A/N: Hello. I hope you're all having a great week so far. Here's Part II. I hope you like it. Please review and let me know what you think. Love, Ellivia22~

Disclaimer: Unfortunately The Outsiders is still not mine. Just the plot.

Broken Bond

Part II

Darry

Despite only getting one to two hours of sleep on Dad's recliner, I do my best to act normal when I wake up the next morning. I take a longer shower than normal. The muscles in my back and shoulders ache from being in an awkward position all night and the water does a good job of easing the soreness. I scrub my face several times in hopes that I can erase all the tears I shed the night before.

The delicious smell of eggs and toast fills the kitchen as I cook breakfast for me and Sodapop. I'll wake him up once breakfast is ready, take him and Steve to work, then go to my own job and continue my day just like normal. I have to act normal. If I don't, I know that I'll have a complete breakdown. I have to continue to act strong. For Sodapop.

All night my mind went back and forth on whether I should continue searching for Ponyboy or let him come home on his own as Dally suggested. I want to find him more than anything, and not just so I can apologize. I want to protect him and help him get out of the mess he's in. On the other hand, if I find Pony, the cops might find out and he and Johnny will be in trouble. Even worse both Soda and Ponyboy could be taken to a boys' home. I sigh miserably as I think once again about my little brother. I wish Ponyboy was here. I miss him so much.

I'm just finishing putting buttered toast on a plate with scrambled eggs, and a slice of chocolate cake when Sodapop walks in, completely dressed in his blue DX uniform. I'm surprised that he's up. Usually, I have to wake him up in the morning just to make sure he makes it to work on time. I didn't even hear the shower running. Judging by the heavy bags under his eyes and his pale appearance, he got as much sleep as I did.

"Morning," I try to greet him as normally as possible. It comes out instead as a strained grunt. "Breakfast is ready."

"Thanks," Sodapop says monotonously, not looking at me. He swipes the toast off the plate that I just loaded and leaves the kitchen. "See you later."

I follow him. "But your shift doesn't start for another hour."

"Gonna look for Ponyboy first, then walk to work."

"But Dal said-."

"I don't give a damn what Dally said," Soda says, his voice rising. "Unlike you, I actually care about Ponyboy and am gonna find him!"

His words are like a literal slap in the face. A slap I definitely deserve.

SLAM!

The door slams shut, ending the conversation. I stare straight ahead almost in a daze. I've completely lost my appetite. My stomach doubles into knots as the guilt consumes me all over again. I squeeze my burning eyes shut and release a sharp breath. I was a fool to think that I could pretend that everything was normal.

After cleaning up breakfast I get ready for work. Despite the fact that I'm an emotional mess I still have to make a living. I have to take care of the only brother I have left-even if he hates me. I hope that I can survive my shift without completely falling apart.

The workday at Lash Roofing and Contracting goes at a snail's pace. Even though it's a busy day carrying multiple bundles of ruffin up a ladder and placing them on the roof I'm so worried about Ponyboy that I can't seem to concentrate on anything else. What's even worse is my encounter with Sodapop this morning keeps weighing heavily on my mind.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead, then lift a bundle of ruffin on my shoulder, followed by another. Each bundle weighs at least fifty pounds, but it doesn't bother me none. I quicken my pace to the half-finished two-story house, where multiple ladders are leaning against the side.

"Darry."

What if the cops find Ponyboy and Johnny, wherever they're hiding? What if they are both arrested for murder? What if Pony comes back, but the authorities force him and Soda to go to a boys' home? What if he hates me like Soda does?

"Darry."

What if he and Johnny are hurt somewhere? What if he's-

"Darrel."

I feel a firm hand shake my shoulder, preventing me from climbing up the ladder. My boss, Mr. Lash, is staring at me with a very worried expression on his face. Though he's fifteen years older than me, his short blonde hair, lively blue eyes, and baby face make us look the same age.

"Huh?" I ask blankly.

"I'm not so sure you should be working right now," he says, his hand still on my shoulder. "I think you should go home and wait for news on your brother."

The last thing I want to do is go home right now. "No…no, I can't. It'll just make everything worse. I can't stop thinking about…" I trail off, not wanting to finish the sentence. I'm too ashamed to admit that I'm the reason my brother is in hiding and a Soc is dead. "Besides, someone's gotta work and pay the bills." I finally look at my boss. "Have I really been that distracted?"

"Darrel you've been grabbin' ruffin and climbing up that ladder so fast it's like you're in a track meet. If you don't watch it, you're gonna hurt yourself, or someone else."

Just hearing the word 'track meet' makes me think of Ponyboy all over again. I swallow hard as I try with all my might to force my emotions down. "I'm sorry sir. I promise I'll do better."

"You're way too stressed out and I can tell you haven't been sleeping. You have some sick time. Take it."

I sigh in defeat. He's right. I'm no use here. I can't think straight. I need to get out of here and clear my head. I drop the ruffin next to the ladder. "Thank you, sir."

I get in my truck and start driving without a destination in mind. All I know is that home is the last place I want to be.

Sodapop

"How 'bout we go down to Buck's and shoot some pool? It might help you get your mind off everything." Steve suggests.

