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Darry's POV

I got home around four that afternoon and the moment I stepped in the door, Soda walked right past me, out the door. "Goin' to Steve's!" he called over his shoulder, and that was that. He just got into the truck and left.

I stared, surprised, outside at the spot the truck once sat. When I came back to my senses, I tossed my tool belt onto the couch and sat down, exhausted, in my armchair. I shut my eyes and tried to relax in the silence.

"Bah-bah black sleep…" the song radiated from down the hallway. "Have you any wool…?" It was Ponyboy, he would always sing or hum. One of the only things he would do now.

I got up again, stretched out to pop my back. When I moved my arms over my head that's when I saw the opened letter on the coffee table.

"Why do they call a coffee table a coffee table?" Ponyboy had asked me once. I had, cold heartily, replied "Ponyboy, why do you use your brain to think about stupid questions to ask?"

Why did I start think about that? I tried to shake the memory from my head as I reached for the letter. But, I couldn't stop more from coming.

"You got a…B!" I had yelled at him, when he handed me his math test?"

"Darry, its an 88." Soda defended, "give him a break! Better then what I ever got."

"It's not good enough!" I had then turned back to Pony, he was looking at the ground. "I expect better, Ponyboy. Use your head." I had placed the test down…and walked away.

I just walked away. Why had I gotten so mad? Why…?

I looked down at my hands to the letter and read:

MHMR

Darrel Curtis:

We have come be informed that your youngest sibling, Ponyboy Michael Curtis, is in an unhealthy mental state. We encourage you to, until his mental state improves, place him in an environment that would be able to provide him with the help he needs. Please keep this in consideration and visit our facilities for more information:

Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Sat 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Or

Call (321) 555-3586

Please call to arrange a visit.

Sincerely;

Nara Shields MHMR Director

"Bah-bah black sheep…have you any wool? Yes sir. Yes sir…" I looked down the hallway and slowly walked towards the bedroom where the voice was coming from. I don't know why. I felt like I was in one of those scary movies Two-Bit loves so much…

But I knew it was my brother, so why was I doing this? When I reached the bedroom, my baby brother with his nose in a book didn't greet me. Instead, he was on the floor knees to his chest, rocking slowly back and forth singing.

"…three bags full…"

I moved closer to him, I could barley see his eyes from under his bangs. He would only let us touch him long enough to dress him. We could never grease his hair.

I dropped to my knees in front of him. "Po..Pony?" I croaked out. "Please Pony…talk to me." I reached out to grab his shoulders. He jerked away and moved back, shaking his head.

"Don't touch." He said and continued to rock and sing. "…for my master…"

"No, Pony." Again I reached forward and took him into my arms. He fought me, of course. First he just tried to pull away, and when he saw I wasn't going to let go, he started to scream and kick and even tried to bite me.

But I wouldn't let go. I couldn't!

I had to get through to him.

"LET GO!" he screamed, "I'LL KILL YOU! LET GOO! I'M DEATH…YOU'LL DIE!"

"No Ponyboy! STOP!" I just held him tighter and he continued to thrash about and scream.

"THEY'LL MAKE ME KILL YOU…!"

"No…Pony…" I was beginning to break down, "You can't me…bec-cause I have to live to pro-protect you--"

"NO! STOP…YOU'LL DIE!"

"You're not gonna kill me…You didn't kill anyone. You…were a victim, baby! Please Pony…! Please, come back to us…!" I began to sob, I pressed my face into his hair. "please we need you…Ponyboy…I need you. I love you so much, little brother. I love you."

He calmed down in my arms, and I felt his body relax. "Bah-Bah black sheep have you any wool…?"

"Yes, sir…Yes sir. Three bags full…" I sang along with him.

I felt him press more against me in my arms, and I held him firmly. For some reason, I too became relaxed and just swayed him back and forth. Humming as he sang softly mostly to himself.

I wanted to make him better. I didn't need no damned hospital to help me with taking care of my brother. All we need is each other. Soda, Pony, me…and our gang. Everything would be fine.

"I love you too, Darry."

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So? Do you love it? Do you hate it? I honestly think this would me an "OK" place to end. But, Soda needs to be in here…MAYBE the next chapter will be the final…GIVE ME INPUT… LET ME KNOW! REVIEW!