Dally walked into Buck's bar. He couldn't find Tim anywhere so Buck's car was his next best thing. Not a lot of time was on the gang's side either, who knows where Steve was or if he had already found Soda. With time racing, Dally got to the bar quickly and got Buck's attention. "What's going on?" Buck asked noticing Dally's impatience.

"I need your car man, it's an emergency," Dally said in a serious tone. He sounded threatening too so that Buck would realize this wasn't any bullshit reason either.

Buck gave him a look, but didn't bother arguing over it, "When will I have it back?"

"Probably tonight. The gang just needs it to find Soda before Steve does," Dally said taking the keys. He turned and headed outside.

"That poor kid," Buck commented following Dally outside, "Randle needs to lay off and leave the kid alone you know? This is going too far. By now Randle's just going for attention."

"I know. Steve does need to lay off and I'm sure Darry will make that clear to him tonight," Dally replied. He got in Buck's car and quickly left the parking lot to get the boys at the park.

Steve didn't have any more patience. He quit his own little search and parked by the Curtis house. It felt a little off to be around the house, but Steve kept the eerie feeling behind him and hurried in the house. A figure on the couch jumped at the slamming of the door. Johnny was sitting on the couch and he look frightened at the sight of Steve in the doorway.

"Where's Soda?" Steve demanded.

Johnny shakily stood up and tried backing away slowly. He didn't know what Steve's intentions were. Was he going to beat Johnny up until he spilled something? Was he going to raid the Curtis house before the guys go back?

"Do you know where he is at all? Any idea?" Steve asked raising his voice with each word. Johnny shook his head. Steve stared Johnny down for a moment before reaching in his pocket. He pulled out his gun and made sure Johnny saw it nice and clear. Johnny's eyes went wide. "I wasn't here. Got it?" Johnny nodded not taking his eyes off the gun. "Good. Keep it quiet." Steve turned and left the house. Johnny stayed in his exact position until he heard the car start and drive off.

After Dally picked up the boys from the park, everyone kept their eyes peeled on the road. There was no sign of Soda anywhere. Pony was near tears. Two-Bit tried comforting him in the back seat as much as he could. Darry looked like he could break the car door down and cause destruction all around town just to find Soda. "I swear to god…" Darry said, his voice cracking as if he was about to cry, "If Steve got to Soda…if Steve put a hand on Soda…"

"Darry don't think like that," Two-Bit said.

"But we haven't seen Steve's car anywhere!" Pony yelled, "What if he got Soda and went somewhere nowhere could find him!"

Two-Bit rubbed Pony's shoulders, "Shh, Pony calm down."

"No! Has anyone else noticed that Steve's car is suddenly nowhere in sight! He was looking for Soda, we know that! We saw him at the park! What if he got Soda and is gone! What if he made sure no one could find Soda ever again!" Two-Bit pulled Pony into his chest and Pony broke down at that moment. "This can't be happening," Pony bawled into Two-Bit's shirt, "We can't let Steve get him…he can't get Soda, he can't damnit!"

Two-Bit rubbed Pony's back affectionately, "He is not going to get Soda. Over my dead body. We will find Soda we will."

"Let's try the house," Darry offered, "Before I completely lose it, let's see if he went home. Pony has lost it, I'm about to lose it, so let's go home to check. Please go to the house now."

Dally nodded and turned the car back to the Curtis house. Pony cried in Two-Bit's chest the whole ride back. Darry peered back every now and then and Two-Bit could see how heartbroken Darry was from the night. Once they arrived, everyone hurried into the house. Darry was ahead of everyone. Two-Bit held onto Pony and lead him into the house.

"I need to see Soda," Pony cried against Two-Bit, "I need to see if he's alright." Two-Bit held Pony tight as they walked in with Dally behind them. Darry was looking at the floor shaking his head. Johnny was sitting on the couch looking scared and upset. "No…" Pony begged, "Please tell me he's here." Suddenly Ponyboy bolted for the bathroom and everyone heard him getting sick.

Darry went into the bathroom and tried soothing his younger brother. "Oh god Darry, I can't do this. I need Soda here," Pony cried leaning against the toilet.

Darry pulled Pony into a hug, "I know Ponyboy, I know. I'm going to go back out, but you are going to stay here and rest."

"No, please."

"Pony, look at you. You are exhausted to the point of collapsing, yet you are jittery to the point of making yourself sick. You need to stay here and rest. I will find Soda tonight no matter what. I am not coming home until he's here and safe. I promise," Darry said. The two brothers exited the bathroom. Pony slowly walked upstairs.

"Johnny, can you please go upstairs and just relax in bed with Pony. He's shook up and I want him to stay here and rest," Darry said. Johnny nodded and followed Pony to the bedroom.

Darry looked at Two-Bit and Dally, "I'm going back out searching."

"I'm coming," Two-Bit said.

"I don't know," Darry sighed, "I kind of want someone else to stay here with Johnny and Pony."

"I'll stay," Dally offered, "You guys go and I'll keep an eye on the two. Here are Buck's keys."

"Thanks Dal," Darry said taking the keys, "Let's go Two-Bit. Soda is still out there, I know he is. And we need to get to him before Steve does."