No One Left

Disclaimer: I, no matter how much I wish, am NOT the great S.E. Hinton. I do not own The Outsiders or any related characters blah blah blah. If I were Miss Hinton I probably would not be writing here, now would I. I DO however own Matt and any other people you don't recognize.

Summary: Matt, a former soc, has just lost everything he had ever known, including his parents. Now, with some help from Ponyboy, he must learn to survive on the wrong side of the tracks. But the socs are out to get him. Even more frightening, Matt has a secret. And if Pony finds out about it, it could mean the end of their friendship.

Oh, by the way, the story has been edited and beta-ed by the marvelous Hahukum Konn. Thanks!

On with the story….

Chapter One
My Former Life

"Let's go hunt some action," said Bob. Bob was the leader of our group of Socials, and what he said went. No one dared disobey him.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked.

"Look over there, Matt," he said. I followed his gaze into the alleyway where, slouching against the wall, was one of those no good greasers. And today's activity planned by Bob was ridding the world of another filthy piece of scum.

Quietly, we circled around the greaser like a pack of dogs, preparing for the kill. And as soon as Bob gave the command, that's what we would do.

I watched the boy intently, studying the look of fear on his face. I saw him look quickly around for something to fight with, but he found nothing.

"Hey grease," said Bob. "Guess what? Today's your lucky day. You ain't gonna have to live on the poor side of town anymore. Hell, after today, you ain't gonna live at all."

I saw the greaser's narrowed eyes widen in fear after he said that. But none of us really cared. Now was our cue to start the hunt.

We closed in around him. Randy held the greaser's hands behind his back while Mitch and I held him as still as we could. Joe and Willie aided Bob in slugging the kid until his face was nothing more than a blackish-blue mass of bruised flesh. I watched as one of Bob's high-school rings cut through the boy's skin. I shuddered involuntarily at the sight of the blood oozing down his face. But I quickly regained my composure. Socs weren't supposed to care, especially about no-good greasers. But I could not help but wonder how bad the guy would look when we were through with him. I knew for sure that he would have a scar for the rest of his life.

But no matter how soc-like I tried to remain, I could not help but wonder about this guy's story, who he really was. Surely he had friends out there somewhere, waiting for him. But when Bob and the others were finished, there'd be nothing left.

And I was right. By the time it was all over with, the guy was nothing but a half-dead heap lying on the ground, sobbing.

"Come on guys. Let's go to the drive-in to celebrate. I hear there's a good one on tonight. I think its got Paul Newman in it," said Bob. And without another thought about the greaser we left in the lot, I jumped into Bob's brand new car along with the rest of the gang.

Four Months Later

Bob and I were driving to my house from the school dance. We had just dropped our dates off at their homes and were headin' to mine. It was around midnight by now, and my parents would expect me home soon, but they were probably asleep now anyway.

We had almost just reached my house, which, I might add, was on the West side of town, when I saw my brother Nate sittin' on the curb, head in his hands. If I didn't know better I would say that he was…no, it couldn't be…crying.

I was about to ask what was wrong, to get my parents when I looked up at my house. Or at least my house used to be there. But it was gone. Instead it was replaced with a gigantic pile of rubble, ash and debris.

"Nate, what happened," I breathed, trying to figure out what was going on.

"There was a fire," he answered quietly, his voice shaking slightly. "It destroyed everything. There's nothin' left."

Nothin Left. The words echoed through my head, like a broken record player playing the same two words over and over. Nothin left.

"What about Mom and Dad?" I asked. I still could not truly comprehend what was happening.

"Mom's dead," he said simply, continuing to sob.

"W-what about Dad," I stuttered. This can't be happening, I thought.

"He's still alive. He's at the hospital. But they don't expect him to make it."

I felt like running, screaming, yelling, but I contained myself just long enough to ask, "Nate, what's gonna happen to us?"

"I don't know, man. I just don't know."

"Come on guys," said Bob, surprising me. I had forgotten that he was still there. "You're coming to stay with me tonight."

- - - - -

Okay, I know it was a little short, but I promise it will be longer next time. I just had to show Matt's past. No Ponyboy yet, but I promise you he'll come in a few more chapters. I gotta get the story established first, 'cause these events will effect future ones. Sorry if I bored you to death, but it'll get better, I promise! Rate and review please!

Oh yeah, one more thing. I will accept flames, but ONLY if they contain Constructive Criticism. What's the point of just saying "You stink," if your don't give me advice on how to get better? Oh, remember its my first time here so give me credit for that, too.

Bookworm

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