Darry gripped the arm of the recliner as he kept his eyes on the door.

He's on his way home. He's alive. He's on his way home.

He could feel his brother Sodapop's eyes bore into him. He knew one false move, one wrong word, and his baby brother would sprint out the door again.

He remembered the phone call that was his salvation.

"Could I please speak with Darrel Curtis Jr.?"

"Speaking."

"I'll make this brief. Considering the late hour and the fact that you haven't hung up on me or insulted my mother I'll assume the young man who has stumbled upon my property belongs to you."

"Ponyboy?"

"Is that Darry?" he could hear a familiar voice on the other end and let himself breath a sigh of relief.

"Sure, now you tell me his name after I woke up Abraham and Bartholomew, " he heard the other voice mutter, then say a loud irritated "Yes!"

"If that's Darry tell him I never want to speak to him again – ever!"

"If only I were so lucky, " the other voice muttered, then went back to Darry. "Yes, tell me where you live and I'll bring him home – right now!"

Darry gave the voice on the other end what he wanted then hung up and waited.

He heard a car pull up. Engine made a smoother sound than any of the cars in the neighborhood or your typical soc Mustang or Corvair.

Darry looked over at Soda. "What is that?"

"Not sure. Doesn't sound like most of the cars people drive around here." Sodapop shrugged. "Cadillac maybe. "

Car door opened. Followed by another car door.

"We're here Mr. Sheldon. "

"Dr. Sheldon."

"Of course. "

There was shuffling. The gate opened, then closed. Two sets of footsteps walking up.

Darry wondered if the driver opened the gates for them as well.

"Your house?"

"Yeah, I think so. Whoa." He heard Ponyboy's voice respond punctuating the statement with a giggle.

The door opened and Ponyboy walked in followed by a gentleman in a lab coat with long dark hair. The gentleman looked a little uncomfortable as Ponyboy introduced his brothers.

"Guys, this is Dr. Sheldon." He motioned to Greg with his hand as if he were presenting a prize from The Price is Right. Then did the same motion toward Darry and Sodapop "Dr. Sheldon, these are my brothers. The blond one over there is Sodapop. He loves me. He's a great guy. The grumpy one on the right is Darry." Ponyboy walked toward Darry and looked him in the eye. "He's the one that hates me. Can't stand me. Would put me in a boy's home if he could."

Darry could feel himself stiffen.

He's alive. He's alive. He repeated over and over in his head.

Pony then stood up on his tiptoes and put his face close to Darry's.

"Gonna hit me again…..Darry?"

Before Darry could respond Soda jumped in.

"Pony!" he said. "let's just get to bed, huh? Please?"

"Sure Soda, " he said keeping his eyes on Darry, a mischievous grin formed on his lips. "Good night Darry."

Darry watched as Ponyboy backed away from him, turned and followed Soda into their bedroom. Soda shot Darry a look that implored him to not react no matter how much Ponyboy was begging for it. Darry knew why. They thought they lost him when he ran out earlier. God knew he didn't want to do anything to set Ponyboy off and running again.

After the bedroom door closed he let out a sigh.

"What the hell has gotten into that boy?"

"If he's anything like my brother I would say Johnny Walker."

Darry blinked in surprise. He forgot the skinny guy in the lab coat was still there. Dr. Sheldon.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." He muttered. "Nothing at all."

Darry squinted at the strange gentleman before him. He was looking around the house as if he were taking mental notes.

Even though Darry was beyond exhausted, he still had a few questions.

His brother ran off three hours ago.

He came back drunk and his clothes were damp.

It hadn't rained.

What happened between points A and B?

And how is this guy so awake. He a freakin' vampire or something?

Though that last question didn't bother him so much in the whole scheme of things.

"I'm sorry, " he said scratching his head. " When you called you said you found my brother on your property?"

"My backyard to be exact." He responded looking down at Darry. "It leads out to a patch of woods. For as long as I can remember kids have been known to congregate there." He paused for a bit. "So to speak."

"Soc's?"

"Juvenile Delinquents, " Greg drawled. "Though I would also find the occasional victim of their treachery back there as well. I believe this was the more likely scenario in your brother's case."

Darry sighed. Of course he was jumped. Again.

"Kid just turned fourteen and he's been jumped twice this week." Darry said shaking his head. "They seem to go after him more and more. I don't get it."

"Just turned fourteen?" Greg cocked his brow. "Funny. I thought he told me he was in high school."

"He is." Darry said dully. "Skipped a grade."

"I see, " Greg noted. "So, if I were to guess, he's in a lot of classes and activities with people on my side of town."

"Yeah."

"Could say he's almost assimilated with them."

"I guess."

"I believe it was Freud who had a theory about the Uncanny."

"What now?" Darry squinted. It was way too late (or early?) for this.

"To sum up, your brother is smart enough to be one of them. They see him everyday. He has become similar enough in nature that it exceeds their comfort level. Their ultimate reaction is to reject. " he explained, then a grimace formed on his face, "And if I remember how things in this little town work correctly that which its people reject, its people will attempt to destroy."

Darry just looked at him. He was too tired for this.

Greg cleared his throat and regained his previously detached nature.

"I looked Ponyboy over in my office before we came here. Aside from some bumps and bruises he appears fine. As for the matter of being intoxicated it is quite possible those who accosted him forced him to drink as well. Their victims can't fight back as well if they're drunk. It's been known to happen unfortunately. "

With that he stood up, reached in his lab coat pocket, pulled out a business card.

"If he still acts strange or any health issue comes up, please call me."

"Thank you. "Darry said furrowing his brow.

"Oh, " Greg surveyed the place again. "And money should not be a concern."

"Okay, " Darry responded slowly. Not sure if he should be insulted.

"I'll show myself out. Good day."

Greg walked out the door.

Leaving a confused yet somewhat satisfied Darry.

Darry noticed the sunrise.

Thank God it was Sunday.