Hello everyone

Hello everyone! I don't know if I replied to everyone that review, so if I did not I send my biggest thanks! My exams are finally over!! Summer is here, so I'll update more, around my work schedule of course, but I will update more. And courtesy of a nice criticism review, I'll be slowing down the story a tad.

888

Who are you?

I felt like I was floating on a cloud. My head felt like it was stuffed full of cotton candy. I can hear someone talking to me. I only hear bits and pieces of what he's saying. His voice sounds so familiar, but I can't place who it is.

Look … come back soon… ain't … without ya. Johnny …upset, he misses …we all do. Even Steve…even me."

My curiosity is making me fight the heavy fog on my brain. I push to the surface. My eye lids feel like 1 ton weights but I push them open. But I try to breathe and can't. Someone's choking me is all I can think. I begin to gag uncontrollably.

I hear that voice tell me to calm down, then I don't hear him anymore, I don't see the blonde headed boy anymore, just people in white coats. I look up helpless at one of the people is standing. He nods.

"When I say 3 I want you to cough."

I nod through tears in my eyes. I need air.

"One…Two…three." I cough and I feel the sweet sensation of air in my lungs. I breathe deeply and star at the ceiling.

"Pony?" that voice says. I turn my head to see the blonde headed boy again, leaning on the door frame. A grin on his face. I almost think I see concern behind those cold blue eyes, but I can't tell. What's more frustrating is that I can't remember who this boy is, or how I know him.

The boy walks in and sits down before looking at the person in the white coat, Dr. Wilkinson.

"I want to thoroughly exam Ponyboy, but I will allow his family to visit before I do so.

The boy nods. And turns back to me.

"How ya feeling kid?" he says.

I look behind me to see if he's talking to me, I look back and he's giving me a weird look.

"You okay Pony?" why does everyone keep saying that?

I clear my throat. "W...Who ar...Are you?"

I wince at my throat that is very soar and raspy.

The boy is looking at me, not sure what to say.

"You don't know who I am Pony?" he asks.

I shake my head no, "w...why do…you…ke...ep...say...ing…Pony?"

I don't know how much more confusing this boy can show on his face but he is defiantly confused right now, hell so am I.

He shakes his head, "um…it's your name…Ponyboy Michael Curtis."

I make a disgusted face, "w…who…wou…uld nam...e...me…that?"

The boy stands, "hey, look I'll be right back."

I watch him leave; I really wish I knew what was going on.

888-Dally's POV

I walk out of Pony's room, confused and perplexed. I look around for his doctor and spot him at his office. I walk up and tap on his desk. He looks up and jumps.

"AH, Dally, what can I do for you? Is Pony all right?"

I scratch my head, "I don't know. He umm…does remember anything, not even his name. I… I had to tell him. Then he acted as if his name was…it was like he was disgusted with it. Pony was always proud of his name."

The doctor stands up, "I think I'll just do the exam now, wait outside for his family, and I'll consult you all after my exam.

I nod and walk behind him to Pony's room. He goes inside and closes the door and I'm left to think about what's happened in such a short time. Pony can't remember his name, or me and he looks like hell. What a fantastic family reunion.

It was about 10 minutes later that I saw Sodapop running down the hall, a smile full of nerves, concern and love. I stand up, fully awaiting to have to force him to stay out of Pony's room. I look behind him and see the rest of the gang with similar concerned looks rushing after Soda, but at a much more respectable pace.

Soda skids to a stop in front of me.

"IS it true…did Pony wake up?" his voice is quivering, so not like a greaser at all, but its Soda so I don't care.

I nod, "but Soda…" I start but when he looks at me with those eyes and I see he's sensing something's wrong I clear my throat. "Doc's with him now. You have to wait."

Soda looks at me, and I can tell he is not fully convinced but he nods and sits down. His leg is bouncing up and down in nervous beat.

"Nock it off Soda, your making me nervous." Says Darry, and I'm glad he speaks up because I didn't want to say anything.

