Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders

Soda

We walked back to the ICU in silence. Steve didn't talk and I didn't talk. Neither of us had anything worth saying, or maybe what we did have to say was better left unsaid. I sighed.

We got to the cubical. Darry was there. He was leaning over Ponyboy stroking his cheek . I closed my eyes. I hated that. Darry has the hardest time being affectionate to our little brother. Now of all times he chose to break himself of that. It made me fume but I kept my peace.

"We're back." Darry looked up. He kissed Ponyboy's forehead. Mom used to do that when we sick.

"How's Johnny?"

"As good as can be expected." Steve said shrugging. "He knows something's up but we couldn't tell him. Poor kid's really beside himself."

Darry his hand behind his neck and just shook his head. I've never seen him look so full of guilt before. I know he didn't mean for this happen. Part of me blames him sure, but he didn't mean for none of this to happen. He's plum crazy about our little brother.

A nurse walked in then. "I'm sorry visiting hours are now over."

Darry walked over while I went to stay by Ponyboy. I grabbed his hand and kissed it. "Love you honey."

"Is there any way my brother I could stay with Ponyboy?"

"I'm sorry sir. Visiting hours are strict, especially in the ICU. We can not allow you to disturb the other patients."

Disturb what just because we look like a bunch of low down hoods she thinks we're going to go all wild and cramp We know this is a hospital.

I saw Darry take a deep breath. He was trying not to lose his temper. That was a real problem with him. 'Excuse me miss but I am Ponyboy's legal guardian. I have custody of him and he is a minor. If you will not allow me and our brother stay with him then I will take it up with your chief of staff."

"Very well. I'll see what I can do but he'll," she indicated Steve, "Will have to leave. Immediate family only." With that she left the cubical.

Steve nodded. 'Well if yawl need anything give me a call."

"Thanks." He nodded, waved and left.

I turned my attention to my kid brother. There was no change. He was a pale, almost blue color and so still. The machines dwarfed his fourteen year old frame. I looked at the monitors, not really understanding.

"Darry?"

"MMMM?"

"What the doctor said earlier?"

"Yeha Soda, what about it?"

"Do you believe it?"

Darry

I sighed. Remembering that moment made my blood curl.

"Our bodies require oxygen in order to metabolize glucose. This process provides energy for the cells. The brain consumes about a fifth of the body's total oxygen supply, and needs energy to transmit electrochemical impulses between cells and to maintain the ability of neurons to receive and respond to these signals. Cells of the brain will start to die within a few minutes if they are deprived of oxygen. Brain function is lost. The more time without oxygen the more damage is done. This can lead to coma and or death as well as many lasting and debilitating side effects." ……………………………………

The doctor sighed. "I'm afraid it does not look good. I really am sorry but your brother, if even lives, will never be the same again. He is not breathing on his own and is all but unresponsive. We have him on a breathing apparatus and hooked to IV fluids. If he does come out of the coma it is most likely to be into a vegetative state. This is basically a sort of wakeful unresponsiveness in which some brain functions continue to operate but with no apparent consciousness. The lights are on but nobody is home. "

"I didn't mean to! I didn't think! I forgot! That all I hear out of you! Can't you think of anything?" I closed my eyes remembering the words I spoke just a few hours earlier. The irony of them was not lost on me but it wasn't humorous. I fought back tears.

"I'm sorry to add to your burden but there are some other concerns as well. The time without oxygen had a significant effect on Ponyboy's other organs as well, most specifically his heart. Right now it is very weak and having trouble pumping blood. We may need to ask you to donate some to relive the strain on his heart. As well we had to drain his lungs of fluid. He is very open to infection and we are not sure he can fight off any illness."

I didn't look at Soda for a moment. I wasn't sure how to answer. I didn't want to believe it but I did. Ponyboy would be irrevocably and irreversibly changed; but I didn't know how to tell Soda.

I wanted our mother then. She was so good at putting words together, saying the right think; kind of like Soda. Both of them know just what to say. Only I couldn't ask either one.

"I don't know buddy. I just don't know."

He let out a sigh but it came as more of a yawn. It occurred to me that he had hardly slept since last night. The parent genes in me kicked in. "Little buddy, you need to sit down and get some sleep."

"I'm not sleep Darry, hone..." He yawned again. "Honest."

I eyed him coolly. "Soda it won't help Pony one bit if you get yourself all exhausted, now will it?" He shook his head. "Good go sit down and try to get some shut eye please." I said firmly, folding my arms.

He sighed but didn't contest. Poor Soda was asleep as soon as his butt entered the chair. I shook my head.

The nurse walked back in. "I okayed it with my supervisor." She looked at Soda. "I'll go get him a blanket."

"Thank you."

"Oh and I'll see about getting another chair and blanket for you as well."

Thank you." She smiled, much friendlier then before, and left the room.

* * * * * * *

I stirred slightly and stared at my watch. 2:20 AM. What had woke me up? I looked over at Soda. He was fast asleep. I looked at Pony and immediately dash over to him. He was gagging and convulsing.

Was this a seizer?"

I ran out the door. 'HELP!"

A few nurse's came running. Then I heard the worst sound in my entire life. It was the sound of a flat lining heart monitor.

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