Long Answer:
In The World: Ponyboy and Johnny are ambushed by a group of Socs. Because Ponyboy is without a weapon, he quickly is beat down in the fight; when he awakens from his unconscious state, he discovers that Johnny has killed one of the Socs. With the help of Dally, Ponyboy and Johnny make their escape, hopping on a train to Windrixville and hiding out in an abandoned church. Ponyboy claims about this journey: "This is the country, I thought half asleep. My dream's come true and I'm in the country."
This is ultimately ironic because Ponyboy's fantasy about living in the country always involved him living a more peaceful life; now that he has finally ended up in the country, he is there as a result of extreme disruption and to hide from the police. The environment is right, and the circumstances are all wrong.