(I don't own the Outsiders.)

Chapter 3

Dally's POV

One month ago…

I was walking down the hallway of the hospital toward the cafeteria. Corey was getting hungry so I decided to feed him before we went to visit Pony. I always wondered why Pony was always different from us. He always liked to read and was always smarter than anyone I've ever known.

We reached the cafeteria and got in line. Corey ate some chicken with macaroni and cheese. He sat eating getting cheese on his face. I chuckled. That's right, the feared Dallas Winston chuckled at a little kid. I used to hate kids, but since finding Corey, I changed. Something about him made me want to keep him.

"Dally," Corey poked my hand.

"Yes, Corey, what is it?"

"Will uncle Pony be okay?" He is so innocent. I give a smile and nod, "Yes, Corey he will."

"Will he disappear like mom?" His voice was quiet, but thanks to my hearing, I could hear the quiver in his voice. He's had someone taken from him that meant so much to him. He always liked Pony and wanted to visit him.

"He won't, not on my watch or Daryl's watch," I reached across and rubbed his head. "Don't you worry, Pony is a fighter, and he won't give up on you." I saw him have a smile on his face.

"Dally," A little voice came from the hallway, it was Pony. I saw him round the corner with tears in his eyes. I rolled my eyes.

"What?" I groaned, rolling over on the couch. I felt him nudge my shoulder and I growled, "WHAT!" I yelled, startling the boy. I was once again, let to sleep on the couch. My old man didn't know I was here, for once I was glad.

Except for the fact of the brat keeps crying.

"I had a nightmare," he cried. I roll my eyes. "Is Soda awake?"

"Soda staying at Steve's," He kept crying, "Fine, hop up."

I normally wouldn't do this, but he probably had another dream about his parents. He laid on my chest and we laid there for a bit until I could hear the steady breath. I carried him back to his bedroom and laid him down. He latched onto my shirt and I couldn't get him to let go. I let out a frustrated sigh and laid down on the bed.

"Corey," I say softly.

"What?" He asked around a mouthful of chicken.

"Do you want to go see Pony?" I ask. I say the bright smile on his face and he finished his last bite of macaroni and cheese and jumped off his seat. "YAY!" He jumped up and down, causing several others in the cafeteria to giggle or glare. I gave an apologetic smile and grabbed Corey's hand and led him out of the cafeteria.

"Darry," I looked down at him. "Can we go to the gift shop before we visit?" I nodded.

We rode the elevator to the gift shop and let Corey pick out the gift. We left the gift shop with a white teddy bear in Corey's arm with it holding a heart saying, "Get Well Soon."

(Sorry for the late update I'm having issues and I had a problem with another story I'm working on. Please review!)