WARNING: Contains Spanking
I stood up from my bed, walking over to my ever growing collection of books - most of which are my favourite authors, or that are that dog eared and been read over and over again - sitting in two un-neat piles pushed up against the wall on the chest of drawers; figuring I'd read something to help distract me, to try and ignore the painful throbbing not to mention burning in my arm and lingering sting in my cheek for a while. I scanned through the titles quickly and pulled one from the pile that hadn't been read in at least a good year or so, then moved back over to my bed and took a seat towards the headboard, sliding myself up against it and bent my knees up towards my chest, leaning my book at the top of my bent legs to use as a rest, and read from page one. I got completely soaked up in the book and lost track of time, but as I was flicking through the pages and settling almost a quarter way through the thickly paged book a niggling feeling itched at the back of my throat - a familiar itch - for a cigarette. Only one minor problem, I wasn't sure if I was allowed to leave my room yet.
I turned my eyes around mine and Soda's room, trying to rack my brain for an idea - but feeling all the more trapped inside these four walls - until my eyes landed on our slightly unlatched bedroom window. I knew it was a risk, a big risk, but I was desperate. I sat my book down beside me to rest on our quilt cover, and slid from my position from the bed. I unwound the window fully and mentally prayed no one would come in. I knew I'd catch it big time smoking in the house, and on top of getting caught drinking - I didn't even want to think what'd happen.
I moved my olive green swivel desk chair, so it was by the open window, then grabbed my half full slightly crumpled pack of smokes from my bedside. I sat my backside down on the worn vinyl padding of the seat and pulled an unlit stick from the pack, and lit up - hoping most of the smell would be swept out.
I leaned my elbow on the window sill, staring out into the backyard, taking a long drag from my cigarette. I noticed it was moving on to later in the afternoon now, as the sun was starting to set, with the sky turning a vibrant pink shade.
My mind was lost as I stared out at the glorious colours displayed in front of my eyes; the pinks were now turning brilliant shades of reds and orange, as the golden fire of the sky slowly sank lower.
I sat there mesmerised by the sight in front of me, as I smoked my cigarette. As Darry would say - my head was up in the clouds. I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking about, but I can tell you I'd forgotten all reality around me.
Put it this way - I never heard the bedroom door open behind me... or, Darry walk in... or, him storming loudly over to me. I did notice though, him ripping the cigarette from my hand - burning me slightly as the glowing bud slid from my fingers, then stubbed it out on the sill.
I could tell by the look of his face, he was furious - he didn't have to tell me that - it was plan and simple. I knew I was in deep shit, and I was the only one to blame.
"Ponyboy Michael, you are just asking for a good whipping," he scolded. "I don't know what the hell goes on in that head of yours sometimes. Soda just finish telling me he caught you drinking and now this, how many times have I told you never to smoke in the house, huh? Too many."
I kept my eyes glued to my lap, as Darry yelled at me.
"Do you ever just stop to think a second before you go and do the next stupid thing? Seriously Ponyboy, I feel like I'm constantly repeating myself to you. I'm fed up with this behaviour of yours," he continued, before his voice rose even higher.
"And drinking, I don't even know where to begin... this is the third incident in the last couple of weeks, Soda and I have both warned you never to touch that stuff and here you go and do it again... I'm gonna make your backside hurt that much, your not ever gonna want to touch another beer bottle again."
He went to grab my arm, but I somehow managed to slip out of his reach. Then I moved as fast as I could away from him, jumping onto my bed crawling over to the other side and jumped off, then bolted out the door.
I was running full bolt down the hallway, turning my head quickly to see where Darry was. In the split second I had my head turned, I didn't notice Soda coming the opposite way. I guess he heard the yelling and wanted to check to make sure everything was alright.
I smashed straight into him at full speed, he would of seen me coming toward him and readied himself to grab me, he managed to keep his balance and held me by both of my arms.
"Whoa, slow down kiddo. What's wrong?" He asked, looking at my fearful face.
"Let go of me, Soda. Let go." I panicked, trying to break free from his hold.
I could hear heavy thudding footsteps coming from behind me, causing me to struggle even more. Then there was a jingling sound followed by a sharp sting in my backside - that stopped my struggling quick smart - and turned so I was leaning my back in against Soda's chest for protection, then grabbed his arms holding them firmly around my chest.
"What happened, Darry?" Soda questioned, from behind me.
