Thank ya'll for reading this story and the amazing reviews! This is the last chapter as I've already started a new story and am excited to finish it! Please review and hopefully you like the conclusion.

I started to wake up and was careful not to roll over onto my sore backside. My heavy eyelids fluttered open making the shapes out of Soda and Darry. I glanced at the clock and it was 3 a.m. like magic had changed it. Darry never yelled at Soda, so I rubbed my eyes gently slowly opening them. Darry stopped yelling and now his eyes were set on me.

"Hey Pony, why don't you head to bed little buddy? Soda and I need to talk out here for a little while." Darry coaxed

I looked up at Soda whose cheeks were blushing red and tears slid down his face, but he smiled.

"Go on honey, I'll be in there as soon as I can." Soda whispered

I slowly got up from the couch and was careful not to bump my already stinging bottom. Soda walked over hugging me and it gave a confirmation as to why he was in trouble. He smelled heavy of alcohol and his curfew was always 1 a.m. "Soda, I want you to come with me," I whined

He let me go staring at me and the look of guilt on his face was obvious and his eyes got soft. "I know honey, I'll be there soon Darry and I need to just talk about a few things first. Go get dressed for bed and make sure to brush your teeth." He nagged

"Ponyboy, I think you've caused enough problems tonight and you need to get yourself to bed. Do as Soda says." Darry sighed

I had forgotten Darry was in the room and Soda gave me a look, great now Darry was ratting me out.

"Pony, what happened? I'm sure disappointed in you. You know better than to not act right for Darry." Soda scolded

I looked up at Soda, "At least I'm not coming home drunk and past curfew!" I screamed

It was one thing for Darry to be mad at me but not Soda. As soon as I let the words fall out of my mouth I regretted them. Sodas face dropped, and he looked sad almost instantly. I backed up and apparently, Darry was standing right behind me. I felt him grab my right arm spinning me around to face him and his fury.

"Maybe I should have belted you earlier," Darry yelled turning me to the side and spanked me a few times. It reignited the sting in my bottom, causing immediate tears and I started apologizing immediately. "Should I take my belt off right now and strap you?" Darry asked

I looked back at Soda who usually would speak up for me. He said nothing and still looked shocked I yelled at him. I shook my head no and was too scared that if I spoke my voice would quiver and shake to fiercely.

"You're really asking for it Ponyboy. We use words in this house unless you're trying to disrespect me the way you just did Soda! You're on thin ice kid!" Darry yelled shaking my arm

Tears started to spill out of my eyes as I spoke, "No Dar, I…. I…..don't need another spanking. I'm sorry and I'll…g….. go… to bed." I choked out

Darry roughly turned me to the side again landing a couple harder swats and paused. I could hear him undo his belt and I panicked. I felt my knees shaking and I didn't think I could handle a spanking with the belt. My tears and cries intensified as I began choking on my spit and I looked up at Soda whose eyes were just frozen on Darry.

My arm hurt where Darry was grabbing it, but I didn't dare say anything.

"Damn it Ponyboy, stop that shaking there's no need to go and faint." Darry sighed heavily

"I'll be better I promise…..pppp….llllllease don't whip me." I stuttered through my snot and tears

Darry turned me to face him and he glared with his thick brown belt in his hand.

"Listen here and listen good Pony. You need to apologize to Soda right now!" Darry yelled

I turned and looked at Soda. His eyes softened a bit, "I'm sorry Soda…I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was just upset…." I cried

Soda walked to me and I was waiting for him to yell but he just grabbed my arms pulling me forward kissing me on my forehead. "It's alright Pony, why don't you go wash your face and get to bed like we asked you too. Okay?" He whispered

I looked back at Darry and stared at the belt in his hand then back up at Soda. "That's not for you baby, but it could be if you keep acting this way. You dig?" he whispered

I gulped, my eyes getting big and I wiped my tears way on my arm. I looked at Darry and I nodded my head, "I'm sorry Darry I'll behave now and I'm sorry Sodapop." I cried

"Alright little buddy, go brush your teeth, wash your face and get into bed." Darry sighed

I found myself rolling my eyes annoyed that both of my brothers just told me the same thing. I wasn't a child I knew what needed to be done before bed. As I walked past Darry he grabbed my right arm and turned me to the side. He swung the belt hard and it came crashing down on my bottom. I let out a scream and I really began to cry. I threw my hands back trying to protect myself from further swings, but Darry let my arm go.

"Take that as a final warning to straighten out your attitude. I've had enough Pony. Now go!" Darry yelled

I felt Sodas hand on my back rubbing it gently and then nudging me to the bathroom. I felt an intense wave of remorse for Soda rush over me. I turned to look at Soda, "But Soda….." I cried

Darry immediately turned and started to walk towards me, but Soda grabbed his arm. "Dar don't…. I'll be alright honey. I'll be in soon don't you go worrying about me. Just get ready for bed and before you know it I'll be there." He smiled

Even though Darry looked irritated he nodded his head at me and I went ahead going into the dreaded bathroom to brush my teeth again. I felt nauseous walking in willing myself not to vomit thinking about Soda and Darry belting him. I brushed my teeth splashing cold water on my face trying to help my eyes from swelling after all the crying I had done. I started to walk back to our room and paused at the sound of Darry yelling at Soda.

