Chapter 6

Darry ran up to the information counter at the hospital, with Pony and the others trailing behind.

"Sodapop Curtis and Steve Randle", he said and the nurse looked at him.

"Friends or family?"

"Family."

"All of you?"

"Yes", Darry spat. "Now where are they?"

"They are in surgery."

"Is there any doctor we can talk to?"

"What's going on here", a doctor said as he walked up to them.

"They are here about the two boys being brought in earlier", the nurse said.

"Right follow me then", the doctor said.

"How are they doc", Darry asked. He held and arm around Pony's shoulder.

"Really bad, poor kids. They are both in surgery."

"What can you tell us about their injuries?"

"One of the boys has a broken arm", the doctor said. "We had to do surgery to save it. The other one is in a worse state. Both have been badly abused and might end up in comas."

Darry felt Pony stiffen at his side.

"I'm sorry but you must wait here for now", the doctor said and motioned on some chairs. "I'll come back to you when they are out of surgery."

"Darry do you think they are okay?" Pony asked.

"Yeah", Darry said kindly. "Steve and Soda are too tuff to let this stop them."

"When I get my hands on those socs", Dallas muttered.

"We should call a rumble", Two-Bit said and cracked his knuckles.

"I can get everything in order", Tim said and rose. "I must head home and tell Curly and the others."

"Bye Tim", the others said.


The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes was that he was in a bright room and that he hurt all over. He also felt that he was gripping something with his left hand. He turned his head a little and saw that he was holding on to the wrist of his best friend and that his friend did the same. Soda smiled a little at that. Steve lied on the bed beside him and he was really pale. He had bandage covering his eyes and some bandages on his chest, arms and all his cuts had been cleaned. Even though he looked much better, Steve still looked like shit. Soda guessed he also looked like that. His right arm was in a cast and his chest was covered in bandages. The door opened and a doctor came in.

"Oh you're awake", he said kindly. "How do you feel son?"

"Like someone ran me over with a truck…" Soda barely recognized his own voice. It was hoarse and not really strong.

"I bet you do. You'll have to stay here for some weeks though. Your injuries are serve, we almost lost you."

"What about my buddy?"

"He's gonna be okay."

"Soda…" they turned to Steve and saw this starting to shift around.

"I'm here Stevie", Soda said and squeezed his friend's wrist.

"Why can't I see?"

"Son your eyes has been badly damaged", the doctor said.

"Who's that", Steve asked alarmed.

"It's a doc Stevie, we're safe now, we're at the hospital."

"Don't call me Stevie Soda…"

"Steve your eyes are bandaged over", the doctor continued. "They will stay so for three months."

"Then I'll be able to see again?"

"We're not sure son, they were badly damage. There is a possibility that you will turn blind."

"No", Steve said firmly. "I won't."

"Son…"

"Didn't you hear me I won't."

Soda smiled at his friend's determination.

"How long have you been holding my wrist Soda", Steve then asked.

"I don't know", Soda answered softly. "I woke up like this."

The doctor chuckled. "As soon you both were out of surgery you started to grip after each other. We had to move your beds closr together so you could grip each others' wrists. Do you have some secret pact or something?"

"Or something", Soda said and grinned. "Are our family here?"

"Yeah they've been here all night. Do you want me to go and get them?"

"Yeah…"

"Yeah", Steve said. "I'll even be glad to hear the kid's voice again."

Soda chuckled.


"Excuse me sir", Darry woke up when someone shook his shoulder.

"What", he asked sleepily and lookedd up at the face of the same doctor from before.

"Your brother is awake and wants to see you."

"Where are they?" Darry rose and when he did Pony and Johnny woke. Both of them had been leaning on his shoulders. Dally and Two-Bit was asleep at the floor with their back against the wall.

"What's going on Darry?" Pony asked.

"Soda and Steve wants to meet us." Everyone was on their feet at once.

"Are you all family", the doctor asked.

"Yes", they answered in unison.

"Right follow me."


"Man this is annoying", Steve muttered. "I can't see what I'm doing!"

Soda chuckled. "What are you trying to do?"

"Scratch my knee and check out what is eating into my side."

"It's a pencil", Soda said and smiled. "I guess a doctor forgot it there."

"You think this is funny?"