"Nothin' yet..." Darry said, looking straight at me. "but, did you know... I happened to find our little brother here, smoking in the bedroom," he spoke, before raising his voice. "right after you had just finished telling me he had been drinking, and decided to disobey my authority, again. Get here now, Ponyboy."
He must think I was stupid if I'd go over to him when he was holding his thick black leather belt in his hands. I dropped my eyes from him, to the ground, staring at the worn in carpet instead.
I'm glad Soda kept his hold around me. I'm sure he could feel my heart thumping heavily in my chest, as his arms were wrapped around me.
"Ponyboy, I'm not kidding around." Darry warned me, as though somehow he thought that I thought he was kidding. I knew he wasn't kidding, but neither was I.
When he could see I was not going to cooperate with him, he turned to Soda.
"Fine, if that's the way you want to play it. Soda turn him around right now, or you'll get one too." Darry's voice held a no nonsense tone; it was mixed of fine authority together in a deep masculine tone.
"But Darry..." Soda started to say. Maybe he was actually regretting having Darry deal with me now, but there was no way of him changing that decision now.
"NOW!" Darry roared that loud the walls shook, causing me to jump and for Soda to obey his command without further question.
To say I was scare was an understatement, I was petrified.
Trembling, I pressed my face firmly into Soda's white t-shirt, squeezing my eyes tightly closed. My arms wrapped around his middle waist - white knuckles gripping the back of his thrown over, short sleeve, checkered shirt. Waiting for the dreaded moment that thick piece of leather came in contact, to make it's first red mark. I felt Soda's arms snake around me, resting his palms on my back, rubbing gently in a calming manner to try ease my fear - even if it was only the slightest comfort, it helped.
Darry didn't even wait two seconds before he laid into me. I felt my pants along with my underwear ripped to my ankles, followed by a sharp crack across my backside, I gasped, feeling the prick of tears sting at the corner of my eyes. Though I wouldn't let them fall just yet.
Talking a sharp shaky breath, I tightened my hold around Soda, grasping his shirt more firmly where I'd bunched it up in my shaking hands - if that were at all possible, seeing as my hands were already holding the shirt in a death grip. Just as the next wave of pain hit, sending a burning sensation running though my backside. I jumped at the sudden shock, letting out a yelp.
As the belt landed the third time, I felt Soda jump slightly - my guess is Darry either swung too hard, or, too wide, having the tail end flip around me, hitting him accidentally. No sound escaped his throat though, not even a whimper. I felt his arms tighten up around me, as Darry continued.
Darry certainly didn't mess around when dishing out punishment, what with all that built up muscle power behind the belt, he really made you feel it.
And it hurt.
By the forth strike I couldn't hold back the threatening sobs, that I held in the back of my throat. The belt landed running across my bare backside like fire slicing through my skin, and my wall broke, my eyes flooded with tears making their silent but known trails, running down my cheeks.
Darry kept bring that damn belt down continuously, hit after hit.
My body racked with ear piercing cries that I could no longer hold back.
The burning pain was overwhelming - my screams muffled by Soda's chest, his shirt now tear soaked right through. I could feel my knees begin to buckle, threatening to collapse on me at any second - for sure I'd be crumpled to the ground any minute. Soda must have sensed this, as his grip on me tightened substantially, his whole strength holding my weight up against him, keeping me on my feet.
"Darry, I think his had enough." I could hear the quiver in Soda's softly spoken tone, and didn't miss the snivel at the end; I wondered if he must be crying too.
A handful of fire cursing strikes landed on my upper thighs, then it all suddenly stopped. I waited for the next one to come, but nothing.
"It's over now, Ponyboy." Came Darry's deep voice.
I'm not sure the number of hits I received, and I'm not sure I care. I just think I'd be lucky if I can sit come a weeks time. Soda must of been unfortunate an' been nicked with the tail end on more than one occasion, I felt the slight jumps throughout, but like I said, he never made a sound. I'm guessing he though what I was getting was far worse than some accidental hits.
As soon as Darry spoke those words, that it was over, I let go of Soda and sunk to the ground, and covered my face with my hands and just bawled. I cried. Heart wrenched sobs. Fire burning pain. Soda didn't even wait a second before he had me in his arms again, crouched down, arms around me. I buried my face in his shoulder and just let my emotions go.
