Title: Missing

Summary: Johnny runs away. Can the gang find him?

Ponyboy POV

I can’t believe Johnny is gone. We were checking all over town, even the Soc side, but we couldn’t find him. I’m starting to get worried . . . what would happen if we never found him?

I felt tears well up in my eyes but I wiped them hurriedly. When my vision cleared, I saw Sodapop looking at me.

He whispered softly, “Don’t worry, Ponyboy, we’ll find him.”

Though, I could tell, he was just as unsure as I was.

Johnny POV

I probably haven’t walked that far. Part of me hopes the gang hasn’t read that note yet so I could get on with my plans. The other part of me hopes that they did read it and that they were looking for me so that I knew they cared.

I laughed bitterly in spite of myself. Nice time for indecision. The whole point that I left was that they didn’t care. Who would care about pathetic, worthless, Johnny Cade? My parents sure don’t so why would the guys?

I had passed a huge sign that said ‘You are now leaving Tulsa’ a few days ago. . . maybe that was just yesterday. I wasn’t too sure anymore.

Days passed on. I hadn’t brought any money because, really, I wouldn’t need it where I planned to be going. I didn’t stop for food or ask for a ride. I didn’t need it. At some point a cop car slowed down next to me but, after seeing my tattered clothes they drove off. I hadn’t seen anyone pass through since.

I had been gone long by now. My stomach clenched up a lot in pain because of not eating. I would collapse a few times a day under the blaring sun. After a while I sat down, gasping for air and fighting the waves of dizziness and nausea coming over me.

Now was as good a time as any to get it over with. I took my blade from my back pocket, my hand clutching it weakly, and flicked it open. The blade shone ominously in the light that surrounded me. I felt tears rise up in my eyes. This was how I would die; alone in the middle of nowhere away from the people who I had always considered family.

The salty tears fell onto the blade and dripped down onto the ground. It didn’t matter anyway, I told myself. It didn’t matter if I considered them like brothers. All I was to them was a nuisance.

I brought the blade to my wrist and slashed against it sharply, feeling pain and blood shoot to the scar. I made more angry marks, letting the pain and frustration rush out of me. . . along with everything else.

I was beginning to feel light-headed and the very sound of the wind around me sounded like the roaring of an engine. I collapsed fully onto the ground, closing my eyes and welcoming the darkness enveloping me.

There’s chapter two! Posted two chapters at once so, because of my generosity, you have to review!