A/N: I apologize for how long it has taken me to update any of my stories! I have been fighting a virus that has just made me really tired and unable to focus. I hope this lengthy chapter makes up for it. Please enjoy.
When Darry got up the next morning, he first made his way to the bathroom to take a quick shower. The hot water pouring over his body was soothing. Yesterday had been a long, rough day. It wasn't suppose to be, but it turned into just that. His plan was to go to the hospital and pick Steve up and start his recovery to get him strong and back to normal again. Terrence was not planning to stop this. Darry had accepted that by now. He had to accept it by now. He couldn't underestimate what Terrence's abilities were anymore. He'd have to try and put himself in Terrence's mind and figure out what his next step was and try to get a couple steps ahead of that.
After getting himself cleaned up, dried off, and freshly shaven, Darry walked back to his room to get into some clothes. He groaned as he tried to find some clean clothes, but realized he had neglected to do laundry lately. "Oh well," Darry commented as he grabbed the cleanest shirt and jeans he could find. He laughed to himself as he assumed Soda and Pony had probably been wearing clothes multiple times by now, but didn't care to tell Darry about laundry needing to be done. "They'd rather wear dirty clothes than do laundry," Darry grinned.
Grabbing his laundry basket, Darry went downstairs and went straight for the laundry room. He threw his clothes in and began the washing. "Now I just have to remember to switch it over," Darry told himself.
He went back upstairs and quietly went into his little brother's room. Sodapop and Ponyboy were still fast asleep, so Darry collected their laundry and quietly exited the room. "Guess I should get Steve's. Some of those blood stains might be stuck forever though."
As Darry slowly went into Soda's old bedroom, he was surprised to see the bed was empty. "Maybe he's in the bathroom or outside," Darry said to himself as he picked up a few of Steve's old shirts and jeans.
Leaving the room with the basket in hand, Darry peeked towards the bathroom and saw the door was open. He made his way downstairs and placed the basket by the other laundry. "Steve?" Darry called out. No response. He walked to the back door and peeked out to the backyard. No one.
As Darry reentered the house, he heard the front door open and shut. "Steve?" he asked.
"Nope, it's your actual favorite greaser!" Two-Bit called out.
"Who's favorite?" Darry mocked.
"No breakfast yet?" Two-Bit asked as he walked in the kitchen.
"I don't need to make you shit," Darry said, "Was Steve out front when you walked up?"
"No," Two-Bit responded, "Why?"
"He's not in his room."
"I mean...could he have tried to go for a walk?" Two-Bit suggested, "His legs aren't broken."
"He's suppose to be taking it very easy. I'm a little worried."
"He can be stubborn. He could be getting sick of the bed life," Two-Bit said. He was getting worried too, but he was hoping his suggestions would help make Darry feel better. He also hoped his suggestions were true.
"You just don't know how to listen do you?" the voice snarled, "You have no respect."
Steve flinched as he was smacked across the face. He wasn't prepared for this right now. His father had snuck into the backyard at the Curtis house. He used a blade, which Steve was almost convinced came from his own room, to get Steve to leave. Now they were home, it was the middle of the night, and he was regretting needing that cigarette.
"You hit me, and then run off?" Terrence said, "And then you were dumb enough to run to that Curtis house? What were you thinking? Of course that's the place I'm going to check, because I knew you were stupid enough to go there!"
A smack to the other cheek. Steve knew his father had a point though. If anyone wanted to find Steve, they knew he'd be at Soda's. Terrence didn't need to waste any time or thought to figure that out. Steve could have kicked himself for being so predictable.
"Are you scared?" Terrence asked with a mocking tone. Steve lowered his head. He gripped the sides of the chair he was sitting in and could suddenly feel how low he had sunk to his father's control. He could stand up if he wanted to or raise his hands up, but he felt stuck in that spot. The power Terrence had over Steve was at it's peak to keep him in that chair without anything holding him there. Terrence grabbed Steve's chin and raised his face up to look eye to eye. "You wouldn't have to be scared if you just behaved."
