I was so happy to have Pony back. Sure, we were still in the hospital, and he was really sick, but at least I could see him, talk to him, hug him. It had been so hard on me and Darry.

Pony had fallen asleep and Darry and I sat watching him.

"He looks pretty bad, doesn't he, Darry?" I said.

"Yeah, kiddo. He does. I can't imagine what he's gone through."

"I know. It must have been awful."

"Yeah."

"How are we going to get him through this? It's going to be really hard. I mean, this isn't just a flu or something. This is serious.

"That's what worries me. He seemed kinda distant when he was talking to us. I hope he trusts us. You don't think he thinks we didn't care he was gone, do you? I mean, we never got in touch with him." Darry said with a look of fear on his face.

"No. He couldn't. I mean, we're his brothers. He knows how much we love him. Besides, it wasn't our fault we couldn't see him. No one would let us." I said.

"I hope you're right, Soda. Be cause if you're not, I don't know how we'd prove it to him."

"By loving him like always, if not more."

"Yeah. You're right. He looks so horrible, though. He looks so ghostly."

"That'll change soon, though. He's just had a hard time for so long. But he'll be okay now. Now he's with family and he's loved."

We sat there in silence, watching our little brother sleep soundly. It was probably the first time in a long time.

Darry was staring at the wall, and I was leaning back in my chair, when we heard Pony cry out.

"Darry! Soda!" He yelled.

Darry and I reacted quickly. Jumping up, we reached for Pony at the same time.

"Pony!" I said, shaking him slightly.

He thrashed out at me, mumbling, "No. I don't want to go. Help me. Someone, please."

"Ponyboy!" I said, shaking him harder this time.

He hit me across the chest. I looked to Darry who was more forceful than I was.

He grabbed Pony by the shoulders and shook him hard. "Pony, wake up. You're just having a nightmare. Wake up, baby."

Pony woke up with a jolt. He nearly ran Darry over when he shot up like that. Pony looked around with huge eyes.

"What-" He started, but stopped.

"Sh. It's okay. You just had a nightmare, that's all. It's okay now." Darry said.

Pony leaned back, exhausted. His breathing was coming in large gasps.

"Are you okay?" Darry asked, concerned.

"Yeah. I'm. . .fine." He said.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No!" Pony snapped at him. Darry looked taken aback.

"Okay." Darry said slowly.

Pony's eyes were blazing with anger, and I had no idea why.

"Pony, is something wrong?" I asked.

"NO! Nothing is wrong! Just leave me alone!" He shouted at me. Then, he turned on his side, facing away from Darry and me.

Darry and I looked at each other, confused at Pony's outburst. He's not the type who yells at people, especially me and Darry.

I watched as Pony's shoulders shook as he cried. He was clutching the sheets like his life depended on it. He was trying to keep from crying, but was failing miserably.

I wasn't sure if I should go to him or not. He probably needed to cry, but he also needed to be led. So I got on the bed with him, and hugged him close.

He didn't shake me off, so I took that as a good sign.

Darry watched us. He looked like he wanted to join in, but was too embarrassed to.

I lay there, holding my baby brother as he cried, for reasons I didn't know. Maybe I never would.