Sam's POV
The Ribbon was insane! I don't know why Pony hadn't taken me here yet but I loved it! The noise, the people, the atmosphere, all of it was contagious. We'd met Jerry and Aaron at Buck's and when Pony mentioned going to the Ribbon they seemed happy with that plan so we came straight here, now the four of us were wandering the long street, chatting with people we knew while keeping an eye out for Soda and Steve.
"Soda said Tim might be racing, that's usually at 9 so let's head to the start line and see if he and Steve are there." Pony shouted in my ear over the noise and I nodded in return. Pony relayed the message to Jerry and Aaron and they said goodbye to the girls they were talking to with promises of meeting up later and followed us.
"You guys can stay if you want, Sam and I don't mind." Pony reassured them as he gripped my hand in his.
"Nah that's fine, I wanna see Shepherd race, who's he racing tonight, one of them or one of us?" Aaron asked and I knew what he meant by that.
"Not sure buddy, we'll find out soon enough I guess."
After another 10 minutes of walking we came into view of the starting line and sure enough Soda and Steve had the hood of Tim's car popped open, giving it one final check over while Tim and Curly stood nearby with a few of their gang. Curly spotted our group and waved us over and as we neared Steve looked up and gave us a nod in acknowledgment.
"Ready to race, Tim?" asked Pony as we neared and Tim threw him a grin and replied, "Ready to win."
"He's gonna win for sure," Curly piped up, "Look what the others guy's driving." He nodded his chin towards a burly Greaser with a beat up car who was casting nervous glances at Soda and Steve while trying to keep his cool. Pony and I exchanged a grin, Soda and Steve's reputations were well known around town, this guy had a right to be nervous because there's no way they would let Tim race until they knew his car was in peak condition, their reputations wouldn't allow it.
I broke away from Pony and headed to stand with Soda and Steve as Soda closed the hood of Tim's ride and wiped his hands on his jeans.
"It's ready to race alright," Soda grinned at Steve, "You got this in the bag, Shephard." Soda threw an arm around my shoulders as I stood next to him, "Hey! You and Pony didn't waste any time in getting here."
"Jerry and Aaron thought it sounded like a good idea. They're all over talking to Tim and Co." I gestured over my shoulder, "So you really think Tim's gonna win? You put any dough on this race?" I asked out of curiousity and Soda steered me towards the rest of the group as he replied.
"I don't have much to spare but what I could, yes, I put on Tim to win. I have total faith in me and Stevie boys talents, don't you?" he looked at me with mock hurt on his face and I grinned.
"Course I do! Maybe I should have put some money down too?" Soda shook his head.
"Gambling's a bad habit to get into." Soda let me go as we joined the group and I mostly listened as the guys riled each other up and joked with Tim and before long he was almost bouncing on the balls of his feet to get started.
Finally we were called to order and Pony ushered me off to the side of the road, we stood with Soda, Steve, Aaron and Jerry as Tim headed over to his car. I watched as Curly followed and said something to Tim that had Tim grinning and smacking at Curly's head as Curly laughed and dodged out of reach before making his way over to us.
"What did you say to him, Curly?" asked one of the guys from Shepherd's gang and Curly grinned and replied, "I told him if he wins tonight, he's got his pick of the pussy at Buck's later." The guys laughed as Curly glanced at me and winked with a devilish grin and I rolled my eyes at his vile comment and tried to ignore it when another guy piped up, "Doesn't he always have his pick of the pussy?" and was met with raucous laughter from all. Pony stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me, "What do you think? Want to head back over to Buck's afterwards now that everyone else will be there?"
"I think that sounds like fun, I can't believe the energy around this place."
"I know right? It gets downright crazy sometimes though so keep on your toes." I turned my attention to the road as I watched Tim and the burly guy get ready to start.
"What are they waiting for?" I asked Pony
"Well, first they'll get word from down the Ribbon that there aren't cops around, that word'll get passed up here and then that guy over there," Pony gestured to someone standing off to the side of the road, "He'll step up and get it started. They'll go for it, racing straight to the end of the Ribbon. People are down that end too waiting to congratulate the winner. Come on, we need to get higher to get a better vantage point." Pony tugged on my hand and sure enough most of the people milling around were making their way up a small hill that flattened out on top, giving a perfect view of the Ribbon. When we got to the top I could see the straight stretch of road that they'd soon be racing down.
I stood with the guys as we waited and soon enough the racers were off. I cheered for Tim along with half the crowd as he sped off down the street. He was in the lead but eventually they got too far out of sight to tell who was winning and who had won. People were still cheering and going crazy anyway, the atmosphere was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. After a couple of minutes the word had been passed down the Ribbon that Tim had won by a landslide and I heard Soda say, "Alright! Won me some cash tonight, Stevie boy!"
I laughed to myself and turned to Pony who was grinning at his brother. Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to change; people nearby were shoving and shouting at each other and Pony's grip around me tightened.