Steve's breathing began picking up it's pace. His eyes were watering. His mind was racing in too many directions for Steve to keep up with. He felt like he could hyperventilate.
"You are being a selfish little ass you know that? You don't deserve shit," Terrence snapped. He shoved Steve, causing him to stumble out of the chair and onto the floor. Steve groaned as he felt pressure in his groin and a pinch in his back. The knowledge Steve had of his health condition caused some fear to rise in him. He had an infection and couldn't be taking much more physical agony. One big thing that kept boggling in the back of Steve's mind was his medicine was at Soda's.
"I'm just going to go over there," Darry announced as he grabbed his truck keys. He knew he couldn't waste much time trying to think of where Steve was, or waiting for Steve to show up. If he was going to stay ahead of Terrence, he'd have to jump to any possibility and go for it.
"What do you want me to do?" Two-Bit asked.
"I'm sure Soda is getting up very soon," Darry said.
"Do you want me to tell him where you went?"
"Might as well, but don't let him leave if you can," Darry said as he walked out the front door. He climbed into his truck and started it up. Looking behind him, left and right, he slowly let off the brake and let the truck roll into the street.
"Okay Terrence, let's finish this."
Terrence grabbed Steve by the arms and forced him to his feet. He turned and shoved Steve to the stairs. As Steve fell onto his back against the stairs, he knew his father had certain intentions. Terrence knew what the doctor reported for Steve's injuries. Steve knew he couldn't underestimate what his father would try to do to him knowing all of that.
"Get upstairs," Terrence kicked at Steve's leg. Using the strength he could get together, Steve pulled himself up and half-crawled up the stairs. "We are not risking anymore bull shit here." Terrence went to look for something in the kitchen while Steve hurried into the bathroom first. He got himself to his feet while he began relieving himself. He bit down hard as the burn took over him. He hoped he could get something to help the infection, because not having medicine or constant fluids made it turn bad quick.
When he was finished, he sank down to the floor and just sat against the wall, needing to relax his groin. He didn't know what his father had in store for him, but he was absolutely terrified.
"Let's go," Terrence said as he approached the bathroom, "Get in your bedroom now."
Steve got himself up and followed his father into his bedroom.
"Lay down."
Steve got himself onto his bed. He tried to stay on guard, but he was feeling the bed overtake him with much needed sleep. He may not have wanted to be at his home, but his bed did feel good. As his head was slowly sinking into the pillow, he was shaken by a grab to his wrist. It took Steve a minute to understand what was happening when a cold metal hugged his wrist.
Soda was surprised to only find Two-Bit downstairs. "Wow, you got up early didn't you?" Soda grinned.
"Oh you know I just missed you guys," Two-Bit smiled.
"Or your mom worked late, so you came here searching for a hot breakfast," Soda cocked an eyebrow.
"That is one of the perks of coming here sometimes."
Soda laughed as he glanced out the window. He noticed his older brother's truck missing from it's spot in the driveway. Soda could feel himself get slightly nervous, jumping to the conclusion if Steve had to go back to the doctor. "Hey, you know where Darry went?"
"Yeah," Two-Bit replied. Soda waited for a more detail response, but could tell Two-Bit didn't want to go any further.
"Are you going to tell me where?"
"I don't want to be the deliverer of bad news," Two-Bit said.
"Too bad, you're the only one here," Soda crossed his arms, "What happened?"
Steve didn't sleep well the rest of the night hours. He was in an uncomfortable position. The pain in his groin and back was getting worse. Going to the bathroom was becoming more painful, and he felt his bladder control becoming weaker. He could feel his throat beg for water. The most Terrence did was give him a little water to swallow down some Tylenol, but that didn't do much for any pain. Terrence would let Steve go to the bathroom to relieve himself whenever it was needed, which Steve was most grateful for. By the early morning, Steve was just exhausted. In the little bit of time he had felt some strength coming back to him from the previous day, he quickly fell back to weakness.
Two-Bit sighed, "Darry couldn't find Steve this morning. We aren't sure if maybe he went for a walk or something, even though he's not suppose to. But don't worry, okay? Darry didn't waste time. He's going to Steve's house right now to check."
