Chapter Text
The Weight of Silence
By: Ellivia22
Prologue
Darry
Victory. Victory is ours. For the first time in history the Greasers have defeated the Socs in a rumble. Not only do the Socs now know better to mess with us, but we've proved that we're more than no good hoodlums. The best part is I got revenge for not only what they tried to do to Ponyboy, but for Johnny, Two-Bit, and all the other greasers that have been jumped. I haven't felt this happy since the moment I found out that Ponyboy was still alive.
The house is quiet. The euphoria from winning the rumble has died down. In lieu of throwing a party like Sodapop and Steve originally planned, we're all in the living room quietly, each of us tending to our wounds. Steve is sprawling across the sofa. His shirt is open enough so you can see the white bandage on his side. A dark red stain can be seen from the bandage from his injury. Two-Bit is in the chair by the door. The left side of his face is taped up. He didn't want to go to the hospital, so I had to stitch him up when we got back to the house. Apparently he got injured by two Socs who ganged up on him and took turns hitting him until Steve intervened. Sodapop is sitting on the ground beside my chair sporting a big bruise on his cheek and a busted lip. As for me, besides a black eye, a cut on my forehead, and busted knuckles I'm doing all right. This is nothing. I've had worse injuries playing football. Once I'm done fixing myself up I'm going to change into something more comfortable. The black T-shirt and jeans that I'm wearing are soaked and sticking to my body like a second skin, thanks to the rain and the mud.
Where's Ponyboy? I wonder for the millionth time as I dab my bloody knuckles with a white cotton ball. He should've been back by now. I looked for him as soon as the rumble was over, but he was nowhere to be found. I assumed he went back to the house. The knots in my stomach tighten. I hope with every inch of my being that a Soc hadn't gotten a hold of him. The only comfort I have at the moment is that Dally isn't here either and possibly Ponyboy is with him. If he's not back in an hour I'm going to start looking for him.
SLAM!
I let out a breath of relief when I see Ponyboy in front of the door. I jump to my feet in a second. Don't lose control. "Where have you been?" I ask anxiously. I stop suddenly when I take a good look at him.
Ponyboy looks absolutely terrible. Layers of bruises are all over his face and blood is running from his head. What scares me the most is how pale he is. It's almost the same blinding white color as the pillow in my bed. His hair is drenched in sweat and there is so much pain in his green eyes, it matches the anguished expression on his face. Tears are stained on his cheeks. Something really bad has happened. "Ponyboy," I say in a much softer tone. "What's the matter?"
He looks in our direction. His green eyes are so glazed over I'm not sure he's really seeing us. "Johnny," he manages hoarsely. "…he's dead."
A stunned silence fills the room. I feel as though I've been beaten over the head by a heavy object. Johnny…dead? No…it couldn't be. I knew the kid was in rough shape, but I never thought he'd… I swallow repeatedly in an attempt to force down the intense grief I'm feeling followed by intense guilt. Johnny was like another little brother. I was supposed to protect him the best I could. I let out a strained breath and breathe heavily. This is all my fault. If I had never hit Ponyboy, none of this would've happened.
"Dallas is gone," Ponyboy stammers, breaking me out of my thoughts. "H-he ran out like the devil was after him. He's gonna blow up. He couldn't take it."
The stunned silence stretches into several minutes. For the first time in a long time, I'm utterly speechless. I want to comfort Ponyboy more than anything but can't think of what to say to make it better. What could I possibly say to someone who just lost their best buddy? Two-Bit eventually breaks the silence in the room. "So he finally broke. So…even Dally has a breaking point."
I can't take my eyes off my little brother. He keeps getting worse by the second. He's shaking like a leaf and his breathing is ragged. He's going to collapse any second. "Get him to sit down," I whisper to Sodapop, who is standing beside me.
"Ponyboy," Sodapop says softly. "You look sick. Sit down."
Ponyboy takes a step back, shaking his head. He winces as if that one action caused him pain. "I'm okay. I-I don't want to sit down."
I can't stand seeing him like this. I take a step towards him, prepared to catch him when he falls. Ponyboy takes a step back, his shoulders hitting the door hard. He looks at me like a frightened animal-the same look he gave me after I hit him. "D-don't touch me!"
BRIIIIIIIIIIING!
