People Don't Change (Dally Winston)

Chapter 19

I wandered around aimlessly for the next few minutes, maybe even hours, trying to calm myself down. It was none of his business, and I absolutely hated how Pony thought he could just give his opinion on my relationship.

Eventually I decided to just go home. Two-Bit was probably worried, if he had gotten home yet. Plus, it was starting to get dark outside. Looking at my surroundings, I noticed that nothing looked familiar.

The houses here were nicer than the ones in my neighborhood. I didn't think I'd seen any of them before. Great. Just great. I was lost, again I might add.

I looked at the street signs, trying to get my bearings. Nothing sounded even remotely familiar. Retracing my steps wasn't an option either. When I'm angry, I tend to ignore my surroundings and get even angrier about whatever it was in the first place.

I hesitantly turned a corner and a Mustang drove by. I listened to the sounds of the tires fading into the distance and then turning a corner. A few minutes later, the same car pulled up next to me. Slowly, the driver's side window rolled down to reveal a car full of madras-clad Socs.

"Are you lost, sweetheart?" the driver asked, snickering. Somehow he had managed to scare me with that one sentence.

I crossed my arms before answering, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Cause you look lost to me," another Soc said.

"Lost and alone," a third Soc added from the back seat. I hugged my jacket closer and got ready to run.

"Aww, is she getting scared?" the first one asked. I took a step backwards. It was almost like they could sense fear. In a matter of seconds, the boys all opened the doors and jumped out of the car. They moved faster than I would have thought possible.

I turned and started to run. Their footsteps echoed after me, getting closer with every step. I ran and ran, but not fast enough. One for them tackled me from behind, and my face smashed against the pavement.

"Help!" I shouted, but there was no one around to hear me. Well, no one except the Socs. They just stuffed a handkerchief in my mouth to keep me quiet.

One of them punched me hard on the cheek, narrowly missing my temple. I stood up and punched him back, but the other Socs twisted my arms behind my back. I broke free of their grip for long enough to push one of them away from me, but then they had me again.

The driver of the car punched me repeatedly. I could already feel my face swelling up, and I knew bruises were starting to form. Then, I guess that grew boring for him, because he flicked out a switchblade. An expensive one, with a blade that looked sharp enough to cut through anything.

He drug the blade across my collarbone, just below my neck. He wouldn't kill me. He was just going to hurt me. I screamed, but it was muffled by the handkerchief. The Socs laughed, obviously enjoying themselves.

He sliced my forehead open and I felt blood pour down my face. I blinked, but it covered my eyes. I could barely see. Eventually, they dropped me on to the ground and left.