Chapter 11

Needle in a Haystack

XXX

"What do you mean he was on that flight?" Soda asked barely audible. Everyone else just looked at me, waiting for an explanation. I didn't have much to offer.

"Ashely said he was coming here to surprise you for your birthday, and that was the flight he was on." My head just kept spinning in circles around what was happening.

Silence filled the room as the TV continued to show muted pictures of the crash scene. Steve's words about no one surviving if they were in that mess came back to me. It couldn't be true. The phone rang again and I grabbed it, praying it was Ponyboy on the other end. It wasn't.

"Darry...it's Patty again. The crew is en route to pick up Soda... we've been activated. Tell him I'll see him at the scene. Gotta go... Bye!"

She hung up before I could get a word in edge wise.

"Soda, get your stuff, the rig will be here soon to pick you up. You've been activated."

"I can't go! I have to stay here and help..."

"...Soda! Stop and think! I need you to go there and look for him. Patty said she'll meet you there. The scene will be off limits to everyone but emergency people so we can't go. You can! It's up to you to go there and look for him. I need you to do this...he needs you!"

His eyes pleaded with me but reality also hit him. He grabbed his gear and nodded just as the rig showed up. He looked at me again then went out the door without another word.

Steve was on the phone when I turned around. "Hey Dan? Yeah...It's Steve....Randle. I need a favor.....yeah, I know I already owe you but this is important. Where's that crash at? ... Think you can fly there? I need to be your extra set of eyes.... To search for survivors, that's why!...... Because a friend of mine was on that plane and he hasn't been found yet....... Great! I'll be there in thirty!"

He hung up the phone and turned to us. "I'll be in the air searching with one of the pilots. The plane went down just west of the Tulsa Country Club...in the Harlow Creek area. It ain't that far away. I got to go, skids go up in half an hour whether I'm in the bird or not." He was grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

"Steve!" I called. He turned to look at me, pausing with his hand still on the doorknob. "Good luck!"

"We'll find him, Darry. Forget about what I said earlier. We'll find him. What are you gonna do?"

"Hospitals. Two-Bit and I will check out the hospitals. Meet y'all back here when y'all get done. Go on now, don't miss the helicopter!"

Steve jumped in his car and roared out onto the street.

XXXX

The crash scene was roped off by police and everyone had to show their badge to get close. The smell of burned trees and grassy fields mixed with jet fuel and the unmistakable stench of human death drifted over the whole area. It was eerily reminiscent of war, but this was practically in my own backyard! It was maybe ten miles walking distance from my own doorstep. And Ponyboy was in this somewhere?

"Simmons and Jones, grab your gear and go North. Baxter and Curtis, head East. Adams and Walsh, West. Radio if you find anything, other wise I want a radio check every twenty minutes!" The scene boss barked our orders and sent us off into the woods.

Nightfall was less than two hours away and we were gonna lose light quickly. Plus the temperature was already falling, making me worry about hypothermia. I was doing everything I could to remember what I had learned in class about shock and core body temps, praying to anyone up there still watching over us to help me find him before it got too late. I guess I was so worked up in my thoughts that I had forgotten Patty was struggling to keep up with me.

"Soda...geez hon, slow down! I'm all for getting the job done too, but this is ridiculous! What's wrong? Why are you going so fast?"

I heard her call to me as I plowed further into the woods, desperate to find a trail of any sort. I forgot, she didn't know. I stopped and turned to her, despite the coolness of the air she had sweat on her forehead from her efforts to keep up with me.

"Patty...my brother was on this flight. We didn't know until just after you called. My kid brother was coming down here to spend time with us, and now we cant locate him. He might be out here somewhere, hurt. If he's out here, I have to find him." I said as I took her bag from her shoulder and slung it along with mine on my back. I started to continue my trek into the woods but she she grabbed my hand.

"Your brother? The one in Montana?" She asked with open eyes.

"Yeah, he was coming home to surprise me for my birthday. What a hell of a surprise!" I quipped, moving on with her by my side.

"We'll find him. Don't worry." Her voice was more determined than ever and her pace matched mine now as we both eagerly searched the grounds for any trace of human existence.

