The drive to the hospital was the longest trip I've ever been on, by foot or car. I was so scared for Johnny. He looked so small and so helpless just sitting there, passed out.

"Come on, Johnny, come on man, hang in there." I whispered to him, even though he was unaware of anything going on.

" You're a good friend Pony, I'm proud of you.'

" What was I suppose to do, Darry, let him lay there? He's my best friend I don't know what I'd do without him."

" I know Pony, and don't get smart with me. I meant that it's good to know that Johnny has you lean on. He needs someone to be his best friend. I mean, yeah, he has the gang but he needs something more. You are that something more that he needs, Pony. You two are always together, and it's like the two of you share a mind you're so close."

"Yeah, Darry, we get that a lot, and I'm proud of it."

" Good, you should be, anyone that can even be compared to being as kind as him, should feel honored." Darry said and I believe that I saw him smirk a bit.

When we got to the hospital I jumped out of the car and ran to Johnny door and opened it for Darry to grab him. He did, and practically ran inside the hospital.

The hospital took Johnny immediately and started hooking him up to several machines and devices. Some were pumping blood into him, others were making sure he was stable, and nurses were writing data down in their notebooks.

Then a doctor came to us. "Mr. Curtis, you can come in and visit with Johnny now if you like.'

"Thanks Doc." Darry said. He and I walked down to Johnny's room. It was a fair sized room with a window seat by the hospital bed so we could sit and talk to him

" Hey, guys!" Johnny attempted to say, but couldn't quite because of all the pain he was in.

"Hey, man." I said and went over and patted him on the shoulder.

" Thanks for taking me here you guys."

" No problem, Johnnycake." Darry said.

" Hey, Darrel, do you mind if I stay with y'all for awhile, I really can't bare to stay with Ma and Father when I get outta here.

" Of course Kiddo. You can always stay with us."

"Thanks" Johnny said and then fell asleep.

While he was asleep the doctor reported to Darry and I that Johnny had lost a lot of blood, which was fine now because they had given it back to him. He had a fractured arm, so it might be difficult for him to do certain things for a while. He had a scar now from the top of his shoulder to his elbow, where his father had cut him with a switch. Oh, and that golf ball sized hole in his leg, was caused by his father pushing a chair leg into him. He had several cuts all over his body from his Mother throwing her bottles of whiskey at him.

" Darry" I said as we left the room to call Soda and tell him where we were. " We HAVE to take Johnny in, we just HAVE to. I can't stand to watch him get beat like this anymore.

" It's rough, and believe me Pony, I'd do anything for that boy, but taking custody that is dealing with the law. I'll try my hardest to get him, but there's no guarantee that we'll get him. I'm only 20 and I'm the legal guardian to a sixteen and fourteen year old. That's pushing my limits, adding another sixteen year old, that's not something feasible for the state government to do."

" PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try Darry, try to get him! I exclaimed.

" We'll try, besides, we have to take care of him anyway with this going on.

" Thanks Darry" I said. Then I said something I couldn't believe came from my mouth. " I love you Darry."

He gasped in utter disbelief.

" I love you too Pony. Don't worry, we'll find someway to get Johnny. I don't how, but somehow.