"Those guys aren't happy their friend lost, Soda, we should get out of here before it gets too nasty." Pony said to his brother as he eyed the upset figures all around us. Soda grinned at Pony and started to say something then caught sight of me in Pony's arms.
"You're right, let's get out of here."
We hadn't managed to take more than a dozen steps before the entire hill turned into a brawl. There were at least 50 people up here and everyone seemed determined to throw punches. Pony let go of my hand to dodge a punch and retaliate and I turned around to check our backs. I ducked and twisted out of the way of a swing that had missed the guy next to me and was coming straight for me but when I straightened up I caught someone's elbow straight to my cheek. I spun with the impact and went to the ground, managing to put my hands out to break my fall. I knew I couldn't stay down or I'd get trampled but every time I tried to get back up I was knocked sideways and went down again. A hand grabbed my elbow and hauled me up and I turned to see it was Curly's hand that had me but in the next second we both went down as someone tackled him from behind. Curly twisted and sat on the guy, slugging him and I spun up onto my knees trying to find one of the guys or a way out of here. Someone else ran past me and I turned to see where he had come from and saw a huge guy I didn't know coming straight at me. Suddenly he was body slammed by someone and sent sprawling and I saw it was Steve.
"Get up! Get up!" he shouted at me as he grabbed me under the arms and hauled me to my feet. He half dragged me as we stumbled together down the hill, across the street and to his car and I heard sirens in the distance as we jumped into his car.
"Steve we can't leave Pony and Soda!" I shouted and he pushed my head down and ducked down in his seat.
"Just get down before the cops see us." I looked at him slouched in his seat and saw he had a thin trickle of blood running down from his hairline and a split lip.
"What the hell happened?" I whispered as the sirens passed us.
"Don't cuss." Steve whispered as he sat up to look out the windscreen, when he saw the coast was clear he let up on pushing my head down and I sat up and looked around. People were leaving the area quickly in cars or on foot but I didn't see Pony or Soda anywhere.
"Steve where are they?" I was getting worried when we both jumped at a loud thud from the back of the car. We turned and saw Pony and Soda leaning on the rear of the car and we jumped out to greet them but I stopped short at the sight before me and clasped my hands to my mouth. Soda was trying to hold Pony upright and Pony had blood pouring down his face.
"Help me Steve!" Soda cried out and Steve replied with a, "Jesus!" before grabbing Pony under his other arm. Soda climbed into the backseat dragging Pony behind him as Steve shoved him in from the outside before jumping into the driver's seat. I jumped in the front just as Steve revved the engine and peeled out of the parking lot.
"Hospital or home, Soda?" Steve asked to the rear-view mirror. Soda had pulled his shirt off and had it bunched up on Pony's head, pressing down firmly.
"I don't need a hospital." Pony said but he sounded weak and his eyes didn't seem to be able to focus clearly. Soda met Steve's eyes in the mirror and I could tell he was torn as to where to go.
"Let's go home and see what Darry can do first." Steve nodded in reply and I turned in my seat to keep my eyes on Pony.
"Hey stay awake Pony, don't close your eyes!" Soda slapped Pony gently on his cheek a couple of times, "He'll be okay, Sam, he's a tough kid." Soda reassured me but it kind of fell flat at the look on his face. I noticed Soda had an eye that was starting to swell and turn black but otherwise looked okay.
"I'll be fine." Pony mumbled and tried to grin in my direction but he couldn't meet my eyes, I don't know if he was trying not to worry me or if he really couldn't see me properly but it made me worry even more.
"What the hell happened?" Steve asked, wiping the trickle of blood from his face and repeating my words from earlier, apparently it was fine for him to cuss. I looked to Soda for answers since Pony didn't really seem too clear on what exactly had happened but Pony starting talking anyway.
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Pony's POV
We cheered as word got down to us that Tim had won, although I don't think anyone was really that surprised. I was looking forward to heading to Buck's afterwards with everyone and having a few drinks with Soda when I noticed the mood on the hill was starting to shift slightly. It had started with a few jeers to those who had bet on the loser but it quickly turned into raised voices and anger and I could tell any minute now the fists would come out.
"Those guys aren't happy their friend lost, Soda, we should get out of here before it gets too nasty." I said to my brother and he grinned at me. I could tell he was looking forward to a fight and normally I would have been too just to release some energy but not with Sam here. Soda seemed to remember she was with us and he agreed with me. We didn't get very far when I heard the unmistakable sounds of flesh on flesh and suddenly someone came out of nowhere and swung a punch at me. I didn't know him but it didn't matter, it was on for young and old.
I let go of Sam to dodge the guy's punch and push him away from me while he was off balance before looking around quickly to make sure no one was about to come up on me. When I reached back for Sam's hand I got nothing. I spun around and couldn't see her behind me. I started panicking as I looked around the trees in the dark but she had disappeared. I spun back around and took a punch to the jaw that sent me spinning. Using the gymnastics Darry had taught us I used the momentum to keep spinning and came at the guy from the other side, knocking him flat. I couldn't take another step before dodging yet another punch and I was getting panicked. I had to get off this hill and find Sam, I was praying she had made it down to the road and was waiting for me.
