Hey people, here is the next chapter. Thanks for the reviews, please read and review this chapter.

Pony sat shaken and seemingly unhurt as nausea overcame him.

"I'm all right Darrel," Sara's quiet voice rang out. "Pony, honey, answer mama."

"Head hurts Mama," came the panicked cry.

"Shh. Calm down. A re you hurt anywhere? I can't get to you, I think my ribs are broke."

"Just my head. I want out," he cried.

"Pony, listen to Mama now. The other driver will prolly be here soon, then we'll all get out," she soothed her terrified child. They waited, but no one came.

"Sara, no one knows where we are, the car is too far off the road. I can't go for help," he lowered his voice. "My leg is crushed. Sweetheart, I'm hurt bad."

Ponyboy whimpered from the back seat.

"I'm gonna take a nap," he told them.

"No, Ponyboy, stay awake for me. Pony?"

The boy was quiet.

"Dammit answer me Ponyboy Michael."

"I'm awake. Mama, what's gonna happen to us? Daddy, I'm scared."

"Don't be afraid. There is nothing to be scared of. This is just a little adventure to get through."

Sara noticed how weak her husbands' voice sounded. When the man started coughing up blood, they realized that help might come too late for him.

"Sara, we need to keep Pony awake. He's to quiet," Darrel murmured to the unnerved woman beside him. Glancing at the boy in question she saw he was drowsy.

"Ponyboy, you need to wake up for me," Sara told him.

"Can't Mama."

"Yes you can. We'll play a game to help. I'll start a story, then you or your Dad can take over."

So sitting in the car, they told stories, waiting on help that never came.

"Mama, I can go for help," Pony told her.

"You are not going anywhere young man," she replied.

"Sara, he might be our only chance."

"No Darrel, he's hurt," she said firmly.

"Give him my jacket. Pony, try to make it to the road son."

"He's not going anywhere Darrel," Sara bit out. She got no response, the hand that had been holding hers tightly only a moment before was now limp. He was gone. S he silently prayed for God to help them.

"Pony, I love you."

"I love you. Mama, I can go for help now," he saw her eyes close. "Don't go to sleep," Pony clung to her hand as he passed out despite Sara calling his name.

When Ponyboy came to he was still clutching his Mom's hand, only now it was cold instead of warm. Pony's only thought was to get help before his parents woke up, because in his shocked, dazed mind they were only sleeping. He climbed out of the window. It had been several hours since the wreck and he didn't have a clue where they were or where to go, so he started up the ditch aware that every step was painful and it now hurt to breathe.

Darry and Soda were worried because their parents and brother should have been home hours ago. Soda was sitting on the porch staring down the road, wishing they would pull into the driveway. Darry had called Jenny and she said they prolly stopped to rest since Pony was still sick.

"Darry, where are they?"

"I don't know little buddy. I don't know. I'm gonna run down to the store and get some juice and soup for Pony."

"All right. I'll be back soon."

Pony kept passing out from his injuries. It was still raining and he was freezing cold, but kept putting one foot in front of the other toward the road. It had been slow going climbing from the ditch. Once up, he started walking along the deserted highway looking for help. After walking a long time, Pony saw lights heading toward him. He flagged it down before falling to his knees. It was a police car. The cop had one passenger in the back seat.

"What the?" the officer muttered when he saw the kid in the road, then fall. He pulled over.

"What the hell is he doing way out here all alone?" the man in the back said.

"You know him?"

"Yeah, it's the baby Curtis boy."

"Okay, I'm gonna let you out, you go talk to him while I call for help."

Tim Shepard nodded and got out.

The greaser knelt by Pony and called his name gruffly, he looked up.

"Pony, why are you here alone?"

"Wreck. Mama and Daddy went to sleep."

"On no, are you hurt"

They stood up then Ponyboy passed out. Tim caught him before he fell. When the ambulance arrived, the boy refused to let go of Shepard's hand so he went to the hospital with him. Before they left the driver pulled him aside.

"Parents didn't make it. The kid is lucky he made it out alive. Do you know who we should contact?"

"Yeah, I'll call them at the hospital."

