"Why don't you guys take him back to the doctors?" Two-Bit asked.
"Well it's not like anything has changed. He's still freezing and feeling sick. The sleepwalking thing though was just really freaky," Soda commented. Soda had joined Steve, Two-Bit, and Dally for a drive around town. They had nothing planned, but were looking for some fun and distraction. Johnny had stayed back to give Ponyboy some company.
"So he put his clothes in a bathtub full of water and then stood outside?" Dally asked.
"Yeah, Darry found him standing out there yesterday morning," Soda said rubbing his eyes, "I didn't sleep at all, because I wanted to catch him in case he slept walk again. I have no idea what he could have been dreaming about that caused it."
"It doesn't have to be something he dreamt about," Two-Bit said, "It just happens. My little sister slept walk once, but what she did had nothing to do with what she remembered dreaming about."
"Okay, but the tub thing is still really weird," Soda said, "Darry's right okay? Water does not just change that fast. He tried giving Pony a bath last night and I stuck my hand in and as soon as Pony stepped in the heat just went away. It scared me so bad. I swear he is always blue or purple or pale now."
"Can't the doctors put him in the hospital or something?" Steve asked.
"Yeah, they've got to have something to help with body heat," Two-Bit added in.
Soda shrugged, "Darry wants to give it time and see if anything changes."
"Alright, let's go to the dingo. Enough of this talk, we came out for fun, so let's do it," Dally said.
Back at the house, Johnny and Pony sat in the living room watching TV. Darry was upstairs making phone call after phone call to try and figure out something new to do. What they were doing now wasn't enough. Pony and Johnny could hear him talking to the family doctor, getting advice from a nurse at the hospital, and even family members.
"Here you go," Johnny said handing Ponyboy a cup of hot chocolate.
"Thanks," Pony said attempting to let his hands soak in the heat, but it felt as though his body was rejecting the heat. He began sipping his hot chocolate slowly. Expecting a slight burn on the tip of his tongue, Pony was shocked to find it tasting closer to chocolate milk. "God this is driving me nuts," he exclaimed setting his cup down and rubbing at his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Johnny asked.
"The hot chocolate doesn't even taste hot. It's like my body is rejecting any source of heat," Pony said pulling the blankets tighter around him.
"That is crazy. It's so hot in this house, I don't understand why you're so cold," Johnny said.
"Darry keeps turning up the heat slightly to try to help, but no matter what we do I stay cold."
"I can tell, your face looks so white and purple," Johnny said concerned for his best friend.
"I feel bad," Pony admitted, "He's wasting money to turn up the heat."
"It's for good reason though," Johnny assured him.
The four boys arrived back late. The house was dark and quiet and they walked in slowly. Johnny was in the armchair fast asleep, but no sign of Ponyboy. "Maybe he went to sleep in his bed," Soda said.
"I'll check the kitchen and backyard just in case he slept walk again," Two-Bit said. Dally followed Two-Bit into the kitchen while Steve went upstairs with Soda.
Two-Bit flicked on the kitchen lights while Dally opened the backdoor. "He ain't there," Dally said.
Soda and Steve didn't see Pony in his bed. "Oh no," Soda said.
"Don't freak yet, check Darry's room," Steve said. They made their way down the hall and peered in Darry's room. "What the hell," Steve exclaimed.
"What? What's going on?" Soda asked moving Steve aside. The boys stopped and stared into Darry's room. Darry was asleep, but Pony was standing right next to Darry's bed looking down at him. He was just staring at his older brother in a t-shirt and boxers.
"Guys, he ain't down there," Two-Bit said. He made his way next to Steve and Soda with Dally.
"What the hell is he doing?" Dally whispered as he got a better look. Soda rushed into the bedroom and grabbed Pony.
"Pony? Are you okay? Do you need something?" Soda asked. There was no response. Fear rose in Soda and the rest of the gang. "Pony? Come on snap out of it. What's wrong?"
Darry stirred in bed and slowly sat up as he saw everyone at the doorway, "What's going on?"
"We found Pony standing and staring down at you," Steve responded. Darry looked over at Soda trying to wake Pony up.
"We think he was sleepwalking again," Two-Bit said.
Darry took Soda's spot and shook his little brother, "Wake up Ponyboy. Come on buddy wake up."
Soda rubbed his hands together, "God he is cold."
"How?" Dally asked, "I'm almost sweating in this house."
"Pony, come on wake up Pony," Darry said rubbing his little brothers arms. Before anyone could make another move, Pony jerked forward and vomited on the floor just missing Darry.
"Oh god..." Two-Bit said. Pony was looking at the pile of puke on the floor, then looked up at Darry.
"What..." Pony said near tears, "What happened...Did I do that?"
"It's okay," Darry said, "Soda go get something to clean this up." Darry lifted his little brother and carried him to the bathroom. "Are you going to get sick anymore?"
Pony shook his head, "I don't think so." Soda walked back into Darry's bedroom and got on his knees to clean the mess. Steve and Dally walked in the bedroom as Two-Bit joined Darry in the bathroom.
"God what is going on with him?" Steve asked trying to keep himself calm.
Soda sighed, "I have no idea, but I'm scared."
Steve nodded and slowly admitted, "Me too."