Darry's POV
Each sob that escaped Pony's lips tore at my heart. I hated to see him suffering like this. It was awful to watch. Those Socs had some nerve to come into my house and torment my brother. We were going to get them good this time. We'd get them real good.
Pony clutched at my shirt, and I stroked his hair. He was so scared. I didn't know how to make the fear go away, but I'd try my best.
I lifted Pony off of my shirt, and drew him in a hug. I held him as he cried. He trembled underneath my arms, and it worried me more than anything else.
When he calmed a little, I set him down on his bed. I pulled the covers over his trembling body, trying to comfort him.
When I set him down, he turned over and buried his face in his pillow. I rubbed his back, and Soda looked at me with worry in his eyes.
I got up from the bed and let Soda take over. I went to get him some more medicine, knowing he needed sleep and he was in pain.
I came back with a glass of water and two pills. I sat down on the bed beside Pony, and rubbed his shoulder.
"Pony? Can you take some medicine for me?"
Pony turned around and that look-that haunted look scared me more than anything else.
He nodded, unable to speak through all the tears.
He took the pills from me and placed them in his mouth. Then he took the water, and swallowed the pills.
Pony gagged a little, and I pat his back.
He sank down on the bed, and the tears slowed alittle. He shut his eyes to the pain, and I admired his grit.
I looked at the bruise on his wrist. I don't remember seeing that one.
"Pony? Was that bruise always there?" I asked lightly touching it. He still winced. The bruise was a dark purplish-blue.
He shook his head "no."
"Where'd you get it? From when you fell?" Soda asked. All this was making him more upset, and I didn't know why.
"It. . . w-was the Socs." He said, and I understood they did it when they came back.
"Did they hurt you anywhere else?" I asked, worrying that they did even more damage then before.
Pony pointed to his head.
"They hit you on the head?" Soda asked, trying to understand by his motions.
He shook his head again. "No. . . inside."
"Oh, Pony." I realized that he meant they hurt him mentally, not just physically. Soda and I hugged our little brother. What were going to do about this? Pony was wasting away, mentally and physically.
Dallas' POV
I hate those Socs. How could they do something like that to the kid? He just turned fourteen a little over a week ago. This is no way for him to live. He's just a kid!
Two-Bit and I saw some Soc chick. I was ready to jump her, but, for some reason, Two-Bit held me back.
"What'd you do that for?" I asked, glaring at him.
"Don't do it. She's just a girl." He said.
"Yeah? And Pony's just a kid." When I made a move to leave, he held me back still.
"Don't do it, Dallas." The seriousness in Two-Bit's voice was the only thing that stopped me.
"You'd better have a good reason for doing that. Or I'll beat the tar out of you and that girl."
"Okay. Okay. Just don't beat up chicks, okay? She wasn't the one who beat up Pony."
"Maybe it was her boyfriend." I said under my breath.
Two-Bit shook his head at me.
We walked up to the Curtis' house. I was worried about Pony, though I wouldn't say it.
When we opened the door, no one was in the living room. I assumed they were in Pony's room, so that's where I went.
"What's up?" I said as I walked into the room. I got kind of sick to my stomach when I saw Ponyboy. He didn't look much better than he had the day before.
"How's the kid?" I asked, my tone a little quieter than I thought.
Pony was asleep on his bed, and Darry and Soda were watching him with pure fear in their eyes.
Darry got up and motioned for us to get out. Two-Bit and I complied, knowing the kid needed his rest. Sodapop stayed behind and watched over Pony.
When we got to the living room, Two-Bit sat down on the couch. I sat in the arm chair, knowing that that was where Darry usually sat. But I didn't care.
Darry just stood there. He ran his fingers through his hair, looking stressed out beyond belief.
"It's not good, guys. It's not good." He said.
"What's wrong?" I asked. I could see there was something bothering Darry. I just didn't know what.
"The Socs came. They came here."
"What!" I spoke my outrage.
"Pony was here, alone. They came in the house and attacked him again. From what I can see, they didn't hurt him much more, but I know this is scaring the hell out of Pony. He keeps shaking like a leaf at every little noise. Soda and I are worried."
"I can see why." Two-Bit said, clearly shocked at the news.
"What time did you leave here, Two-Bit?"
"Around three. I figured you guys would be home soon, anyway. I had to go get my car."
"We got home a little before four. They must have just come. Well, they couldn't have been here too long.
From now on, Pony is not to be alone. Ever. I don't want those Socs thinking that they can come in here whenever they want. I thought about locking the doors, but I guess that would only make them want to break in. So someone will be with him at all times. You guys'll have to help out, if you can."
"Sure, Darry. Whatever I can do. I'd like those Socs to come here when I am. Then I can show them what I really think of those no-good. . ." I went on to call the Socs every bad name under the sun.
"I know. Soda and I work during the day, but if you guys can't help on some days, then we'll call in sick."
"We don't need you guys doing that, Darry. You need all the money you can get. We'll make it work." Two-Bit said.
"Yeah. No matter what. One of us will be able to help."
"Thanks, guys. It means a lot to us."
So it was settled. The kid would be babysat 24/7. I just wonder how the kid will take the news.
Pony's POV
I couldn't stop shaking. I grabbed hold of the bed, trying to keep from shaking too much, but it wasn't working.
I turned over and saw Soda watching me.
He pushed my hair out of my face.
"You okay, honey?" He asked.
"No." I didn't mean to sound whiny, but that's the way it sounded.
"I know maybe. It'll be all right. Darry and I'll take care of you."
I hated myself for what I did next. I cried. Again.
"Sh. It's okay, baby." Soda said as he hugged me to his chest.
I was acting like such a baby. But I couldn't help it. I was scared. The Socs had taken what ever courage or toughness out of me.
There was a knock on the door, and I tried to stop crying.
Soda set me down and turned to the door.
"Come in!" He called.
Darry poked his head in.
"You okay, Pony?" He said.
"No. . .But I'll be okay." I said. My teeth began to chatter, though I wasn't cold.
"You cold, Ponyboy?" Soda asked, looking at me with that same worried look.
I shook my head.
Darry walked inside and placed his large hand on my forehead.
"You're not running a fever." Somehow, Darry came with the built-in thermometer only parents had.
"I know." I said. I tried turning over, but I yelped at the pain that shot through my side. I kept forgetting that I had broken ribs, but I was always reminded.
"Are you all right?" Darry asked. I saw the panic on his face, and I felt miserable for causing it.
Again, I shook my head no.
"It'll be okay, baby. You'll get better soon." Darry said as he stroked my hair.
But I wasn't so sure.
