The Outsiders: Nothing Left

Chapter 11

Sodapop's POV

We got into the truck and Darry looked like he wanted to ask me what had happened but he knew better than to question me in front of Ponyboy. I sat in the front next to Darry while Pony sat in the backseat of the truck, his head leaning against his hand by the window with a dead look on his face. I look at him in the rearview mirror with sad eyes. He looks so...lost His eyes remind me of the way he looked when he came home that night after the rumble. After Johnny had died. He had been broken. In a way, he's still broken. Ever since Johnny and Dallas died, he's been quieter. Pony always seems to have a pained look on him. Don't get me wrong, some days are better than others and you may barely notice it. But, unfortunately, it never seems to go away completely. The longer this sense of dread hangs over him, the more of himself is taken away from him.

As we pulled into the driveway and parked the car, Ponyboy quickly got out and went into the house without a single word. Darry turned to me and gave a look that said, you better tell me what is going on with him when we get inside. I groaned inwardly and then exited the car and headed into the house.

When I entered the living room, I don't see Ponyboy so I assume that he went into the our bedroom. Darry walks in soon after me with a tired and almost afraid look on his face. "How's your hand? What happened anyway?" I ask while examining his now bandaged hand with some old rag tied around his palm.

"It's fine. I just cut it on some thorns," He said dismissively. "Okay, now tell me what's going on with him? Did he tell you why he snuck out?" I sighed but then went on explaining. I told him everything. I told him about finding him by the tree and about his dream. As I went into the more gory details, I saw Darry's expression change from shocked, to horrified, to just plain depressed.

    "Jesus. This kid never gets a break does he?" Darry asked solemnly.

"No, he doesn't." I answered. "Darry, what are we going to do?"

He sighed but then replied, "Right now, I have no idea. But, we will figure this out Sodapop." I nodded and then the both of us headed down the hall. We said our goodnights and then departed into are separate bedrooms. When I creeped into me and Pony's shared bedroom, I was greeted to the sight of my youngest brother already asleep with his old, dirty converse still on his feet. I smiled to myself and went over to the end of the bed and gently pulled of his shoes. After changing into a pair of sweats, I crawled into bed next to Pony. I pulled the covers over the both us because when I came in, he looked like he had just plopped down on the bed and fell asleep instantly. His face looked kind of pale from what light I could see him with from the moon. I placed my palm onto his forehead to try to feel his temperature. He was awfully warm. I decided that I would just mention it to Darry in the morning. Ponyboy moved a little and I moved my hand away from him.

    I wanted so badly to help him but, I couldn't. I didn't know how. It pains me to face that fact. I've always been able to help him through anything. This may not be big now but, something feels different about this. This obviously isn't something that a good reassuring talk will cure. If Darry and I can't figure out a way to convince Pony that this horrible dream was well..exactly that and nothing more, then I'm scared that this will break my baby brother to beyond repairing.

Ponyboy's POV

Darry made me stay home for the next few days. Truth be told, I was glad that he made me stay. I don't think that I would be able to handle being around all of those people. Plus I'm still not feeling to hot. I did agree with Darry that I would go back to school this Friday though. If things don't go well, then I have the weekend to avoid the Socs. My wounds (physical that is) are pretty close to healing so Darry isn't as hesitant to let me go back to this week.

Eventually, Thursday night rolled around and I was already in bed with Soda by my side. I hadn't been talking to him or anyone lately for that matter. I wasn't mad at him or anyone in the gang if that's what you're wondering. I was just afraid of hurting him or someone else. In a way, I was kind of mad at myself. I know that this dream thing probably sounds stupid to anybody else but I can't convince myself that it was just a dream. Believe me, I've tried. Geez, I sound depressing. I feel so dumb. "Hey, Pone, are you sure that you're okay with going back to school tomorrow? You can always wait until Monday ya know," Soda said causing me to pull away from my thoughts.

"It's okay. I already promised Darry that I would go back tomorrow," I replied quietly. He nodded back to me. He looked like he wanted to say more to me. I hoped that he didn't because I really did not want to talk about any of this again right now.

"Look Pone," He started. Oh boy, here we go. "I'm really worried about you. You haven't been saying much for the past few days. I want to help you baby but I just don't know how. You are the kindest kid that I've never met. You know that you could never hurt anyone. Especially Johnny." I cringed at the mention of his name.

"I'm fine Soda. Let's just go to sleep," I said while turning to face the window.

"Okay. Goodnight Pony."

"Night," I mumbled into my pillow. Soon after a few minutes I heard Sodapop's breathing slow and soften. Not long after him, I let the darkness take over me as well and I fell asleep.

I remember waking up lying on the wet grass. As I looked around, I realized that I was lying on the grass near the lot and it appeared to be the middle of night. How did I get here? I stood up and began to look around me. The lot looked the same as it always has but something seemed.....off. "It's about time that you showed up," I hear a familiar voice say from behind me. I spun around and saw Johnny. Only this time, he was different. He didn't have those scared puppy dog eyes and he didn't have that suspicious look on his face that he had carried so many times before.

"Johnny? What are you doing here?" I asked completely astonished. He scoffed and then rolled his eyes. What is going on? This is not the Johnny that I remember.

"What? Are you surprised to see me? Did you think that you had already gotten rid of me once and for all? Well, sorry to disappoint you," He huffed. I suddenly felt a wave of extreme guilt wash over me.

"Johnny, I'm sorry. Really, I didn't mean it!" I exclaimed. He didn't respond and instead just looked at me with a disgusted look on his face.

"Wow Pony. I thought that you were an alright kid. Hopefully I don't ever get on your bad side. I wouldn't want to get shot by one of my so called pals," I hear another voice say. I spun around and saw Dallas with a deathly look on his face. He kept looking at me as we walked over and stood next to Johnny.

"Dallas, Johnny, please! I'm so so sorry! I would never want to hurt you on purpose-,"

"Save it kid," Dally snapped. "You're nothing but some tag along brat who can't stand not being the center of attention. Something bad always happens to you. Probably so that you can get some sympathy. Now, I think that I understand Steve a whole lot better than I used to. I can't blame him for hating you." I tried to move a little closer to them but I guess that they had heard enough. Dallas came running up to me and then hit me right in the face. I fell to the ground and my vision had started to become blurry.

"Stay Gold Pony," I heard Johnny laugh wickedly. That was the last thing that I heard before I faded away.

I awoke to Sodapop shaking me and telling me to get up for school. I layed there for a minute after he left to try to recall what had happened. Now I know that this really happened. Johnny said so himself! Now, I have to spend all day at school. After a minute or so, I finally got up to get ready for whatever hell awaited me at school.

A/N
Thank you for reading this chapter!! Are you guys still liking the story? Have any suggestions? Write them in the comments for me to look at. I can't wait to show you what will be happening in the next few chapters but until then, Stay Gold!!