Johnny sits down next to me and I turn to grin at him. I see him smile under his bangs and I smile back. I hate to say it but I got a soft spot for Johnny. I watch out for him, like a kid brother...I guess I do the same for Pony lately too.

"He really okay Dal?" Johnny whispers, so the gang couldn't hear.

I think about lying but decide not to, "I don't know. The kids pretty out of it. He didn't know me…hell he didn't know his name." I whisper back, which was harder for me because I like to be loud.

I see Johnny get sadder but he nods, "that's why the doc's here right?"

I nod and we stay silent as do the rest of the gang. The only sound is of hospital staff and equipment.

It takes another 25 minutes before the doctor comes out, a grim expression on his face. We all stand.

888-before, in Pony's room with doctor

Dr. Wilkinson comes into my room again, I only remember him because of his nametag, and that only adds to my frustration. I watch as he grabs a chair and places it near my bed.

He smiles before he talks, "Hello, I'm just going to ask some questions. Think you could answer them for me?"

I nod.

"What is your name?"

"Th...that…"

"Hold on, here, drink this." I do take the drink and it feels so wonderful on my parched throat. When I'm done I hand the cup back to him,

"That boy…he said it was…Ponyboy…uh...Michael….um…Curtis?"

He nods, "yes that is your name. When where you born?"

I think real hard but can't think of it, "I don't know."

He nods and writes something down on his pad.

"Do you know where you are?"

"A hospital."

He laughs, "Well, yes. I meant what state and city."

"Umm…um…" I shrug, feeling more depressed than before.

"Okay, one last question. Do you remember what happen to you to put you in the hospital?"

I think but the only thing I can really remember is water, lots of water. "Water."

The doctor nods, "yes. Ponyboy you were drowned by boys about your age. You were in critical condition for a while. Gave your brothers quite a scare."

"I have brothers?"

He nods, "yes, you have two. Now I'm going to go get your family and let them in here. Don't be frightened, I'll let them know that you are unaware of what's happened. They will help you."

I nod, getting scared even with his kind words. I watch him leave and sink into my pillow. Why can't I remember anything?

888-in the hall

I stand up fast. My leg is cramped from bouncing it so long but I don't care. All I can think about is my little brother. When the doctor comes out I know it's not good news by his expression.

"What's wrong with Pony?" I hear Darry ask but I only look at the doctor.

He sighs, "Amnesia."

That one word makes me blink. "Amnesia...what the hell is that? I ask, even though I fully know what it means.

"I believe he's suffering from long term amnesia. He doesn't remember anything before the incident. I believe it is because of the lack of oxygen to his brain; however I do think it'll be temporary. However, I must warn you that it could very well be a permanent ordeal for Ponyboy."

I nod and a single tear falls down my face. "What do we do?" I ask.

"Talk to him, tell him stuff about himself, you his home. When he's well enough which should be in two or three days, I would bring him home. Let him rest for about a week or two, then slowly begin resuming a regular schedule. It may spark some memories if he's in a regular routine and his home."

I nod, "can we see him now?"

The doctor looks at me, "only you and your older brother for now. I don't want him to be frightened. Only two people at a time after that, until he feels comfortable."

I nod and shake his hand. Darry does the same. We both walk to the door and I slowly open it. Darry follows me inside and closes the door softly. Pony is on the bed, his eyes closed, but he opens them when we come in.

I smile, I go to hug him but Darry puts a hand on my shoulder and I remember what the doctor said. He looks at us, his eyes lost and confused.

"Hi Pony, I'm Sodapop…you older brother."

Pony looks at me, then laughs, "god what is wrong with the people who name us? I mean PONYBOY…SODAPOP. Give me a break." He says.

I slowly frown; pony has never been ashamed of his name, not once.

"Pony…you love your name…remember?"

He looks at me, directly in the eye, "No…I don't remember either of you…I don't know me!"