"Darry, you're in charge of your brother's tonight while your father and I go out for supper." My Mom said sticking her head in my room.

When I look up I grin at my mom. She is in a stunning purple dress and has her hair done nicely. "Wow Mom, you look really nice." I get up and hug her and she gives me a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you, Darry. Now did you hear what I said?"

"Yes mom, watch Soda and Pony while you're out to supper."

She gives me a grin like Soda has. "Now, Supper is in the fridge so you don't have to worry about cooking. Soda is still grounded and Pony is also grounded for tonight because he brought home a B- so don't let either of them out. The boys can come over, just don't be rough AND No Parties" She kissed me on the cheek before leaving my room to say goodbye to my brothers.

I went back to my bed and opened my textbook before closing it again. It was a Friday night and I was studying? No way. I was going to crack open a beer and relax for a little while.

I headed into the living room to see my parents and Soda missing. Ponyboy, who is fourteen was spawned across the couch some book I haven't hear of in his hand.

"Mom and Dad are gone?"

"Yeah" He said right glumly without taking his eyes off the book.

"Where's Soda?"

"Dunno" He shrugs his shoulders and I sigh, I will deal with him later, Right now my oldest younger brother was MIA.

I check the kitchen first then the bathroom before deciding to check his room. As expected it was empty with the window open.

"Damn it Soda, can't you listen to someone for once in your life." I mumble to myself before running out the door, shouting a quick "You better stay here!" to Ponyboy.

"Running down the road, I see two figures in the dim streetlight laughing.

Soda and Steve Randal, his best friend.

When I finally caught up, Soda's face goes pale. "Hiya Darry."

"Sods what in the world are you doing out here!" I usually don't get angry but I was only in charge five minutes before he ran off.

"Mom said I could go out!"

I raise my eyebrow. So, that's the game he's going to play? "Oh yeah? So, that's why you climbed out your window?"

"I went through the front door! Ask Pony!"

"Why was your window open?"

"I was... Cold." He finished lamely.

Knowing I won I hummed. "You are going home and you are not going out of the house the rest of the night, mom's rules. Steve, you can come over if you want." I nodded at him.

"Yes, sure." he grinned punching a sour Soda in the arm. "We still need a rematch on the card game anyways since you cheated." He directed at Soda grabbing his head in a headlock. "Say, Uncle!" He screamed as Soda laughed.

"Enough you two, leave it for the house." I try and say sternly but end up cracking up laughing when Soda also flipped Steve. "Come on idiots, head to the house, I'm going to head towards the lot to see if Johnny's there, maybe he can get Pony out of his mood." I pushed them towards the way of the house. Before I could say Bye, both were racing to get to the house first.

At the lot, I found Johnny lying down on the bench with a newspaper over him.

"Come on Johnny, you're not staying here. Mom would have a fit if she knew." I lightly shake him and he jumps.

"Darry?" He yawns.

"It's me, come on kid. How come your sleeping at Seven PM?" He shrugs and I sigh taking his face. He has a brand-new bruise. 'Hopefully not a concussion too, I will get mom to check Johnny when she gets home' I mumble to myself and help him walk the short distance to my house.

Mickey Mouse is blasting thanks to Two-bit when Johnny and I get to the house, Steve and Soda are wrestling, and Pony is still nose deep in a book. "Hey Pony! Look who came to visit since you're grounded." I screamed over the noise and he gave a small grin.

Just then the door knocks and everyone goes quiet. No one ever knocks.

Signaling Two-bit to turn down the noise I go towards the door being the oldest. Peering out I see two police officers before answering the door.

"Hello, Officers?" I say more as a question.

"Hello is this the home of Mr. & Mrs. Curtis?"

"Yes, I am their Oldest Darrel Jr. Is there a problem officer?"

A grim look came across the other officer's face. "I'm afraid there has been an accident... Mr. & Mrs. Curtis did not survive."