The shrill sound of the phone makes me jump out of my skin. I hesitate for a second, then answer. "Hello?"
"Darry?" It's Dally. He sounds nothing like his tough guy self, but like someone has been beating on him. I also notice that he's out of breath.
"Yeah."
"Darry, listen. I just knocked up a store, man. The cops are lookin' for me. Can you meet me in the lot?"
My eyes widen in horror. Ponyboy wasn't kidding. Dally has completely lost it. I've got to help him. "Sure, Dal. Are you all right?"
"Yeah. Johnny's dead."
"We know," I answer in a low voice.
"Johnny…Look meet me in the lot, will ya?"
"Hold on. We'll be right there." I immediately hang up and look at the gang. They're all staring at me. "It was Dally. He phoned from a booth. He just robbed a grocery store, and the cops are after him. We gotta hide him. He'll be at the lot any minute."
The others look at each other anxiously. Without a word we bolt out the door. My heart is thudding hard against my chest in anxiety. I run faster than I've ever run in my life. Pain flares in the muscles of my calves. I force myself to ignore it as I increase my speed, not caring if the gang is following or not. I can't let another person die. Not now. I have to get there on time.
Hold on, Dal. We're coming
The time it takes to get from the house to the vacant lot is only five minutes. This time it feels like hours no matter how hard I run. The cold wind hits me hard like a slap in the face. My chest hurts and my breathing is coming in staggered gasps. I'm not the runner. Ponyboy is. Glancing at my baby brother from beside me, it looks like he's struggling even more to get his feet moving. I wish he had stayed behind. I can see the lot in my sights.
Please don't let it be too late
Right when we reach the vacant lot, I see Dally coming in our direction from the wooded area. The police sirens are growing louder and louder as the cop cars surround the area. Several police officers in dark uniforms exit their vehicles, their weapons drawn. I want to yell a warning out to Dally, but he skids to a halt under the streetlight when he sees them.
I watch in horror as Dally pulls out a gun from his waistband. "You'll never take me alive!"
"DALLAS! NO!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
It's too late. I jump hearing the explosions of gunfire from the police.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
This can't be happening. This can't be happening!
The next few seconds are like a terrible horror movie. Dally's body convulses from the multiple bullets hitting him at a rapid speed. I've never seen anyone killed before. It's by far the worst experience I've had so far.
No. Please.
Dally collapses right in front of my feet. He closes his eyes, and his body moves no more. I don't have to be a medical profession to know that my friend is dead. I breathe heavily. The grief is hitting me hard and fast. I bring my arms to cross my chest and hold on tight. I'm vaguely aware of Sodapop attempting to comfort Steve. All I can do is stare at the dead body in front of me. First Johnny. Now Dally.
I have to remain strong I attempt to tell myself. My eyes are burning. I HAVE to remain strong. A sharp breath escapes my lips.
"Glory!" Two-Bit cries suddenly. "Look at the kid!"
BAM!
I watch in horror as Ponyboy hits the ground hard like a sack of potatoes. I immediately drop to his side. I grab the front of his jacket. "Pony?" He doesn't move. His eyes remain closed. I shake him harder. "PONYBOY?! Wake up damnit!"
My little brother doesn't respond. He remains motionless on the ground.
No….please no….not Ponyboy…not him
Sodapop joins me on the ground. His face is white as paper, his brown eyes huge. "D-darry," he chokes out in a frightened squeak. "I-is he…"
I press my palm against his chest. I immediately relax when I feel a small heartbeat. His chest rises up and down slowly. I bend closer. His breathing is shallow. He's alive, just out cold.
"H-he's alive."
A shadow appears in front of us. I don't look up from my motionless brother. "You hoodlums better get out of here before we lock y'all up and charge you with accessary."
I stand up, hoisting Ponyboy into my arms. He's so light from all the weight he's lost. "C'mon," I say quickly to Sodapop. I hurry as fast as I can to the house.
My heart is pounding even harder in my chest-if that's possible. I'm shaking so badly I can barely keep a good grip on my little brother. Tonight keeps getting worse by the minute. I pray with all my heart that he'll be all right. If I lose him, I'll never be able to forgive myself.
Oh God, Pony. Don't you dare die on me too!
To be continued…