AN: Ok, I had only one review, that's my excuse for only 604 words, next time review. )

Also thanks to Twilight Temptress (See got your name right this time) for being my beta.


Darry sat alone at home, his mind only on Ponyboy. The kid just wasn't cut out for jail. Darry's head turned to the hole in the wall that he'd punched once the fuzz had left. Soda had been crying in his room for the past two days and Darry just didn't have the energy or brain function to go and talk to him. The oldest greaser had only just stopped crying a few hours ago.

Something fell through the mail slot on the door and fell lazily to the floor. Darry stood up and walked slowly over to the door, bending down to pick up the pristine envelope. He turned it over in his hands, Ponyboy's neat, yet boyish script was written across the envelope.

"Hey, Soda." he said with a heavy voice. Darrel walked back to his favored chair and sank into it, the letter still firmly clutched in his hands. Soda came out of his room, tear stains on his clothes and face and it broke Darry's heart to see Sodapop like this.

"Yeah?" he said, even his voice was broken.

Darry held out the letter and told him to open it, which he did. There were two pieces of paper, one a list and the other the actual letter.

Soda and Darry,

Don't worry about me so much, I'm fine. It's really cool here. There are older guys that look tuffer than Dallas and I never thought that that was possible. Dally got put into solitary confinement cause he wailed on some guy who was trying to put the moved on Johnny, I never realized how protective he is over Johnny.

I got a different showering schedule than the other two, and it's a little weird, showering in front of guys like that, but I get along fine, so don't worry.

I know you two are. Worrying, I mean. You've got to stop; all I gotta do is tell the truth, right?

We're allowed to get some stuff from our families so I put a list of stuff that Johnny and I want and I'd really love it if you would send it. There's not much to do around here, and I'd rather have a book than sleep.

Johnny asked me to ask you if you'd tell his parents. I don't know why he cares about them so much, but he asked me to and I can't say no to him.

Anyways, I gotta go, time for the gym. Don't forget, I love you guys.

Ponyboy Michael Curtis.

Darry took the letter from his brother and watched as tears began to fall out of his eyes. Soda went back into his room and shut the door. Darry knew he was going to cry again. He also knew that he himself was going to cry, again. Darry promised himself that if he ever got mad at Ponyboy ever again he would just tell Pony that it was enough and that he didn't want to argue. All Darry wanted was the best for the kid.

Darry felt the piece of paper cut through him and he clutched it to his chest and cried as hard as he could. All he wanted was Ponyboy back; he couldn't lose another family member.