Darry's POV

When I arrived at the hospital, I was led to a room where I found myself looking at a gurnee with a white sheet covering a body.

The cop looked at me. "Are you ready?"

'No.' I thought. 'I'll never be ready for this.' But, I swallowed hard and nodded.

Carefully, the cop pulled the sheet down, confirming my worst fear. Laying there, covered in ash from the fire, was my youngest brother, Ponyboy.

"Yes, that's him." I told the cop.

"Alright." The cop said with a nod. He started to pull the sheet back up, but I stopped him.

"Can I have some time alone?" I asked.

"Sure, take all the time you need." The cop said as he left the room. "I'll be right outside these doors."

After the cop left, I allowed myself to cry. At first, I just stroked Pony's hair which looked like it had been bleached and cried silently. Then, I started sobbing uncontrollably, laying my head on his still chest. It hadn't been a year since our parents had died and now I had to go through it again. I had to say good-bye to someone else whom I loved.

"Oh, Pony." I choked. "I am so sorry I hit you. I didn't mean it. I wish I could take it back. I wish I could take that whole night back."

I sobbed some more.

"I hear you saved some kids in the fire." I told my unmoving brother. "I'm really proud of you, kiddo. Soda is too. Both of us always knew there was some good in you. A type of goodness most greasers don't carry."

I took a deep breath and sighed. Ponyboy looked so young laying there. He was only fourteen but looked younger. Like a child who had his whole life ahead of him but now it was gone. He would never see his dreams come true. He would never find out what it's like to really live.

"Pony, I wish this wasn't you. I wish it were someone else. You had so much to live for. A whole lifetime ahead of you." I said tearfully. "It was hard enough losing mom and dad. I don't want to lose you too, little buddy."

I stood there for a few more minutes, staring at my youngest brother. Then, I carefully pulled the sheet back over him and walked out of the room, knowing that in a few days, I would see Pony for the last time before he'd be buried next to our parents.

Soda's POV

It was almost midnight before Darry returned. I was still in the bedroom, staring into space, when Darry slowly opened the door. In silence, he sat next to me on the bed and put his arm around my shoulders.

"Please, tell me it wasn't Pony." I pleaded. "Tell me it was someone who just looks like Pony."

Darry sighed and pulled me close to him. "I wish I could, Soda. I wish it were someone else. But Soda, it was Pony. It really was him."

"No!" I cried. "Darry, please, say it ain't so! Tell me you're lying!"

"It's no lie, little buddy. Pony is gone. He's never coming back." Darry said, his voice cracking as he started to sob.

I started to bawl like a baby. "No, it can't be. Not Pony. Why can't it be anyone but Pony?"

Darry just sobbed and held me tight. Not that it mattered because I was holding on to him just as tightly. It was almost as if we were afraid that we'd lose each other if we let go. We remained that way for a long time, just hugging and sobbing.

After a while, we let go of each other. Darry sighed and looked at me. "We'll let Steve and Two-Bit know in the morning."

I nodded and stared at my hands.

"I think I'll stay in here tonight." Darry told me.

"Okay." I whispered.

Darry put his arm around my shoulders again. "Hey, we've still got each other."

I felt a fresh wave of tears flow down my face.

"Yes." I choked "But, part of us is gone and I don't want it to be. Darry, it isn't right! Pony should be here. It's not fair! Why did it have to be him?"

I don't know little buddy, I just don't know." Darry said softly as I cried myself to sleep in his arms.