The light was bright. I heard a slight beeping noise, but that was all. I looked up and saw a familiar face looking at me.
"Soda?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"Yeah, buddy. It's me. Pony's here too." Soda said, nodding toward a stranger. But he wasn't a stranger. I knew him. He was that kid. Wasn't he?
"Pony?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm here." The stranger named Pony said.
"Who's Pony?" I asked, confused. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming, or if this was real.
"It's Ponyboy, Darry. You know, your brother?" Sodapop said.
"I don't remember Pony." I said, still trying to figure out who these people were.
"Okay. Maybe you'll remember tomorrow. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a bus." I said, chuckling without humor.
"Ladder, actually." Soda said, grinning.
"What happened?" Darry asked, still confused.
"Well, from what I hear, you got your foot stuck in the ladder and the ladder fell, taking you with it."
"So that's why my leg hurts."
"Yeah, you broke it."
"I'm tired."
"Go to sleep then. We'll be back to check on you in the morning before I go to work."
"Okay." I said, and that was the last thing I remember, because I fell asleep.