part four

My legs moved quickly as I ran through the dark night. The full
moon shone above, along with the twinkling stars. I wanted to look up at the sky and try to distract myself from all that was happening right now, but I couldn't lose focus of what is important. My boots stomped on the ground and echoed in the streets. I struggled to breathe because I had been running for what felt like hours now. I desperately wanted to stop and take a break, but I had to keep moving. The town was eerily quiet and dark. Each store that was usually open during daytime was now closed with the exception of a few drugstores. Street lamps stood at every corner, only lighting up a small space before disappearing and leaving me in the darkness. My eyes darted in every direction, but I was running blindly.

The longer I ran and couldn't find Dallas, the more my spirits were starting to dampen. I wasn't sure where he was or where he was going. He was upset right now—we both were—but he was acting out of emotion. I needed to find him before he did something stupid. The last thing I wanted for him was to spend another year in jail.

Gunshots sounded loudly in the distance, causing me to flinch and stumble over my own feet. My stomach dropped and my heart felt like it had stopped beating. Another gunshot rang from the same direction. "No.." I spoke to myself quietly.

I picked myself up and starting running again, faster than I had before. I sprinted in the direction that I had heard the shots. I silently wished and hoped that it had nothing to do with Dallas, but I knew that it probably did.

I ran past a small drugstore. Inside, I could see an old man behind the counter. He was on the phone, speaking frantically to whoever was on the other line. As I ran by, I noticed a gun laying on the counter. I debated on going inside and questioning the man, but that would make me look suspicious. I didn't want to get involved with him, especially since he had a gun. I didn't want to waste anytime when I could be trying to find Dallas.

In the distance, I saw a figure leaning against the wall, speaking into a pay phone. I moved swiftly towards the figure, hoping that it would be Dallas. The person hung the phone back up, ending their call and the running off into the street. Behind me, I could hear the deafening blares of police sirens, growing louder and more urgent as the cars approached. It didn't take long for me to catch up to the person I had been chasing, but unfortunately, the police had also caught up to us as well. Red and blue lights flashed sporadically as cop cars swarmed and surrounded the area. Police hopped out of their vehicles and pulled out guns before hiding behind the open doors of their cars.

"Dally!" I called out.

Just as he turned around, a single gunshot rang throughout the air. I stumbled slightly but Dallas caught me and held me. His arms wrapped around my waist as I laid my head against his chest, struggling to catch my breath. When we pulled away, I frowned. Dallas stared into my dark eyes as they filled with tears that I wasn't sure I could hold back. His brows furrowed in confusion as he spoke softly, "Diana?"

My head dropped slowly as my hands carefully moved my leather jacket to the side, revealing an increasing spot of blood that began to seep through my shirt. Dally watched my movements with confusion until his eyes went wide. "Is it bad?" I asked. I bit my lip, trying to stop it from quivering.

I watched as Dally's face fell. I could see the heartbreak in his eyes when they became glassy like mine. "No," he tried to assure me. I could see through him though.. I had been shot badly. I didn't even feel the bullet when it hit me.

All of a sudden, my legs gave out from under me. Dally caught me before I could hit the ground. He laid me down carefully. My body rested on the cold cement as I faced the sky. Dally was knelt beside me. He quickly took off his denim jacket and held it against my stomach in an attempt to stop the bleeding. We both knew it wasn't working when the crimson color bled through his jacket.

"Dallas," I breathed. He tore his gaze away from my wound and met my eyes. "I- I can't feel my legs," I whimpered.

"Hey, hey," he cooed. Dally's hand cupped the side of my face gently. "It's okay.. You're going to be okay."

I shook my head and a single tear fell down my face. "Not this time," I trembled.

"Come on," Dally's voice wavered slightly. "Don't say that.. You're going to be okay." I had already come to terms with my impending fate, but I don't think he had yet. I think he was trying to convince himself more than me right now.

"I'm scared," I admitted. I had never uttered those words out loud until now. I refused to before, but now I was truly terrified. I knew what was happening, but I wasn't ready for it. "I- I don't want to die."

"You're not dying," Dallas said, shaking his head. A tear rolled down his cheek and fell onto the ground. I reached for his hand and intertwined our fingers, probably for the last time. "Look at the stars, Diana."

I hesitantly shifted my gaze away from him and stared up at the dark sky. Thousands of stars twinkled above us. They've never shone so brightly and looked more beautiful before. "D- Did you actually.. watch the stars that night on the roof?" I found myself struggling to speak as my breathing began to slow a bit.

"Yeah.. It was nice," Dally said, trying his best to smile for me. Although he didn't do it much, I had always loved when he smiled.

"I knew you liked it," I laughed softly. My body winced in pain at the sudden movements and I immediately regretted it.