In 'Nam, I had to search the ground for trip wires and booby traps. I used the same skills to look for blood trails or disturbed earth where someone would have walked on the leaves. The longer I looked the more discouraged I became. There was nothing. Fallen debris and charred metal, but no people. At least nothing in this area. We searched for two hours until we were forced back in by the scene boss.

"No, damn it...I can't go. Not yet...!" I said after she did the last radio check. Her arms went around me.

"Soda, he's not here. We've searched at least 3 miles of area around the perimeter without a trace of anyone passing through here. This isn't helping. Maybe he's been located at the hospital. Come on. It's too dark to see anything. We can't risk getting lost out here." She pulled me into the direction of the base camp and I couldn't help it. I stopped and looked out into the dark woods and called out to him.

"Ponyboy!" I shouted. His name echoed in the stillness of the land around me. There was no answer.

"Soda, come on." Patty urged and eventually I followed her out.

XXX

Dan had the rotors going on the launch pad as I showed up. I jumped in and looked at him. "I owe you for this!" I screamed over the roar of the blades. He tapped his helmet and I put on my own headset. "I owe you !" I repeated. He smiled and gave me the thumbs up.

"Randle, one day I'm gonna make you pay up!" I felt the sudden uplift as we left the ground. I knew Dan by now, he loved doing this as much as I needed it done. The excitement for him was the kick.

"Don't bull shit me, man...you already had plans to go, didn't you?" I asked.

He smiled. "I can always use another set of eyes in the sky. Now, who exactly are we looking for?"

"Remember my Medic buddy that got shot? Well, it's his kid brother. He's came down on that flight to spend my friends birthday with him."

"That's one hell of an unlucky family you're buddies with!"

"You don't know the half of it!" I called back. The static on the headset was unnerving.

"You realize he may not have made it out?" Dan looked at me skeptically.

"Yeah, but this kid's special. He's got nine lives at least. Worse than a cat. He's gotta be out there." I started scanning the area as we came close to the crash site.

"Aww, man....!" I said without meaning to. My heart sank. It looked worse from up here. A rut carved into the ground went at least a quarter mile back from where the still smoldering main body of the plane came to rest, twisted in the dirt. Most of the bodies had already been removed from the ground around the plane but lots of wreckage remained.

"I hope that kid had at least one life left in him." Dan remarked as he turned the bird to the perimeter of the woods. He flew around the scene in ever enlarging circles. We did manage to spot some survivors around the farthest section of the plane....the tail section, which gave me hope. Dan radioed it in and we hovered well above the people until rescue people arrived then we'd keep going. Once night fell, we had no choice but to return to the airport. I hated the feeling growing in my gut... that the kid was gone. I took one last look at the burned hulk of twisted metal behind us and gave a silent prayer that Ponyboy somehow managed to survive this. It'd be a miracle, but I prayed for it anyway.

XXX

Two-Bit and I started off at Tulsa General Hospital, searching the many lists of the wounded crash victims.

"I'll look through this one, you take that one." Two-Bit said as we were handed the list of the known deceased first. He basically ripped it out of my hands, not even letting me see the first name on the paper. I didn't argue as I searched the survivor's list for those who had been brought in. Pony's name wasn't on either set and I handed the papers back to the information lady. Then Two-Bit started wandering around the lobby, randomly asking people if they had seen Ponyboy, showing his picture to anyone who cared to look. No one recognized him. He had already made one lap around the capacity crowd in the waiting room when I heard my name being called from the far end of the emergency room.

Patients with minor wounds were perched on gurneys placed out along the lobby walls, and there on one of them was Shelly. Her arms were bandaged and her face covered with soot and ash, and she reeked of the smell of spilled jet fuel. But her eyes shined as she looked at me and I couldn't help but be relieved she was alright. Or at least looked it. I pushed the hair from her face and kissed her. "Are ya hurt bad?" I asked.

"I'll survive. I'm about as sore as I can be though. I'm glad you came." She held my hand. I wasn't exactly sure how to tell her I wasn't here for her, but I was glad she made it okay. It gave me hope that Pony was here somewhere too.

By her side on the same gurney was a small sleeping child, his clothes singed but no other marks on him from what I could see. "Who's this?" I asked, nodding at the boy.

