"Hellllp! Hellllllllppppppp me!" a voice rang through the air. Luckily Soda and Steve happened to be outside when the cry for help came. They bolted
from the porch heading towards where the screams had come from. They reached the lot and record time stumbling upon the scene they had feared. There at the lot were five Socs
surrounding one person on the ground taking turns kicking and stomping on them. The boy's blood was boiling as they leaped into action.
Soda took a hold of a Soc and gripping him by the collar causing the sound of ripping cloth before he started pounding on the boy not holding back any mercy on the Soc.
Steve shoved the closest Soc to him causing him to hit the ground with a sickening thud. As Steve watched the Soc fall, he felt a grasp on his shoulder. Steve clinched his fist and
turned quickly around connecting to another Socs jaw. The Soc retaliated and started pounding on Steve. Steve Caught himself as he started to fall and came back up with a strong
left hook to the nose sending blood splattering on the ground and Steves clothes.
Meanwhile Soda was taking on two Socs on his own. He was holding his own. He was getting in some good hits but receiving several as well. Soda is able to knock one down
and leaps on the other pounding a way until he hears the crack of the bone. Soda knew he had broken his nose. As Soda lays over the Soc he is grabbed from behind. Soda froze as
heard the click of the knife opening behind him. The Soc jabbed towards Soda cutting his ear. Soda sighed as he saw the knife go flying. Steve had kicked the knife away before
throwing a powerful punch knocking the Soc down.
After Steve confiscated the knives, the Socs started running off towards the car. As soon as they drove off the boys dropped down beside the kid on the ground. When they
looked closely at him they realized it was Johnny Cade. His face was so swollen and covered with blood and nearly unrecognizable, Soda was terrified to touch him
since he did not see movement. He secretly worried the Socs had killed him.
Steve put his hand on Johnny breathing a sigh of relief. He could feel a pulse. "He's alive," Steve said laughing but near tears at the same time, This made Soda jump into his
big brother mode.
"Johnny! Johnny. Buddy we are here," Soda tells Johnny gently rubbing Johnny's hair.
"Sss...Soda," Johnny cried out. " I thought they were going to kill me," Johnny whispered breaking down in tears The tears scared his friends. Johnny never cried. He gets beat
on at home all the time with out making a peep.
"Its ok Johnny. Steve and I are here now, We ain't gonna let them hurt you no more," Soda tells him soothingly. Soda gently cradles Johnny head in his lap trying to soothe him
as best as he could, "Steve I need you to hurry and get Darry," Soda tells him.
"Got it, " Steve answers before sprinting off towards the Curtis house,
"There we are," Darry declares as he finishes tying his brothers shoes.
"Is it time to go?" Ponyboy asks excitedly,. Ponyboy has been invited for the first time to a birthday party for a kid at school. He had been looking forward to it all week.
He could not wait to play games, but he was most excited about cake. He was hoping it was chocolate.
"Ten minutes. So why don't you sit in here and color a picture while you wait?" Darry suggests hoping to calm his brother down so he can enjoy coffee before going to the party.
Ponyboy was happy with the idea and laid on his floor with his crayons and books. Darry went into the kitchen and poured himself a mug of black coffee. He carried it to the living room
sitting down in the arm chair. He sat sipping it listening to the peaceful sound of silence.
Darry was just half way through his coffee when the door slammed open. "Damn it Steve," Darry cursed barely glancing his way.
"Darry quick. Johnny!Lot!" is all Steve could get out. His adrenaline was fading and he was starting to ache.
"Shit! Darry curses just noticing Steves face. " Stay here with Ponyboy," He tells Steve quickly heading to the lot. Darry was in good shape so it took no time for him to arrive at the
lot. Seeing Johnny cradled in Sodas arm looking so rough made Darry feel ill. But just like normal he pushed away his feelings since he had to be the strong one.
"Darry!" Soda cries happy to see his eldest brother. " Darry the Socs hurt him real bad! Steve and I came when we heard him cry for help," Soda said as though he was trying to
convince Darry he did all he could, when deep down he was trying to convince himself.
"Hey Johnny," Darry says as nicely as he could slowly gathering Johnny into his own arms and trying to keep from hurting him further. Johnny was still crying at this point
making Darry angry wishing he could get his hands on the Socs who did this to Johnny. Johnny would normally be embarressed being carried like he was and for crying, but he was
hurting so bad he didn't care. He felt comforted knowing he would be going to the only safe place he had.
