8

Ashton Keagan

We were on the way to the hospital. Darry was driving erratically, running a couple stop signs on the way. None of us cared. We were way too nervous to worry about traffic controls.

The news had arrived ten minutes ago. Darry had barreled out the door, yelling for Soda and I to hurry up. He didn't even wait for the car doors to close before he took off. I could understand. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard it. Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally caught in a fire? How badly were they hurt? Would they survive? Looking over at Soda's face, I could see the same thoughts were running through his head. Noticing my eyes on him, he smiled slightly, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. I smiled back, keeping my hand in his. "It's gonna be alright, Soda, you'll see."

He nodded, trying to convince himself that it was true. It was a struggle. I wasn't even sure if I believed it.

We must've arrived at the hospital in record time. Soda didn't even wait for Darry to stop the car before he threw the door open and ran out. Darry and I were right behind him. Bursting through the hospital's glass doors, we looked around. Where would they be? Soda's eyes lit up as he pointed at a door hanging open on our left. WAITING ROOM. Running through the door, the first thing I saw was Ponyboy. Soda threw his arms around him immediately, swinging him in a circle. I smiled, letting them have their moment. Turning around, I was shocked to see tears running down Darry's face.

"Ponyboy…" His voice came out husky. Pony stated at Darry, apparently dazed. The brawny man turned away, crying silently.

"Darry!" Ponyboy yelled, wrapping his arms around Darry. "I'm sorry…"

"I thought we'd lost you…" Darry whispered. Soda walked over, joining his brothers in an embrace. Pony turned, seeing me.

"Hey, Ash." He spread an arm wide, grinning through his tears. I felt my own eyes starting to water as I hugged him.

"It's good to see you, Ponyboy."

The four of us sat in the waiting room, waiting for news. Reporters and police showed up, wanting to talk to the three brothers. By the third interview, I could tell that Pony and Darry were getting bored and annoyed. Soda was running around, mimicking reporters and fooling around in front of the cameras. Once he tried to lift a policeman's gun, grinning when he got caught. That made the officer grin too.

After they all left, the hospital quieted down. I was curled up on my chair, struggling to keep my eyes open. Soda was half asleep, lying across five chairs. Darry grinned half-heartedly at me. "It's getting late. I'm going to ask the doctor about Dally and Johnny."

"Okay." I watched as he tried to convince the doctor to tell us about the boys' conditions.

Finally, they told us Dally would be fine after a few days in the hospital. I sighed in relief upon hearing this. He had one badly burned arm, but would still be able to use it.

Johnny, on the other hand, was in critical condition. I teared up when I heard the doctor say that. I didn't want to lose my friend. He was like a brother to me. Johnny was in severe shock, the doctor continued. There were third degree burns all over his body, and his back was broken. "Even if he lived, he'd be crippled for the rest of his life."

"No…" I whispered. "Oh, Johnny…" He couldn't die! What were we supposed to do if he was gone? Looking at the brothers beside me, I could see they were thinking the same thing I was. What now?

We headed back to the Curtis house, tired and dejected. Pony had to be carried back into the house by Darry. I collapsed onto the couch, falling asleep immediately.