A heavy hand rested on my shoulder - Darry's hand. I'm not sure if it was for comfort or what, it rested there for a second before he removed it.
"I hope I never have to do that again Ponyboy, but don't even think for a second that I won't. If I ever catch you smoking in that room again, or with beer so much as on your breath, I'll have that belt back on your backside so fast it'll make your head spin." Darry's hard voice spoke from above me, then paused before continuing, "I'm gonna make a start on dinner. Will you be right with him for a bit Soda?"
I felt Soda nod, then Darry sighed. "Ok." He said, before I heard his heavy footsteps walked down the hall toward the kitchen.
Soda stayed with me trying his best to comfort me. But no matter how much comfort he gives, it'll never numb the pain I'm feeling. I don't think I've ever experienced so much pain in one day, as I did today - the gash on my arm is burning something awful, and now my backside feels exactly how my arm does. The only good thing that'll come from this, is a tuff lookin' scar from the gash across my cheek.
He cradled me in his arms as I continuously sobbed. My cries were showing no signs of slowing at all - if I had a dam wall around me, well... this is what it'd look like if it had a huge crack and all the water came flooding out - all my emotions from today were coming out in one big hit, and I had nothing to stop it.
"Shh... it's ok, baby. It's ok." He rocked me back and forth in attempt to soothe me, he sat with me and waited, waited patiently as my heavy sobs slowly began to subside. I stayed in his arms taking hollow shuddering breaths, as I tried holding back the next set of tears that threatened to fall.
"Do you wanna go lay down, honey?" He spoke carefully in a gentle tone.
I nodded as I breathed in another shuddering breath, and aloud him to pull me up. He reached back down suddenly pulling my pants and underwear back up - I'd forgot all about them, I would have tripped over them if I had tried to walk. I gave a sniffle, wiping my arm across my eyes then under my nose, letting out a rugged sigh.
He led me to our bedroom, and pulled back the covers for me, I climbed under carefully lying on my stomach, then he covered me up. I just wanted to curl up in bed and never have to get up again, until there was no pain left to feel... maybe if I sink into the bed far enough, everything might disappear and all that'll be left is pain free.
Soda carefully took a seat at the edge of the bed, causing a slight dip to the mattress and rested a hand to the middle of my back, rubbing softly. I continued to snivel and wipe the lone tear that found its way down my cheek. His hand softly stroked soothing circles up and down and around, all over my back.
"S-soda?" I snivelled again.
"Yeah, honey?" he answered quietly, rubbing gentle circles around my shoulder blades.
"C-could... could you lay down with me, please?"
"Of course I can, baby." He said, wiggling an inch closer and lied down next to me.
I snuggled up closer to him, and rested my head on his chest. I closed my eyes listening to the rhythm of his heart and the continue rise and fall of his chest. But however much I tried to ignore it, my arm... and backside for that matter, continued to throb with pain.
"Soda?"
"Yeah, baby?" He answered, as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through my hair.
"Soda, my arm really, really, hurts."
"Ok baby, can you get up for a second? I'll take a look at it."
I slid from Soda's stomach, placing my head onto the pillow. He sat up and took my left arm in his hand, then unwrapped the cloth bandage. I could tell he was being rather gentle with it and trying not to touch it, but what I didn't know was how bad it really was. I could see that his expression though looked quite concerned.
"What's wrong, Soda?" I asked, growing a little worried.
"It's ok, baby," he soothed, rubbing my back. "I want Darry to take a look at it though, ok?"
I nodded, then he practically jumped off the bed and ran out the bedroom door. Not even two seconds later Darry came in with Soda trailing behind him, he resumed his place on the bed at my right, while Darry took a seat on my left side.
Soda pulled me towards him again, to rest my head back against his chest, I snuggled against him as Darry checked my arm. Then Darry left the room saying he'd be right back.
I heard Darry return, and tell Soda to hold something on my arm; my arm flinched at the sudden cold touch.
"It's ok, baby... it's just an ice bag." Soda tried reassuring me.
Darry then walked around to the other side of the bed; where Soda was laying and I was facing. He held a spoon and plastic medicine bottle with some kind of clear liquid in it, and in his other hand a glass of chocolate milk.
"Can you sit up, kiddo? I need you to take this for me." Darry said, as he placed the chocolate milk on the bedside table.
I kept my right arm across Soda's stomach and used it to push myself up. Soda also placed his left hand under my chest to help me lean up a little more, but also to help steady me. It was the best I could do, seeing as my left arm was out of action.