"No," I answer shortly as we head to the time clock in the back of the gas station. It's six o clock in the evening and our shift is over. It's been a very long day, which is about to turn into another very long night.

"I know you're worried about Ponyboy, but once Darry picks us up, we can see if he has any news. That might ease your worries."

"I ain't riding home with him. I'd rather walk," I state bitterly, not looking at my best friend. The anger I have toward my older brother hasn't softened since he hit Ponyboy. "The longer I can stay away from him, the better."

"But it's over a mile walk to your house," Steve protests.

"I'm ain't going home," I answer, shoving my timecard into the nearly broken time clock. I pull the handle to make the punch so hard I might break it more than it already is. I don't care. "I'm gonna go see Sandy."

Steve makes an undistinguished noise in his throat. He never seemed to like Sandy since I started seeing her. He always would tell me that she is a flirt and runs around with other guys. I never believe him. Sandy is the nicest, most caring girl I've ever known. How could anyone not like her? I love her with all my heart, and I know that she loves me. I can't wait to spend my life with her. I walk past him, taking off my grease-covered blue DX shirt and replacing it with my red and black flannel, leaving it open over my white T-shirt.

"Look, if you wanna ride home with Darry, be my guest. I'm gonna see someone who would actually give a damn that my brother is missing!"

Steve opens his mouth to say something, but no words come out. I feel bad that I'm taking my anger out on him, but don't attempt to apologize. Steve may be my best friend, but it's no secret that he doesn't like Ponyboy. Then again, Steve doesn't like most people.

When I exit the store, I see Darry in his beat-up pickup, waiting for us in his usual parking spot. We lock eyes. Even from a distance, I can see that the guilt is eating at him. I don't care. He deserves to hurt for what he did. I turn and walk in the direction of Sandy's house, desperate to talk to the only person who could possibly comfort me.

It takes me fifteen minutes to walk to Sandy's house. She lives in a run-down two-story home almost on the other side of town close to the Soc/Greaser border. I keep my eyes peeled for Ponyboy or Johnny. Even though I know that they're not here, I feel disappointed that I don't see them.

I suddenly feel really nervous once I reach her house. The last time I was here I almost got the tar beaten out of me. When Sandy's parents found out that we were expecting a baby they were absolutely furious and forbade her to see me. I know that I'm putting my life at risk for trying to see her, but I'm past the point of caring. My life couldn't possibly get any worse at this point. Shakily I knock on the red wooden door, smoothing my hair nervously.

Knock Knock

I gulp as the door opens to reveal a tall male with balding grey hair. Sandy's father is well-built, but thankfully not as fit as Darry. He's still just as intimidating. He glares at me hard from behind his black-rimmed glasses. His wrinkled face is bright red and full of rage. "YOU! I told you to never show your face around here! I should kill you for touching my little girl!"

"Mr. Wheeler I-I swear to you, I didn't mean for this to happen. I love your daughter more than anything and I swear that I'm gonna make this right." My voice trembles in growing fear as Mr. Wheeler looks even more furious-if that's possible. I force myself to continue. "I want to marry her and take care of her for the rest of our lives. I-I want to take care of both of them. Please let me see her!"

"No daughter of mine is gonna marry a sixteen-year-old high school dropout hoodlum. Now get out of here before I get my shotgun and-."

"Relax Dad," Sandy says, coming up from behind him. She looks so beautiful. I love how snug her pink top is showing off her belly button and lean stomach. Her blonde hair is down in curls and looks damp as if she had just gotten out of the shower. For some reason, I don't like the look on her face. It's almost…indifferent. "I'll talk to him and set things straight."

Set things straight? What does she mean by that?!

After a moment, Mr. Wheeler relaxes slightly. He lets out a disapproving grunt, then moves aside to let her join me on the front porch. I want to embrace her right then and there but decide against it. I want to keep my good fortune while I have it.

"Come on," she says, taking my hand.

Once we are a safe distance from her father at the end of her gravel driveway, I pull her into my arms gently, careful not to hurt her. She's not showing yet, but I don't want to cause any harm to the baby. I can smell her flowery lotion, immediately putting me at ease. "Oh Sandy. P-Ponyboy and Darry got into a fight and Pony ran away-."

I stop talking in mid-sentence. Sandy isn't hugging me back. In fact, she's very stiff in my embrace. I let go slowly and take a good look at my girlfriend. She isn't looking like her normal sunny self, nor does she look at all concerned with what I just told her. In fact, I've never seen her so expressionless, so cold. Oh God. I hope everything is okay. "A-are you all right?" I drop my voice. "Is it the baby?"

She sighs. "Look, Soda, there really ain't an easy way for me to say this, but we can't see each other anymore."

My stomach lurches as if the ground had been pulled out from under me. I must've heard her wrong. "W-what?" I stutter. "Why?"

She looks down at her dirty white sneakers instead of at me. "My parents are sending me away for a while. I'm gonna be staying with my grandmother. In Florida"

My first thought is of my child. If she leaves that means I won't be there to see him or her come into the world. That thought absolutely devastates me. "B-but what about the baby?"

