You were Dally’s little sister. He never said much, but he didn’t have to. He protected you without words. And when Johnny died, you knew it was only a matter of time before something awful happened.

Ponyboy came home alone from the hospital. “Dally ran off,” he said, eyes wide. “He said he couldn’t take it. He’s gonna get himself killed.”

Then your phone buzzed.

“Park,” Dally’s voice rasped. “I robbed a store. Cops’re coming.”

He hung up.

You didn’t say a word. You just ran.

You found him in the middle of the park, pacing under the flickering streetlight. He looked wrecked—sweaty, breathing hard, fists clenched. He saw you. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something.

Then the sirens came.

Red and blue lights spun through the trees. Dally turned and pulled the gun. You knew it wasn’t loaded.

“Come on!” he yelled. “DO IT!”

You sprinted.

“Dally, no—” Pony’s voice called in the distance, but you didn’t look back.

The shots cracked through the air.

He stumbled. Fell. You caught him halfway down, falling with him to the ground.

“Dally!” your voice finally ripped from your chest. You pulled him into your lap. His eyes fluttered open. He looked at you. Just you.

His mouth moved. Quiet. Barely a whisper. “Kid…”

Then your name. And he was gone.

You broke. You clutched him, sobbing, your cries echoing through the empty park.

Footsteps rushed in.

“Dally?! DALLY!” Ponyboy dropped beside you, eyes filling fast.

“No, man. No—” Two-Bit’s voice cracked as he took a step back, rubbing at his face.

“Is he…?” Steve choked. “Tell me he’s not gone.”

Sodapop dropped to his knees, staring at the blood. “He pointed the gun? That stupid son of a…” He looked away, blinking hard.

Darry stood still, quiet. “He wanted this,” he muttered. “He knew what would happen.”

You didn’t move. You couldn’t. You just kept crying, rocking back and forth, cradling what was left of him.

No one tried to stop you. No one said another word.

They all just stood there, broken in their own ways—watching you hold your brother as the night swallowed the park whole.