Chapter 4

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Thank you for the patience! A special thanks to the following: JohnnyIsMyGoldSunset, cuzimsocool, xXSparky CadeXx, h2opololuver, PonyboyandDallyLover7, SnowWriter, and Glee Clue Rock 1251 for reviewing!Everyone have an amazing Thanksgiving! Here's chapter 4!

Ponyboy's POV

Everything was silent for the longest time. I couldn't stand it.

"Just tell me." I said, quietly, knowing that if things were this silent, it must be bad.

"Well, Pony-" Darry started to say, but was cut off when someone walked in. I could hear the door swing open and foot steps come closer to the bed.

"Good, your awake!" Someone above me said. "I'm Dr. Warren. How are you feeling?"

"Numb." I said.

"That's because of the pain killers." He paused for a second before continuing, "The damage the fire did was extensive." He began, but then paused again. Damn it, just tell me!

"How bad is it?" I said almost unemotionally, surprising myself.

"When the timber fell, it crushed your legs. There may be the possibility of never walking again, but it's highly unlikely. The thing that worries me is your eyes. Fire caught across your face and it burned your eyes. It could have been worse if your eyes had been open. We stitched them up as best as we could. Unfortunately, we have to wait for them to heal before we can determine the damage the flame did to your cornea."

"In other words... I may be blind?" I asked.

"Possibly, but we're not 100% sure." Dr. Warren said. "I'll comeback later to check up on you." He finished awkwardly before his footsteps started to fade.

Reality set in and I felt the full extent of his words.

I really had a mix of feelings. I'm devastated at the possibility of never seeing or walking again, but at the same time... I'm weirdly satisfied. Honestly, I think those little kids had more to live for than myself.

I felt Soda squeeze my hand after a few seconds of silence. "You okay, Pone?"

"I don't know." I said, letting my head sag against the pillow. It shocked me that what I said was true. I really didn't know what to feel.

"Get some sleep, Pony." Darry said softly beside me, but I barely heard him. I was already asleep.

Johnny's POV

Being taken to jail, I had the weirdest feeling. Honestly I was scared for my life, scared of what was to become of me. Even though I looked up to Dally, I really didn't want to end up like him.

I closed my eyes briefly before we arrived and one of the cops pulled me roughly out of the car.

I knew they'd call my parents. I didn't care. They wouldn't come anyways.

Its weird knowing that I cared for them deep inside, but I didn't want to believe it myself.

I was thrown into a tiny cell. Claustrophobia crept up my throat like a spider on a web. I sat down on the lumpy mattress and closed my eyes. The bed was better than sleeping in the lot, I could tell you that.

I imagined myself in the lot, the cool breeze bubbling like soda all around me. It was working until a cop came up and banged on the bars.

My eyes flew open and met his gaze.

"You got a visitor." He snarled at me. A visitor already? He led me to a room. In it sat my father. Anger blared behind his eyes.

Please don't leave me in here with him! I pleaded with my eyes toward the officer.

He sat me down at the table, went over the rules and left the room.

I t was silent for awhile, before my father spoke up. I wasn't even listening to him, only bits and pieces of what he was shouting at me.

"What were you thi-"

"You useless piece of sh-"

"Always causing problems for-"

I looked away from him towards the door. "Hey! You listen to me!" He shouted. Before I had time to react, a fist came out of nowhere and connected with my face. My head flew back and I clutched my left cheek.

I looked up at the man in front of me. He had no remorse in his eyes. I shrunk farther into my chair, as he stood and towered over me. I felt like a lonely fly trying to escape the flyswatter. I gasp came out of my mouth. I saw him raise his hand. I covered my face with my arms, just as the door opened.

"Times up." The officer from earlier said. Thankful, I rose quickly and walked over to the guard. I sighed in relief. Unfortunately, the guard heard the sigh and glanced at me from the corner of his eyes.

The guard closed the bars on my cell, and paused for a second. "Son, are things rough at home?" He asked actually concern flooding his features.

I shrugged. "All I'm saying is that this is the safest place I've been in." The cop looked at me one last time before turning away.

I lay down on my back, my face pounding. I gently touched it. It could have been worse, I thought to myself.

I finally realized the truth behind what I had just said to the cop.

I thought about it as I closed my eyes. The only other place that was safe for me was the time I was in the abandoned church with Ponyboy and when I slept on the Curtis's couch.

Finally, I drifted off to sleep.

Not the best chapter in the world. Please review!