I COULD HEAR police sirens echoing off the empty streets. It made my twisted gut twist more and my hands gripped the wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white as worry for Dally pebbles my skin. I didn't know what happened. I didn't know if those police sirens were for Dally.

But I did know that I would blink a wink of sleep until I found him. And if I didn't, I didn't know what I would do. I've lost too much. I'm only seventeen. I should be worrying about my homework, or what outfit I should wear, or anything really.

Just not this.

The road starts to blur as tears form. Again. I had been crying on and off all night. My emotions were everywhere and I didn't know what to do anymore. I felt angry. Angry that Johnny was gone. Angry at the Socs for what they did. But I also felt sorrow for the same things.

As I start to slow at a red light, someone rushes past my car so fast that I stomp the brakes and jump from my skin. As I calm my pounding heart I quickly look up at the person who was now rushing down the road.

I see the familiar lean muscular build. The chocolate locks I've run my fingers through at least a million times. The same leather jacket that I used to hate because it smelt so strongly of him, but now I loved it because it smelt so strongly of him.

"Dally," I whisper to myself. Without thinking, I jumped out of the car. Not even shutting the door or turning the engine off as I ran as fast as my legs would take me toward Dally. My hair whips behind me as it starts to downpour once again.

It seemed the faster I ran, the more I forced my legs to go faster than they could handle, and the harder the rain fell. Like my determination to get Dally was a force on its own. Fueled by my anger and despair. "Dally!" I scream as I start to gain on him. My voice is swallowed by booming thunder that rattles my teeth and shocks my nerves.

I almost stumble.

We rush into the park. The same park where Johnny killed the Soc. The place that started everything. Dally stops so abruptly that I almost fall into him.

Instead, I come to a sliding stop just a few feet in front of him. When I look up at Dally a gun is pointing directly at my head by a shaky hand. My breath catches in my throat, my gut twisting in a way I'd never felt before and my heart screaming in pain like it was being suffocated. In a way it was.

I look up from the barrel of the small handgun letting my eyes fall onto Dally's face. His lip twitched and his chin wobbled as he bared his teeth at me. The skin between his eyebrows was wrinkled and his eyes were red and puffy.

"Dally put the gun down," I mumble, slowly standing to my feet. He cocks the gun, taking a step forward and I feel my stomach jump in fear at the sound.

"Go away." He commands, his breath heavy and animalistic.

I swallow as tears start to run down my face. Dally's expression falters, and he looks like he's at war with himself. He looks away, inhaling deeply before looking back, his eyes shining with tears. "Don't look at me like that." He whispers.

"I know it's not loaded, Dally," I say gently, softening my expression. "Just put it down, and we can go home. Okay?"

"Don't you get it?" He snarls, suddenly angry and fiery. "I don't have a home. I never did!"

I flinch, my clothes clinching to my skin like a second skin. I was freezing. I wanted nothing more than to run to Dally. Because even with a gun to my head, I knew Dally wouldn't shoot me. He could say whatever he wanted. But I know where his loyalties lie. He loved me. He wouldn't have kept me around so long if he hadn't. He wouldn't have saved my life if he didn't care.

"The world is our home, Dally. Just like we talked about remember?" I ask, hope and fear clear in my voice. I couldn't keep my body from shaking. I didn't know if it was the adrenaline of the gun or the cold.

Dally's handshakes more, and in just barely a second, he drops it, crumbling to the ground and letting out the most heartbreaking sob I have ever heard as he chants, "Johnny's dead." Over and over.

My body was around Dally's before his knees hit the ground. He sinks into me, holding me tightly as his hot tears warm my neck.

I whisper sweet nothings, rocking him lightly as I rub his back. "Angela." He whispers, pulling away so I can stare into his squinting, teary eyes. "I can't stay here." He says shaking his head. "I need to go. I need to leave." He tells me.

