The next morning, Darry was making breakfast while Ponyboy was in the living room watching TV. He didn't exactly sleep the best on the couch, but he at least felt at ease about knowing Steve not being able to just sneak out. Steve was so exhausted though, Darry didn't think he actually had to worry about that. Soda and Steve were still fast asleep upstairs. Pony was slightly confused as to what was going on lately. He knew something had been happening between Steve and his dad, but Pony wasn't sure what exactly. He thought he had an idea just based off of the experiences with Johnny and his home, but everyone seemed to be treating it differently. Even if he asked, Ponyboy knew Darry would tell him he's too young, but he wanted to know.
The smell of breakfast was becoming stronger, so Ponyboy made his way into the kitchen and sat at the table. He knew if he wanted to try to talk to Darry, he'd have to do it in private.
"Hungry?" Darry asked.
"Yeah, probably smart for me to get some before the horses come eat," Pony smirked.
Darry chuckled, "Better be quick too. As soon as they smell the pancakes, they'll be down here."
Darry put a pile of pancakes on the table. He took a seat as him and Ponyboy served themselves.
"Darry?" Pony asked as he watched his older brother pour syrup on his pancakes.
"What?" Darry asked.
"I know you're going to say I'm too young and don't worry about it, but I saw Steve last night just like everyone else. I've heard the comments and Soda is freaking out," Pony explained, "What's going on with Steve?"
Darry sighed, "I knew you'd ask soon. There's just some problems at home. Something is going on with Mr. Randle."
"What do you mean?"
"I think he's having some problems with himself, and he's taking it out on Steve. Steve's kind of getting the brunt of Mr. Randle's anger or whatever he's dealing with. He's abusing him and I think he may be trying to brainwash him," Darry explained.
"Brainwash? How?" Pony asked. That was a new term to Pony. He had read about it in books and seen it in movies, but in an abusive way was a new thing for Pony to put together. He just couldn't picture Steve being so vulnerable to fall for anyone trying to pull bullshit on him, even if it was his dad.
"I don't really know," Darry said, "I haven't really figured that out."
"So why doesn't Steve just leave? Steve would never just sit around and deal with someone hurting him. That's not Steve at all."
"It's just not that simple, buddy," Darry answered, "But, after yesterday I think it will be a while until Steve goes home again. At least I hope so." Pony went silent for a moment. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so," Pony looked down at the piece of pancake at the end of his fork, "It just doesn't seem like Steve to let this happen."
"I don't completely understand it either, but we have to help him."
Pony's mouth went back and forth from open to shut, unsure how to ask, "What...um, what will happen if he goes...if he does go back home?"
Darry tapped his fork against his plate, "I don't know, Ponyboy. I don't really know, but I will do what I can to not find out."
When Sodapop went down for breakfast, Darry went upstairs to check on Steve. Entering his bedroom, he found Steve awake. He was laying still while looking towards the window.
"Morning," Darry said approaching the side of the bed.
"Hi," Steve quietly responded.
"Want to come down for breakfast?" Darry asked, "Soda is probably inhaling the rest."
"That's okay," Steve answered, "I'm not that hungry." Steve wouldn't look at Darry as he spoke.
"Well come down anyway. I'll help you," Darry said, "I'm sure you're going to be very sore today."
Steve took a deep breath, "That's why I haven't tried moving."
"I'll help you. Come on," Darry leaned over. He took the blankets off Steve and slid his arm under Steve. Slowly, Steve began to sit up. He hissed and his breathing picked up. The pain erupted in his back and neck. It was worse than when the whipping actually happened. Steve's back felt so tight, he wasn't sure if he could actually bend. "Let's switch out the bandages first," Darry said when Steve got into a sitting up position, "Nice and slow."
Darry hated hearing Steve wince as he got to his feet. No one in the gang had ever been this badly injured. Anyone could normally walk off any pain, but this was a first where someone literally needed aid to move around. They took slow steps out of the bedroom and to the bathroom. Steve quietly cursed the whole way. He took quick breaths, but it didn't help. The pain continued to shoot through his back with each step he took. A dull ache stung in his neck.
"Oh Darry," Steve slightly cried as he held himself against the bathroom sink, "I can't even walk Darry." Steve was feeling himself begin to lose it. He wanted to take control of things so bad, but he couldn't.
