Darry and Steve arrived back at the Curtis house. Steve was barely awake and had begun having body shakes. Darry was fearing he had gotten more sick in the short amount of time he was without medicine. Two-Bit, Ponyboy, and Soda were waiting on the front porch, as Darry had expected. Before Soda could rush to the truck, Darry stepped out and stopped him. "Soda, go get Steve's medicine in the cupboard. Pony, go bring the first-aid kit downstairs." Soda and Pony turned and hurried inside the house to retrieve the items. Two-Bit headed toward the truck to help Darry get Steve inside. Darry was thankful Two-Bit had showed up that morning, as he was realizing what he had done to Terrence and what may result from the altercation.
"Two-Bit, I'm going to need a big favor from you. Can you hang out here until Steve is settled?"
"Oh yeah, no problem." Two-Bit and Darry got Steve in the house and onto the couch. Darry was thankful to see Steve was still awake even though he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. It made him a little uneasy to watch Steve squirm all over the couch, unable to calm himself. Mumbles and whimpers escaped his lips. Soda brought the two medicine bottles and set them on the coffee table. He went pale as he saw his best friend's appearance.
"Darry," Soda's voice was shaky as he watched Steve, "Is he okay?"
"He will be," Darry said grabbing the pill bottles, "Try to help him calm down."
Soda sat on the floor next to the couch. He saw the bloodied wrist and gulped. He quickly tried to get away from the wrist and looked at Steve's face. His eyes were closed tight, tears were forcing their way out, and his body could not stay still. "Darry, he's in so much pain."
"I know," Darry said getting an antibiotic pill and a pain killer, "Two-Bit, get some water."
Soda grabbed Steve's hand that wasn't hurt. It scared him how shaky Steve's hand was. He squeezed it tight. "Steve, it's okay," Soda tried to hold back his own cries, but he couldn't help it as the tears rolled down, "It's going to be okay. I promise. You're the toughest greaser I know. After everything you have been through and you're still fighting. Just keep fighting. Just hang in there buddy."
Darry got over Steve and placed a hand on a cheek to try to keep his face still, "Steve, I'm going to put these pills in. Just drink them down." Darry placed the first pill in, and slowly let water slide in. Steve got it down and Darry repeated the process with the second pill.
"Pony, go get an extra blanket upstairs," Darry said as he pulled the first-aid kit closer. He grabbed the one blanket that was on the couch and put it over Steve. Grabbing Steve's wrist and removing the bloody towel, Darry began cleaning the blood off and applying antibiotic cream. "The cut isn't too deep, so we'll manage fine." Darry placed a bandage over the cut and wrapped the wrist up. The image of Steve was flashing in Darry's mind. It made him full of rage that Terrence went as far to handcuff his son to the bed like he was a prisoner. He didn't want to tell Soda about that, because he was already a wreck.
As Pony got back downstairs, Darry grabbed the extra blanket and got Steve wrapped up.
"Darry, he's still moving around," Soda continued to cry, "He's in pain." He kept holding onto Steve's hand, begging for the shakiness to stop and his best friend to get comfortable.
"He'll be okay, Soda, I promise," Darry reassured, "Let the medicine kick in." Darry was hoping he was right too, but he was secretly nervous too. Two-Bit and Ponyboy watched as Darry began cleaning everything in a hurry. They didn't understand why Darry was going all over the place. It was concerning them. Soda was too concerned about Steve to notice.
"Two-Bit, Soda, I need to talk to you," Darry said.
"Darry, I-I can't leave..." Soda pleaded, "I have to help him."
"Soda, he'll be okay. Pony will sit with him, okay?"
Two-Bit stood up and waited. "Come on Soda, he's not going anywhere," Two-Bit held his hand out.
Soda slowly let go of Steve's hand and grabbed Two-Bit's. He hesitantly got up, and didn't take his eyes off Steve as he walked into the kitchen. Pony walked over and sat at the end of the couch. He readjusted the blankets as Steve's body was starting to settle.
Two-Bit and Soda followed Darry out into the backyard. "Darry, what's going on? You seem very anxious," Two-Bit said.
"Two-Bit, I need a huge favor from you," Darry said.
"Yeah sure."
"Terrence and I got into it. We fought, I hurt him...I hurt him bad," Darry explained.
"Well, he deserved it," Two-Bit smirked. Soda didn't appear effected by Darry's statement. He agreed with Two-Bit and he didn't feel in the least bit sorry for Terrence.
"I know he did," Darry agreed, "I didn't want it to get that far. I had no choice though. To get Steve out, I just had to. Terrence was knocked out when we left."
"Oh God," Soda said quietly.
"I don't know what's going to happen next, but I'm worried. He could call the cops on me for assault. I could go to jail and they take Soda and Pony. Then they take Steve and could bring him back home. Or with Steve's injuries, they'll also take him to a boy's home. We can't let that happen," Darry explained. It was starting to come together for Two-Bit on why Darry was being so anxious and on edge.
Soda was already shaken over seeing his best friend in uncontrollable pain on the couch, but what Darry was saying brought him to fear of an unknown outcome. "Darry, what are we going to do?"
"That's what I need Two-Bit for," Darry said, "Two-Bit, I want you to take the boys to your house. Take Soda, Steve, and Ponyboy. They need to be out of here in case Terrence sends the cops on me. If I go to jail, that's whatever, I'll do what I need to do and be out. I can't risk them being caught here though. The state would just take them all away."
"I can do that," Two-Bit agreed, "What should I do with Steve?"