Darry poured some of the liquid onto the spoon, then carefully moved it toward me.
"Open," he instructed. I obeyed, then regretted it as soon as he placed the spoon in my mouth, the medicine was really bitter, it was awful. I held it in my mouth, unwilling to let the dreadful stuff, so much as hit the back of my throat.
"Ponyboy, swallow it." He ordered, firmly. I shook my head.
"Do it quickly, then you can have the chocolate milk to wash it down." I shook my head, again, having the bitter mix swish around my mouth, I grimaced at the taste.
Darry sighed roughly, probably at the thought of having such a stubborn kid on his hands - but I wasn't trying to be hard, it really, truly was that bad. He placed his hand under my chin and tilted my head right back, forcing me to swallow it. I moaned as the bitter liquid went down.
"Here," he said, picking up the glass of milk. "This'll help get rid of the taste." He handed me the glass. I took a large mouthful, and swished it around my mouth before swallowing it, then did it again until the glass was empty, handing it back to Darry.
"Better?" He asked. I just nodded, and rested my head back down on Soda's chest again.
"Alright, I'll be back in about fifteen minutes. The medicine should have kicked in by then." Darry said taking the medicine bottle from the bedside, and left the room.
"How you feeling, kiddo?" Soda asked me, as he lightly stroked my back.
"Still sore." I mumbled.
Neither of us said anything for the next several minutes. I could feel myself getting rather sleepy, and Soda's soothing back rub didn't help that matter either.
"Soda?" my voice sounding drowsy.
"Yeah?"
"My stomach hurts a bit."
"Do you feel like your gonna be sick?"
"I dunno, I don't think so." I said, sounding unsure. But, I could feel a sudden uneasiness in my stomach.
Silence.
"Soda?"
"Yeah?"
"When's Darry coming back?"
"Soon, why?"
Silence again.
"Soda?" I asked again, as he lightly stroked his hand through my hair again.
"Yeah, honey?"
"I'm really tired, Soda." I said, followed by a deep yawn.
"I know honey, close you eyes."
"I can't..."
"Why not, baby?"
"Is Darry coming back soon?" I asked drowsily, yawning again.
"Yeah, he is honey... now close your eyes."
I slowly shut my eyes; only to open them seconds after, as Darry walked into the room.
"Darry?"
"Yeah kiddo, how you feeling?"
"Umm... tired." I answered, feeling really, really sleepy.
"Does your arm hurt at all?"
I just looked at him with a blank stare. "Umm..." Then shook my head. "no, my stomach does."
"What did you give him, Darry?" Soda asked, letting the concern in his voice show, though I couldn't understand why. I was just too damn tired.
"Just some morphine, why?"
"Well, it's sure knocked the kid good."
I suddenly felt my face flush white, and the taste of bile rise in my throat. "Soda, I... Soda..." I didn't have time to get the rest out. I felt a bucket being shoved against my chest, and everything I had in my stomach came rushing out; once there was nothing left in my stomach to throw up, I collapsed back down against Soda's chest exhausted, and closed my eyes.
It felt like hours had passed, but what was probably only mere minutes - someone was telling me to lean up, but I couldn't. I was so tired, and all my energy felt as if it'd been drained, the most I could manage was a moan.
I felt a pair of arms snake around my chest, lifting me from my position on Soda.
"Here, rinse your mouth." I felt a cup to my lips and did as I was told, I swished a few times, spitting into the bucket. Than a new glass took its place. "Drink this." I took a sip, feeling the cool water in my mouth, then hit the back of my burning throat, it felt good. I gulped down a few large mouthfuls, but that only resulted in Darry taking the glass away.
"Slow down, kiddo... just take small sips, or you'll make yourself sick again."
I laid back down, resuming my place on Soda. Darry then placed his cool hand across my forehead, leaving it there for a few seconds, before it was replaced with a cold damp wash cloth.
I closed my eyes feeling sudden sleep taking over, and relishing in the coolness of the washer. As I was falling into half sleep, I caught part of Darry's and Soda's conversation, but couldn't make it out fully.
"...bad Darry?"
"...infected...stitches out...flush out the wound...restitch.."
"Ok...almost asleep."
"Good...keep him relaxed...asleep...second." That was the last of their conversation I heard, before I was out like a light.
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Bella Lilac