The Outsiders - Slow Down, Darrel (Darry Curtis)

SEVENTEEN: He Shouldn't Ever Be Free Again

"This morning, a body was found that has since been identified as a Tulsa factory worker by the name of Richard Call, officials are confident the cause of death was homicide. Now a plea released by the Tulsa Police Department is calling for any information on suspected offender, Robert Craft."

That was the newscast playing on the television just an hour before Robert showed up at his daughter's front porch.

"Get the boys out of here. They do not need to see any of this," Madeline whispered sharply to Darry, before turning to Ponyboy, "Call the police," she mouthed.

Pony nodded and walked pointedly to the phone, he kept his voice low as he explained the situation to police.

"So, what have you been up to, since you know, leaving your children?" Madeline asked distantly, she tried to feign a normal annoyance with her father's sporadic behavior.

"Madeline, you shouldn't speak to your elders in such a way," he scolded, "But I've been working, getting my life back up in order," he said, he was fidgety, but Madeline pretended not to notice.

"And why are you here today?"

"Well, I thought I might, uh try to have a new relationship with my sons, and my daughter," he replied, muttering and shifting.

"And, no other reason?"

"Like wha—"

A knock

Who knew a knock could be so nerve racking.

"Hey Pony! You mind grabbing that?" Madeline called, trying not to show too much on her face.

He looked into the living room, her father faced away from him, Madeline faced towards Ponyboy and the door. Ponyboy raised his eyebrows, shooting her a look, 'Are you ready?' his faced asked. Madeline gave a nervous nod, and he opened the door.

"Hands up!" An officer yelled, multiple others flooding in behind him.

"Madeline?" Her father asked, "Did you do this to me?" His face looked almost sincerely hurt, but Madeline could see through his manipulation.

"I had to," she said, her voice cracked, she knew it was only manipulation in his voice and eyes, but it was still her father.

"To your father? You had to ruin your father's life?"

Tears fell from her eyes, no matter how horrible she knew he was, she sometimes still saw him from the point of view of her younger self. From the time he wasn't a monster. At least not to her.

"You gave up on being a father a long time ago," she cried, they clicked cuffs onto his wrists.

As two of the officers walked her father out and loaded him into the back of a police car, the third and fourth turned to Madeline.

She knew one of them, he was a couple years ahead of her in school, he was a nice guy then, as far as she heard.

"We do have to ask both of y'all some questions, nothing too intense, just need to cover all our bases," the other officer explained, speaking gently, a stark contrast from the stern and aggressive tone he'd taken when they flooded into the home.

Madeline nodded, "Of course," she looked at Ponyboy, "He's a minor, his brother needs to be present please."

"Not a problem," the familiar looking cop told her, "we can speak to you first, and then you're welcome to grab his brother to assist."

She nodded, satisfied, "Thank you."

"I'm Officer Carsten, this is Officer Bents," he told her, they each shook her hand, "Can I start by having you spell your name out for us?"

She did as she was asked. They asked her questions about her father, they were all easy to answer. First they asked about his arrival.

Was he acting out of the ordinary? Definitely. Did he seem to be uncomfortable or nervous? Yes. Is a visit like this one normal? No. Was it a planned visit? No.

Then, they asked about her history with her father.

Was he often physically violent? Yes. Emotionally? Yes. Easily angered? Yes. Did she know of the victim? No. Did she believe he was capable of murder?

Yes.

"Thank you Ms. Craft. We appreciate the cooperation and honesty," Officer Bents said, shaking her hand again.

"Do you have any questions for us?" Officer Carsten asked.

"Do you think they'll ask me to testify?"

"Though there is no way to say for certain, I wouldn't expect so," Officer Carsten responded, "given that you haven't had recent contact with him, and immediately reported his activity, they shouldn't need anything more from you."

"One more thing," she took a long deep breath, "And I want to make sure there is a definite record of this," she waited for them to agree, "He shouldn't ever be free again," she told them seriously, "He is manipulating and dangerous to society and my family, please, don't ever let him walk."

"We will do our best, Ms. Craft," Officer Bents said kindly. She thanked both men as she switched places with Ponyboy, who waited for Darry to sit next to him at their kitchen table.

Madeline walked out of the room, and shut the door to the twins' room, making sure she wasn't able to hear a thing anyone was saying.

"Maddie?" Graham said, clearly concerned.

"Is Daddy going to take us away?" Jack piped up.

"No, no he isn't, and he won't ever be able to again," she assured them, hugging them to her, "You boys are very brave, don't forget that."

They relaxed into her hug, relieved to be staying with the one person they'd always counted on. She tucked them in extra tight that night, making sure they were snuggled in before Pony switched places with his storybook.

Madeline practically fell into Darry; they'd been in the same home all day, but hadn't seen each other.

"How are you holding up Maddie?" Darry asked softly, kissing her lightly.

She let out a long sigh, "I'm ok, really. I think him going away is the best option for the boys. And for me, at the end of the day. Even though it feels strange now."

"You're a smart girl Madeline Craft," he said into her ear.

Both of them fell asleep intertwined in each other's arms. Darry held her close, knowing she had just lost another parent, a feeling he had become familiar with.

The next morning was a Sunday, and Darry and Madeline were off work for the day. Ponyboy and the twins were in the backyard playing football. Darry was in the living room watching the television with Soda and Steve wrestling over a piece of chocolate cake.

Madeline was in the kitchen cleaning, an anxious habit she'd picked up when she was very young and caught in the midst of her parent's crossfire.

The door opened a little and someone slid in, she figured it was Two-Bit, coming to see what there was to eat. It wasn't him however, and in a swift motion the figure had Madeline cornered and a knife was pressed to her throat.

She held her eyes shut tightly. She knew exactly who it was. She didn't need to look. She had already seen the jail-issued pants.

Her father had a knife to her throat.

She could only pray to whoever would listen, that even if she died right here, he wouldn't find her brothers.

Authors Note: what a chapter! had to find some closure with Madeline and her dad, but I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. I hope you don't think it was too much or too bleh. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, had a little bit of a stump in the way. Anyways thank you for reading, feedback or recommendations are always welcome :)