It was already past twelve a.m. and Darry couldn't take it anymore. "That's it I'm gonna go look for Pony." he said as he reached for his jacket. Remembering he wasn't wearing one when he left Darry got another jacket for his baby brother. "Soda stay here incase he comes back. I'm gonna go look for Pony." "You sure about this Darry? It's not that late." Soda said to the eldest Curtis brother. "Soda it's 12:30 a.m., it's freezing out and Ponyboy's still not back yet. I can't wait anymore!" responded Darry as he walked out the door. "Ok, ok, but are you sure ya don't want me to come with ya?" "Yeah I'm sure. If he comes home before me make sure he stays home." "You got it Darry." Soda said as they finished their front porch conversation.

Darry could see how dark it was and worried about not being able to find Ponyboy.

'Oh for crying out just went to the movies with Dally and Johnny. I don't see why he's out so late, especially since it's gotten cold out. Of all time for him to forget his jacket he should have at least came back to get one earlier when it got chilly. Man for a smart kid he doesn't use his head...

Oh man, I hope he's alright. Darry thought as he was looking for Pony.

As he was passing the DX station a blue mustang passed by. Darry noticed the mustang, filled with soc's, was coming to a stop. When it did three soc's walked out towards Darry with twisted smiles. "Hey there greaser need a haircut? We'll wash your hair while we're at it."

Darry rolled his eyes at the leader looking soc. He had blond hair while the other two behind him had brownish hair and one of them was curly. As the small group of soc's approached him he started cracking his knuckles getting ready for anything. Before they even approached Darry he could smell the alcohol all over them. He knew he didn't have time to deal with a bunch of drunks he needed to find his baby brother.

As the leader lurched forward to Darry, slightly swaying, Darry slugged him, not needing too much force. 'These guys are drunk off their rockers' thought Darry as he tackled the other two with an old football move he used in high school.

"Bob let's get out of here!" the curly-haired soc cried as they all jumped in their car and drove off.

Ok, now Darry really needed to find Pony before he runs into trouble just like he did. He was searching the DX area, the back allies, the park and other various places until he found Ponyboy with Johnny at the lot, both sleeping close to a fading little campfire.

Darry rolled his eyes at how careless Pony was but sighed in relief that he was fine. A cold breeze flew by and Darry decided to have Johnny come back to.

"Ponyboy, Johnny come on guys wake up we gotta get to the house." Darry said trying to shake the boys awake.

Johnny woke up a few seconds after but Pony wasn't even close as he mumbled "Aww dad please just five more minutes?" in a sleepy voice. Darry was stunned at what he said. Johnny couldn't understand what just happened for a few second and before he could say anything Darry wrapped Ponyboy in the jacket he brought for him, picked him up and started carrying him home, after Darry and Johnny put out the rest of the fire out, Johnny got up and followed him.

"Hey Darry, what time is it?"

"Way pass midnight. Man it's freezing out here."

"Oh. Sorry Dar we were just talking and we just fell asleep I guess. Sorry if we worried ya."

"Yeah well come on let's get to the house its gettin colder."

As Johnny was watching Darry carry his best buddy in his arms he knew what Ponyboy said was wrong. Darry did care about him, seeing Ponyboy get carried by Darry after probably looking all over for him. "Dang kid doesn't use his head." He just had a hard time showing it.