"You just need to worry about keeping Steve in bed and give him his medicine. Soda will be there to help," Darry explained.
"How long?" Soda asked, wiping his eyes. He didn't like what was about to happen, but he knew Darry was right. They have had conversations before about taking precautions if Darry ever got put in a jeopardizing situation. Soda was prepared to get him and Pony out of the house, so the state didn't have the immediate opportunity to do anything.
"I don't think it will be too long to figure out if Terrence is going to call the cops or not. Soda, I just can't risk what Terrence is going to do next and I hope Pony will understand."
Soda nodded, "We'll be okay."
Steve stirred slightly as his eyes fully opened. He never fell asleep, but he finally felt comfortable enough to open his eyes and relax. He looked over and saw Ponyboy sitting by his feet. "Hey kid," he greeted with a weak voice.
"Hey," Pony said, "Are you feeling okay?"
Steve felt his head fully sink into the couch pillow, "I'm okay."
"You were scaring us, especially Soda."
"You know what, Pony? I was scaring myself," Steve admitted. He wouldn't go into detail how scared he had gotten though. He truly thought he was dying.
Upstairs, Two-Bit helped Soda pack some clothes for everyone. If Terrence was going to send the authorities over, he would probably be doing it very soon. Darry was in the backyard still, talking to Ponyboy.
"Darry..." Pony said with tears forming in his eyes. Darry explained to him what was going to happen, and he knew Ponyboy wouldn't react the best.
"Ponyboy, it's going to be okay," Darry pulled Pony into a hug, "Do you hear me? Everything's going to be okay."
"What if you go to jail? They'll take me and Soda away anyway," Pony cried into Darry's chest.
"I don't know that for sure Pony, but I'd feel better if it was just me here if the police were to come," Darry said, "You'll be with Soda, you'll be fine."
"What if Terrence doesn't call the police? How long do we have to wait?" Pony asked.
"Just a couple of days and then I'll feel better about it. I just can't risk it, I can't risk you guys," Darry pulled Pony off of him and looked into his eyes, "Do you understand why I'm doing this?"
Pony nodded, "I do, but I'm scared."
"Everything will work out. Trust me," Darry gave Pony's shoulders a tight squeeze.
"I do."
Two-Bit and Soda got everything in Two-Bit's car. Pony sat on the front porch smoking a cigarette, waiting for the last possible moment to get in the car to leave. He wasn't that worried about leaving for a couple days, he was worried if anything would happen while they were gone. He knew anytime the phone would ring, he would panic if it'd be a phone call from the jail.
"Okay Steve, ready?" Darry asked. Steve looked up at Darry, but didn't respond. Darry knew he was out of it. "I know your body is just exhausted and desperately needs to rest. Just walk to the car and walk in Two-Bit's house and you can pass out as long as you want to."
Helping Steve up, Darry kept one of the blankets around him. Darry walked Steve to Two-Bit's car. "Are you still in a lot of pain?" Darry asked as he sat Steve down in the back of the car.
"Some pain. Better than when I got here though. I just feel so tired. I can't keep my eyes open long."
Darry placed the blanket on Steve, "I can tell you're doing better since you aren't shaking anymore. I'm sure that wore you out. Just get comfy when you get there and get lots of rest. Soda will be there to take care of you."
"You can keep this here," Steve said looking down at the blanket.
"No, take it. You need it," Darry said.
"Okay. Darry?"
"What?"
"Thank you so much, for everything. Thank you for getting me out of there."
"Of course Steve," Darry took Steve's hand and gave it a squeeze. He shut the car door and watched as Steve's head fell against the window. Both Two-Bit and Soda stood at the driver's side of the car. Two-Bit climbed into the driver's seat as Darry made his way over to Soda. "Take care of Pony, okay? I know he's scared."
Soda nodded, "I will." Soda gave Darry a hug. "If anything happens, take care of yourself." Soda let go of the embrace and climbed into the backseat with Steve. He reached over, pulled Steve off the window, and brought him over to lay against his chest instead.
Darry walked over to the porch. Pony had his head hung low, not wanting to have to leave.
"Pony?" Pony slowly looked up at his oldest brother. "I know you're scared, but you have to let me worry about everything. Okay?"
Pony stood up, tossed his cigarette, and fell into Darry's arms. "A couple days?"
"Yes, a couple days. If nothing happens, then I'll assume Terrence isn't getting the fuzz involved."
"Okay."
"I love you little buddy," Darry kissed Pony on the top of his head.
"I love you too," Pony wiped his eyes, refusing to cry.
Ponyboy slowly walked to Two-Bit's car and climbed into the passenger seat. Darry waved as the car backed out of the driveway and drove away. Thankfully, Two-Bit's house wasn't a far drive.
At Two-Bit's house, everyone got settled. Steve got put in Two-Bit's bed and went to sleep immediately. Soda and Pony were hanging outside.
"Are you doing okay?" Soda asked.
Pony nodded, "I think so. I'm just anxious."
"Yeah. Me too buddy."
"I mean what if Terrence really does call the fuzz? It's not Darry's fault. They should be taking Terrence in for what he's done to Steve," Pony argued.
"I know Pony, but you know why we can't call the fuzz on Terrence. Steve is technically a minor and they would take him to a boy's home. We have to take this into our own hands," Soda put an arm around Pony, "And Darry's...he's amazing. He didn't bail on Steve because of what could happen to him after he hurt Terrence. He did what he had to, he's made a sacrifice, he's willing to get locked up for the night for Steve. He'd do that for any of us. You may not realize this or understand why, but he may have saved Steve's life."