Soda went pale.
"Soda, don't panic..."
"But...how could...there's no way Terrence could have gotten in here without anyone knowing," Soda claimed.
"I know. Darry didn't understand it either. But he didn't want to assume Terrence had nothing to do with it either, so he's going over there. He knew you'd beg him to anyway," Two-Bit said. Soda ran a hand through his hair. Although he was confused how anything could have happened, he was clearly worried anyway. "And if Steve's not there, I'm sure Darry's driving around to find him to bring him back to rest."
Soda nodded, "Yeah, alright. Maybe I'll start making breakfast to get my mind on something else."
"Here buddy, I'll give you a hand."
Soda smirked, "This isn't going to turn into a very good breakfast."
"No it's not," Two-Bit laughed.
Darry stopped his truck in front of the Randle house. He was not willing to waste any time. He prayed that Steve may just be on a walk, and he'd only have to be annoyed that Steve wasn't following the doctor's orders. As he shifted the truck into park, Darry was settled on the commitment to approach Terrence. Opening the driver door, Darry was determined to make this the last visit. With each step up the driveway, he took deep inhales and exhales to keep himself leveled. A lot of rage was bottled up, but he had to keep it steady. For now anyways.
At the front door, Darry wiped his hands on his pants, drying any sweat. Raising his fist, he gave the door a few hard knocks. After a few minutes of no answer, Darry gave the door more knocks and rang the doorbell.
Darry glanced up at the window where Steve's bedroom was. He was becoming desperate for something, anything to give him an answer. "Come on Steve, if you're up there give me a sign or something."
Not having anymore patience, Darry pounded the door, "Come on Terrence! Open up now!" Darry glanced behind him as he saw Terrence's truck. "I know you're here Terrence! I'm not going anywhere!"
Terrence was feeling himself get heated as he continued to hear the knocks and yells through the front door. He looked down at Steve as he processed how to handle this. Reaching for his back pocket, he grabbed the blade he had been carrying around. He grabbed Steve's wrist, and pushed the blade against it. Steve was about to yell, but Terrence smacked him in the face before he could get it out.
"Don't make one noise," he whispered, "Don't call for anyone, don't yell, don't cry. Got it?" Steve held his breath as his father pushed the blade against him with each word. He felt his arm get moist as blood streamed down.
Terrence pulled the blade away and gave another strong slap to Steve. "Don't test me!"
The front door opened. "Well hello, Darrel," Terrence greeted, "What can I do for you this morning?" Darry felt as though he was face-to-face with the old Terrence again. He wasn't trying to be polite or give off a fake front anymore.
"I came here for Steve," Darry crossed his arms.
"He's not here," Terrence replied leaning against the doorway.
"Cut the bullshit," Darry said not taking his eyes off Terrence, "I know he is here, and I am here to get him."
"No," Terrence shook his head, not trying to lie this time.
"He is not safe here, and I am not leaving without him."
"Die on my porch for all I care." Terrence attempted to close the door, but Darry placed his foot in the way. He reopened the door, "Get off my property Curtis."
"No," Darry said. He took a step inside the Randle house, making Terrence take a couple of steps back.
"What are you going to do? Hit me?" Terrence mocked.
"Just let Steve come with me. If you want to live a miserable life or go waste yourself to be with Eliza, fine, but Steve has a full life ahead of him."
"He is my son," Terrence snapped, "I make the rules! I know what's best for him! I know what he needs, what we need!"
"Not anymore," Darry calmly replied. He didn't want to waste time saying too much, as he knew any words he said wouldn't do much.
Terrence reached back and pulled out the blade. "Leave, Darrel. You worry about your brothers and I'll worry about my son."
Darry looked down at the blade. He had seen hundreds of blades, and he had been in plenty of situations where a blade was pointed at him. It barely made him shudder to see some drunk adult threaten him with one. "Well Terrence, that's what I'm doing. Looking out for my brothers." Before Terrence could reply to that, Darry quickly kicked up and knocked the blade out of Terrence's grip. The knife fell to the ground and slid out of sight.
