Darry had been sitting at home, waiting for Pony and Soda to come back from the movies. He hadn't liked the idea of Pony going to the movies with Jane, but felt better about it when he found out Soda was going with them.
Suddenly Steve and Two-Bit burst through the door, breathless and red-faced.
"What's going on?" He asked them.
They both stopped and looked at him. He knew there was something wrong in that instant and he grabbed his jacket and ran out the door to the truck.
"Darry!" Steve called after him.
Two-Bit ran to Darry and stopped him from getting in the truck. He managed to persuade him to go back into the house and listen to them.
They explained everything that had happened and Darry was wrought with fear and worry for his kid brother.
"Where's Ponyboy?" He asked.
Steve and Two-Bit looked at each other.
"He wasn't there." Steve said.
Darry figured he must still be at the movies with Jane. He didnt like the idea of them being alone, but at that moment he was too worried about Soda to care about what they got up to.
Steve and Two-Bit managed to convince Darry to stay at the house and wait for Pony to come home and then go and see Soda in the morning.
As soon as Pony came home and Jane left, Darry told Pony everything. Once Pony was in bed, Darry left a note telling him to go to college and he would pick him up after, then he drove to the hospital and stayed there all night, just watching Soda sleep.
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Darry looked back up at Soda. "You were shot." He stated.
Soda was quiet for a moment, thinking about something.
"I don't remember it." Soda said.
"The doctor said you probably wouldn't."
"Who shot me?" Soda asked calmly. "Why?"
"We don't know." Darry shook his head again. "There were alot of people at Buck's, but no-one took any notice when the fight started. If anyone knows anything, they're keeping quiet."
Soda nodded. "Where's Ponyboy?"
"At college. I hope." Darry looked at his watch. "I have to go and pick him up soon."
"Was he mad that i left him at the drive-in?" Soda asked. "I was going to go back after a few minutes."
Darry looked at Soda as though he'd gone crazy, then smiled. "I don't think he could've been happier." He stood and picked up his jacket, then added, "I think he was more upset that i wouldn't let Him and Jane alone. I think he's been spending too much time with you."
Soda grinned, knowing what Darry meant. "I'm just helping to raise the kid."
Darry couldn't resist smiling at Soda. "You have enough trouble with girls, we don't need him being girl crazy too." Darry joked. "I'll be back later. The doctor said you have to stay here for a few days. Want me to bring you something?"
"Yeah," Soda's eyes glistened. "Niki."
Darry rolled his eyes. "I should have known." He shook his head, laughing and walked out of the room. He went to get Pony from school.
Soda lay in the hospital bed, bored out of his mind and finding it too painful to move. He inspected himself and found he had a bandage around his chest. He lifted it up as much as he could and saw he had stitches in his side, just below his right lung.
"A little higher and you would probably have died." A nurse came into the room. "Of course, a little lower and you could've died too." She stated.
"Guess it was a lucky shot, huh?" Soda commented.
The nurse regarded him cooly.
She checked all the equipment in the room and hooked up a new I.V, then left and Soda found himself alone again.
Soda woke to the sound of a door closing. He saw Niki walking towards him.
"Sorry." She said. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay." Soda smiled at her. "You took your time getting here."
"Sorry." Niki apologized again. "How are you feeling?"
"Bored." Soda stated.
Niki laughed. "Well, i just spoke to the doctor and he said you'll be able to go home in a few days."
Soda smiled again, but it wasn't his usual 'happy-go-lucky' smile, it was almost a fake smile.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Niki asked.
The door opened again and Pony ran into the room.