Ponyboy, a teenage boy, runs out of his home after a heated argument with his older brother, Darry, who hits him during the altercation. In haste, he stumbles into his new friend Johnny, who is also outside. As they walk and talk, they run into a group of affluent teenagers called Socs, including Bob Sheldon, who start to taunt and threaten them. During the tense standoff, Ponyboy is unexpectedly injured but is saved by his brother Darry and two other friends, Soda and Steve. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when Ponyboy is kidnapped by the Socs and left unconscious, with no memory of who he is or what happened to him.