Soda sprinted ahead opening the door for his brother. When they arrived Darry carried Johnny gently over to the couch laying him down. Steve had already got out Darrys first
aid and sewing kit knowing he would need them. Johnny had a couple cuts that were profusely bleeding. Darry grabbed a towel holding it to Johnny's forehead trying to slow the
bleeding. "This is going to hurt," Darry tells Johnny before pouring medicine in the cut, Johnny let out a scream as pain seared through his cut. Soda and Steve were helping hold him
still.
"Darry can we leave now?" Pony question watching from afar,
"Sorry little brother we are not going to be able to go," Darry tells him apologetically while threading the needle getting ready to stitch up Johnnys first cut.
"Well that ain't fair!" Pony screams crossing his arms and daringly stomps his foot at his brother. Pony was getting to Darry with his attitude, but he did not plan to show it.
He knew his brother was upset and had that right. He knew they would talk about the attitude after Johnny was cared for,
Darry starts stitching the cut. Pony grows more angry by the moment that he was not succeeding in getting his brothers attention. Ponyboy sarts crying and sceaming louder.
He than picks up a book from the coffee table and throws it across the room with it hitting the wall with a loud thud! Darrys face turned a dangerous. Pony had really pissed him off.
Seeing his brothers face Soda jumps up grabbing his brother and rushing him to his bedroom. Pony yelling at him to put him down the whole time.
"You better stay in here and calm down," Soda tells him sternly sitting him on the bed before hurrying back to assist Darry shutting the door behind him.
Being put in his room set Pony off more. He got off his bed and goes over and starts banging on his door screaming. Pony however did not have the nerve to come out.
Darry ignored his brothers fit while finishing his second set of stitches. Once he was stitched Darry cleaned his face up and carefully pulled off the blood soaked shirt.
He helped Johnny sit up and bandaged his ribs knowing that some were cracked or worse broke.
By time Johnny was doctored up Pony has escalated to laying on the floor kicking the walls screaming bloody murder. Darry was now where he could go handle his little
brother now. Darry wanted to do nothing more than to get give the kid a good spankin. Darry knew he was too mad for that though. He had to approach him in a calm manner.
"Soda please get Johnny some water and pain pills. While you are at it get ice packs for the three of you. I'm going to take care of another problem," Darry tell his brother.
Soda gives him a concerned look. but knew at this point that his little brother had gone too far and deserved what ever Darry felt best.
Darry opens his brothers door to find his brother laying on the floor in midst of his tantrum. Darry walked over and picked his brother up carrying him to the bed. Darry sits on
the bed pulling his brother tight to him. Even with Ponys resistance Darry could easily restrain him. "Ponyboy Michael Curtis. You need to stop this right now. I want you to do as I say.
I need you to take a deep breath," Darry tells him showing him an example.
Pony stops screaming but tears remain rolling down his face as he looks up at his brother. "Come on Ponyboy deep breaths," Darry tries again. This time Pony listens and for the
next few minutes both boys take calming breaths. Darry eased his grip on his brother as the boy calmed down. Pony started leaning his head into his brothers chest listening to his
heartbeat. Pony has always found heartbeats to be soothing.
"Ponyboy!" Darry says lifting the boys chin up forcing him to look at him. "I'm very disappointed in you. Your not a baby but yet something happens and you don't get your way
here you are throwing a fit just like a baby would. You were very rude, disrespectful, and worst of all selfish. Your friend is laying in there hurt Ponyboy. That is not how we behave,
You have every right to be diappointed and buddy you better get use to it, because life aint fair and stuff happens. I love you no matter what but next time i'll beat your bottom! Is
that understood" Darry sternly scolds the boy.
"Yes sir," Pony answers through tear filled eyes. He was very disappointed in himself and sad for upsetting his brothers. Darry had never called him selfish before and it made him
feel terrible.
Darry held Pony looking at him for a few minutes making sure his brother got the message before wrapping the boy in his arms comforting him. Darry was still trying to learn
how to parent. It was a hard balance with discipline and love. He found a fine line between the two at times.
"Lets go in there ok little brother?" Darrya asks wanting to check on everyone else again.
"I can't" Ponyboy tells him shly.
"Why not?" Darry laughs. Sometimes his brother was funny.
"Because everyone will be mad at me. I was too bad," Pony confides near tears.
