Chapter Text
There are days where Ponyboy Micheal Winston wished his brother was in New York with him.
Other days, it depends. When his brother ran, it felt like a part of his heart was torn off. Apparently his brother had done something he shouldn't have and had to run.
He wouldn't tell Pony why either. He was ten at the time, he was smart enough to keep a secret.
He was then left with his mother, which for better words, probably isn't the bestest of mothers out there.
She wasn't horribly bad like his father. But she wouldn't help him when he was hurt, didn't help when food was out. She's a whole lot of nothing ever since his father left, and brother.
Ponyboy's brother, Dallas Winston, had ran from home four years ago because of something he shouldn't have done.
What did he do? No one really knows other than Dallas himself. Their father left shortly after Dallas ran, and if you put two and two together, you could assume it was something to do with him.
Ever since then, Pony had matured. He took Dally's words he said to heart. Told him to get tough, and only look out for himself. So he did.
If someone came and wanted a fight, he'd hold his ground. He toughened up. He got more distant with his mother and grew colder. He knew when he pushed the line though.
He knew when it's safe to fight, when the police aren't near or anything. Knew where to run if something got out of hand.
He watched. Looking at who he was fighting and seeing any weakness, he analyzed his surroundings. And was always on guard.
Just because you're 14 doesn't mean anything in New York. Especially when your father's an enemy to a lot of gangs.
They'll target you.
He learned that the hard way.
One day, Pony's father came back, for what? Who knows. But what he knew is it wasn't for anything good.
He heard a bang and a shout before quietness. Then heavy footsteps up the stairs.
He wasted no time grabbing his backpack he had packed for when he planned on running, and jumped out his window. He started full on sprinting down the road.
He was on the track team for a reason.
He saw the train station and slipped in, hiding in the crowd.