By the time the Socs are through with me, I wish I had been beaten up instead. I throw up several times, and try to stand but I'm too dizzy. I hope they all go to hell. There are several rips in my clothing, and I decide to stay in the alley way where I was until it got dark out. I lean against the concrete wall and put my head against my knees, unaware I'm being watched until a moment later.

"Pixi? Is that you?" I inwardly groan and try to cover as much of myself with my hands as possible. I wasn't in the mood to see anyone, especially someone I barely knew.

"Please, just go away." not even Superman could rescue me now. The damage has already taken its toll.

"I'm Darry, remember? I met you yesterday. What happened to you?"

His eyes were wide with concern, and I couldn't help feeling surprised.

"Really, Darry, I think it speaks for itself." I say, closing my eyes, trying to wish everything that happened away. Without a word, he scoops me up in his arms, and I feel to weak to resist. I'm so exhausted that the second my head falls against his chest, I'm out like a light.

I don't know how long I sleep for. Two days, maybe three. When I finally do wake up, I realize I'm lying on a vaguely familiar couch with a warm blanket wrapped around me. Then I remember what had happened. How I had been rescued. That's where I am. The fork stabbing house. I try to stand, but my efforts are cut short.

"I wouldn't if I were you. Your headache will feel even worse than it does now." I look up and see Darry standing above me.

"Thank you for helping me." I manage to say eventually. There is a uncomfortable silence, and I notice he looks like he wants to say something, but he's holding back. He doesn't get the chance, because just then Two-Bit walks through the door. He sees me on the couch, looks at Darry, then to me again with a puzzled expression, eyebrows raised.

"Well, what the hell happened here?" he asks.

"Pixi got jumped," Darry says quickly, "I brought her back here to rest." he whispers something to Two-Bit and his eyes grow furious.

"I'm going to kill every last Soc on planet earth." Two-Bit growls, and sits down next to me. "Are you alright, Pix?"

"I'm fine. Just irritated, that's all." I reply, trying to make it sound like no big deal, that it didn't effect me as much as it did. "Thank you for letting me stay here, Darry, but I have to leave. There's a lot I need to do."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." He hesitates for a second, as if wondering what to do.

"Two-Bit, can I talk to Pixi for a second?" He finally asks.

"Be my guest."

"Alone?"

"Oh." He takes the hint and tells me he'll be at the diner helping his mother before walking out of the house.

"What is it? You've been apprehensive the whole time I've been awake." I question.

"Pixi, I told Two-Bit you were cut up pretty bad by the Socs. I didn't tell him everything they did to you. I don't really know who did this to you and the full extent of what happened, but I'm not dumb enough to fall for the, 'I tripped on my way to school' excuse."

"Ah. You want to know what happened."

"Yes. For your safety, it's better to turn these people into the proper authorities." For a second his eyes look so sincere I almost believe what he's saying. But I'm not fooled that easily. I let out a sharp, bitter laugh, and he looks taken aback.

"You're too smart to be roofing houses all day, you know that?" He doesn't respond. I mean, Keith has told me all about the gang. How you used to be on the football team, the star player. Must sting, not being able to take a scholarship." More silence. He clenches his jaw and looks away. He's angry now. "I know what it's like to have things taken from you, and suddenly you aren't yourself anymore. All the responsibilities hang on your shoulders now, and you've become used to giving so much, but only receiving just enough to live through the next day. My parents couldn't handle the responsibility of taking care of a child, so they jumped out of a window from a five story building.

"My childhood was taken from me that day. I was only eight years old, but I was the person responsible for making sure I didn't starve, that I had shelter. My life hung in the balance. Still does, probably always will. It's how I am, I don't like asking for help. I'm not a person known for liking other people. I'm a renegade, and the cops don't care too much for me, either." I look up at him, almost irritated at the sympathetic look he's giving me. It's my own damn sob story, and I don't need his pity. I exhale and control my temper.

"You're a sweet guy to think about me, Darrel, but it's not wise to get the boys in blue involved. Besides, I can take care of myself."

"Like you took care of yourself when those creeps defiled you?" He counters, voice shaky. I try to calm down and lower my voice a bit.

"Honestly, there's not much that could happen that I haven't gone through before. But, hey, if it'll make you feel better, I promise I'll stay out of any dark alleyways." He nods, his eyes telling me to be careful. I bend down to lightly kiss him on the cheek and say, "until we meet again, Superman." as I saunter out the door. Too bad I trip at the porch steps. Gosh, sexiness is such an overrated qualtity.