"Well little buddy, did you even listen to everything I said before you left? Or were you to busy trying to show off in front of Steve about how you could get away with whatever you wanted around here? Well listen here Sodapop, you're still under this roof which means you will follow mamma and daddy's rules! Do you really think he would have let me get away with what you're doing?! Running around drunk at all hours of the night? We just a had a talk about this last weekend! I swear y'all will be the death of me." Darry screamed

"That's not fair Darry, I work too! I pay some bills around here and take care of Pony! I deserve respect too!" Soda yelled

I had never really heard Soda yell or say anything about having to take care of me. It made me feel guilty that I was a burden to my brothers. I still hid behind the wall that separated the hallway and front room. I knew I shouldn't be listening, but I couldn't help it and knew I'd be in trouble if I got caught.

"Really Soda, you don't think Pony can hear you? This isn't what any of us wanted but this is life! Life's a battle but we push forward and make the best of it! You working little man has nothing to do with coming home drunk and over 2 hours late! You know better and last time I checked you're still only barely 17." I heard footsteps

"I'm sorry Dar, I wouldn't say anything bad about taking care of Pony. I love him, and I don't mind helping with him. I just wish so much….mamma and daddy were still here." Soda began crying

I heard Sodas cries muffle, so I peeked out and Darry was hugging Soda. His belt was still in his hand though, so I knew what was coming next. Soda ended the embrace and gave a grin towards Darry. "So big brother does this mean I'm forgiven and grounded?" Soda smoothly asked

"Sorry Pepsi-Cola, but this isn't the first we've had this talk and I'm hoping after I strap you it'll be the last time. No matter what, you're not old enough to drink and I'm tired of you disrespecting me." Darry sighed loudly

Soda looked down at his shoes and our brown carpet scuffing his shoes against it. Darry grabbed Sodas arm and turned him to the side. I didn't want to see this, so I went into our bedroom but sadly it provided no noise protection from the strap falling. I could hear Sodas muffled cries and I climbed onto our bed laying down on my side with my hands over my ears.

I finally heard Soda scream out a couple times and tears streamed down from my eyes. I hated knowing he was in pain and I started to hum to myself.

"I know Dar, I won't anymore I promise I'll listen to you from now on….." Soda wiped his tears while walking into his room.

"Pony, hey Kiddo! You okay. Why the tears?"

I opened my eyes and stared at Soda who crouched in front of me. I hadn't heard him come in and I just stared at him. His eyes were red and slightly swollen, but he seemed like himself. His go lucky attitude and grin made me feel even worst for him.

"I heard you and Darry….I jus….got scared." I fumbled out

"Awe honey, you don't have to worry baby. I'm okay, and I shouldn't have come home the way I did. Let that be a lesson for you too, no coming home drunk." Soda got up ruffling my hair

I started to cry harder as he walked away, and I had this irrational want of him to stay with me.

"Pony, it's okay I'm just getting my pajamas on." Soda smiled

He quickly got his pajamas on and scooted in next to me. I tried to stop crying as he rubbed my back, "Listen here kiddo, Darry was only being fair. He told me about your night baby and I know it's been a rough night for you. I'm sorry about your book but you know that you shouldn't take your anger out on others. Especially Darry who's done so much for us. I forget that too, but I know that he loves us, and he gave up a lot for us. So, I don't get angry when he raises us the way Mom and Dad would have. We love you kiddo." Soda whispered

I stopped crying and shook my head yes. A twinge of guilt crept over me and I felt bad. "I'm sorry Soda, I just was upset. I shouldn't have treated Darry so bad he was really trying to help me find my book." I said sadly I felt Sodas arm embrace me and his head nod on my back.

"Hey ya'll," The door creaked open

"It's nearly 4 a.m. and we all need some rest." Darry gently scolded

I looked up at him and tears started to stream down my face again. The guilt began taking me over. Darry came walking over to the bed and sat on the bed next to my legs leaning over wiping my tears away.

"Hush now, close your eyes and sleep, honey," Darry whispered

I heard light snoring next to me and knew Soda had fallen fast asleep.

"But, I'm sorry Darry. I'm sorry for tonight and I promise to be better." I whined

Darry looked at me sneaking a small smile and shook his head yes.

"I know you'll try but you're forgiven. I don't like being the bad guy but ya'll need to behave because them streets out there ain't kind. There is no forgiveness on them streets baby, just death. I'm going to have you act right because I refuse to lose you out there when you decide to knock over a store or be out there at night so a Soc. can hurt you. Tomorrow is a new day, a new chance and no matter what Pone, I love you kid brother." Darry rubbed my back and ran his hand over his face.

Darry got up and walked to our rooms light switch clicking it off and I slowly drifted to sleep. Dreaming….of a golden sky so peaceful…..