Okay I'm super sorry for taking so long but I wasn't doing very well in school and I had to fix that up. I'm doing better now so I hope to update a lot quicker. I'm also sorry if there's spelling mistakes. I hope you like this chapter. Please review and let me know how you like it.

I don't own the Outsiders :)

Curly's POV

I woke up in a cold sweat. I had a nightmare but I didn't remember what it was about. I snuggled deeper into Tim's arm. I really didn't expect him to stay the whole night. I looked at him for a second. He looked younger, less stressed. I managed to sit up with the help of the headboard. Tim stirred slightly and looked at me.

"You shouldn't be getting out of bed." He told me with a small smirk.

"When have I ever listened to the rules?" I laughed weakly. He grinned and gave me a soft swat. Nausea hit me like a hammer and I suddenly felt the need to puke.

I climbed out of bed and with Tim's help and made it to the bathroom just in time. Tim sat behind me, lightly rubbing my back. I leaned back into Tim's arms and moaned.

He lifted me and carried me out of the bathroom and into the soft hospital bed.

Tim handed me a couple painkillers and I plopped them into my mouth.

"I'll be right back." Tim said and walked out of the room. Immediately thoughts of abandonment came into my head. I moaned as the painkillers pulled me into restless nightmares.

Tim's POV

I stepped out of Curly's room and took a breath. The doctor said that he may have mental problems but I was really trying not to think about it.

He seemed like normal but he got this scared look when I was leaving that made me not really want to leave.

I was in no position to handle this. I was the big bad hood of Tulsa, not a soft fuzzy brother. Maybe I used to be but I'm not anymore.

I stalked down the hall and peeked into each room. I dunno what I was looking for I guess I was trying to forget the look Curly gave me before I left.

I peeked into one room and laughed at what I saw. Dallas and Johnny where laying in a bed together. Johnny was gripping Dal's shirt like it was a knife. I could faintly see tears streaming down his face. I sighed and continued down the hall.

I definitely wasn't prepared for this.

Finally after I walked through the entire hospital and smoked half a pack of smokes, I headed back to my brother's room.

He was fast asleep on the bed with his blankets thrown to the ground. I sighed and watched the sun go up. I wouldn't say it was beautiful but it was tuff. I leaned back and sighed.

I was going soft. Imagine a tough hood like me looking at a sunset. That's the kind of thing the Pony kid did. What's next?

Ponyboy's POV

I was so glad I was wrapped in Soda's arms. I had missed the feeling of him beside me. I had been so lonely back at home. I turned and looked at him closely for the first time. He had big bruises and burns on his face. I slid from his grip and snuck out of the room. I went into the waiting room and checked the news.

"Kidnapped kids found! Kids who were kidnapped 2 weeks ago were found in a burning building. We are waiting to get the details so stay tuned!" The announcer said.

I sat back and tried to relax. I just couldn't get the idea that the man had escaped. He was still out there and from what Johnny told me he wanted to kill all the Greasers.

I shook my head to get all the thoughts away. I daydreamed too much. I stood up and went down to Johnny's room and peeked inside. Johnny's eyes were glinting in the moonlight. He was looking out the window, deep in thought.

I noticed Dally sleeping beside him like Soda does for me. I smiled and knocked lightly on the door. Johnny flinched and looked at me with wide eyes. He sighed and I walked in quietly.

"Sorry." I said. He shook his head.

"No it's okay. Just a little nervous."

"How've ya been?" I asked.

"Okay I guess. I've had a hard time falling asleep." Johnny told me.

"Hurt anywhere?"

"Nah not really. Not as bad as last time." I knew what he was talking about. I was glad it wasn't as bad as last time. We sat in a comfortable silence for a while, just listening to each other breathing.

"Do you think he'll come back?" Johnny asked suddenly.

"I dunno." I told him. He sighed.

"That's what everyone tells me."

Soda's POV

I woke up in a cold sweat, panting hard. It was the worst nightmare I have ever had and I can't remember it! I sat up carefully and looked around.

That's when I noticed Pony was gone. I started to panic. What if that guy came and took him? What if he ran away again? What if he got hurt and couldn't get help?

I sat up and my ribs flared. I ignored it and started pacing the room. Darry walked in a few minutes later, effectively startling me. I backed against the wall and moaned.

He just walked over and lifted me off the cold floor and onto the bed.

"What are you doing out of bed little buddy?" He asked.

"Pony's gone." I whimpered.

"He's just visiting Johnny. It's okay. How do you feel?"

"Okay." He raised his eyebrows. I was never good at lying.

"My ribs hurt." I mumbled. Darry laughed.

We talked for a while until Dally came in, requesting his clothes.

"Say please." I teased.

Dallas glared and pulled his clothes out of the duffel bag. He started out of the doorway but turned around and stuck his tongue out at me.

I laughed and reached for the bag myself so I could look through it. I opened each of Pony's books and found the one book he'd been reading after the first incident. 'Gone With the Wind.'

"Alright. I gotta go deliver these clothes to the others. You'll be fine on your own?" Darry asked.

"Ya Dar, I'm not 5." I told him with a light punch to the shoulder. Once he left I opened the book and flipped through the pages.

Once I flipped through the book 5 times I flipped to a random page and found part where the southern boys ride into sure death underlined. I read the entire paragraph and couldn't figure out why Pony had underlined it. I flipped through and was surprised to find a letter taped to the back. It read:

'The doctor came in a while ago but I knew anyway. I keep getting tireder and tireder. Listen, I don't mind dying now. It's worth it. It's worth saving those kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for. Some of their parents came by to thank me and I know it was worth it. Tell Dally it's worth it. I'm just going to miss you guys. I've been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's gold. Keep that way, it's a good way to be. I want you to tell Dally to look at one. He'll probably think you're crazy, but ask for me. I don't think he's ever really seen a sunset. And don't be so bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows. Your buddy, Johnny.'

Tears streamed down my face. He really thought he was going to die. I wiped my eyes and put the book back.

Was that okay? I really hope it was okay. Did Johnny's letter fit? I hope it did. Again, I'm super sorry for taking so long. I'm going to start the chapter right after I post this :) Please review and if I get any facts wrong please let me know nicely. Also if you have any ideas, please let me know! Thank you for reading!