Darrel's POV

When we pulled into the parking lot Soda was damn near tears and Pony was still in pain. 'Pony will be okay. My brother will be okay' was the constant thought in my head. I'd snap if what the socs did caused this pain. I pull Pony out slipping one arm under his knees and the other around his back. He slowly wrapped an arm around my neck resting his head on my shoulder.

We walked through the automatic double doors with Soda right beside me. I softly place him on the gurney watching his face twist in agony one last time as they wheeled him away. Soda sniffed and I threw my arm around his shoulders leading us over to the uncomfortable orange chairs.

The clock closest to us read twelve-thirty. I pull Soda down so his back lay on my knees. A few tears slid down his face. "Darry do you…do you think it's an STD or something?" I've been trying to put that thought out of my head. I don't want to think about what they did to my little brother because then I'd just get angry.

"Maybe, I hope not. But be was holding one specific side so it maybe it's just his appendix." I remember when Two-bit and Dally had appendicitis, it was about three years ago, Two-bit said it hurt like hell but in a couple of weeks he was back to normal. Dallas being Dallas didn't complain but he cursed a blue streak.

"I remember the look on that doctor's face when Dally got to the hospital."

"Yeah." I agreed. The whole staff was happy to see him go. Our mom didn't say anything when she heard Dallas' vocabulary. I guess she figured this was better than keeping it in.

"Yeah" he added softly. "If that's it he'll be okay." I closed my eyes but quickly opened them when Soda started talking again. "It's okay Darry you said it your self he's a tuff kid."

It was true maybe I didn't say it as much as I should but Pony was a pretty good kid. I was usually to busy yelling at him about what he shouldn't do and how he could do better than actually praising him for the stuff he did do right. I guess it was pretty tough on him having to go from having parents and an oldest brother applauding him to having no parents and a brother who criticizes everything thing he does.

Soda tells me to ease up but I don't ever listen to him. I suppose he knows what he's talking about since Pony loves him more than anybody.

After a while a thirty-something year old doctor walked over to us, two clipboards in hand. "Are you here for Ponyboy Curtis?" Soda sits upright and I stand up. "Yes, we're his brothers. I'm Darrel Curtis and this is Sodapop. I'm his legal guardian."

"Hello I'm Dr. Henry Deerfield." I shook his hand then he shook Soda's. "Is he gonna be okay?" Soda asked timidly. "For the time being. Yes he will be okay. Come I'll explain on the way to his room." I walked on his left side and Soda stood beside me. "We're running some test to rule out and eventually learn what the problem is. It could be just an infection or something else. Ponyboy is on an IV right now and I've given him some pain medicine. So by now he should be sleeping or dozing off."

We walked down the long hallway and turned to another one but stopped at one of the first doors. It was numbered 204. Dr. Deerfield opened the door and stepped aside to let Soda and me in first.

Pony looked so young lying in the bed. If it hadn't been for the discoloration of the bruises he would've blended in perfectly with the white sheets. Soda walked over to the right side of the bed.

His eyes were only half open and his lips slightly parted. "Hey Ponyboy." Soda whispered rubbing his hand. "Hey" His voice was almost inaudible. The clock above the bed read 1:30 I hadn't realized we had been waiting that long. Dr. Deerfield walked to the end of the bed and put the clipboard in the slot. The other clipboard he handed to me, "I need you to fill out these patient information forms. I'll be back by the time your done." When he was talking to me his voice seemed colder like I'd done something wrong.

"Okay" There was a small table so I took a seat in the chair. Soda was quietly talking to Pony but I'm sure Pony wasn't really talking. In fifteen minutes I was done with the papers and the doctor walked back in with a manila folder in hand. "Is he asleep?"

"Almost." Soda said not taking his eyes off Pony

"Are those his test results?" I asked handing him the clipboard. "Yes they are. Your brother has a high level of white blood cells that means his body is trying to fight off an infection. I've concluded his has an appendicitis, I've scheduled a surgery for eight-thirty this morning."

"Why at eight thirty?" That's almost seven hours from now.

"We have to wait for the pediatric anesthesiologist, he doesn't come until the morning, and we are still waiting on the STD report." I cringed at the last part. For the next couple of minute Dr. Deerfield explained about the appendectomy and how it would be done. I was just glad he wouldn't be in pain any more. Then a nurse came in and handed him another folder and he handed her the clipboard. "Mr. Curtis can I talk to you outside."

I followed him right outside the door. "First I need some questions answered. Where are all those bruises from?" I was really hoping he wouldn't ask but I knew he would. "Pony was jumped on Friday."

"Jumped by who?" He asked. "Some kids at school." He nodded his head but I'm sure he made up his mind I did something. No doubt he's had kids come in bruised and beaten because their parents were drunk. I'd never do that ever. "Mr. Curtis is your brother sexually active?" No he hasn't had sex but yes he was raped, so would that count?

"Why do you ask?"

"Another blood test we ran shows that your brother has an STD." I swallow hard, this can't be happening; this has to be some sort of sick and twisted nightmare. I don't say anything I just nod my head. "The STD is Chlamydia, it is very treatable, he'll take antibiotics and it should clear up in about two weeks." Those god-damn socs first they jump him then rape him and give him an STD. God he's been through so much and there'd be no point in pressing charges 'cause they'd just get off and we'd be left with a bunch of legal fees. The socs will pay for this.

"It's still early so I'd suggest you and your brother go home and get some sleep then come back for the surgery. It usually takes an hour, then he'll be in recovery and probably leave later today or Tuesday morning."

"Okay." Then he explained to me a little about Chlamydia, I didn't want to hear it but I listened then went back into the room. Soda was rubbing his hands on his pants that's his nervous habit. "Sodapop." He looked over at me with dark circles under his eyes. "What did he say?" I took a deep breath and continued. "Pony has an STD. The doctor said it's treatable." Soda's eyes got wide. "He'll be okay Soda don't worry." Now he stopped rubbing his hands together and began bouncing his leg. "The surgery is at eight-thirty so we'll come back later okay?" He kissed Pony on the forehead then stood up.

We left the hospital and drove back home. This is going to be a tough couple of weeks. For everyone.