Some people find the beauty in all of this
I go straight to the dark side of the abyss
If it's bad
Is it always my fault?
Did somebody bring me down?
Did somebody bring me down?
Did somebody bring me down?

*One Foot Wrong" - P!nk

Two-Bit shrank back, "Damn... Are you serious?"

Steve sighed, "I'm dead-" He flinched at the use of the word, "I'm absolutely serious."

Two-Bit turned to look at the crying boy and his brother. This was crushing them. Soda stroked his brother's hair. Two-Bit felt the sadness coming off them. It was bad enough they lost tgeir parents. Now, after two friends, their oldest brother dies? Fate truly is cruel to them. Soda had his arms wrapped around Pony, resting his chin on his head. The older brother directed his gaze at the redhead.

"Take Ponyboy home," Soda asked softly. Two-Bit raised his eyebrows. He blinked, looking shocked. There was fear present, too.

"Without you? What are you going to do?" He asked, hoping he wasn't planning on something idiotic.

Without hesitation he answered, "I'm going to talk to the doctor. Steve, can you run down to our street and pick up Darry's truck? I saw it parked a few blocks down from our house. Get it before it's stolen, please?"

Steve nodded with a sad sigh. He turned to look at the remaining members of his friends once again before exiting out of the door. Two-Bit watched him walk out, feeling like he should leave too. He looked at Pony expectantly, nodding towards the doors. Pony shook his head and pulled away from Soda. He frowned.

"I'm not going. I'm staying with you. Either we all go or all stay," He remarked stubbornly, though not without reason. He was afraid that if upon leaving his last brother he would lose him too. Soda knew that but he thought it was best to send him home to rest. If he talked to the doctor, Soda knew he wouldn't be able to stop himself from crying. That was not something he wanted to make his brother watch. He had to be the strong one now.

"Pony, please don't make this more difficult then it has to be. Just go home, okay?" He begged his brother.

"No!" He barked back, starting to scowl. Soda turned to Two-Bit, "Take him to the car. And stay there."

Two-Bit came forward and nudged Pony out of the seat. He securely put an arm around him and grabbed the fabric of his other arm. He walked the lead-footed teen out of the hospital.

Soda sat like a stone for a few minutes. It was like the world stopped turning. He sat with his head in his hands, rubbing over his nose. He shivered, standing back up. He walked over to the receptionist.

He tapped the top of the desk, making her look up at him, "Hello? How may I help you?"

Soda swallowed nervously. His heart fluttered in his chest, "May I speak to the doctor about my brother?"

"Who is your brother?" The receptionist asked him. Her green eyes that were guarded by thick black eyelashes blinked in his direction.

More like 'Who was your brother.' Soda sighed, "Darrel Curtis. He was brought in a bit ago."

She looked through a few stacks of paper beside her. Her petite little smile faded when she remembered the name, "Sir, I believe I already told your friend. I'm sorry about your brother," The stacks of papers were placed back to her side.

Soda tapped his worn-out Converse on the ground, "I know. I know. It's just, may I speak to the doctor about his death? I want to know about what caused his death," He sighed with sorrow in his voice.

The lady looked back at the report paper, "Of course you may. The doctor who attended him was Dr Maines. He assessed him after he was brought in by the EMTs. He is off duty in," She glanced at the clock, "about two minutes. I'm sure he will talk to you."

Dr Maines stood behind his office desk, aligning pencils beside his desk planner. His short blond hair was smoothed carefully back. Short cut sideburns outlined his jaw. Soda sat in a cushioned red-coated wood chair. His breathing was rapid, his back straight, but his head was tilted down.

"So, it was caused by falling?"

The doctor nodded his head, "Yes. It seems to be the logical cause for the haemorrhage. I cannot be completely certain that was what caused it, only the coroner's report will tell that. However, the symptoms and reaction match it."

Soda kicked his feet, "But I thought haemorrhages just bled a lot."

Dr Maines once more nodded his head, "Generally they are, but inter-cranial haemorrhages occur within the skull and are ultimately always fatal if not treated immediately. Since they can go unnoticed and sometimes seem nothing more than a concussion, no one thinks to go seek help. The pressure of the blood as it builds up on the brain can suppress oxygen intake. This can kill sections off. Death is the result. They don't feel anything, they lose consciousness before they die."

Soda wasn't sure if that made him feel any better about the whole ordeal or not, "Thank you for your time. I needed to know."

They both shook hands and solemnly parted ways.

Soda walked out of the room. The hallways surrounding him were bleak and lonely. He sniffled and lifted up his arm to wipe his own tears away. He walked out to the waiting area, looking at the large doors. He suppressed his crying, swallowing back the emotion as he walked outside into the cool evening air.

He had to be strong when he returned to Pony. He had to be Darry now.

It's short. Again. I know. Sorry. I figured I couldn't wait any longer to publish it. I've kept you guys waiting for too long. Please don't forget to review this. Without feedback I don't have encouragement to write anymore of the story. Remember, a few words for a review is better than no review.

There is about three more chapters to go.