An uncharacteristic mean smirk appears on her delicate features. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that anymore. It ain't yours anyway. Hate to break it to you this way, Sodapop, but you aren't the only guy I've slept with."

My eyes are burning. It takes all the strength I have to keep the tears back. Just standing takes a lot of effort. I don't know which news is worse: that she's been cheating me all this time, or that the baby isn't mine. I can't lose her too. Not after losing Pony. "I-I don't care if it ain't mine," I find myself saying. "I love you so much, Sandy. I wanna marry you and take care of you for the rest of our lives. Please don't leave me!"

Sandy rolls her blue eyes. "You don't get it, Sodapop," she says in exasperation. "I don't love you. I never loved you and I will never marry you."

I desperately want to get on my knees and beg her to stay. I want to propose and beg her to love me. All I can do is allow the tears to silently course down my cheeks. "Please," I whisper.

"Goodbye, Sodapop."

Not until she's completely out of sight do I let go. I collapse to my knees, my face buried in my hands. I sob so hard it's difficult to breathe. I haven't cried this hard since my parents died. My chest burns as I feel my already shattered heart crack into further pieces. Sandy, the woman I loved more than anything in the world not only was gone forever, but she didn't love me. She never loved me. Oh what I fool I was.

I remain in the driveway for what feels like several hours, still sobbing. I don't care if Sandy's dad comes and beats me to a bloody pulp. I don't care about anything anymore. First I lost Mom and Dad; then Pony; now Sandy. I don't know how much more pain I can handle before life becomes not worth living for.

Once I was finally about to get my emotions under control, I left Sandy's house as fast as I could. Since then, I've been wandering around town aimlessly for hours through the many neighborhoods on the East Side. It's way past curfew, but I'm beyond the point of caring. A lit cigarette is in my mouth. I don't smoke very often. A pack of cigarettes can usually last me one to two months. Tonight, though, I'm almost through a whole pack. All I can think about is the agonizing pain I still feel in my chest. I miss Sandy so much already. The pain is so sharp and bright that it's like a switchblade being jammed in my chest over and over again. I don't know how much more heartbreak I can take.

In my wanderings, I find myself in the park. It's so late the night lights are on. Yellow police tape still surrounds the area, even though the police completed their investigation yesterday. I duck under the tape and enter, not caring if I'm not supposed to be there.

I sit on one of the small swings, taking a drag of my cigarette. Silent tears course down my cheeks as I look around. The white chalk outlining where the body of the Soc was still traced by the fountain. Seeing the actual crime scene up close makes what happened even more real. My eyes squeeze shut tight, quiet sobs escaping my throat. I don't bother holding them back anymore. I feel so alone. I wish there was someone I could talk to; someone I can lean on. I pushed Steve away, Ponyboy's gone, and Darry is out of the question.

A cold breeze hits me hard, making me shiver. Now that the sun is down it's getting colder. The last thing I want to do is go home and face Darry, but I have no choice. Once I have the energy to move, I light up another cigarette, then take the short walk home.

During the short walk to my house, my thoughts are temporarily pulled away from Sandy. I have the strangest feeling that someone is following me. I feel a tingling on the back of my neck, my shoulders tensing up. Goosebumps cover my arms and this time it's not from the cold. Someone's following me. I hope it's not the Socs. The last thing I need right now is to get jumped.

I quicken my pace. When I look over my shoulder, I see a dark car. It's creeping slowly behind me. It doesn't look like a car that anyone in this neighborhood would own or on the West side of town. No...it looks like an official-looking vehicle. The cops. They're following me. Suddenly the driver of the car takes a sharp right down the next street in the opposite direction. It's as if he knew I spotted him.

My insides clench in fear. At that moment, I realize that Darry and Dally were right. The cops are keeping tabs on us in hopes that we'll lead them to Ponyboy. I better get home before they think I'm up to something.

Less than five minutes later I'm opening the gate that's in front of the house. The outside lights are on and so are the lights in the living room, which means Darry is still awake. Now I know how Ponyboy felt when he came home two nights ago. After everything that's happened so far, I'm not sure how Darry's going to react, nor do I care. I don't care if he grounds me for two months. It won't take away how devastated I feel.

"I sure hope you have a good reason for being out this late, Sodapop Patrick," Darry says, standing up and folding his arms as soon as I get in the door.

I glance at my older brother wearily. Though his tone is angry, his face softens a few seconds later. I must look like hell. Why is he so concerned about me being out so late, but got so angry at Ponyboy for the same thing? If Darry wasn't so hard on our younger brother none of this would've happened. "What are you gonna do?" I challenge him in a voice I don't recognize. "Are you gonna hit me too?!"

I watch guiltily as Darry looks immediately crushed, regret all over his face. He looks away, returning to his spot in Dad's armchair. Before I say anything else I might regret, I storm to the bedroom I share with Ponyboy, slamming the door behind me. I collapse in the empty bed, fresh tears falling down my face.

When I finally run out of tears I fall into an uneasy sleep, wishing with all my heart that everything will be back to normal when I wake up in the morning. If Ponyboy never comes home our lives will never be the same again.

To be continued...