My muscles tense, and a knife twists my gut. The moment I had been dreaded since I fell in love with Dallas has finally come. I had to choose. Leave with Dally or stay with my family. I open my mouth, but no words are left. Dally's eyes search mine and my heart spikes when I hear the nearing cop cars.

"Angela, you have to decide, and you have to do it now," Dslly tells me.

"I- Yes, I'll go with you," I answer.

A sigh leaves Dally, and he pulls me into his chest, where I bury my head when I see the flashy blue and red lights through the buildings ahead. I quickly pull away, sniffling "We have to go. Come on I have the car." I say, yanking him to his feet.

I grab Dally's hand and pull him through the park. His hand warms mine against the biting cold and harsh wind. My legs burn when we finally reach the car, Dally hops into the driver's side, and I get in the passenger.

Both of us are panting heavily, our chests rising and falling in sync as Dally stomps the gas, driving away from the park towards the west.

And yet, I didn't feel guilty when we zoomed past my home. I don't feel even the slightest ounce of regret. All I can do is chant the same words in my head. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free.

"Where are we going?" I ask, my voice a low rasp as I glance at Dally, who is tight-jawed and has his eyes on the road.

"Anywhere you want," he shrugs.

I glance out the window, where the rain races across the window. "I hear California is nice this time of year," I answer with a shrug.

"California it is." He says. I slip my hand into his and smile to myself as he squeezes my hand.

I used to think I would die in this small boring town. I would be a nobody. I wouldn't travel or explore the world. I wouldn't ever see a beach or feel the salt of sea water burn my eyes. I realize now that I was wrong. I was glad I was wrong.

Johnny's letter pops into my head and I sit up, taking it from the dashboard. Dally glaces to me. "What is that?" He questions curiously.

I rub my thumb over the writing on the front. I could feel where Johnny pressed the pen, the indention of the pen forever stamped into the envelope.

"Johnny...he wrote letters before...you know." I still couldn't say the word. I don't think Dally would've wanted me to anyway. "This is our letter," I explain.

Dally is quiet for a moment before he speaks up. "Read it to me?" He questions.

I nod my head and gently pull the letter out; slowly, I unfold it until I can dimly see Johnny's messy handwriting in the dark.

Dally and Angie,

I've rewritten this letter three times now, and I still can't capture everything I want to say. Words escape me as I sit here, pen in hand, knowing that by the time you read this from Rachel, I'll be gone. I used to talk about ending my life, but now that I'm at death's door, I would give anything for just a handful more years.

So please, live it for me.

Angela, you are the calm after the storm for Dallas. You bring him serenity, a beacon of hope in his chaotic world. Don't let him spiral into regret when I'm no longer here. Show him the beauty that still exists out there. Help him understand that he deserves happiness, even if he refuses to admit it.

I've never truly told you this, but you were more than a friend; you were a sister to me. I was conscious, the night you held me on the road. I was scared that I might not have a tomorrow. I remember that moment vividly, the fear of dying creeping over me. Your voice, soothing and sweet, reminded me of my mother in those brighter days before the alcohol consumed her spirit. When she was my mom.

And please, don't carry the weight of this as if it were your fault. I know you tend to take on blame, but you are not to blame for what happened to me. Nobody is, not even the Socs.

Dallas, you were my hero, and you remain one. You might think I'm reckless for being out at night after everything we've faced, and perhaps I am. We all make foolish choices at times. But you? I could never consider you a fool. You are, without doubt, the strongest and toughest person I have ever known.

Never let Angela slip away from you. You need her, even if you don't fully see it yet. She is a balm to your restless soul, keeping your sanity intact. I've witnessed the way you look at her; it's a gaze filled with love and understanding that you've never directed at anyone else. She is your person, just as you were mine, guarding you against the nightmares that invade your thoughts, much like you did for me.

I'll refrain from getting too mushy, so I'll simply wish you good luck on your next adventure. Know that I'll be there in every sunrise and sunset, cheering you on from afar.

-Johnny