I felt my eyelids becoming heavy, so I closed my eyes. My breathing was slowed and short. Blood pooled around me. "Diana.. wake up," Dally said, shaking my shoulder softly. I opened my eyes and stared up at the sky again. I felt like I was moving in slow motion.

As I stared up at the stars, each of them twinkled brightly in the dark sky. I was reminded of my conversation with Dally from a few nights ago, when I had told him how I had always wanted to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights. We were going to take Johnny with us to travel the world. Now, Johnny was gone and my time was dwindling away. I wasn't ready to die. I was too young. There was so much that I still wanted to do. There were so many things I'd be missing out on.

My mind drifted into different memories as I laid there motionless. I was brought back to the day I had met my friends in New York. I missed my old friends and wished that I could see them all one last time. The bank robbery would be my final memory of Todd, Erica, and John. My life had changed drastically ever since that day, when I had ran away from New York. It was crazy to think about all that had happened since I arrived in Tulsa. I met amazing, new people who I befriended almost immediately. I had flashbacks of all of my favorite memories with the gang: trick or treating with Johnny and Ponyboy, baking with Darry, trashing that locker room with Two-Bit and Steve, days in the DX helping Sodapop fix a customer's car..

The best times I've ever had though were with Dallas Winston. I thought back to the first night I had met him, which was at the Drive-In. He was so rude and arrogant. I definitely didn't like him from the start. I found it surprising that he had always liked me, but looking back, it kind of all made sense to me now. The more I thought about him the memories we shared, the more I realized something. I couldn't die without telling Dallas how I really felt about him.

"Dal," I whispered. Dally met my eyes and waited for me to continue. "There's something.. I need to t-tell you." Dally nodded. I felt nervous. I wanted to tell him but I was so worried that he wouldn't feel the same way that I do. I guess either way it wouldn't matter, since I only had a little bit of time left. I mentally pushed all of my negative thoughts and feelings aside. I couldn't die without him knowing what I've been keeping a secret for so long.

"I love you."

Dallas was speechless for a moment. I was so scared that he wasn't going to say anything in return, but then he smiled and I instantly felt my heart warm up when he spoke.

"I love you too."

I felt tears roll down my cheeks. I had never said those words before until now. I had never felt the way I did for anyone except Dallas Winston. Finally, I felt at peace with myself. The last weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. My head felt light and my breathing slowed to a halt as my eyes fluttered shut once and for all.

»»——⍟——««

3rd Person POV

Dallas watched as Diana's eyes slowly closed. He noticed the unsteady rise and fall of her chest ceased, signaling that she had stopped breathing. He froze up as he stared at her lifeless body. The girl he had cared for and grown to love laid still and was now gone. Their hands were still locked together, but her hold was loose now. "Diana?" He breathed. "Don't leave me.. please. Wake up!" He carefully lifted the girl up onto him but it was clear that she was no longer there.

Not only had Dally lost Johnny, but he also lost the love of his life. There was nothing left for him now. He had lost the two most important people in his life.

With a new hatred and vengeance in him, Dallas pulled out the gun he had used earlier and stood to his feet. By now, the gang had finally made their way to the area. They ran as fast as they could, but couldn't stop what was about to happen.

"Drop it!" A police officer shouted at Dally, but he didn't listen. The cops didn't hesitate to fire their guns at him.

"It's not loaded!" Steve yelled frantically. "Don't!"

"Stop!" Two-Bit screamed.

"He's just a kid!" Darry exclaimed.

Their cries didn't effect what had already been done though. Dallas had fell to his feet after being shot several times. With the little bit of energy left in him, he crawled towards Diana and laid on his back, taking one last look at her and then staring up at the stars like she had before she died.

When the gang reached their friends, all of their faces dropped to shock and sadness. None of them had seen this coming. Tears filled each of their eyes the longer they stared at their dead friends. This image would forever be burned into their minds.

Tears streamed down Sodapop's cheeks as he ran his hands through his hair. Two-Bit was completely speechless. He knew that not even a good joke would help the situation they were in now. Steve slowly put his hands up in the air, terrified that he would be shot next.

Darry couldn't contain his anger. He slammed his boot on the ground as he yelled at the cops. "YOU STUPID IDIOTS! THEY WERE JUST KIDS!"

Ponyboy had now seen three dead bodies today. He felt his head become dizzy and his stomach felt nauseous. "Johnny a-and Dally and Diana," he cried quietly. Then, he fainted and fell to the ground. Sodapop quickly dropped to his feet and checked on his younger brother.

The cops closed in on the gang, pointing their guns at each boy. They moved towards Dally and Diana, checking to see if they were alive, but both of them had been shot and killed.