Chapter 1

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Johnny Cade

The name read clear as day on the grave stone. It had been almost a month since the day he left them. The gang, his real family. The fact that he was gone felt unreal, like a dream.

Ponyboy was the last to leave another gift on Johnny's grave. It was a box of cigarettes placed neatly along with flowers pick off the ground, since they couldn't afford any.

"A pack for ya." Pony whispered. In his mind, he had mixed feelings about spirits and the afterlife. He had doubts that Johnny was actually there, listening to him. But it was worth a shot.

The gang stood there, shockingly quiet. The trees rustled against the cool, night breeze and bugs chirped. They always went at night to avoid trouble. And it was peaceful, how Johnny liked it.

"Did everyone put something?" Darry asked, almost in a mumble.

"Where's Dal?" Steve pointed out softly. Everyone turned to Darry for the answer. He sighed heavily and crossed his arms.

"I actually don't know anymore." He confessed, running his hand through his hair.

"He should be out of the cooler by now." Steve shook his head, "You also told him to meet us here, where is he?"

"Leave the kid alone." Darry defended Dallas but in a monotone grumble, "He's broken, he don't have to do this."

"We all are, Darry." Ponyboy muttered. Darry couldn't scold him, he was right after all.

A silence filled between them. They all felt a sinking feeling in their stomach. Johnny was the only one who can get through Dally and they all knew it.

"I wanna go home." Pony blurted, the regret in his throat reaching Darry.

"Alright, buddy." Darry gave a bittersweet smile, "Let's go."

"Mind if I stay with y'all?" Two asked Darry, "Ma and sis are out, the place is awfully dull."

"And me too?" Steve asked a little shyly.

"Of course." Darry nodded. He smiled a bit, they still are kids after all.

Darry snuck a quick glance out into the streets just in case Dallas was there. Nothing in plain sight. He frowned slightly yet stopped quickly, he didn't want the others to worry about his expression.

There was still a deafening silence between everyone as they walked slowly down the street in an orderly fashion, completely different to past nights.

Everyone might have accepted that Johnny was gone, but an effect still lingered.

A baby's cry suddenly filled the silence but no one thought anything of it. The cries grew louder and desperate. Oddly, it was coming from somewhere familiar. An angry screech of a woman then the cursing of a man followed. The baby cried louder.

"Dude..." Two exhaled in shock. His grey eyes clouded over and his eyebrows furrowed.

Everyone thought the same. Something was up, and definitely wrong. Darry nodded his head towards the noise and lead with a run. Sure enough, the sounds have come from Johnny's folk's place.

You've reached the end of published parts.

⏰ Last updated: Nov 06, 2021 ⏰

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