The Curtis Sister - The Outsiders

Kill or Be Killed

I laid awake staring at the ceiling. The morning sun peeked through my window. I tossed and turned all night, every time I closed my eyes I was meet with the ghastly image of the Soc I had hit with that rock.. dead on the ground.

"We gotta find out if that kid is dead or alive." I heard Darry through the crack of my door.

"Darry's right, If anybody saw anything they are gonna wanna retaliate. Blood for Blood" Two-bit added.

I walked out the bedroom in my oversized T-shirt and rubbed the lack of sleep from my eyes. The room fell quite. Everybody stopped talking about the Soc that I may or may not have killed. I know they all wanted to protect my feelings but to be honest I think I have just been numb since my parents died.

"Mornin kiddo, How'd you sleep?" Darry asked.

"Like shit" I said causally while pouring myself a bowl of cereal.

Soda gently swatted me in the back of the head. "Hey- watch your mouth." He lightly scolded.

Sure I can kill someone with a rock but cussing is where we draw the line.

I took a seat at the kitchen table moving my spoon in circular motions stirring my cereal and milk. It was almost as if the bowl of milk had pulled me into a trance. I was consumed with hazy thoughts and drowning in guilt. Who was I kidding, I couldn't eat. The thought of food repulsed me. I chucked the whole bowl in the sink and it crashed into the other dishes making a loud enough scene to grab everyone's attention. I rushed to the bathroom unbothered hoping a cold shower might do some good.

I stood in the shower with my head raised allowing the drops of water to hit me in the face. The cold water felt relieving for a moment, but I felt myself daze off in thought once again. The water from the shower reminding me of the down pour last night, the silent walk back to the house and Jess...What happened to Jess? I reached down and turned the squeaky knob, stumbling out the shower I wrapped a towel around me. I used my hand to clean the dew from the bathroom mirror. I starred at myself the same girl that was looking in this same mirror only hours earlier covered in blood.

I exited the bathroom still wrapped in my towel and made a b-line for my bedroom across the house. "Bay, Hold up." Darry says as he walks towards me. I stop in my tracks and look up at him as he walks over and stands in front of me with one hand in his pocket. "Are you okay?" He asks. I give him a nod and try to step past him but he blocks me. "Baylee, Look at me..." He lifts my chin up ever so slightly with his finger. "Are you okay?"

I notice he asked the same question again, not satisfied with my previous answer of a head nod. "I am fine Dar..Just tired, How's Jess?" I respond attempting to change the subject.

Darry grins. "He is gonna be alright, sewed him up real good with Moms old sewing kit. Ella and the other boy left with him early this morning."

A slow smile tugs at my lips, I feel my shoulders relax. I am relieved that he is okay, he did not look good last night. I found myself not knowing what I would have done or felt if something happened to Jess.

Dallas and his friend Tim came barreling through the door scaring Johnny who was still asleep on the couch while Two-bit and Pony were watching the television. The ruckus brought back out Soda and Steve who were raiding the kitchen. There was a silence all eyes were on Dally.

"The kid is alive." Dal says nodding towards Darry. He contuined "Bob Johnson, is his name. 16 years old and he is in a coma at the hospital, his buddies went back for him last night and found him unconscious."

Darry brushed his hand over his mouth, not sure how to take this information. Pony spoke up. "Do they suspect who did it?"

"From what we heard they don't know anything, but the second that kid wakes up you might have a riot on your hands." Tim muttered.

The feeling of relieve I felt knowing Jess was okay was quickly replaced. I am not sure what outcome I would have preferred, If he was dead, I wouldn't be as worried for the safety of my family or friends, though I would have to live with the guilt of killing someone else's family and friend. However, he could have killed Jess or Carter so it was strictly self defense. Kill or be killed. I think back on what Dal once said to me in a story of his past New York gang life.

I blink back to reality and out of my head. I am still standing there wrapped in my towel and dripping on the carpet. "I'm going to get dressed." I mumbled stepping past Darry and locking myself in my bedroom. I press my back against the bedroom door and slide down shoving my head into my knees I let out a sigh. 

What would my parents think? 

Chapter Notes: 

A short but important chapter, the aftermath of the rumble. It really makes you think what is the best outcome in this scenario? Bay is losing it, the guilt of her maybe killing someone is eating her alive...however if she didn't fight back she could be dealing with the guilt of losing Jess. Hopefully the state doesn't catch word on this or she could be dealing with being separated from her brothers as well. 

Thank you all for reading, Big things are coming in the next few chapters <3 If you haven't already please hit that follow button and vote vote vote :) || I have also been receiving so much love and support on TikTok as well I am working on a few more edits feel free to follow my tiktok @ mysticcbabyyy. I hope everyone has a great week and I will post an update asap. Stay Gold!