her eyes like I was being stupid. "Look what we're wearing," Harley hissed. "We'll blend in. Plus I need actual footage of him committing something." I sighed. I knew I wouldn't be able to argue her out of this. She was just as stubborn as I was. "Fine, but we're telling the gang about this," I murmured. Harley rolled her eyes again and yanked me along. We made our way into the backyard. We made our way quietly through the shrubs and the trees following a trail of broken branches. Then I heard some strangled sobs ahead of us and Harley pushed me down into the bushes and knelt next to me. Harley turned on her tape recorder and got out her camera. In front of us was Landon who was pushing a heavily drugged-up freshman frat member down onto his knees. The freshmen whimpered. The freshman boy had blood trickling from his nose and a big gash on his forehead. "Get down," Landon growled. "What did I do?" the freshman whimpered as he complied. "You know what you did," Landon said kicking the freshman in the ribs. The freshman let out a yelp. "You spiked the punches at previous parties and got other freshmen dangerously high on LSD," Landon growled. "Dr. Thompson sent me to clean you up and make sure you don't cause any more trouble." The freshmen whimpered. "I promise I won't do it again," the freshmen whimpered. "You know you won't," Landon said. Then out of nowhere he took out a knife and jammed into the freshman's throat multiple times. I started to let out a gasp in shock, but Harley clamped a hand over my mouth and glared at me. I blushed in embarrassment. Harley started taking photos frantically. Then Landon cut open the freshman's throat and cut out the kid's vocal cords. I wanted to throw up so badly, but I knew Harley would kill me if I did. I thought I had seen some dark shit, but this takes the cake. Then Landon started to drag the kid towards the edge of the clearing for the poor kid to be found and he pocketed the vocal cords in his pocket. Pony and I stayed hidden in the bushes until it was clear to escape. Harley and I ran out of the backyard made our way to the car and sped away. Harely made sure to go to the library with her spare key to get the photos developed.

When we made it to the apartment, I made a beeline for the bathroom. I started to puke into the toilet. I was so relieved to get all the contents out of my stomach. I couldn't understand how Harley could be so calm about this. But she handled things much better than I did. I wiped my mouth, washed my hands, and then walked back out into the kitchen. Harley was looking at me in concern. I made my way over to the couch to sit down. Harley sat down next to me, pulled my head down into her lap, and started running her fingers through my hair. It felt so good and relaxing. "It's going to be ok," Harley said. "It's going to be ok." I whimpered as tears started streaming down my face. "How can you say that after what we just saw tonight?" I asked her with a whimper. "I can't," Harley admitted. "But, I can try to make it okay. It was just another piece of the puzzle. We got evidence of Landon's involvement. We just need to get solid evidence of the Dean's involvement and the administrator's in her office." My stomach sank. I looked at her with wide eyes. "Please tell me you won't do anything stupid?" I begged. Harley nodded. I started getting frantic, so Harley started to massage my shoulders. I should have protested more when she took this story, but it was too late now. "Let's get you to bed," Harley murmured. I didn't protest. Harely got me into bed and I fell into a pitiful sleep. I was dreading the nightmares that I would be having tonight.

Soda's POV:

The whole gang was going to Buck's tonight with the girls. Everyone was dressing up in a couple's costumes. Lorelai and I were going as NASCAR drivers. Darry and Lila were going as George and Jane Jeston from The Jetsons. Steve and Evie were going as Sonny and Cher. Two-Bit and Marcia were going as Lucy and Ricky from I Love Lucy. The costumes were perfect for all of this. Today, officially marked a year since Lorelai and I first met, and this was a perfect way for us to celebrate. We were going back to the place where we met, and went with the gang. It just sucked that Harley and Pony weren't going to be here with us. But then again, Pony had told us he was going to a frat party for Halloween and was dressing up as characters from MASH. Pony told us they would be safe and would tell us all about the party. I was glad he was going to have fun, but Darry was nervous about him going to a frat party no matter how many times the gang reassured him. Darry was such a worry wart. The gang pilled into our cars and made our way to Buck's. It always felt weird being at Buck's without Dally being there, but I pushed those thoughts out of my mind. Dally and Johnny would've wanted us to live life to the fullest.

