Hey guys, so I updated sooner, yay! Hope you like this next chapter and if so please review!

Pony's POV

I was sitting on my bed when I heard talking coming from outside my door. I got up and placed my ear against the door, straining to hear. It was Mrs. Damon.

"Hello Ms. Spencer….yes, Ponyboy seems very distant and he's not eating….it's not just that, he also collapsed early today and was struggling to breathe….are you sure?...yes, alright, if you're sure….oh my that's terrible! Of course, I won't tell him….thank you Ms. Spencer."

Mrs. Damon stopped talking and I heard her footsteps coming this way. I ran back to the bed and sat down. I didn't want her knowing that I was listening in.

The door opened and Mrs. Damon stuck her head in. She smiled sweetly and walked in.

"How are you feeling Ponyboy?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Fine."

"Do you want to come and get something to eat now?"

I shook my head. "Not hungry ma'am."

She came over and sat on the end of the bed, giving me a sympathetic look. She seemed to be struggling with something. Mrs. Damon reached over and placed a hand on my knee.

"Ponyboy, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but I think you need to know. Your brother, Sodapop is in the hospital," she said.

My eyes went wild. What! Soda was in the hospital? That couldn't be, that just couldn't be!

"I want to go see him," I told her.

Mrs. Damon shook her head. "I'm sorry Ponyboy, but Ms. Spencer didn't even want me to tell you because she knew it would get you worked up."

My breath came in hard gasps. This couldn't be happening! My life was falling apart before my eyes and there was nothing I could do to fix it.

"Why's he in the hospital?" I demanded.

"He got sick yesterday and last night, he claims that someone tried to smother him."

Tears welded in my eyes.

"Please, I need to see him. Please," I begged.

Mrs. Damon got up and left the room without a word. I lay back on the bed and curled myself into a ball, wiping away the tears that dribbled down my cheeks. Oh Soda! I was done with this. These people weren't going to keep me here anymore! I was leaving tonight and I was gonna go see my brother.

I waited till I could hear Mr. and Mrs. Damon's soft snores before I climbed out of my bed. I pulled on a pair of blue jeans, a white T-shirt and my sneakers. After I packed my suitcase I quietly opened my window and snuck out. The night air was cold and I shuddered.

I ran towards the road, hoping that someone would give me a ride. Three cars passed my by before I started walking. There was only one hospital in this area and I figured that's where Soda would be.

I had been walking for about an hour and I was really sleepy. My eyes kept threatening to fall shut, but I forced them to stay open. I heard the sound of a car slowing, but I didn't look up.

"Give ya a ride?"

I knew that voice. I jerked my head up and my eyes widened. A truck had come to a stop and the window was rolled down. And in the drivers seat was my brother!

"Darry!" I yelled.

"Ponyboy?" Darry sounded shocked and happy at the same time.

He threw his door open and jumped out, grabbing me up in his arm. He hugged me tight and I cried into his chest.

"Oh Pony, I missed you so much!" Darry cried.

I couldn't answer, I was too busy soaking his shirt with my tears. After a few minutes Darry pushed me an arms length away and looked into my face.

"Ponyboy, what are you doing out here?" he demanded.

"I-I was going to see Soda. They took me away from him Darry and know he's in the hospital!"

"Soda's in the hospital? Get in the truck, I'll straighten this out when we get there."

I climbed into the passengers' seat and wiped my face on the back of my arm. Everything would be alright now, I knew it would.

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! Thanks for the reviews and don't forget to R&R.