"No", Soda said and he meant it. "Just know that no matter what happens I and the gang will be here for ya."

"I know I know… Soda…"

"Yeah buddy?"

"What if I turn blind?"

"You won't."

"But what if?"

"You won't Steve you said so yourself."

"But say if I did do you know what will bug me the most?"

"No."

"I won't see your face again."

Soda was chocked at that. "What?"

"How can I know that you're there if I can't see you?"

Soda squeezed his wrist again. "We promised remember."

"Yeah…"

Then the door opened.

"Hi guys", Soda said.

"Soda", Pony exclaimed and ran over to him and hugged him.

"Ow kid I'm still hurt", Soda said and carefully used his right arm to hug him back. He was afraid at how Steve would react if he let go of his wrist.

"Hey little man", Darry said and sat down at the foot of the bed and put a hand on Soda's ancle. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better now when I can see you all."

"Yeah it's nice to see you too", Two-Bit said and smiled. "Though you look like shit."

Steve humphed from his bed, trying hard not to laugh.

"Hey Steve", Johnny said and walked over to him.

"Hi Johnny… At least I think it is Johnny", Steve answered and everyone in the gang turned to him.

"What's with the bandaged eyes man", Two-Bit asked carefully.

"They messed up his eyes pretty bad Two-Bit", Soda explained darkly.

"But you'll be okay", Pony asked with concern, that chocked Steve but he didn't show it.

"Don't know kid", he said and shrugged. "Ow… that hurt."

"What do you mean don't know", Dallas asked. "Come on man you're safe now."

"The doctor said he might turn blind", Soda said and everyone first stared at him and then Steve.

"Your shitting me", Dallas said. "Soda please say you're shitting me!"

"He's not", Steve said coldly. "I might turn blind."

"Why I oughtta", Two-Bit growled and was about to walk away when Steve caught his hand. Soda stared at him, but he guessed Steve felt Two-Bit move from his place beside his bed.

"You oughtta nothing", he said grimly. "We won't sink to those crazy bastards' level."

"Why the hell not", Dallas asked. "Look what they've done to you and Soda!"

Steve tilted his head to the side. "I can't Darry. I just have to trust you on your word."

"Aw man shit I'm sorry."

"That's okay", Steve said and yawn. "Man I'm tired."

"Must be the meds", Soda spoke up. "I feel kind of woozy."

"Maybe you two should rest", Darry said and softly patted Soda's knee. He then leant over and gave Steve's shoulder a gentle squeez. "Glad your both with us man."

"Thanks Darry", Steve mumbled sleepy. "Soda…"

"Yeah Stevie?"

"Be here when I wake up 'kay and don't call me Stevie."

Soda chuckled. "I will be man." Both of them drifted to sleep and Darry motioned for the others to get out.


"What was that last thing about", Dallas asked.

"Guess it something they started with while in hostage", Johnny said softly.

"You'll guys think Steve will turn blind", Two-Bit asked and they all looked at each other.

"No", Pony spoke up after a few minutes of silence. "He won't."

"How can you be so sure", Dallas said and leaned against the wall.

"It just wouldn't be fair…"

"Life isn't fair kid."

"Don't you think I know that Dall?"

"Hey", Darry said and looked first at Dallas and then Ponyboy. "Don't listen to him Pony. He is just worried."

"I'm not!", Dallas objected. "Now that I know those knuckleheads are safe I can just go back to do what I've been doing so far." After he said it he left.

"He's just worried", Darry said and put an arm around Pony's shoulders. "But you're right Pony, Steve won't be blind."

"He will be", a voice said behind them and they turned to see a doctor standing there.

"What", Two-Bit said.

"He'll go blind. I've seen his x-rays and checked his test results. I'm sorry your friend will become blind."

"Your buddy told them he just might be", Two-Bit yelled. "Why the hell do you say different?"

"Because I'm the doctor who performed his surgery." The doctor left.

"Hey", Two-Bit yelled after him. "You don't know anything!"

"Two-Bit", Darry warned.

"He must be wrong!"

Darry shook his head slightly.

"Well you know Steve", Johnny said in an attempt to cheer them up. "Steve never does what doctors tell him."

Darry smiled and ruffled the kid's hair.

"You're right Johnny… He never does."

Uh Oh... What's gonna happen now? Will Steve really turn blind?