We started to party away when we got to Buck's. Music was blaring and drinks were flowing, but surprisingly Two-Bit wasn't drinking that much. "You ok Two?" I asked him. "You normally have knocked a few back by now." Two-Bit shrugged sheepishly. "I'm trying to keep my mind clear for something coming up," Two-Bit said looking at his feet. "Can you get the others over here?" I looked at him in confusion but nodded in agreement. I rounded up the guys and their dates and led them over to Two-Bit. We all looked at Two-Bit in concern. "What's goin' on Two?" Steve asked in confusion. Two-Bit led all of us to a back room that was lined with rose petals and candles. Then Two-Bit pulled Marcia in front of him in the center of the room got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. My jaw hit the floor. I had thought he was joking when he said he wanted to marry Marcia a month ago, but I was sorely mistaken. "Marcia," Two-Bit started nervously. "I know we've only been dating for a little over a year, but I've felt like I've known you my whole life. We have a connection that I have never shared with anyone else. You get me, and I get you. I want to be a part of your life forever. I did ask permission from your dad and he said yes. Will do you me the honors of marrying me?" Two-Bit pulled up the box that held the ring. It was beautiful. I knew Mrs. Adams must have helped. Mrs. Adams had a hand in all of the gang's weddings, and engagements so far, despite our protests. The ring had a silver band with a diamond in the middle and rose gold petals surrounding it making it a flower with the big diamond as the center of that flower. It was beautiful. I looked over at Lorelai who was taking photos. Of course, she knows. I looked back at Marcia who had tears streaming down her face. "Yes, Keith," Marcia said sobbing. "I'll marry you." Marcia lunged forward, put the ring on her finger, and gave Two-Bit a big kiss. Two-Bit let out a sigh of relief. His hands were shaking. We all cheered for him. I had tears streaming down my face. We partied hard that night, but we decided to head home. The girls went their separate ways and we went to the house.

"How did you get the ring?" Darry asked Two. Two-Bit smiled sheepishly. "Mrs. Adam's insisted on going with me," Two-Bit said sheepishly. "I knew it!" I exclaimed. We all settled down on the couch at home. "You know that Mrs. Adams is going to be planning the wedding with her parents right?" Two-Bit paled. "Well, at least someone will know what they're doing," Two-Bit muttered. This got a chuckle out of everyone. "Let us know how we can help," Darry offered. "Thanks, Dar," Two-Bit said with a blush. I made my way to the kitchen to grab a beer when the phone rang, so I went to grab it.

"Hello," I said cheerily. "Hey Soda," Harley said wearily. "How's your Halloween going?" I chuckled. I was glad to hear her voice, even if it did sound tired. "It went great," I said. "You will be shocked though. Two proposed to Marcia tonight and she said yes!" "What!" Harley shrieked. Her voice was so loud that I winced in response, but I chuckled. It was fun to shock Harley. She hardly got surprised, so it was funny to actually surprise her. "Didn't they only start dating last year?" Harley asked in shock. I chuckled. "They did, but I think they both knew it was right and they've known each other beforehand. I think it was all whirlwind," I said. Harley chuckled. "Leave it to Two-Bit to propose during Halloween," Harley mumbled. "You got that right," I said. "You're grandmother is going to have a field day. I can't wait to see her try and plan something with Marcia's parents." Harley laughed. It was a genuine laugh that sounded good on her. I wished she had done it more. She was always so serious. "That is going to be fun," Harley said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's Mickey Mouse-themed." This caused me to laugh hard. Harley probably wouldn't be too far off. It was either going to be that or some kind of circus or prank-themed wedding. Then all of a sudden it hit me. Pony and Harley should still be at the frat party. Something must be wrong if Harley is calling me.

"I thought you guys went to a party though?" I said suddenly serious. "What got you away from a frat party?" Harley hesitated. My stomach sank. "Well, that's a story," Harley mumbled. "Motorbike," I said hesitantly. I didn't like where this was going. "What's going on?" Harley sighed. "I don't mean to be a downer after the news," Harley said with a groan. "But another freshman got killed tonight. Pony and I saw it happen, but the guy didn't see us watching. I got photo evidence and tape recordings. It was Landon, the Dean of Student Affairs assistant. He stabbed the kid in the throat multiple times, and then cut out his vocal cords." I puked up all the alcohol that was in my stomach. Darry must have heard me because he came running into the hallway. I waived him away. Steve went to get a towel to wipe it up. "You ok?" Harley asked. I let out a weary chuckle. "How are you asking me that?" I asked hoarsely. My throat was raw after hurling up the beer. "You guys are the ones that actually witnessed it." Harley chuckled dryly. How did she find this funny? "I think I'm handling it better than Pony is," Harley said softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he has more nightmares about it." I sighed. "You look after him you here?" I said. "Will do, Soda," Harley said. "I'll talk to you guys later. Give Two and Marcia our best." Then Harley hung up. I went to the bathroom to get cleaned up and then went back to the living room.

Darry gave me a concerned look and put a hand on my forehead. "You feeling ok little buddy?" Darry asked me worried. I nodded as I sat down on the couch next to Steve and Two-Bit. "It was what Harley told me that made me throw up like that," I muttered darkly. "What happened this time?" Steve growled. "I don't want to ruin Two's big night," I said sheepishly. Two-Bit just knitted his eyebrows together. "Don't sweat it Soda," Two-Bit said. "If something is going on you need to tell us." I nodded. "What is it?" Darry asked. I sighed. I told them what Harley had told me on the phone. Darry looked like he wanted to throw up. Steve let out a string of expletives. "Well," Two-Bit said with a smirk. "We're all at a loss for words for this one," Steve whacked Two-Bit in the head. Two-Bit scowled at him. "This keeps on getting worse," Darry muttered. I nodded. "Let's just hope this ends soon," I said. We all looked at each other nervously.