"Well baby when you act a fool sometimes it sucks, but we have to correct our wrongs and make amends," Darry tells him.
" Will you carry me in there?" Pony asks wanting the comfort of his oldest brother. Darry makes good on the request carrying his brother into the living room. When the guys
looked their way Pony hides his face in Darrys shoulder in shame .Darry decided to walk over to Soda drop the kid in his lap.
"Tag your it," Darry chuckles taking his spot in his chair. Darry smiles as Pony curls up in his brothers lap. Darry glances to Johnny who was sleeping on the couch. Johnny
was going to be hurting for a few days that was for sure. Darry just hoped he healed quickly.
"Soda does your face hurt?" Pony questions studying his bruise.
"Shoot kid aint no body can hurt me," Soda brags.
"Is that a challenge?" Darry questions cocking an eye brow at his brother in amusement.
"Well Ponboy no one but Darry, But dont worry i'm just saying that trying not to hurt his ego. You know he can't hurt me," Soda speaks to Pony but eyes Darry with his joking
sparkle in his eyes,
"You get any mouthier and we might just see who gets hurt," Darry tells him playfully. Even Steve had to crack a grin. These brothers were a mess. Pony had Soda held on God
status. Ponyboy thuoght Soda was the greatest thing since the invention of candy.
"Soda will those mean boys get in trouble when they get home?" Pony questions.
"Probally not," Soda answers truthfully. If the kids had discipline there would not be the issues that exist now.
"Well thats not fair! They were super bad! If I been mean like that Darry would spank my bottom and make say sorry," Pony pouted. How come he was the only kid to get
in trouble?
"And don't you forget that Ponyboy. I would make it where you could not sit down for a month if you go acting like those boys. And that little brother is a promise," Darry
threatens his brother.
"Thats okay. I don't like being mean. When I am it makes my stomach feel sick inside," Pony reassures Darry. He hates anyone being upet.
"We know you won't be like them," Soda says ruffling Ponys hair a bit.
"I'm sorry for acting bad earlier. I'm really sorry Soda and Steve. " Pony says taking this time appoligize to his brother and friend.
"Its ok," Both boys agreed. Everyone had thier moments after all.
"Hey Soda we have to get to work," Steve tells Soda after glancing at the clock,
"Shit." Soda said bouncing up. "Bye kiddo. Love ya." He said kissing the top of his head before putting him down.
"Dar, do you mind us catching a movie after work?" Soda asks as they head to the door.
"Be home by midnight," Darry answers.
"Ill be here. Can we take Pony?" Soda asks earning an eye roll from his friend.
"No! Darry won't let me go out after I act bad." Pony answers for his brother. Pony already knew the rules. Soda still eyes Darry for an answer. Darry simply shakes his head no.
"See yall later," Soda says turning and going out the door shutting it behind him.
Pony made his way to his brother after Soda left. He climbed into Darrys lap.
"Darry?" Pony says to get his brothers attention.
"Yes baby?" Darry responds hugging his brother to him.
"I'm kinda happy not to go to the movie tonight," Pony tells him.
"Ok. I'll bite. Why are you happy?" Darry questions out of curiousity.
"Because sometimes I like just hanging out with us two." Pony tells him with a smile.
" I love hanging out with you too. I'm just sorry we can't go for ice cream or to the park," Darry tells his baby brother.
"I know. I'm sorry. " Pony says looking sad.
"But thats ok. I think we should read us a good book here. Maybe Johnny will hear some of it if he wakes up soon. Then maybe you can help me do the yard work," Darry
tells him.
"Instead of a story will you sing my song?" Pony questions Ever since he could remember You are my sunshine has been his song. His parent and brothers have frequently sang
it to him.
"You are my sunshine. my only sunshine" Darry started singing to his brother. Pony laid content with his brother and his best friend close by asleep.
Woo hoo Finally did a thing called updating! I really have done it three times, but my computer shut off with out saving once and the other I don't even know. I wanna say i'm not
responsible for all the ideas in this chapter. I have my next chapter roughly written. This story is one shots but the next chapter will be two. I'll try to get a few chapters written in the
next week. Again i'm sorry for the long wait but the next chapter is at editing point! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter,
Thanks always for reviews!
~Unknown
P.S. If any one wants to be beta and help edit please pm me! My computer has been sucking lately and editing has not been easy. Several times it has deleted what I wrote.
