(Pony)
My heart was thudding in my chest but I was trying to play off like I wasn't freaked for Johnny. He seemed really worked up and I didn't blame him. Heck, I was really worked up too but I didn't want Johnny or Darry to know and worry about me.
Hearing the shouts and the violence from the Cade house reminded me too much of the Moore's house. It made me feel like a little kid, scared and shaking and not able to defend myself against the monsters. But then Darry had put a hand on my shoulder and I remembered I wasn't on my own this time, that Darry would keep me safe. And that made me feel just a bit better.
The cops swarming the house were making me nervous too. So when Darry told me and Johnny we could head back to the house and he'd meet us there, I practically jumped at the chance to get out of there.
Johnny and I took off toward my house, both of us walking quickly and not turning back.
Johnny is practically vibrating next to me he's shaking so hard. I remember feeling like this before, like the stress and hurt are building up so fast you feel like you'll explode. The need to just get out, get away, before you crawl out of your skin.
If it was me, I would have been gone, running as fast and as far as my feet would take me. But now, I actually have a safe place to go back to, a place I want to run to instead of away from.
I glance back at the Cade house, Darry is still talking to the cops, a serious expression on his face. Figuring Johnny probably needs a little more time to cool off then this quick trek to my house, I grab his elbow and gently lead him further down the street. I gamble that a cigarette and quick walk around the park will help burn off some of the nerves.
Johnny must still be in a bit of a daze because he lets me pull him along, his feet blindly following mine and his eyes fixed on the ground.
Johnny and I walk to the park. The park was empty except for two girls a couple years younger than us swinging on the swing set. One of them seemed to recognize Johnny, yelling out a greeting as we got closer. Johnny gave her a tight lipped smile and waved back but we didn't go over and talk to them.
"Two Bit's sister, Susie" he muttered to me, nodding his head toward the girl who had greeted him on the swing.
And then he glances around before looking at me, looking almost mad, "What the heck are we doing at the park?"
I would laugh at the fact he hadn't realized that we'd walked here, but I knew that he was so worked up he'd practically blacked out, just letting himself be dragged along without realizing where we had been going.
I shrugged, dropping his elbow, "Just figured you'd want to cool off before we went back to my house"
"You shouldn't be out here, man. It aint safe"
I did feel a little nervous now that he mentioned it but I put on a brave face, "It'll be fine for a few minutes. Plus all those sirens probably would've scared anyone off"
"What about Darry? He's gonna be worried"
"We'll go back in a minute, lets just have a smoke and then we'll go back"
Johnny still looks unsure as we walk over to the fountain. He was still real upset, his hands shaking as he tried to light up a cigarette. I took the lighter from him, holding it to the end of his cigarette for him and then doing the same with one of my own.
It was a peaceful moment, I felt like my nerves were finally settling as I inhale the smoke.
Then a large hand clamps down on my arm, jerking me off the edge of the fountain.
My arm is wrenched and I'm spun around to find myself face to face with Mr. Moore. I take a breath, ready to scream but his other hand clamps down over my mouth, stifling my yell.
"Hey!" Johnny yells, jumping to his feet, "Let him go!"
A truck engine roars nearby, it's tires screeching as it pulls up to the park. The doors are thrown open and Officer Moore comes stalking over to us.
I jerk in Mr. Moore's grasp but his hold is strong so instead I open my mouth and sink my teeth into his hand.
"Johnny run!" I yell as soon as my mouth is free but Johnny grabs my other arm and tries to pull me out of Mr. Moore's hold.
"You little bastard!" he roars, using his now bleeding hand to punch me in the stomach, my breath leaving me in a painful outburst and then he shoves Johnny backwards so hard that he sprawls onto the grass behind him.
Officer Moore is upon us as Johnny staggers back to his feet, his eyes frantically darting between me and the Moore's.
"Johnny?" a girl's scared voice called from nearby.
"Go! Go to the Curtis's! Get some help!" Johnny yells and Officer Moore surges towards him but Johnny is able to dodge away.
The girls turn on their heels and run. Mr. Moore starts to move like he was going to go after them so I jam my elbow into his gut. He lets out an "Umph" and shakes me hard by the iron grip he had on my arm.
"Let me go!" I yell, twisting and jerking to try and get out of his grasp. He just grabs my other arm, pulling me tight against him so I didn't have room to kick or shove. His grip was so tight on my arms I knew I would have bruises.
Mr. Moore started to drag me towards where the truck sat, doors left wide open. A yelp got my attention. I turned just as Johnny was thrown to the ground, the air knocked out of his lungs. Officer Moore kicks him in the stomach, making him groan.
"Leave him alone!" I scream, trying with all my might to break free from Mr. Moore. "Just leave him alone, I'll go with you, just dont hurt him".
"Too late for that, boy" Officer Moore growled, kicking out at Johnny again.
Rage courses through me. Johnny didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to be beat up just because he was friends with me. This was my fault, it should be me. I couldn't let them hurt Johnny.
Using everything I had in me, I pushed my foot off the ground, jumping up with enough force to slam my head into Mr. Moore's. Our heads collided and I saw stars for a second, but the impact was enough for him to loosen his grip and I stumbled out of his grasp.
"You little shit!" he growled, blood dripping from his nose, "You're gonna regret that". He made a grab for me but I turned and ran, determined to get his brother away from Johnny.
I'd only made it a few steps when he tackled me around the middle, sending us both to the ground. I clawed at the ground, trying to get out from under him but he grabbed me by the jacket and then cocked his arm back before he punched me in the face. The hit was hard. My vision started to fade and I just laid there in a daze. I heard Johnny yelling in the background and Officer Moore yelling back but I was too dizzy to see what was going on.
"I should have just killed you when I had the chance" he growled, his face close to mine. He looked up, past where I was laying, "I'll end this right now you little brat".
He grabbed me by my hair and dragged me a few feet away towards the edge of the fountain. My head was still spinning from that punch but I knew what he was going to do. With renewed panic, I start to struggle against him, hitting him with my fists and trying to kick at him. But it was no use. He took me by the hair and lifted me up, bending me over the edge of the fountain so my face hovered just above the water.
His breath was hot in my ear as he whispered, "No one is going to miss you. You're just a white trash orphan kid. I'll be doing the world a favor".
And with that, he dunked my head into the fountain. The water was freezing. So cold it almost felt like it was burning. He pushed my head further in, sending water down my nose and into my throat. I couldn't breathe. I thrashed against him, fighting with all I had to get up and get air back into my lungs.
I'm dying, I thought, and wondered what was happening to Johnny. I couldn't hold my breath any longer. I fought again desperately but only sucked in more water. I'm drowning. A red haze filled my mind and I slowly relaxed.