"You're going to regret this," Terrence threatened as he took a step towards Darry. He lifted his fist to throw a punch, but Darry grabbed the fist and held it in place. Darry knew talking wasn't going to do anything anymore. He'd have to fight Terrence to get Steve out.
Darry used his other hand to grab Terrence's other fist and pushed forward. Terrence yelled as he landed on the ground. He quickly got up and grabbed an empty beer bottle from the coffee table. Swinging it, Darry threw his arm up and let the bottle break against him. Terrence began backing up towards the kitchen as Darry continued towards him.
"This can end very easy Terrence," Darry said, "Just let Steve leave."
"Get out of my house!" Terrence barked as he rushed forward. He swung a fist and connected with Darry's jaw. Darry put his hands up ready to defend himself. He didn't want to really punch Terrence, but he wasn't sure if he'd have a choice. He had one more idea though. Taking the advantage that he had, Darry took a couple steps back and began moving up the stairs. He didn't take his eyes off of Terrence, and wouldn't put his back towards him.
Darry hurried a few steps up as Terrence launched for the stairs. "You can't take him," Terrence said, "I will set the cops on you!"
"No you won't," Darry shook his head, "The cops will take one look at Steve, figure out what's going on here, and he won't come back here. You'll lose anyway."
"You're going to regret this," Terrence snarled as he turned to go back to the kitchen. Darry heard him begin to rustle around in a drawer. He knew he couldn't take chances. He slowly got to the bottom step and waited. A few more noises were heard and he knew Terrence was heading back to the stairs. As he heard the footsteps get closer, Darry prepared himself.
Stepping down the last step, Darry pushed an unexpected Terrence back. Immediately after, he swung his fist and locked with Terrence in the face. Terrence fell backwards and slammed into the wall. He collapsed to the floor, and Darry found his intuition correct as he saw a gun fall to the floor. Terrence was knocked out. Darry hurried as he leaned over and grabbed the gun. He held onto it tight as he went upstairs.
Entering Steve's room, Darry tried not to gasp. Even with his adrenaline high, he wasn't expecting the scene he had walked into. One of Steve's wrists was handcuffed to the bed rail behind him. There was blood that had gone down his arm, onto his bed, and dripped a little on the floor. There were fresh hand marks on his face. Steve looked up at Darry with fear and relief. His face was pale and full of pain.
"Oh Steve," Darry said walking closer. He grabbed Steve's wrist to look at the handcuff. Steve hissed at the pain from the small cut that Terrence had created from the blade. "Sorry, do you know where the key is?"
Steve shook his head, "I need my medicine Darry. It hurts so bad."
"Okay, hang on, okay?" Darry left the gun in Steve's room and hurried back downstairs. He didn't know how blacked out Terrence was, so he knew he needed to be fast. Figuring Terrence would keep the key on himself, he began searching his jeans. He found a small key in the front pocket and ran back upstairs. First, Darry went to the bathroom and found two towels. Getting back into Steve's room, Darry unlocked the handcuff and let Steve's arm fall. "Here, let me get this wrapped up." Steve held his wrist up and let Darry wipe off the blood with one of the towels. "It won't be very clean, I just want to hurry out of here and we'll take care of it later."
"Just get me out of here," Steve begged.
Darry took the second towel and wrapped Steve's wrist in it. "Just hold onto it." Steve got up from his bed and felt an erupt pain in his groin and back. He whimpered as Darry helped him to his feet. "Just get to the truck, okay? Let's go."
Darry half-dragged Steve down the stairs. Each step hurt Steve and he felt himself collapse more and more into Darry's hold. He was too exhausted for his mind to catch up with what was happening and trusted Darry to lead the way. Steve almost turned to look for his father, but Darry kept his face towards the front door. "Don't worry about him. Just get outside."
Outside and down the driveway, Darry got Steve into his truck and hurried to the driver's side. Turning the key to start the truck, Darry looked at Steve and saw him half-awake. "Just stay with me Steve. Please stay with me."