"Let's go, he's really hurtin and that trek in the rain didn't help him."

Dr. Nick Fuller was waiting at the ER of Tulsa General hospital. When the ambulances pulled in, he was ready.

"What have we got?" Nick asked. Dr. Oliver answered him.

"Single car accident. Two dead at the scene. The patient is a 12-year-old boy. Apparently he walked to get help. Hopefully no internal injuries. Dr. Fuller, you're in charge, let's move people."

Seconds later Pony was wheeled in, Tim right beside him.

"What are his vital signs?" Dr. Fuller asked.

"BP: One-ten over seventy-five, heart rate 73 and it's dropping a little," he nodded and looked at the young patient. His face was bloody and bruising. "He has cuts and abrasions to the face, neck and arms. A deep gash on his forehead. Seems sightly disoriented, hasn't spoken since we picked him up."

"The mother and Father didn't survive. Any other family to be notified?" Dr. Oliver asked his staff.

"His name is Ponyboy Curtis. Guy that came in with us is calling the family now," the driver said.

"All right. Let's get X-rays while we wait on next of kin."

Tim was getting ready to make a phone call he wished like hell he didn't have to. Taking a deep breath he dialed the phone.

On the drive home, Darry thought about leaving for college. He would miss Soda and Pony more than anyone. The three boys were a lot closer than most brothers. The minute he pulled up at the house, Darry knew something was terribly wrong. Two-Bit had been watching for him, because when he saw the car the greaser ran down the steps. Darry noticed his parents weren't back yet and had a bad feeling inside.

Two-Bit paused to catch his breath before speaking. "Shepard is on the phone. He wants to talk to you. Soda is almost hysterical. We can't get him to quit crying enough for us to understand what's wrong."

The two men ran into the house. Dally had taken the phone.

"Tim," Dally spoke sharply. "Darry's here now."

When the blond greaser handed him the phone, Darry was scared to death. He looked around for Sodapop, but didn't see him or Steve. He had to be calm.

"Tim, what it is? What's wrong?" he knew something was up because Shepard didn't call just to talk.

"There was a wreck. Your family . . . " he stopped. The words hit Darry like a ton of bricks. He wanted to cry, but he needed to be strong for Soda.

"How are they Tim?" that got Dally and Two-Bit's attention.

"You need to come to the hospital."

"Tell me what you know," he urged.

The other man sighed. "Your parents didn't make it."

"Pony, what about Pony?"

"I don't know, looks like he's hurt pretty bad. He's bein treated. I can stay with him until you get here."

"We'll leave now. Thanks," Darry hung up. He had to find Soda and get to Pony.

"Darry?" Johnny spoke up.

"There was an accident. Mama and Dad didn't survive. Pony's hurt."

"Oh God," Two-Bit cried.

Darry charged to Soda's room, his heart breaking.

"Soda, It's Darry."

Steve opened the door.

"Sodapop," he repeated. The boy rushed into his arms, hanging on in a death grip. He was crying and trembling, but all Darry could do was hold him close.

"Pepsi-Cola, we need to go to the hospital." He told him.

"It's bad ain't it?"

"Yeah it is. Mom and Dad are gone. Tim is with Pony, but we need to go now," Soda nodded.

The six boys rushed to the car and sped toward the hospital. Darry still didn't know what was going on besides they'd lost both parents and his baby brother was in danger. He hadn't gotten much information from Tim. It was still raining and the wipers broke the awful silence in the car. Questions tore at Darry. What the hell happened? How bad was Ponyboy hurt? Had his parents suffered? Guilt ran through him, he was the oldest, he should have been there to protect the youngest of them.

Once Ponyboy was in a room, Tim insisted on staying with him. He was running a fever and going in and out of awareness. The doctors weren't sure if it was because of the head wound or the trauma of the accident. Dr. Fuller opened the door to the waiting room, where he could see a group of boys sitting around. He cleared his throat and they jumped up.

"Mr. Curtis?" he asked.

"I'm Darry," the tall, dark-haired young man told him. "This is my brother Sodapop."

"I'm Dr. Fuller. I'm in charge of your brother's care."

