Sunday Morning was pretty boring like the rest of the day. Steve, Soda, and Darry were at work like always. Johnny stayed the night again slightly feeling like a burden having slept over two days in a row; Dallas came back toward mid-afternoon black eye and all. At five two-bit was the last one to come over with a sizable bruise on his left shin, he learned his lesson: don't cheat a ten-year old girl at poker because they kick pretty damn hard.

The four friends spent a couple hours talking, watching TV, and playing around. It was more Two-bit telling jokes and annoying everyone but that was a given. Everything seemed fine but Ponyboy was having some stomach pain but didn't think anything of it. 'Just need something to eat.' He thought to himself. Sitting on the floor with Johnny he slowly stood only to be overcome by a sharp pain in his back and abdomen. He fell back onto the couch next to Dallas.

"What's wrong kid?" Though he'd never admit it Dally had a soft spot for Ponyboy too. He reminded Dally of one of his buddy's little brother's back in New York. They looked nothing alike and would more than likely never meet but the two acted like twins or something. "Nothing just stood up to fast." If NY taught him anything Dallas Winston could tell a lie from the truth like an expert. "What's wrong?" He asked trying to keep the concern out his voice. "Nothing, Dally just dizzy." He said standing up steadily but slower.

"Dal lay off he's fine." Two-bit muttered from Darry's armchair. "Whatever." He replied following his three-year junior into the small kitchen. Taking notice to his slow and almost painful-looking movements. Ponyboy opened the refrigerator and Dally leaned against the counter, Pony leaned down in the 'fridge. Dally was still watching him knowing what was going to happen next.

Pony quickly ran from the kitchen into the bathroom emptying his stomach into the toilet. "Dizzy my ass." Dally replied once again following the youngest Curtis. "Whoa I guess Soda's cooking is that bad." Two-bit said cracking up and earning a smile from Johnny who had also joined Dallas in the bathroom doorframe. After a few minutes the young boy flushed the toilet and sat down wiping the corners of his mouth. "Here Pone." Two-bit handed him a glass of water and Johnny sat next to him. "You still dizzy?" Dallas asked matter-of-factly. Pony resisted the urge to glare at the hood knowing he'd get hit for it.

"No" He tried to act normally ignoring the dull pain his abdomen and back. "What's goin' on?" Johnny whispered as helping his friend up from the floor and into his room. "Nothing." He answered putting the half empty cup on the nightstand. "You can't lie you know that right?" It was partly true Pony was a good liar but to Johnny and Soda he down right sucked. "It's my stomach and back they hurt a lil' bit." He finally admitted

"Why didn't you say anything?" Johnny wanted to know. "It's not a big deal Johnnycakes. It just feels like someone kicked me, that's all." He laid down on his back wincing at the slight pain it caused him. "A little bit huh?" Pony closed his eyes. Gosh Johnny I just wanna be left alone right now. I love ya and no offense but I don't want any company." Johnny sensed attitude coming from Pony. "I'm leavin' with Dally. I'll see ya later." With that Johnny and Dallas left heading over to Buck's. "Heya Pony I'm headin' out your Brother's should be here in twenty minutes." And now Two-bit was gone.

Ponyboy fell asleep before both his brothers got back. "Wow Darry I haven't heard the house this quiet in years." Darrel agreed. "Yeah, I'll start dinner and you check on Ponyboy." The blond mechanic went back to his room to find his little brother asleep, one arm across his side. 'Poor kid hope he gets some good rest.' Ponyboy had awoken twice last night with nightmares he couldn't remember. Darry and Soda tried to get him to talk but he kept his mouth shut.

Sodapop closed the door and set down at the table. "How his he?" Darry asked still stirring a pot of Mac and cheese. "Asleep."

"Oh." Dinner was unusually quiet because both brothers were thinking of their youngest. Then soon after they both went to bed.

Soda's POV

Ponyboy scared me something awful last night with those nightmares. They were the worst I've seen. It broke my heart to hear him scream next to me like that. I wanted to hold him and tell him to it would be okay but he wouldn't let either of us touch him and he didn't want to listen to us, he only wanted to go back to sleep.

Pony's been through a lot of stuff that kids his age shouldn't have to worry about. It took a lot out of him mental and physically where mom and dad died but after what the socs did I'm afraid we won't have the brother ever again. That would be devastating.

It's midnight when Pony starts tossing and turning. I stroke his hair and whisper into his ear. "It okay baby, calm down nothing is gonna hurt I promise." He stops moving for a minute but I know better. He kicks the covers off us and starts swatting my hand and pushing my chest. "It's only me. It's Sodapop." I hold his forearms to his sides but he moans in pain. "Lemme go." He whines. "Calm down it'll be okay. Please honey I need you to relax" Now he's struggling even more. I don't want to sit on him that would only make it worse. So I left him and jogged to Darry's room.

He sleeps on his stomach with his head resting on folded arms and his ankles crossed. "Darry wake up" I shake his shoulder without avail. So I shake him harder and he rolls over sitting up. "What is it?" His voice is softer when he sees the look on my face. "Its Pony, he's having a nightmare but he won't wake up."

We're back in our room in a minute. Ponyboy is still laying in bed clutching his right side whimpering in pain as tears slide down his cheeks. The pillows are also on the floor. "He wasn't in pain when I left." Darry walked around the side of the bed and I crawled over to my baby brother. "Pony honey wake up. Please just open your eyes baby." Darry's voice was so soft I couldn't help but smile. "I stroked his hair still whispering soothing words into his ear when he opened his eyes. More tears spilled from his beautiful gray-green orbs. "That's it baby."

He looked up at the ceiling obviously trying to hide the pain he was in. "It hurts." He moaned again. "Your side?" He nodded his head slowly. "How long has it been hurting?" I didn't notice anything before. "Today. I'm gonna be sick."

We helped him sit up and make it to the bathroom. "Come on Pony." He sat over the toilet but nothing happened. "It's okay." Darry said and Pony sat back, hands still on his side. His was pale but his cheeks and forehead were flushed pink. Darry placed the back against Pony's forehead. "God Pony you're burnin' up. Soda get me a wet towel." I complied the towel are in the hall closet so I went to get one but when I came back Pony was throwing up. I rubbed his back and handed Darry the cloth then went to get a glass of water.

This time Pony was leaning into Darry as he ran a wet towel over his face and neck. I handed Pony the glass but he only took a few sips.

I wanted to freak out because first he was raped and now he's sick gosh I needed to know why he was so sick. "Darry what's wrong with him?"

"I don't know hon.," He admitted. There was this look of pity in his eyes backed up by anger I knew my eyes were the same. "It hurts so much." He groaned. I knew Pony didn't complain for no reason and when he did he really meant it so by that and the look on his face he was in serious pain.

"We gotta take him to the hospital." I knew Ponyboy hated hospital, hell we all did it was that sterile smell that got to me. And Pony was afraid of needles Darry was too. "Go start the truck, the keys are on the counter." He picked up Pony and I went to grab the keys and start up our old Ford pick-up. Darry placed Pony in the middle seat and we went inside to get our shoes and jackets.

In a second we were back in the truck and on the way to the hospital. Darry was gripping the wheel staring hard at the road. Pony put his head in my lap still wincing. Once again I stroked his hair and he closed his eyes but I knew he was still awake. "Darry what's wrong wit 'em." He still didn't look at me or answer me. "Darry?!" I needed him to say something tell me something to make me believe my baby brother would be okay. "I dunno." He finally answered pulling into the hospital parking lot. "I dunno."