Darry set a bowl of soup in front of me. Two-Bit and Steve came wandering up a few minutes later, obviously the smell of the food waking them up. They sat at the table, but neither of them spoke. I stirred the contents of the bowl with my spoon.

"Do y'all want some?" Darry asked, setting his own bowl down. Steve and Two-Bit nodded, and Darry headed back into the kitchen.

"So.. how's the kid?" Steve finally asked.

"Still sleepin'," I mumbled. Deciding the soup was cool enough to eat, I lifted a spoonful to my mouth. Steve set a hand on my shoulder.

"He's gunna be alright."

For the first time all day, I looked him in the eye, silently asking if he really believed that. I hoped Pony would be alright too, but it as of late it seemed like we were pretty short on luck. I looked away as Darry brought in two more bowls of soup and set them in front of Two-Bit and Steve.

It was the quietest meal we'd ever had together. The only sound came from us blowing the steam off our soup, and the clanking of spoons in the glass bowls. My stomach churned as I ate, making it nearly impossible for me to finish more than half of my bowl.

Setting my spoon down, I pushed my seat back and left the table without a word. No one said anything as I made my way back to the bedroom.

I stood in the bedroom doorway, looking at Ponyboy lying in the bed. He lay on his side, facing me, blankets tucked tightly under him. Slowly, I walked to the bed and sat down. Laying my hand on his cheek, I noted how warm his skin still was. Just as I was about to pull the blankets up further, he slowly turned onto his back. I sat still, watching.

Slowly, his eyes opened. They didn't open all the way, but he turned and looked at me. He stared blankly for a moment, as if contemplating something.

"Soda? Is somebody sick?"

His voice sounded shot, like he had been screaming a lot. He sounded tired.

"Yeah. Go back to sleep now." I moved and sat by his shoulders.

"Am I sick?"

His question tore at me. He couldn't even remember being sick and hurt. Gently, I ran my fingers through his hair. I could still feel the heat radiating off his forehead.

"Yeah, you're sick. Now be quiet."

His eyes started to shut, then they opened again once more.

"Is Darry sorry I'm sick?"

For a minute, I was at a loss for words. My mouth opened slightly, not quite sure what to say.

"Yeah, he's sorry you're sick. Now please shut up, will ya honey? Go back to sleep."

Finally, his eyes shut, and he fell back asleep. Sighing, I made sure the blankets were tucked in tightly, then laid down next to Ponyboy and fell asleep.

XxX

"Do I look spiffy or what?" Two-Bit said to his reflection.

"Man, knock it off." Steve threw his fork at Two-Bit. "This shit ain't funny."

"Cool it, Stevie, I'm just tryin' to lighten the mood." He turned away from the mirror. "You ready to go, Soda?"

"Yeah, lemme just go tell Darry bye."

I walked into the bedroom. Darry lay on the bed next to Ponyboy, his arm slung around him lazily. I lightly gripped his shoulder.

"Hey, I'm leavin', I'll be back in a little bit."

"Mkay, Soda."

The car ride was silent, the three of us left to our own thoughts; I realized then just how different the rest of our lives were going to be. No more Johnny or Dallas, and there was no way Ponyboy would ever be right again.. I shook my head, attempting to rid myself of the thoughts before I started to cry.

XxX

The sky was gray, barely casting shadows across the cemetery. The funeral was in procession at the far end.

The Cades were there; Johnny's mother wearing a black dress, his father looking like he'd spent the night on the side of the road. He tossed his cigarette in the grass. There were a couple other folks there, but no one we knew.

Johnny's mother shot us a nasty look when we walked up, so we stood towards the back. The preacher lowered the Bible he was holding.

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.."

Tears formed in my eyes. I looked around the cemetery. My parents' graves were just a few feet away. Them, Johnny, Dallas.. all gone in less than a year. My baby brother, sick and hurting. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair at all.

Just a year ago, everything was fine. Why couldn't it still be that way?

When the funeral ended, the Cades were the first ones out of the cemetery, followed by the others. The preacher closed his Bible. He walked by us and nodded. When everyone was gone, Two-Bit, Steve and I walked over to the grave. Two men were getting ready to cover the plot with dirt.

Tears stung my eyes, but I held them back best I could. Rest in peace buddy, thank you for keeping Pony safe.

"You take it easy, kid," Two-Bit said in an almost-choked voice. I bit my lip and started walking off. The guys followed.

XxX

Darry was still asleep beside Ponyboy when we got back. Steve and Two-Bit crashed on the couch while I woke Darry up.

"Hey, we're back." He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and sat up.

"How was it?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Shaking my head, I didn't bother to respond. He didn't push any further. I laid down next to my little brother, suddenly exhausted.

"I'm gonna go make dinner." I nodded, eyes already shut. I pulled Pony close then passed out completely.

XxX

After dinner, the boys went home.

"We'll be back first thing in the morning," Two-Bit promised. I nodded, then looked at Steve.

"Call if you need anything," he grunted, then turned on his heel and walked through the front gate. Two-Bit followed suit.

I sighed. I was sad that they were leaving, because at least when they were around it could distract me from the pain I was feeling. Pain for Johnny, for Dallas.. and for Ponyboy.

Ponyboy's still here, though, I told myself over and over. He needs you right now.

Walking into the bedroom, I saw Darry asleep in the armchair. I was half-dead on my feet, so I laid down next to Pony, who was sleeping soundly. I flipped off the lamp on the nightstand, and let the darkness take me away.

I woke up to Ponyboy whimpering in the middle of the night. He squirmed in his sleep, whining.

"Soda," he pleaded in a heart-breaking whisper. "Johnny, no.. he didn't mean to. He didn't.. mean.. to.." He flipped over.

I sat up on one arm, and pulled Ponyboy close to me. Moonlight refelected through the window across the room, providing just enough light to find the blankets Pony had kicked off the bed. Wrapping them around him, I shushed him softly while runing my fingers through his hair. When the peace to his mind returned, I laid back down and didn't wake up 'til morning.

XxX

"Soda, don't do that right now, you're exhuasted," Darry pleaded, the weariness evident in his voice as well.

"Darry, I'm just trying to get some normalcy around here. Plus it's been like ten years since I shaved," I said. Truthfully, it probably wasn't the best idea. I knew this when I saw my bloodshot eyes looking back at me in the mirror. But I felt gross, even after taking a shower.

"Soda.." Darry said.

"Dammit!" I snapped.

"What is it?" Darry asked a little panicked.

"I knicked myself," I grumbled, grabbing toilet paper and pressing it over the cut.

"Alright, Sodapop, enough. Get to bed. Now." He took my razor and set it on the sink, then led me to his room. I didn't even fight him. He shut the door behind me, leaving me no choice except to lay down in his bed. I was out within seconds.

XxX

When I awoke, it was later in the day. I walked out of Darry's room, fighting sleep. Two-Bit and Steve were sitting in front of the TV, still looking worn out. I nodded at them.

"Where's Darry?" I asked.

"He's still in the kid's room," Steve said.

I walked down the hall to see how Pony was doing. That's when I heard Darry speaking. I raised an eyebrow, until I heard someone answer him back. That could only mean..

I threw open the door, and there was Ponyboy, finally awake.

The End.

Sorry it took so long to wrap up, life has been hectic. I'll write another story soon, promise.

Peace and One Love.

Riley GL Hale