Johnny, Pony, and I approached the park. It was so dark outside that we could barely see. The minimal light produced by street lights reflected off the water from the fountain, cascading an eerie glow around it.

The three of us climbed on top of a purple playground toy.(or whatever you call it.) We sat there and rested until we saw a familiar blue mustang pull up.

Oh no.

Ponyboy glared at the Socs as they exited their car.

"Should we run?" Johnny asked us.

I sighed. "No. They're already on their way."

The 3 of us stood our ground as we were approached by the stumble-stepped, slur-speeched Socs.

"Hey, look." Randy slurred. "Bob, look. It's white trash!"

The drunk boys and their drunk friends cackled, evilly.

Bob smirked. "Yup. That's what you are. White trash with looooong greasy hair."

Pony growled. "Well, ya know what a Soc is?"

"White trash with mustangs and madras!" I finished for him.

Ponyboy spit in his eye, gaining a proud glance from Johnny and I.

"Yuck!" Bob rubbed his eyes in the attempt to get the spit out. "Get 'em." he muttered.

Then, all of a sudden, Randy grabbed my arm. He dragged me toward the fountain and dunked my head in the water.

I gasped for air just before I was dunked under, but it didn't do much good.

Randy continued to dunk my head under, repetitively. I couldn't breathe. I got a few quick glances to my left to see Ponyboy getting the same punishment as I.

Then, everything went red.

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I woke up in what felt like an hour or so.

My vision was blurry. Then, it began to focus. I saw Johnny.

I was about to hug him. Snatch him up in a warm embrace, happy that no one got hurt...

But, someone did.

I then realized that Johnny was clutching his switch blade with both hands. It was covered in blood.

"I killed 'im." Johnny weeped, quivering like crazy. "I killed that boy."

I took a glance to my left(where as Johnny was on my right) and saw Ponyboy quivering beside me, as well.

I followed his gaze to something about 6 feet directly in front of me. Or someone, rather.

I gasped, quivering as well. I gulped.

"R-R-R-Randy..." I muttered. "I... I think I'm gonna be sick..."

[A/N: PLOT TWIST!!!]

Johnny nodded. "Go ahead... I won't look at ya..."

Then, I gagged. And so did Ponyboy. We've always had a bad gag reflex.

After Pony and I were done, Johnny began burying the knife in the dirt, hiding all evidence.

I broke down crying and the 2 boys followed shortly after.

"Why, Johnny?" Pony asked, tears still streaming down his face. "Why?"

Johnny let out a loud sob. "I had to!" he pleaded. "They were gonna drown y'all!" Johnny sighed. "There sure is a lot of blood in people." Johnny wept, softly.

"How did it happen?" I asked between streams of tears.

Johnny rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrist. "They were drownin' you." he said. "Bob had a switch on 'im... He came at me with it, but I tripped him and he twisted his ankle... He left his friends to fend for themselves..."

I nodded and he continued.

"Then, I attacked Randy... So he wouldn't kill y'all... And when he died, the rest fled."

I cried into my hands not knowing what else to do. The 2 boys hugged me in the attempt to cease the tear flow.

"What now?!" Pony asked. "The cops'll be after us in no time!"

I sighed in defeat. "I don't know, Pony."

Johnny then got a look in his eye that said he had an idea. "Dallas..." he muttered. "Dallas'll know what to do..."

Ponyboy and I nodded, following Johnny to Bucks place. Johnny heard that Dally would be there, tonight.

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Once we reached Buck's place, Johnny quickly rang the doorbell.

I crooked toothed man that I remembered by the name of Buck Merrill opened the door.

He sent a smirk my way. "Hello, doll~" he said, making me cringe.

Ponyboy took a step forward so he was directly in front of me.

I glared at Buck. "I need to talk to Dallas." I said, sternly.

He raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "What for, babe?~"

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm his girlfriend." I mustered up through clenched teeth.

He frowned. Buck turned toward the stairs and called out, "Dallas! Someone's here ta see ya!"

Dallas trotted down the stairs. He saw me and smiled. "Hey, Ash." He planted a firm kiss on my cheek. "What are you doing here?"

I looked into his deep blue eyes and lost control. I began sobbing into Dally's shoulder. "Dally, Randy's dead. And it's our fault."

I could tell that Dally's eyes went wide, though I couldn't see his face.

He held me tightly, bringing the 3 of us upstairs. "Ashley, Pony, are you wet?" he asked as we walked up the stairs.

He brought us to Buck's guest room. He tossed Pony and I a shirt, each and gestured toward the closest so I could change.

I quickly changed into the flannel shirt he had given me once I entered the closest. It was purple and green, and it was huge on me. But, that didn't exactly matter now.

As I exited the closest, I noticed Pony wearing a similar shirt, but in yellow.

Dally sat on the bed beside Pony, Johnny on the opposite side. "Alright, I need an explanation."

Pony quivered. "Johnny killed a Soc. To save us."

"Bob's friend." Johnny added, sounding distant.

Dally frowned. "Boy, just like the good ol' days. Man, I didn't think I'd end up in another murder case since New York."

I saw Johnny stiffen at the word murder.

I sighed. "Dally, do you have anything to help us?"

Dally nodded, slowly. He went over to a nearby drawer and took out something that gave off a glint of metal.

He handed me a gun, telling me to be careful. It was loaded.

He held up a hand as I examined it. "Don't point it at me." he said, tilting the tip of the small heater down.

I quickly passed it off to Johnny who stored it in his belt.

Dally took my hand and put a handful of cash in the center of my palm, closing my fingers around it. Probably $100 or so. "For food and supplies." he noted. "Now, you're gonna take the 4 train to Windrixvile at 4 in the morning. It's a freight, so don't worry 'bout gettin' caught. When you get there, buy as much food and supplies as quickly as possible. Before the story gets in the paper. There's a pump in the back, so don't worry about water. Then, don't so much as poke your nose out the door. Ya hear me?"

The three of us nodded, understanding.

"When the coast is clear, I'll come and get ya. Understand?"

We all nodded once more.

We were about to leave when Dallas grabbed my hand and pulled me into a tight hug. "Stay safe, Ashley." he muttered into my hair.

I nodded, looking up at. My eyes were filled with determination. "I will, Dallas." I said, holding back the tears.

Dallas planted a firm, passionate kiss on my lips, holding me close for a while.

Then, I knew it was time to go. I gave the love of my life one last peck on the lips and left.

The only thing that I could think of at that moment was one simple word. "Why?"...