Darry looked ready to cry as Pony fled through the door.

"Pony, I didn't mean to!" Darry yelled after him, his usual cold mask slipping away. His strong voice tore through the darkness, desperate to mend what he had broken. The only reply was the patter of frantic footsteps fading away. Pony was gone. Darry stood stunned in the doorway as the silence washed over him. Pony was really gone. Gone, because he had hit him. Hit him. He had slapped his defenseless younger brother. The younger brother he was supposed to raise and protect. Soda's firm voice jolted him back to the present.

"How could you?" He demanded softly. It wasn't a question, but an accusation. Darry turned to face his sibling. A betrayed expression was clearly written on his face.

"I didn't mean to," he repeated helplessly. Soda stared at him for another moment before abruptly tearing his gaze away and walking out, leaving Darry alone in the darkness.