"How's he doing?" Darry asked anxiously.

"He's a very lucky little boy," Dr. Fuller went on to describe the injuries.

"He has a concussion, bruised ribs, numerous bruises and lacerations. Somehow he managed to walk almost a quarter of a mile from the wreck. All in all his prognosis looks good. He has developed a fever and we will need to monitor him for a few days."

"Dam it," Darry bit out.

"He will make it, right?" Soda asked.

"I wish I could say yes, but there are always concerns with head injuries. We just have to wait and see."

"No, no, oh God, no!" Soda whimpered falling into a chair.

"Can we see him?" Darry wanted to know.

"Of course. In light of what has happened the nurses feel it would be a good idea if someone is with him all the time. I tend to agree, so one person will be permitted to stay with your brother at night."

"Thank you. Come on little buddy," the two walked slowly behind Dr. Fuller.

Tim left when they came in. Darry gazed down at the small form of his baby brother lying in the bed. He felt sick inside. Pony's head was wrapped up and there were bruises on his face. Soda let out a moan and held the still hand. Darry stood on the far side of the bed and held the other one.

"You can talk to him," a nurse said. "We don't know if he can hear you or not, but it can't hurt anything," she smiled at them.

Darry ran a trembling finger down Ponyboy's cheek. Soda gripped his hand.

"Ponyboy?" he whispered. "Baby, can you hear me? It's Darry, Soda's here with me and we won't leave you alone," he swallowed hard when the boy lay motionless and silent. Memories ran through Darry's mind. Teaching Pony how to ride his bike, teaching him how to throw a football. The times he ran to Darry when he was scared. Now he was unconscious, hurt and there wasn't a dam thing he could do about it.

"Soda, you try. He might respond to you," Darry told the shattered teen. "Go on," he encouraged rubbing Pony's small hand.

"Little Colt," Soda murmured quietly in a voice that was heavy with emotions he tried to hide. "Can you hear me? Don't leave us. Darry and me need ya," he laced their fingers. "We love ya Ponyboy."

Darry caught the nurse's look.

"Mr. Curtis, have you decided who will stay with the patient tonight?"

"He has a name," Soda snapped.

"Soda," Darry spoke in a warning tone.

"Sorry," he grumbled

"No, I'm sorry of course he does."

"I'm gonna stay. Soda, you go home," Darry said.

"I want to be here," he protested.

"I'll call you if there is any change. Come on, I'll walk you to the lobby."

"You hang on baby. Darry, the gang, and me are waiting for you to wake up," he kissed his forehead.

Darry wrapped an arm around Soda's shoulders as they entered the waiting room.

"How is he?" Johnny asked when they came in. Darry stood with his hands in his pockets as he explained Pony's injuries.

"Why hasn't he woken up yet?" Dally asked.

"They don't know. It could be several things. They just don't know."

"Why can't I stay?" Soda wanted to know.

"I want you home sleeping," staring at their friends he went on. "You guys stay at the house with him. He doesn't need to be alone tonight."

They nodded and left.

Tim showed up and told Darry what he knew. The cop had decided to let the greaser go since he helped with the accident victims.

"Did Pony say anything when you found him," Darry inquired.

:Not much. Just before he passed out, he said your parents were asleep."

"I'm gonna get back to him. Thanks."

"No problem. I hope he's okay. I'm sorry about your parents."

Darry waved and went back to Pony's room.

Once he sat down and held Pony's hand, his tired mind thought about Soda and hoped he would be okay. Both boys were so worried about Pony, they hadn't thought much about their Mom and Dad. The doctor came in and told Darry there was no reason the boy wouldn't wake up. After talking to Soda, he settled down by the bed. After a while, he started talking.

"Hey Little Colt, It's Darry. Please wake up. It's bad enough that we lost Mama and Dad. I don't know what Soda and me will do if we lose you to. Pony, you have to come back to us, you have so much to do and see. Your whole life ahead of you. We need you," he didn't feel the tears that burned his eyes and ran down his cheeks, as he silently pleaded with God to spare his baby brother. In the wee hours of the morning, Darry fell asleep with one arm across Pony, his head resting on the mattress.