In the novel "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, Ponyboy realizes that Johnny's life may actually be in danger after Bob's friends attack him and Johnny in the park. During the attack, one of Bob's friends holds Ponyboy's head under the water in the fountain until he nearly drowns. When Ponyboy finally comes up for air, he sees that Johnny has stabbed Bob with a switchblade. The attack leaves Johnny traumatized and convinced that the Socs will come after them for revenge. Later, when they are hiding out in an abandoned church, Johnny reads from the book "Gone with the Wind" and tells Ponyboy that he wants to turn himself in and face the consequences of his actions. Ponyboy realizes that Johnny is serious about turning himself in and that he is genuinely afraid for his life. This realization is what causes Ponyboy to understand the gravity of their situation and to begin to worry about what might happen to Johnny if they are caught by the police or attacked by the Socs.