Two-Bit's POV

I hated the call I got last night. Darry had called to tell me what had happened to Pony, and that he could use a visitor or two right now. So I was now driving to the hospital to see Pony.

I wasn't prepared for the sight awaiting me. Pony looked pale and flushed. And I couldn't help but notice the sinking of the bed sheets where the rest of his leg should be.

"Hey, Pony." I said, coming up to sit by him.

"Hey." He said without much happiness or enthusiasm.

"Hi." A girl said from across the way.

"Hello. I'm Two-Bit." I said, extending my hand to her as I tried to be on my best behavior.

"I'm Rose. Pony's told me a lot about you. You seem funny." She said, then giggled behind her hand.

"Oh, really?" I said, rasing one eyebrow above the other as

I looked at Pony. He wasn't amused, though.

"Yeah. He says you like Mickey Mouse. I prefer Goofy." She said. That sparked my interest.

"Oh, yeah? Mickey Mouse could whoop Goofy any day." I said, sitting down between Pony and Rose's bed.

"Nope. Goofy's much taller. Besides, how many mice can beat up dogs? I mean, really, come on."

I smiled to myself. I liked this girl.

"Pony, what do you think?" I asked, turning to him. His face had gone even whiter than the sheets and I noticed that his teeth were clenched.

"Pony? You okay?" Rose asked.

"How can I be okay? I'm a pathetic excuse for a human being. I can't walk, I'm stuck in this bed all damn day. What do you think? I'm not okay! I'm miserable!" He said, turning away from us as best he could in his condition.

I looked back to Rose, whose eyes were swimming with tears.

I reached out and patted her hand. Where did that come from?

I walked across the room to the side of the bed Pony was facing.

"What's wrong?" I asked him as I knelt so I could be face-to-face with him.

"Everything in my life." Pony said in return.

"Not everything. You have me in your life. What's wrong with that?" I said, grinning mischieviously.

"Great." Pony said and turned his face into the pillow.

I moved my hand to turn his face toward me so he'd face me.

"Pony, you have to older brothers who would do anything in the world for you. They love you more than anything else in this world. You have the whole gang. We're all here for you. We'll back you up any time you need it. And Rose over there seems like quite the catch." I said, looking up at her and smiling." Just ask for help when you need it. We're all here."

Pony's eyes were wet with unshed tears. He turned his head again and buried his face in the pillow once more. I thought I heard him mutter "I wish I had died," but I couldn't be certain.

I'd have to talk to Darry and Soda about this.

Darry's POV

Two-Bit came out of Pony's room looking sadder than when he went in. Soda was at work and I was off for the day.

"Hey, Two-Bit. Have you seen Dallas lately? I haven't seen him in weeks."

"No, me either." Two-Bit said, raking his fingers through his hair.

"Darry, I need to talk to you about Pony."

"What about him?" I asked, worried again.

"He just got really snappish with Rose. He seems depressed or something, man. I don't know. I thought I heard him say..."

"Say what?" I asked.

"I thought I head him say...'I wish I had died.'"

I stumbled backwards and sank into the chair behind me. I stood staring, until it hit me so hard that I broke into tears.

"Come on, man. Maybe I heard him wrong or, or something." Two-Bit stuttered.

"No. I'm sure he did. He's been really secluded lately. Ever since he found out about his leg, he never tells us anything. He won't even cry. And I know he's been having those nightmares again. I just don't know what to do for him anymore."

"It's not your fault, Darry." Two-Bit comforted as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I wish I could stop all this for him. He's been through too much."

"What's going on?" Soda asked worriedly as he came from down the hall. He must have just gotten off work.

"I don't know anymore, Soda." I said, shaking my head.

Two-Bit took Soda aside and told him about Pony.

Soda came back, but Two-Bit was leaving. Soda sat beside me and placed and arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him, and he wrapped me in a hug.

Sometimes I just needed to be held.

Rose's POV

I hated that Pony was so mad. He seemed mad at me, but I knew he wasn't. I'd been through something similar before.

But that's a different story.

I wish he'd talk to me. I always found it easier to talk to people I don't know as well. It's kind of sad, though. I mean, I couldn't even talk to my own parents when I was going through...Well, anyway, I hope Pony is okay. I know he thinks that his life is over, but it isn't.

I looked over at Pony. He was asleep. I hated the fact that I'd be leaving soon. I got to go home in two days. Well, maybe Pony will be going home soon, too, so I won't have to feel guilty about leaving him alone.

I'd really hate leaving the hospital, because we probably would never see each other again. That thought saddened me.

He'd need help to get through this. And I'd be the perfect candidate. Especially after...

Dallas' POV

I ran around town in my drunken rage. I drank every night, just to try to forget what I had caused for poor Johnny. But no matter how much I drank, when I woke up from the hangover, the guilt just kept on coming back.

I was stumbling around town when I came upon some guys in a back alley. It was dark and I had to squint to see clearly.

"Hey, man. You want some?" Some guy asked, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing some type of drugs.

Maybe that would help me forget.