Never Enough Winstons |The Outsiders|

Ready Your Engines

A warm breeze blew through the town as Greasers and Socs alike prepared for the first race of the night. It was a good turnout, seven cars in total. Sodapop and Steve had been working on a car all week, Tim Shepard was racing, so were the Brumly Boys, River Kings, and Tiber Street Tigers. Two Mustangs even showed up to represent the Socs on the Westside.

"These are some pretty tuff cars," Johnny said to Ponyboy and Hannah. "It's gonna be a close race." The three teens nodded in silent agreement as the cars slowly inched up the street and Angela Shepard, Tim's sister, strolled over to her spot as the flag girl.

"Lookin' good, Angie," Dallas called from his place beside Hannah. Angela waved back, a playful smile pulling at her red lips. Someone revved their engine, it was Tim. Dallas laughed as Tim flipped him the bird and Angela did the same.

The street suddenly roared to life as Angela raised a red bandana over her head. The fabric flew furiously in the wind as Steve and Soda waved to the gang from their loaner car.

"It's gonna be a close race, but Soda and Steve have the best car here," Two-Bit said as he threw his arm over Johnny. Darry stood behind the group watching intently as Angela lowed the bandana and the race began. Cigarette smoke mixed with the smell of tires grinding against the pavement, music blasted through the car's radios and filled the dark night.

"I'm goin' down the street to watch the action," Dallas told the group while he lit a cigarette. He nodded when the gang said they were fine where they were. He was about to leave when he turned back and gripped his sister's shoulder. "You stay here, alright? I don't trust anyone here not to start somethin'. I'll meet you back at Buck's when this is over."

"Will do, I gotta get to Buck's before this whole thing is over anyway."

Then he was gone. The rumble of cars rolling down the street could still be heard over the laughter and arguing of drunk teenagers as the night grew longer.

"Why'd have to miss the end of the race," Ponyboy asked curiously. A small smile tugged at her lips as his arm slid around her shoulders. "Whoever wins will probably want a drink to celebrate, an' so will their gang and friends. Where would they go to get said drink?"

"Buck's?"

Her smile widened. "Yup, and more people, means more tips."

Darry laughed lightly from behind her. "I still don't like the idea of a fifteen-year-old working in a bar."

It was Hannah's turn to laugh as she turned to meet his eyes. "Alright, Superman. First of all, I'm turning sixteen soon. Secondly, I'm safe there. If Buck is keeping an eye on things, Dal is. If Buck and Dal aren't there, Tim is. An' if I'm completely alone, I know where Buck hides his gun."

Her comment was completely ignored as Two-Bit choked on the beer he had clenched in his fist. "When are you turning sixteen?"

"Two weeks. On the thirteenth."

"Hannah," Ponyboy gasped.

"That's my name, don't wear it out."

"You're turning sixteen! This is kinda a big deal!"

She shrugged Pony's arm off her shoulders and started to walk slowly down the road. "It really isn't, but thanks for your concern!"

"I'll get you a girl. She ain't even sixteen yet, real nice lookin', too. Then we'll be even, right?"

"What would I do with a girl?"

Think Jack, think of something quick.

"Anything you want. Maybe you wanna fool around with her a little bit? O-or maybe the other guys can pay you to fool around with her?"

Jack sat in the front seat of his beat-up Chevy, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. Eddy was generous enough to give him three extra days, but the clock was running out, and Eddy did not go into overtime.

But that's when he saw her. Walking up the street, strawberry blonde hair swaying back and forth in a ponytail. Her lips were set in a dangerous snarl, her hands curled into loose fists at her sides. None of that mattered now. All that mattered, was that they were alone, and Jack had all the leverage he needed resting on the dashboard.

her cool eyes landed on him as Jack jumped out of the truck and walked towards her slowly. "Stay the hell away from me, Jack," she snarled. He grimaced and pull his hands up in mock surrender.

"There's something you need to see, Hannah. I know Dal and I don't get along, so that's why I had to come find you," he struggled to explain. "I don't need any money, an' I'm still clean."

The last part was true. He hadn't had any powder or alcohol in over a week, a new record. He had even managed to have a shower and comb back his hair. Hannah's teeth sunk into her lip as she stared at her cousin. "What do you want?"

C'mon Jack, don't mess it up now.

"It's about your mom, Verna. It ain't good news kid, I'm sorry."

I really am sorry, Hannah.

Her breath hitched at the mention of her mother's name, and Jack ushered her forwards. "What happened," she asked, her voice suddenly hoarse. Jack opened the passenger side door of his truck and reached inside for the letter his father brought back from New York.

Inside the brown envelope, was Verna Winston's death certificate.

Hannah read through the sheet slowly, her lips forming the words silently. Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, she raised her gaze to Jack's. "This is real, ain't it?"

He nodded and raised his clenched fist. "I'm sorry."

Hannah dropped the envelope into her pocket as she tried to block Jack's punches. He was only a few inches taller than her, his punches were weak. Just when things seemed to be working out, he shoved her backwards, and her head knocked against the truck's mirror. She swayed for a moment before her knees dropped to the damp grass.

"What is wrong with you," she hissed as Jack pushed her into the truck. It was already impossible to see in the dead of night, and her concussion was not helping. The truck roared to life as Jack turned the key and sped down the road. "Let me out," she cried weakly. "Jack, I'm serious, let me out!"

"I'm sorry Hannah! He'll kill me if I don't bring him somethin'. I didn't have the money, so I said I'd bring him a girl instead!"

It happened in the blink of an eye. One second Jack was screaming desperately about how he'd die if he didn't take Hannah, and the next the truck swerved into the ditch, and Jack's head bounced against the steering wheel.

Hannah saw her chance and stumbled out of the truck and along the gravel road. With only a few stray stars as her guide, she walked on slowly, ignoring the nausea taking over. Hannah had stumbled maybe four hundred feet before she was forced to lean against a wooden fence and empty her stomach into the ditch. At the same time, an ambulance drove past, two police cruisers at its heels.

The first car ignored her but the second pulled over, still with its red and blue lights flashing. Hannah said nothing as she sank to her grass-stained knees and took a few deep breaths of fresh air.

"These stupid kids, someone's gonna get hurt one of these days."

"This ain't any kid, she's related to Winston. Another damn hood."

The officers each grabbed one of her arms and hauled her to her feet. "The truck," Hannah stammered. "He tried to...he tried to-"

"We know what happened, kid. You both got piss drunk, and tried to drive home." The officers ignored her attempts to break free as they clicked a pair of handcuffs around her wrists.

"I'm not drunk you motherfuckers, I'm concussed."

And now I'm an orphan, too.

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