The Outsiders Plot Twist - An Outsiders Fanfiction Story

Guilt

Ponyboy's Point of View

I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it.

Two-Bit had gotten jumped for us. He had taken the pain just so we could get away and be safe.

I could only gape at him in shock, admiration and guilt all at once.

There he lay, asleep, his face bruised and swollen.

But that wasn't the worst of it.....

On his cheek lay several deep cuts and I knew they were from Bob.

I gulped, wondering if he'd get a scar just like Johnny's.

All from Bob's rings.

I frowned deeply, wishing he had never gotten hurt. I watched him, not taking my eyes off him.

His breathing was raspy and his chest slowly rose up and down, his body visibly shivering.

I have never felt so guilty. We should've just stayed with him. We should've helped.

I breathed shakily, wondering if this is how Two-Bit feels whenever he blames himself for something that isn't even his fault, him feeling the most guilt out of all of us.

"Some kids are worth getting beat up for...." His words echoed through my head and I frowned, my eyes welled up with tears.

Darry looked away from Two to face me. "You okay Ponyboy?" He asked worriedly.

You should be worrying about Two-Bit, not me.....

"Y-yea, i'm okay Darry." I answered shakingly, glancing at Two wearily.

Suddenly Darry hugged me tight. I tensed, startled.

"I'm sorry Ponyboy. I didn't mean it, I really didn't."

"It's.....it's okay Darry." I hesitated, swallowing. "You-you were jus' angry that's all."

"No it ain't okay. Jus' 'cause i'm angry don't ever give me the right to hit you. I'm so sorry, Pony." Darry squeezed me and I believed him.

I was still upset with him though. After all, he had yelled and hit me.

But I was tired now and was just glad to be home.

Johnny and Soda were watching us and Darry pulled away, patting my shoulder with a small smile.

"Ya sure ya alright? They didn't hurt you?"

I shook my head no. Johnny and I had kept running, though I had wanted to go back to help Two-Bit.

It didn't help seeing how beat up he was now.

We had ran straight to my house and both my brothers were still awake and despite the fight we had earlier, I had burst in.

"Two-Bit.....Socs......park.....help...."

I didn't have to say more. They jumped up and we just ran till we got there, chasing away Bob and Randy and the others, finding Two-Bit beat up and bleeding.

I told Darry when we were running that Two-Bit had taken the Socs on himself, telling me and Johnny to run.

Darry had cussed and pumped faster.

This shouldn't have happened. We-we should've just stayed with him. We could've fought them off, we might've been able to take them.

Why didn't I just go to Two-Bit's house when he had asked? Then none of this would have ever even happened.....

All these things kept running through my head as I thought about how we could've prevented Two from getting hurt, how we would be safe now had it not been for us, and I just kept blaming myself.

"Why'd he do it Dar? Why'd he do it?" I choked out, my eyes wide as I looked up at him.

Darry frowned. "C'mon Pone, you know how Two gets. He was jus' tryin' to protect you two, that's all."

"But look at him! He got beat up now 'cause of us!" I trembled and it wasn't from the cold.

"Hey." Darry started, a hand on my shoulder. "Don't go on blamin' yourself, kid. For one thing, that's Two's job." He joked lightly but I didn't smile. "And two, nobody here is to blame 'cept the Socs."

"So......so ya ain't mad I ran out?" I breathed out.

"You know I ain't happy you ran out, but you had every right too after what I did. But you can't blame yourself. You neither, Johnny." Darry turned to Johnny and I looked to see him wide-eyed.

"I-I ain't." He said quietly.

"Good. An' neither should you Pony."

"Okay Darry." I said, frowning, though I didn't really mean it, still feeling guilty.

Soda came up to Darry with a frown. "So. How's his mother?"

I swallowed. What would Two's mother think when she heard? She'd be crushed. What if she blames us too? I knew that there was no way that could happen, knowing Two-Bit's mother, but my emotions were swirling too much together right now that the thought didn't come to mind.

Darry sighed. "Not good. She seemed pretty flustered." He ran a hand through his hair and I watched him, glancing at Two-Bit nervously.

"How she'd take it?" Soda sighed.

"Okay. She's comin' tomorrow mornin' to see him, make sure he's alright." Darry frowned, taking a glance at Two as well.

"Sounds 'bout right." Soda nodded. "You think he'll be alright Dar?" He frowned, concerned.

"Depends on what they did to him," Darry sighed. "He seemed awfully cold. I hope he ain't gettin' sick."

My stomach flipped with worry and guilt and I felt like crying. But I didn't want to cry now. Not in front of Darry.

"I hope not." Soda agreed. "How you doin' Johnny? Ya alright?" Soda asked softly, looking over.

"I'm fine. Jus' feel bad 'bout Two, that's all." Came Johnny's quiet voice.

"We all do Johnny," Soda sighed. "But it ain't y'all's fault, y'all know that."

Johnny nodded and I just frowned.

"It's late. We'd best be gettin' to sleep. We've all had a rough day." Darry said.

"But what 'bout Two-Bit?" I asked, voice nearly a peep.

"We'll ask him what happened later. He'll be alright. 'S'long as he don't get sick or nothin'. But don't worry. We'll figure this all out later." Darry said and I glanced at Two-Bit with a frown, still upset.

I eyed his bloody cut on his cheek wearily.

Darry patted my shoulder and taking one last look at Two-Bit, I turned and went to my room with Soda, saying good-night to Darry and Johnny, my voice a small murmur.

I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep well though, my mind etched with guilt, the knot in my stomach making me feel sick.

I'm sorry, Two..... was all I could think.

I'm sorry.....