Soda quickly went to take a shower and changed into a white shirt with some red plaid sweatpants before going to bed. He wanted to be with Bexley, not wanting to leave her alone for a minute. Luckily, he didn't have to work tomorrow so he could stay home with her. That day at work was hard because all he could think about was Bexley.
Later on that night, around one or two in the morning, Ponyboy woke up with a start by heavy, frightened breathing. He knew that it was coming from Bexley. Since he was sleeping in her bed, he got up and rushed to his and Soda's bed.
She was lying beside Soda, fidgeting and fighting something only she could see. He'd seen her have nightmares like this before and have had some like this, but this one was ten times worse than before.
Tears ran down her pale face and she was trembling something awful. When Ponyboy tried waking her up, she went crazy on him. "No, please! Don't touch me! No!" she wailed, her voice filled with fear. She tried wailing on him in an attempt to protect herself.
"Bexley! It's Ponyboy! Wake up!" Ponyboy said, desperately trying to wake her up. Soda was awoken by their screams and saw the source of the trouble.
"What's wrong?!" he said in a panic. "She-She won't wake up, Soda!" Pony squeaked in fear. Soda grabbed Bexley by the shoulders, calling out to her in distress. "Wake up! Baby girl, please wake up!" he cried.
Under the moonlight, it made the bruises on her body look even worse than before. She wasn't the same Bexley they grew up with. The spunky, happy, not scared of anything one was replaced with this empty, broken shell that she once was. It was painful to see. God, how much more could she take before going completely insane?
Her brothers felt as though they had failed her. They were her big brothers, they were supposed to protect her and Ponyboy. And they couldn't protect them from their nightmares.
Ponyboy had grabbed the glass of water that was on the side table and threw it on her face, a bad mistake. Bexley fought even more with a scream as she felt the water on her face. "No! I can't swim!" she screamed in fear.
"Bexley, look at me. Look at me, it's alright," Soda said softly, brushing the hair out of her face. Bexley was having a hard time trying to figure out if she was still dreaming or if she was awake. She didn't recognize Soda's arms as he brought her into a loving hug. "N-No! Let go! Please let go!" she sobbed, trying to push away from him.
"Sshhh… it's okay… it was only a nightmare. You're home, safe with us…" Soda assured, rocking her back and forth gently. Bexley registered her brother's voice, and she started sobbing in his chest, grabbing onto him with all her strength.
Ponyboy hugged her from behind, letting her know that he was there for her. Darry hears her cries from his bedroom and went into the bedroom to check on her. He sees Bexley sobbing into Soda's chest, Soda holding her close, Ponyboy holding her from behind. His heart shattered when he saw this and he goes over to them.
Darry held all of his siblings close to them, knowing Bexley had a nightmare. He felt profoundly guilty for letting those Socs get to her. Why did it have to come to this? He was their foundation, their wall. Things would just crumble around them if he fell apart.
Bexley had calmed down a few minutes later. She was able to lay down again. "You feelin' alright?" Darry asked, brushing her hair back from her eyes. Bexley nodded, not saying a word. She was trying so hard to tough out her sickness, but they didn't want her to do that.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Darry asked quietly. All she did was shake her head, her whole body shaking. "Okay… go back to sleep, okay? I'll take you to the doctor tomorrow," Darry said, retiring to his own room.
Soda and Ponyboy didn't leave her side. Both wanted to make sure she was okay. Bexley was trying to stop shaking, but it was fruitless. "Do you want us to stay with you tonight?" Soda asked quietly. "Mmm-hmm…" she mumbled, not wanting to be alone.
The brothers didn't hesitate to lay down beside her so she was sandwiched in between them, just like she wanted. Bexley snuggled as close as she could to Soda, her hand reaching behind her for Pony's hand, which he gladly took.
Knowing both of her brothers were there, she could fall asleep again.
Going to the doctor is very welcomed.