Two-Bit's POV

Dallas was in the back seat of my car. He just kept babbling.

"Dallas, shut up!" Steve barked.

He was silent for a few seconds, but then he started talking again. Steve sighed, and just stared ahead of him. We were driving him to the Curtis' home. Maybe he could crash there for a while.

"Damn it!" Dallas exclaimed from the back seat. I hit the brakes and turned around to look at him.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked.

His eyes were burning with anger.

Steve looked at me with confusion. I didn't know what was up, either.

Dallas searched his pockets quickly.

"Where are my damn drugs?" Dallas screaming, anger clearly in his voice.

Steve had flushed them down the toilet.

Uh-oh.

Darry's POV

I walked down the hallway to Pony's room. Today was the day he had to go in for the skin grafts. Despite what I figured, he didn't seem nervous or upset.

I knocked on the door before I entered.

Pony was laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"You ready to go, baby?" I asked as I came over to sit by him.

He nodded, but that was all. I couldn't understand how he could continue to just stare at the ceiling for such long periods of time.

"You need any help?" I asked gently.

He shook his head, so I got up to leave. I closed the door behind me, but I was waiting behind the door should he have needed me.

I heard him as he struggled into his wheelchair.I heard a loud thud as he hit the ground.

I gasped and reached for the door knob, preparing to go in and save him.

Soda came walking out of the bathroom and shook his head at me, warning me not to go in there. But I sure wanted to.

I heard Pony as he grunted and groaned as he picked himself up and into his wheelchair. Then I heard the panting of his breath.

I moved away from the door, knowing he'd be out soon.

I held the door open for him as he rolled out onto the porch. Before I could move, he rolled down the steps.

"Pony!" I gasped, fearing the worse.

As he safely hit the bottom, he looked at me like something was wrong with me. He was safe.

I controlled my breathing as I stepped down.

Soda looked at me with a grin. I could see the pride on his face.

Pony wheeled himself to the side of the car. And, once again, before I could get to his side, he opened up the door and pulled himself in.

Soda began to say something smart, but I stopped him with a death glare. He just laughed at me.

I got into the truck and waited on Soda.

We then drove to the hospital. I pulled up to the door and Pony and Soda got out while I went to park.

I came back and I signed Pony in and filled out all the paperwork.

His doctor came out after a while and said it was time to take him back. We got to see Pony before he went into surgery. Hew as dressed in the hospital gown and they started putting a mask over his face. It reminded me of the breathing mask he finally got to take off.

"You'll do fine, baby. We'll be here when you're done." I said with a smile.

"See you on the other side, kid. You'll be great." Soda said, squeezing Pony's hand.

Pony began to mumble something incoherent and then he drifted off to sleep.

Soda's POV

We waited for an hour before Pony came out of surgery. He seemed okay. His eyes were shut because he was still under the anesthesia.

Pony was brought into a recovery room and Darry and I sat by him as we waited for him to wake up. The doctor said he wouldn't have to spend the night, so we could take him home soon after he woke up.

It didn't take long for Pony to wake up.

His breathing suddenly quickened and Darry and I looked at him. He was awake, and just afraid of where he was.

"Hey, it's okay, baby. We're here." Darry said, taking his hand while I took the other.

He looked at both of us and his breathing slowed.

"You feel all right, baby?" I asked him.

He nodded, though I still saw the fear in his eyes.

"You did great in surgery, honey. Just like we knew you would." Darry said, smiling at him. I missed Pony's smiles, though.

"When can I go home?" Pony asked, sounding a little shaken.

"Soon. The doctors just want to make sure you're okay first, and then you can go." Darry answered.

Pony sank back into the pillows and closed his eyes.

"Why don't you go tell the nurse that he's awake?" Darry asked me.

So I got up and went to the nurses station and told them to page Dr. Reardon.

Soon the doctor came in and checked Pony over. He seemed fine, so he let us take him home.

"He'll be sore for a while, but that's normal. He should be okay soon, though. He'll have to come back soon for a checkup." The doctor had told us.

To Darry's delight and Pony's annoyance, Darry had to carry Pony to the car. We kept a pillow in there for him to sit on to help cushion him more.

We got home soon after and Pony went straight to his room. That was where he always was. He barely came out to eat anymore.

"That went well, don't you think?" Darry asked me.

I didn't think so.

Pony's POV

I look like a mummy.

I'm wrapped up from the waist down, or of what is down there. It's driving me insane. I look like a freak.

I rested my head back on my bed, willing the tears to stay away. I didn't need them now. I already look silly enough without adding bawling like a baby to the mix.

Soda came in after a little while.

He sat down beside me on the bed. We sat there in silence for several minutes before Soda spoke.

"What's wrong?" Soda asked, looking over at me.

"Nothing." I answered, looking away.

Soda grabbed my chin and made me face him.

"Pony, it's me you're talking to. I know when something's up with you. What is it? You can tell me anything."

I cast my eyes downward.

"Pony, look at me." I did.

"Talk to me. We used to be able to talk. What's wrong now? Why won't you open up to me?"

I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't and I wouldn't.

"Talk to me!" Soda demanded.

"I can't..." I replied.

"Why not? Pony we always talked before. Why not now? Why?"

I just shook my head and turned over. He wouldn't understand. No one would. Except maybe Johnny...

Johnny's POV

"Son, your trial is tomorrow." The guard said to me through the bars.

I nodded, just to let him know I heard him. I was terrified.

I reread Pony's letter. I couldn't believe his leg had been amputated. If only I had gone in with him! Maybe we could have gotten out quicker, maybe the one kid wouldn't have died...

I couldn't think about the what ifs, though. It would do me no good.

My stomach churned as I thought about tomorrow. I'd see most of the gang tomorrow, or at least that's what they said. I did have a lawyer, thanks to the gang. They had pulled some strings to find one, but he wasn't as good as could be expected. He was the cheapest they could get. But it was enough for me.

I just wanted this nightmare to be over.

The next chapter will contain part, or all, of the trial. So the wait will be over. Again, I'm not real sure on this. If anyone has information on this, please, share. I found a few things out, but it's not much. Wish me luck, and please don't hate me if it's not believable. I'm going to try my hardest. It will be a while before I update again, so bare with me.

Love ya!