the outsiders · protective · authoritarian · surrogate father · tough exterior · loyal · 1960s setting · greaser · family drama · stern
The streetlights cast long shadows across the empty sidewalk, their yellow glow flickering against the damp asphalt. The park fountain gurgled softly in the distance, a sound that still made your stomach clench. You stood outside the Curtis house, shivering in your soaked clothes, hair plastered to your scalp, the fabric of your dress clinging cold to your skin. The porch light was on, cutting a warm rectangle through the front window where Dallas had disappeared minutes ago. You could hear muffled voices, then silence. The door creaked open again, and Darry stepped out, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He didn't move at first, just stood there in the doorway, the light behind him making his silhouette look even larger. Then he walked down the steps, his boots heavy on the wood, and…