Darry gave Steve a minute to compose himself. He continued to take hard breaths as he tried to keep himself calm, but the panic was slowly beginning to rise. "You'll be okay, Steve. You hear me? You will be okay." Steve nodded as Darry continued, "When you're ready, just bend over a little."
Steve froze at those words. Bend over. He couldn't get himself to do it as he heard his father telling him to bend over the bed again. He didn't see Darry's reflection in the mirror anymore. There was his father, pointing to the bed.
Darry could see Steve go pale as he blankly stared, "Steve? Are you okay?"
Steve shook his head, "I'm sorry Darry, I just..." Steve couldn't help himself as he began to aggressively cry. He felt his hands shake as they almost let go of the sink.
"Steve, it's okay," Darry said keeping his hands on Steve to keep him supported.
Steve took one hand to wipe at his eyes, "I'm sorry Darry. I don't know..." Bend over. "I can't stop hearing..." Bend over.
"Can't stop hearing what?" Darry interrupted Steve's out-of-control thoughts.
"Him," Steve said harshly to keep his brain silent, "When he told me that same thing. When he told me to...to...when he did this to me, he told me to bend-bend over the-the bed."
Darry sighed, "I'm sorry Steve. I didn't mean to."
"It's not your fault," Steve took a quivering breath, "Can you just do it without me doing that?"
"Sure," Darry said, "Just calm yourself down, get yourself supported, and I'll get this done."
After a minute of Steve taking deep breaths, Darry began tearing off the bandages. He did it quick even as Steve gasped at each one. Darry just wanted to get it done and get Steve out of there.
"They did bleed a bit," Darry commented, "But let's put some ointment on and more bandages. You should just take it easy. Very easy."
"No problem," Steve commented pounding his fist against the sink.
The two made their way downstairs after Steve got fixed up. He limped while holding onto Darry for support. Darry let Steve sink onto the couch. "Hey Soda, bring Steve some pancakes."
"Okay," Soda poked his head into the living room, "With lots of peanut butter?"
"You know me," Steve smiled.
As Soda brought Steve his breakfast, Pony and Darry left for the store. Darry wanted to stock up on groceries and now get ahead on first aid supplies. Soda sat in the armchair as Steve laid back and waited for the pain to numb. He pretended to be watching TV, but kept glancing at his best friend. His stomach kept turning at the thought of what Steve's back looked like. He was thankful Darry dealt with looking at Steve's injuries and handling them. His heart hurt imagining how much pain Steve was in.
"How are you doing?" Soda finally asked, "I mean, how are you really doing?"
Steve slowly sat himself up as he cut into his pancakes. "Really doing?" Steve repeated, "I'm hurting...a lot."
Soda sighed, "I'm sorry Steve."
"Why are you sorry?"
"I should have fought you on staying home. I should have made you leave. This would have never happened."
"Yes it would have," Steve said, "Eventually it would have."
"What are you going to do?" Soda asked, slightly afraid of how Steve would answer.
"I have no idea." Steve stayed silent for a moment. He stirred at his pancakes while deep in thought. Yesterday was replaying in his head, although it felt like forever ago. "Soda?"
"Yeah buddy?"
"I'm...I can't stop thinking about yesterday. I had dreams about it, well more like nightmares," Steve explained, "I'm scared Soda. I hate to admit it, but I'm really scared."
"What are you scared of?" Soda asked.
"My father," Steve said, "I'm terrified he'll show up. I'm scared he'll come here."
"Even if he does we won't let him in. If he knows you came here, he knows that we know what happened. He can't be stupid enough to try to fight Darry on you going back." Soda noticed Steve's lip quiver. He hurried over to the couch. Taking Steve's plate, he placed it on the coffee table, and placed an arm around Steve's shoulders. Feeling ashamed, Steve leaned forward and placed his face into his hands. He just wanted to hide. His shoulders started to shake as he began to cry. "Steve, really. It's going to be okay." Steve took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down. Soda sat up straight as he looked at his best friend. He couldn't remember the last time he saw Steve like this. "You...you really are scared, aren't you?"
"I-I've never felt this scared before," Steve said through his cries.
"Steve, it is okay. You are safe here," Soda reassured his best friend, "You know you're safe here, don't you?"
