After Johnny's death and Dally's departure, Ponyboy wanders through the hospital's halls in a daze. Pony is in denial about Johnny's death, and keeps repeating that he isn't dead. He leaves the hospital and roams the streets until a stranger picks him up and drives him home.
Upon arriving home, Pony tells the rest of the gang about Johnny's death and everyone is silent. The phone rings, and the call is from Dally. He says that he has just robbed a grocery store and he needs someplace to hide out. The gang members agree to meet at the vacant lot.
They race to the lot to the accompaniment of sirens wailing in the streets. Everyone reaches the lot at the same time: Dally, the gang, and the police. As Dally stands in a circle of light under a street lamp, he pulls out his gun. Pony knows that it isn't loaded and he realizes that Dally knows that, but the police don't. Dally wants to die, and he gets his wish. He is gunned down as his gang watches, knowing that Dally always gets what he wants and this time Dally wants to be dead.
As these events are happening, Pony's condition is worsening. He can barely run to the lot and his vision is shifting in and out of focus. Ponyboy collapses at the lot, as his brothers and gang rush to help him.
The next thing Pony remembers is waking up at home. He doesn't remember being in the hospital or being unconscious for three days, but he does remember that both Johnny and Dally are dead. Darry tells him that he has been suffering from exhaustion, shock, and a minor concussion. The concussion came from the rumble when a Soc had kicked him in the head.
Gone with the Wind is lying on the table. Darry tells him that Johnny had instructed the nurse to give the book to Pony. All Pony can think about are the Southern gentlemen who were going off to certain death in the war — just like Dally. Pony vows never to finish the book.
Soda and Darry spend every moment by Pony's bedside. They are as exhausted as Pony. The future for all three is uncertain. Pony has missed a lot of school, he has missed track, and the threat of being placed in a boys' home is still a very real possibility.