"Just a boy. I think his name's Tommy. One of the other passengers grabbed him and tossed him to me just as the fireball engulfed the plane. He was a real hero. I don't know what happened to the rest of the family, but that guy saved this little one's life. Now he cries when anyone tries to take him from me."

"The rest of the family didn't make it?" My heart fell. This kid didn't seem older than five years old, much too young to be an orphan.

"I don't think so. The guy who tossed him to me was struggling with the mother and her daughter when I was headed out. There wasn't anyone behind me when I looked around after getting out of the doorway. Just a fireball engulfing the plane."

"Damn." I patted the kid on his head. Yet another boy left to live without his mother. "How about the father?"

"I don't think the father was on board. That guy who saved him had a chance to get out but chose to save the boy instead and tried to save the whole family. I don't think he was their father, he sat in a different set of seats, although he did go over to them to entertain the kids when they started being fussy. He drew pictures for them with their crayons. Finally they zonked out and he went back to his own seat."

I just stared at her and looked at Two-Bit. I couldn't force the words to come out. He read my mind and asked for me.

"This guy...is this him?" He pulled out the now bent and creased picture of Ponyboy and she studied it hard.

I held my breath and clenched my hands around the metal on the gurney.

"Yeah! That's him. How'd you get his picture?" She sounded shocked.

I couldn't answer, trying hard to not fall apart. I clenched every muscle I had to not start screaming or whaling about. I could see my youngest brother trying to be a hero...trying to save some kid from burning up. He'd done it before and apparently had tried to do it again, this time with disastrous results. It was ironic that he ran from conflict created by people but not from impersonal danger.... and now it had caught up with him. Oh God...I hope he didn't suffer. I felt my legs shaking and Two-Bit had me under my arms, plopping me in a chair left vacant next to Shelly.

"Oh, God no, Keith!" I cried in a halfway silent tearless sob.

"Who was he?" Shelly asked, her bandaged arms going around me.

"Darry, stop! He may have gotten out and she just didn't see him. Come on, Darry!" Two-Bit implored.

"He was my youngest brother!" I whispered, unable to utter any more.

XXX

Darry collapsing was unexpected. In all the years I'd known him and his brothers...through all the tragedies they've endured, I've never seen him like this. Even when Pony disappeared it didn't seem this bad. That or I had forgotten.

I looked around for anyone in a medical uniform and finally found some kid handing out cups of ice.

"Hey...come here!" I called to him. The kid looked terrified of me, not moving, so I gave one last look at Darry and went to the kid.

"Where'd they take the bodies for identification?" I asked. The kid paled, not speaking.

"Look, you little shit." I whispered in a voice only he heard. "You better get control over your mouth and start talking. Where'd they take the dead that they can't identify or no one's claimed yet?"

"I don't know....I ….I really don't know. Bu... bu.. but I'll get you someone who does." And with that the little pipsqueak was gone through the doors. I shook my head figuring I'd probably be in jail tonight if I didn't beat it out of there, but no way was I gonna leave Darry like this...thinking Pony's become one of the 'was' members of his family instead of the 'is'.

Surprisingly, the pipsqueak came back out with someone who looked like they knew what was going on. They made it over to me and the man shook my hand as the 'squeak ran off. He took me to a room off to the side to talk.

"I understand you're looking for someone that was on the plane and may have died?" He asked...or rather stated. I wasn't sure.

"Yeah. A close family friend. Real close. He may not have made it, but I need to know. One way or the other. I need to know where the bodies went that haven't been identified... so I can get the identification over with."

"The bodies have been sent to a central makeshift morgue at the medical college downtown. But, before you go down there, you may want to check out Mercy General Hospital first for your friend. I've seen it too many times where mistakes in identification happen. If he is dead, he ain't going anywhere. Good luck to you. I hope he's okay."

"Thanks." I mumbled as I left the room. I went back to Darry who had managed to pull it together...or perhaps it was the sweet thing hanging on his arm that he was being strong for. Whatever the case, he seemed at least able to get to the car under his own power.

"Come on, Darry. We're going to the other hospital before I accept this."

"Call me later, Darry!" The woman called to him as we left.

The roads were congested as I maneuvered my way across town. Darry sat in silence. I struggled to find a way to cheer him up.

"Got you a lady, there...Darry? Who'd have guessed."