Steve sat himself up and looked at Soda with tear-stained cheeks, "I know, Soda. I-I know you guys will protect me. I just feel so helpless. I couldn't even run if I wanted to. That part is hitting me so bad. I can't do shit. I can't simply run!"
"You won't need to," Soda pulled Steve into a gentle hug, "Everything will be okay. You just focus on getting better, okay?"
Steve nodded against Soda's shoulder, "Thanks Soda."
Throughout the day, Soda and Darry watched as Steve would get up from the couch to limp over to the window. They never said anything, but they knew he was looking to see if Terrence was driving over. He would even risk the longer walk to the backyard to have a cigarette. Soda and Darry wanted to stop him, but they weren't sure how.
"Darry," Soda began while they were upstairs in Darry's room, "He's scaring himself bad. He can't be helping his back by getting up all the time."
Darry sighed as he folded some laundry, "I know Soda, I know. I wish he would just relax too."
"Darry, he broke down to me while you were at the store. He's so scared Terrence is going to come here and just take him away."
"We are not letting that happen," Darry said with a stern voice, "I don't care anymore, it's not happening."
"I know we aren't," Soda crossed his arms, "Darry, do you think Terrence will actually come here and try to take Steve back home? I mean, I would have expected him to come already."
Darry shook his head, "I don't know little buddy. He hasn't come yet today, but I wouldn't underestimate him either."
"Then how do we end this? How do we make this stop?" Soda asked desperately.
"Soda, I do wish I had that answer, but I just don't. At the moment, I just hope Terrence gives up. But like I said, I'm not going to underestimate him."
"What do we do for now then?" Soda asked with frustration.
"Help Steve get better. Help him feel safe," Darry answered.
Soda nodded. He didn't like such a vague plan that didn't show much of an ending, but he knew Darry couldn't do anything else right now. Soda went back downstairs and found Steve looking out the window, again. He had his hand against his back.
"Steve, please just sit down," Soda walked over to the window. He attempted to get in Steve's view and pointed towards the couch. Steve turned and Soda noticed his limp had gotten worse. "Steve, you're putting too much work on your back. You don't need to look out the window all the time. Hell, I'll come over and look all the time if it will keep you on the damn couch."
"I can't help it," Steve took a deep breath and held it before lowering himself on the couch.
"Steve, it's okay. We're not going to let anything happen to you. Maybe you need to see a doctor though," Soda suggested.
"Nothing is broken. They can't do anything," Steve argued.
"But maybe they can give you something for the pain?"
"I'll think about it," Steve groaned.
Soda rolled his eyes, "That's all you ever do is think about things."
Steve looked up at Soda, "If you want me to rest, then don't make me get up to go to the doctor."
"Well if it gets worse, we should go."
Steve began tapping the armrest, "Yeah, maybe."
Soda took a seat at the other end of the couch, "I know you're worried about leaving, but nothing will happen."
"He hasn't come here yet, Soda," Steve said, "Don't you think that means something is off?"
Soda shrugged, "Maybe. But Darry has noticed it too, so don't think Darry doesn't have his guard up with that."
Steve leaned back, settling himself into the couch. He just couldn't get himself to relax. He was trying to convince himself that his father was doing this on purpose. It was part of the process to drive Steve crazy. He was staying away on purpose to scare Steve. Steve worried he was going to get scared so bad he would just go back home and endure whatever he'd have to endure. Something was going to happen. Eventually, something was going to happen. And it wouldn't stop.
That night, Darry helped Steve back upstairs. He had re-made Soda's old bed and let Steve sleep there.
"Sorry it's not as welcoming," Darry commented of the empty bedroom, "Soda's moved a lot of his things into Ponyboy's room."
"It's fine," Steve said slowly laying himself flat.
"Soda told me he thinks you should see a doctor," Darry mentioned.
"Yeah, I know," Steve groaned.
"It's not a bad idea. At least to make sure nothing is getting infected."
"Does it look like it's getting infected?" Steve asked.
Darry shrugged, "It looks nasty, but it doesn't look like it's getting worse. You are obviously still in a lot of pain though. We can see how you do the next couple of days."
"Yeah," Steve sunk his head into the pillow.
"Are you doing okay?" Darry asked sitting on the bed.
Steve shrugged, "I don't know."
"Try to get some sleep, alright? Just call out for me or Soda if you need anything," Darry patted Steve's leg.
"Okay," Steve said turning away.