When Death opens the door

Chapter 32

Ponyboy's P.O.V.

I could tell Belle's sister was trouble. She seemed like even more trouble than Belle. The way she looked at Belle just rubbed me the wrong way.

"Pony, can you get the things from the store? Amelia can go with you, if that's okay?" I looked down at Belle and smiled. That girl could get me to smile no matter what was going on in my head. "Sure. I'll show her around."

I stood up and made sure I had the money in my pocket before heading towards the door. "Come on Melia. Belle you be careful. I don't want to come home to find you missing, or worse."

Belle laughed and nodded, still sprawled on the couch, as Amelia stood and walked towards me. As we walked out the door I cast one final look back at Belle before closing the door behind me.

Amelia and I walked in silence for awhile before she broke it. "How did you and Belle meet?" I smiled as I remembered that day, how I was so different then. "I found her on a park bench. She didn't look too good, passed out on me, and I decided to take her back to my place. Darry, my oldest brother, fixed her up and the rest of the gang made her family."

 Amelia nodded and fell quiet for a few minutes before another question came up. "Is Belle sick? She keeps talking about that Death guy. I know you believe it, but I don't think you should. She's been known to be delusional. Once she said she saw mother start the sink by just staring at it. Witch-craft, she claimed."

 I scoffed, cutting Amelia off before she could say another word. "I've met your mother and it wouldn't surprise me if she's a witch. The way she treated Belle was no way any mother should treat their daughter. And what you're father said. I would never say those things to my kid. That ain't love in that house. That's the devil." Now it was Amelia's turn to scoff. "What do you know about the devil? You aren't anything but a dirty greaser."

I stopped in my tracks, anger causing my blood to boil. "I may be a dirty greaser, but I know more about the devil than you do, most likely. I've seen him work and I know how he is. What's happened to Belle, that's the devil's work. He sent Death. Had to have. The devil's tried to get me and now he's trying to get Belle, so just shut your trap about Belle." I walked away, blood boiling, not caring if Amelia followed me or not.

I was kinda hoping a Soc would mistake her for a greaser and jump her. Unfortunately for me, Amelia was by my side in a heartbeat, not straying from my side for a moment. Soon we arrived at the store and I paused outside, motioning Amelia to do the same.

"This is a store for greasers. They may not know who you are, but it's best to play it safe. Do you have anyway to hide your face?" Amelia frowned and shook her head, a deep breath escaping me. "Dangit." Looking around I wondered what I could use to disguise Amelia, then it dawned on me.

 I laughed as I took off my jacket and handed it to her. She smiled, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. My smile grew, a strange feeling erupting within me. I shook my head as I realized how wrong this all was.

 We walked in the store, Amelia pulling the jacket hood over her face to hide her features. After getting everything we needed and paying for it, Amelia and I headed home.

About halfway home, I sensed something different in the atmosphere. I looked to my left and saw the lot, as cold and unforgiving as it was all those days ago. It seemed different in a way.

 I handed the groceries to Amelia and walked towards the lot. I ducked behind a tree only to come face to face with Death itself. My breath caught in my throat as I saw his sinister grin.

"Better check on your precious package." My blood ran cold and my stomach dropped to my toes. I ran to the street and went from there, a bewildered Amelia standing still in shock.

"Ponyboy!"

My lungs ached as they begged for oxygen, my legs burning as they wanted to rest. It seemed to be forever until I saw the familiar house. With my last bit of energy I rushed towards the house and threw myself at the front door.

Stumbling forward, I tried desperately to catch my breath. "Moo!" My throat was dry and scratchy, my voice hoarse. There was no response and I continued to stumble through the house.

 Wheezing, I made my way up the stairs, but there was no trace of Belle up there. I stood at the top of the stairs, breathless and dizzy.

The stairs looked more intimidating than ever, but I had to get through them to find Belle. I took one step. One step before it all went down.

 And by down I mean down, as in, down the stairs. Grunts of pain escaped me as I tumbled down the stairs like a sack of potatoes.

A sharp pain erupted in my skull and then darkness.