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Pony started at the officers in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. They were too young for this to be forced onto them, especially Darry.

He couldn't do this on his own.

How would they break the news to their friends. Hell, it was hard for it to sink in for Pony. It was going to be harder to tell the news. The officers words were still fresh in his mind.

"Your parents were involved in a car accident. When help arrive they were both dead. I'm so sorry for your loss,"

Soda wrapped an arm around Ponyboy and held him close. Unlike Pony, Soda was crying. Pony was too shocked to cry.

Darry thanked the officers and shut the door. He turned towards his younger brothers. Darry wasn't crying either.

But why not? Why was Soda the only one crying?

"Let's go back to bed, and try not to worry about it. We'll worry about it in the morning," Darry said slowly. Nobody argued with him.

Darry turned and walked back to his room. Soda pulled away from Pony.

"Soda, w-will you sleep with me tonight?" Pony asked quietly. Soda wiped his eyes and smiled.

"Of course," he whispered sadly. Both boys turned and wandered to Pony's bedroom.

This couldn't be happened. They were all going to wake up tomorrow and find this to be a horrible nightmare. Mrs. Curtis will greet her sons with a nice breakfast, and their dad will give them all hugs before heading off to work.

That's how it went every day.

Soda wrapped his arm around Pony and held him close in fear that he'd disappear too. Pony stared blankly at the wall and thought about the events of tonight. Tears formed in his eyes, but he didn't hold them back. They fell down his cheek and disappeared into his pillow.

This couldn't be happening.

XxXxXxX

Pony didn't want to face the world the next day. He wasn't ready to hear his brother break the news to the gang. He wasn't sure he could handle it.

He finally convinced himself to get up. He knew Darry wouldn't be very happy with him. Darry. Darry was still a kid himself. He couldn't take care of two younger boys and himself.

It was too much.

The living room was silent, and Pony was hoping they broke the news while he was asleep.

Soda peeked his head into the living room and saw Pony standing in front of the couch.

"He's awake, Dar," Soda said plainly. Pony walked towards his older brother even though he knew he shouldn't. No, he should; he just didn't want to.

Steve, Two-Bit, Dallas, and Soda were sitting at the table. Darry was standing in front of them.

The gang all looked confused.

Ponyboy took a seat next to Soda. In response, Soda wrapped his arm around his younger brother.

"What's going on?" Steve was the one to break the silence. Soda and Pony merely looked at Darry, hoping he'd tell the news. Darry sighed and took a seat in between Steve and Dallas.

Darry took a deep breath and avoided eye contact with the guys. It somehow made it easier to announce the news.

"O-Ours parents were k-killed last night," Darry stammered. His voice was shaky. Ponyboy thought for sure he was going to start crying, but he didn't.

Pony buried his face into Soda's shoulder and started crying. He held Pony tightly and cried too.

The whole gang was speechless. They didn't know what to say. All of them looked at Mr. and Mrs. Curtis as their own parents. Because they actually cared for their boys and their friends.

"Has anyone told Johnny?" Dallas asked, finally breaking the silence.

Ponyboy pulled away from Soda and wiped his eyes.

"No," Soda sniffed. "No one has." Pony got up from his seat.

"I'll go call him," he said weakly. Darry stood up quickly.

"You don't have to now," Ponyboy shook his head.

"No, I need to talk to him," he answered, walking towards the living room.

XxXxXxX

Johnny answered the phone and was happy to hear Ponyboy's voice. When Pony responded, he didn't sound like his normal, happy self. He sounded sad and depressed.

"Ponyboy, what's wrong?" Johnny asked. Daniel looked up from his math homework and glanced at his brother.

"Johnny, my p-parents were k-killed in a car a-accident last n-night," Pony sniffed. Johnny's heart dropped to his stomach.

"Are you all right? Your face is really pale," Daniel whispered. Johnny weakly nodded his head.

"I wish I could be with you guys right now," he told his best friend.

"I wish you were here too," Through the phone, Johnny could tell his best friend was crying. It broke his heart. But that's when Johnny got the greatest idea ever.

XxXxXxX

Lucille sat at the table and thought over what Johnny had said and asked.

"What about Daniel?" she asked.

"I'll be fine, Mom. I have Mr. Miyagi," Daniel answered, getting something from the fridge.

"Are you sure?"

"Ma, I'm almost 18. I'll be on my own soon," he answered. Lucille turned back to look at Johnny.

"Please, Mom? He needs me," Johnny begged. Lucille nodded her head and sighed.

"We'll have to get you an outfit for the funeral," she sighed.

"I know this place in Tulsa where we can get a cheap outfit," Johnny smiled. Lucille nodded her head.

"We should get leaving. So we can be there at a decent time tomorrow," Johnny hopped up from his seat with a big smile. "Are you sure you'll be all right, Daniel?" he nodded his head and smiled.

"I'll be fine," he assured. Lucille and Johnny went to go back their bags before beginning the day long drive.

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