People Don't Change (Dally Winston)

Chapter 30

A week later

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I tentatively pushed open the large glass hospital doors. Two-Bit had told me that Johnny and Dally were here. I had already talked to Ponyboy. He had told me all about how Dally had given them a place to hide and the fire in the church. I had also read numerous articles about the incident. I had decided to go visit Johnny first, so I asked the lady working there where his room was.

"Just go down that hallway and take a left. It'll be the first room on the right, and your other friend is at the end of the hall," she answered, smiling politely and then turning her attention back to the stack of papers in front of me. I made my way down the hall, scared to see what condition they were in. I walked into Johnny's room.

"Johnny?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Yes?" he was lying there barely moving. His arms and neck were covered in angry looking red burns. I gasped slightly and then tried to regain my composure.

"How are you?" I asked, walking towards him.

"I'm dying, how do you think I am?" he asked in reply. I could sense the slight bitterness in his tone.

"Johnny, don't say that," I said.

"Even if I live, I'll never be able to have a normal life. I'll never walk again," he sighed. We continued talking for a while, and it got harder and harder for me to be optimistic. Eventually a nurse walked in.

"Visiting hours end in fifteen minutes," she said in an overly polite, high pitched voice.

"Okay. I'll come visit you another time, Johnnycake. I have to go see Dallas," I said walking into the hallway.

I leaned against the wall in Dally's room. He looked up and noticed me. I tried to keep my voice level as I spoke to him for the first time in weeks.

"You just can't stay out of trouble, can you?" I asked.

"And you just can't stay away from me, princess," he said smirking. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Dally, I just came to see if you were okay. So, how are you," I asked, crossing my arms.

"I'm tired of this shitty place," he said. I noticed today's newspaper, which had talked about how he, Johnny, and Pony were heroes, crumpled up on the floor. Before I could say anything, the nurse from before scurried in and ushered me out.