"Leave it alone, Two-Bit." Darry said icily.

I let it be for a while then went serious again. Humor obviously wasn't in the cards for tonight. "Don't believe it, Darry. Not yet." I tried to get through to him, but I wasn't even sure if he heard me. Finally as we pulled into Mercy's busy parking lot, he cleared his throat.

"I have to find him, Two-Bit. Alive or dead. I can't go on not knowing where Ponyboy is anymore. He spent two years away and gets killed coming home? What kind of messed up shit is that?"

I pulled the keys from the ignition and turned to him. "Were gonna find him, just like we did before. Probably in better shape than the rest of us. Come on." I opened the door and got out. "Lets go look for him here then we'll go back to your place.... see if anyone else had any luck." Night was falling and I knew the rest of the group should be headed back to Darry's soon. Hopefully they'd have the youngest Curtis in tow if we didn't find him.

We walked into this emergency room to face yet a repeat of what we had just experienced. People lined up everywhere, the injured on gurneys, sitting in chairs and some sitting indian style on the floor. The registration clerk looked harried. Darry was going on reserve... but at least he was still going.

"'Scuse me. I'm looking for a friend who was on the plane. Ponyboy Curtis?"

She scanned her papers but shook her head. I lowered my voice, hating the thought of having to go to the morgue next. Before I could ask, Darry had his own question.

"Has anyone reported missing their son missing....a little boy, brown hair about five years old, named Tommy?"

The lady went through the papers again, this time her finger stopping mid way down the page. "We have a lady looking for her son, believed to have been killed in the accident. She's in the back now." The lady said.

"I need to see her." Darry said. What he was up to baffled me, but I wasn't about to ask either. I liked my jaw being in one piece.

"Room 18 B, up the hallway." The lady pointed the way and we were off, dodging our way through the crowded isles of people.

He knocked on the door and someone from the other side allowed him to enter. I followed for the curiosity factor.

"Yes?" Asked a woman in her late twenties, her eyes red and face puffy from crying. She held onto a little girl who sat there hugging her mother tightly.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I understand your son is missing?" Darry asked as gently as he could. You'd never think he was the leader of a band of greasy misfits with his tone and manners. Mrs. Curtis would be proud.

Her face tightened up at tears sprang forth. All she could do was nod as she pulled her daughter closer.

"Was he being entertained for a while by this guy?" Darry pulled out the bent picture of Ponyboy from his pocket. "Did this guy draw pictures for your son... before the plane went down?"

"Yes." Her voice wavered and her hands shook as she took the picture from Darry a moment, getting a better look at Ponyboy then returned it to Darry as she wrapped her arms around the small girl at her side.

"Did he get you and your daughter to safety?" Darry asked again, sounding more and more like one of those TV show court prosecutors, albeit still being gentle about it.

"He's a hero." Her voice faltered. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost them both. At least I still have Susan."

It dawned on me then.

"Ma'am, I think I saw your son at Tulsa General Hospital. Tommy...right? He's with the flight stewardess Michelle McDaniels, and he didn't seem hurt to me."

"You saw my son?" New tears sprang up as she jumped off the gurney and grabbed Darry by the arms.

"Yes...I think I did. But...what happened to the guy that rescued you? He's my brother, I can't locate him."

"Tommy's alive? I have to go to him...!"

"Please, ma'am...just...what about my brother?"

She looked at Darry and shook her head. "He got me and Susie out of the plane. I was too dazed to figure out how he did what he did. One second I was in that inferno unable to move, the next minute I was laying in the grass looking at the sky. I sort of remember him carrying me on his shoulder....probably where all this blood came from on my shirt. I'm not sure, but I know I'm not hurt. I...I have to go...I have to get to Tommy. When you find him...tell him thank you for me. Come on, Susie darlin..." She scooped up the little girl and headed outside.

Darry ran his fingers over his face and through his hair, finally looking at me.

"Well, at least I know he's alive. He ain't in the hospital or morgue. Where is he?"

"Don't know, man. But as long as he's on this side of the dirt, we'll find him. Let's go home and see if the others had any luck." He and I went out into the dark parking lot lit up only by the street lamps and began to make the long ride home. I hope we get answers before tomorrow becomes today.

CLR