Ok peoples! Here is chapter 8…sorry it's been so long…been on vacation and wasn't motivated.

Note: For all you continuity freaks, I am swapping EMT for Paramedic…not a big dif, just shorter.

Disclaimer: S.E. Hinton owns these faboo characters!

xxx

Soda's POV

Too many things were happening at once. My head swirled at the words Cardiac Arrest.

Heart Attack.

My baby brother was having a heart attack.

Dizzy, I blinked as I tried to focus on Ponyboy. The EMT's were furiously pumping away on his chest.

I looked for any sign of movement. Finding none, I doubled over nearly sobbing.

"Easy there." Steve patted my back. "He'll be ok Soda."

I heard the strain in his voice. I shuddered heavily and wiped the tears from my eyes. Placing my hands on my knees, I breathed hard.

"1,2,3..." The EMT's counted off the breaths given to my brother. Every breath was a second he went without air.

I felt nauseous. The room was heavy with tension as Steve, Two-Bit and I all waited for Pony's first gasp of air.

"C'mon kid. Don't let me down," someone said pleadingly.

That was Two-Bit. I had nearly forgotten he was here. His alarm spurred mine.

"Steve, Steve, he's not breathing...it's been too long..." My voice broke as I choked on my words.

Steve looked at me helplessly, fearfully. I was about to crack. He knew it and I knew it.

If Pony died in front of me I would never get over it. Hell, just seeing this would embed itself into my memory forever.

I was about to rip those damn EMT's off of Ponyboy and pour all that was left of me into himself. Pony had an everlasting stand in for death: me.

Suddenly, I was saved.

"I've got a pulse. Weak but there." An EMT interrupted my mental torture.

"Thank God, Thank God," I mumbled.

Steve slowly let out a long-held sigh. Two-Bit looked towards the ceiling mouthing something.

I furiously ran my hands through my hair and watched as the EMT's quickly loaded Pony onto the waiting stretcher.

I went to him and grabbed his hand. It was so limp it fell out of my slack grip.

This scared me. He was so cold and...

I gulped hard.

"Ponyboy." I tightened my grip on his hand and cupped his chin in my other hand, pulling his face towards me. His wan face flopped toward me.

"Outta the way, son," the older EMT shoved me aside as they started wheeling my brother out of the room.

"I'm not leaving him," I said quietly, but menacingly. I glared at the EMT and stepped closer to him, clenching my fists.

I swear to God if they make me leave...

My face must have looked dangerous because Steve shook his head ever so slightly. I knew he was warning me against freaking out.

The younger EMT spoke. "Kid, you can ride in the ambulance, just let us get him outside."

I nodded. Steve, Two-Bit and I followed them as they rushed Pony out of the room.

As we made it onto the lawn, pushing through the spectators, I thought of Darry. I whirled around quickly to face Steve.

"Don't worry. I got it. Go." He already knew what I was going to ask.

"Thanks."

"Yeah 'course, Soda." Steve pushed me into the ambulance. I scrambled into the corner next to where Ponyboy lay and gripped his hand once again.

"We'll meet you there!" He shouted as the doors swung shut. I vaguely wondered how they would get there without a car until the blare of the siren woke me from my daze.

I looked at Pony. There was an oxygen mask on his face, making him look small and even sicker. His lips looked blue.

Panicked I asked, "Hey are you sure he's breathing alright?"

The older EMT sighed. "Son, we're doing all we can. Best wait 'til we get to the hospital to know more."

I nodded silently. I bit my lip and tried to stop from crying in frustration.

We didn't know what was wrong with him. It was just like when he collapsed that night after the rumble. There was only one thing I knew: this wasn't no concussion.

"Pony? Baby? It's Soda. You hang in there alright? Darry's gonna meet us at the hospital. You're gonna be just fine, honey."

I clenched his hand so tight I almost thought he would wake up and yell at me for being too rough. At least, I wished he would.

I looked up in time to catch the older EMT glance at Ponyboy then shake his head at the other EMT. The younger one met my eyes with a grim smile.

My stomach fell.

"Oh God, Jesus," I hung my head and said to anyone who would listen.

XXX

Feedback puh-leeze! If I was nice enough to update you can at least respond!

: Hands on Hips:Taps feet:

Also, Soda is not my strongest POV. I feel that I am not sure if I can portray his character very well. But I hope so! Let me know what you think!

Cheerio!

P.S. Sanskrit where is your update? Hmmmm?