The Outsiders Imagines

Nightmare

Since my brother Ponyboy and Johnny ran away, I've been having nightmares about them every night. Each time I fall asleep, I see the both of them. Every time, something bad happens. Either they get hurt or my mind forces me to watch my brother and best friend die. I haven't dared to tell Darry or Soda - they got enough on their minds as it is.

This one was real bad though. I jumped awake in a panic. In my dream, I had been crying and those tears still haven't stopped as I play the dream over in my head. I'm shaking more than Johnny usually does. I can feel myself burning up. God, I feel sick. I can't do this anymore.

Keeping quiet, I slowly make my way to Pony and Sodapop's room. Usually I would have calmed down, but I'm still shaking and overheating like crazy - like I said, this one was real bad. As I get to the room, I expect to see the pale moonlight shining down on Sodapop. However, when I walk towards the bed, I realise that it's empty. His disappearance makes me begin to panic again. Suddenly, a groggy voice behind me makes me jump out of my skin.

"Y/N?" It's Soda.

"Soda." I gasp and sigh in relief at the sudden sound.

"Hey, kiddo. What ya doin' in here?" He asks as he stands in the doorway.

"I can't do it no more, Soda." I sniff. "I-I-I-I k-keep having these awful d-dreams about P-Pony and Johnny." I stammer.

As I begin to cry again, I'm still shaking and practically boiling alive. Soda immediately rushes over and pulls me into the tightest hug imaginable.

"Hey, it's okay." He whispers whilst rubbing my back.

"I didn't wanna tell you or Darry 'cause ya got enough goin' on without me buggin' ya. But, Soda, this one was real bad."

Noticing the unusually panicked state, he somehow manages to tighten the hug.

"It really scared ya, huh?" I don't say anything - I just sob into his shirt. "Ya know, I've been gettin' 'em too."

"Ya have?" I ask as we pull away from the hug.

"Every single night they've been gone." He smiles softly as he wipes away my tears. "And I'm sure Darry has too - if he's even been able to sleep."

"I just want 'em to come home." I try not to start crying.

"I know, I know. We all do."

"I hope they're okay. Every time I see 'em in my dreams, they're either gettin' hurt or killed."

"Now, Ponyboy and Johnnycake are tougher than they look." Sodapop tries to reassure me. "I'm sure they'll be alright."

After a brief silence, I speak up. "Soda, can I stay in here with you?"

"Of course you can, Y/N. You never gotta ask."

"Thanks, Soda." I give him a small smile as we climb into the bed.

"It ain't been right havin' the bed to myself. You stay in here as long as you want - especially whilst Pony ain't here." I can tell by his voice that he really misses Pony and that he probably wishes I had stayed in here with him since he left.

"Really? Thanks Sodapop." I say as we pull the covers over us.

"Let me tell ya somethin', kiddo." I turn to face him. "I love ya more than anythin'. Darry does too, no matter what happens. Ya hear? Nothin's more important to us than you and Pony."

"But what about Johnny?"

"Yeah, and Johnny too."

"I love you, Soda." I smile in appreciation.

"Yeah, I love you too, Y/N. Now let's get some sleep - I still gotta go to work in the mornin'."

"I don't wanna be left alone - not anymore."

"Don't worry, Two-Bit's gonna come keep ya company. He loves you too, ya know - like a little sister. You're probably his favourite person in the whole world. If you went missin', he'd be an even bigger mess than he is now. The whole gang adores you." He tells me - I almost cry again at how sweet it is. "G'night, Y/N."

"G'night, Soda."

I move closer to him as we both close our eyes. Hopefully, we may sleep better havin' each other around. Soda throws an arm around me and holds me close like he would with Ponyboy - afraid to lose his kid sister too. I never want him to let go.