The Outsiders: Before My Time Part III

The Night After

Goldie's POV

My leg bounced up and down uncontrollably as I sat in the uncomfortable black plastic chairs in the waiting room of the hospital. Candy kept anxiously tugging at her sleeve, and Red was asleep, his head on her lap. Dally was sitting beside me, his steady hand smoking a cigarette.

Dad and Darry were talking to some reporters who came by to take pictures, and the cops.

Uh-oh.

Mom, Dally, Johnny, and Pony were all found a few hours away in Windrixville, where Dally told me he had them hiding out. They were safe, and unharmed for the most part.

Darry was allowed to go in and sit with Mom for a bit since he told the doctors that he was her guardian. The rest of us weren't allowed to see either of them yet, but Darry told us what the doctors said. Mom's foot was smashed, her collar bone was bruised, and from her smoke inhalation it wasn't a good idea for her to talk for a bit. She had been dozing on and off. She was probably so exhausted. She also suffered minor burns. Pony also suffered from some minor burns, the smoke as well, and his back was in a lot of pain.

I forgot to mention that Mom and Uncle Pony thought it was a great idea to see a fire and run right in it. The church they were hiding in went up in flames the day Dally went over to check in on them, and they found out that six children were trapped inside. They did end up saving them all from being burnt to a crisp though, which is why the reporters are here. They're heroes.

I later learned that Mom almost didn't make it out of that church alive. She was trapped among the falling pieces of the roof but Dally went in to get her. If it wasn't for him, none of us would be here right now. I almost feel like I owe him my life.

Dally and Johnny were fine, they just needed to be checked out and put on fluids. Dally did since he had to go into the fire to get Mom out of there, and so did Johnny since he was dehydrated from his week in solitary.

Candy started to shiver, failing to bring a jacket. I would have given her mine, if I brought a jacket. I was just wearing a long sleeve shirt. Dad noticed that she was cold so he gave her his over-shirt, a red and black plaid flannel.

Seconds later, I heard, "Darry!"

Darry and Dad turned around, and ran straight toward the noise. It was Uncle Pony. He ran to them as fast as they could, and they slammed into each other into the tightest hug imaginable. I nudged my elbow to Candy, who was also noticing the reunion. She gently shook Red awake and filled him in on how everyone was okay.

Darry was crying, but he didn't make a sound. Then I heard him say in a heartbreaking whisper, "I thought we lost you like we did Mom and Dad."

As soon as the brothers pulled apart from each other, I saw how different Ponyboy looked. He was skinnier than a twig, his hair was bleached blonde and much shorter and jagged, and he was pale. Did they run off to a place with no sun? They were only gone a week.

Red jumped up, with me and Candy following and had our own hug with Ponyboy. I felt so relieved to see him. I patted his back gently, making sure I didn't hurt him.

"Where's Bri?" Candy asked when we pulled apart.

"In her room," he said while glancing down the hall. "I just visited her. She's looking good, but boy, those pain killers are something," he chuckled.