I pushed a guy away from me and he tripped and rolled backwards down the hill and I heard a rough "Hey!" from behind me. I turned just in time to see a glass bottle swinging down to my head. I didn't even have time to put my hands up before the pop bottle came crashing onto my head and shattered around me. I was stunned and dropped to my knees and my hands went to the top of my head, when I pulled them away they were covered in blood and I felt dizzy, like the world was tilting slightly.
I heard a faint "Son of a bitch!" shouted from my right and turned to see Soda smash his fist into the guys face. They both went down but Soda landed on top and slugged him several more times. I knew faintly that he needed to stop so I called out to him. When nothing came out I tried again and got out a hoarse, "Soda." He stopped and looked at me and the blood drained from his face and he pushed off the guy and raced over to me.
"Shit! That guy got you good, little buddy" Soda and I turned as we heard the faint sirens in the distance, "Shit! Come on Pony let's move, we can't stay here." I wobbled to my feet but the world felt even more off kilter and I leant most of my body weight on Soda as we stumbled down the hill.
"Fuck Ponyboy, what happened to you?" I heard someone say and Soda responded, "He got glassed, Curly, help me get him out of sight until I can get him to Steve's car." Curly grabbed my other arm and they dragged me across the road when a car screeched to a stop in front of us and Tim yelled out, "Get in guys!" but I shook my head. I tried to find the words to say that I needed to find Sam before I went anywhere but I couldn't seem to get my mouth to work.
"We'll be fine, Tim, I can see Steve's car, I need to get him home." Tim nodded his head as Curly jumped in the back and they sped off and Soda and I made it to Steve's car. We fell against the hood and I thought, Why am I stumbling when I ain't been drinking? The next thing I knew I was being dragged into the back seat.
I was starting to feel faint which scared me when I heard Sam's voice and I felt a huge weight lift, at least I knew she was safe. I was worried I was going to pass out soon so when I heard Steve ask what happened I started talking, I felt like it was important I stayed awake.
The car jerked to a stop but a loud noise was hurting my head and I realised Steve was laying on the horn. Jackass. He was probably doing it because I had a headache. Hadn't I told him I had a sore head?
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Sam's POV
Steve blared on the horn as he brought the car to a stop and I heard a faint "Jackass" come from Pony before I whipped my door open and jumped out. The screen door on the porch screeched open and Darry stood there looking confused. I screamed, "Ponyboy!" at him and he jumped all four steps on the porch and came running over. Steve was already helping Pony from the backseat when Darry came and took over, swinging Pony's arm over his shoulder and dragging him up the front path.
I ran ahead and held the door for him and Darry yelled out, "Soda, get the first aid kit from the bathroom!" I sat down on the sofa and Darry carefully lowered Pony down next to me before sitting on the coffee table and holding Pony up by his shoulder with one hand while the other continued to press down on Soda's shirt still wadded up on Pony's head.
"Hey, look at me Ponyboy, look at my eyes."
Pony looked blearily at Darry and swung a hand in front of his face, "M fine, Dar." He mumbled and Darry frowned, "Yeah of course you are kiddo."
Soda returned and placed the first aid kit next to Darry who carefully lifted the shirt off Pony's head and stood to inspect the wound on his head.
"This might need stiches." He said and Soda paled slightly, "Darry, I'm sorry I should have taken him straight to hospital."
"It's okay, Soda." Darry said as he poked around Pony's head and Pony winced and said, "So stitch it."
"I'm not a doctor, Pony, stitches aren't exactly easy." said Darry as Pony turned suddenly to Steve, "Steve can do it then."
"Yeah I'll do it." Steve started to say but caught the look on Darry's face and held up his hands in surrender as he backed into the kitchen.
"Darry, Steve knows how to stitch well enough." Soda reminded him, "Pony seems adamant on not going to the hospital."
"Yeah well he's not really in his right mind right now is he?" Darry asked but then sighed heavily, "Fine. Steve!" Steve came back in with a glass of water and a cupped hand, "stitch him up."
Darry stood up and made room for Steve who handed the water and what I noticed were aspirin to Pony, "Here kid, now hold still while I work, this is gonna hurt like a bitch."
Pony downed the aspirin and winced as Steve started cleaning any bits of glass out of his head to prepare to stitch while Darry turned to Soda and tilted his head up to the light.
"Anything other than the black eye?" he asked Soda and Soda shook his head, "go get some ice on that to help with the swelling." Darry then turned to Steve, "I'll clean up that lip and cut on your forehead when you're done Steve." Steve nodded as he started stitching Pony's head and Pony winced and drew in a sharp breath. "Ow, Steve! That fucking hurts!" Pony cried out but Steve merely replied, "Quit you're bitching I told you it would."
"Both of you quit the cussing!" Darry said before turning to me, "Are you okay?" he reached out and ran a hand over my cheek and I flinched slightly.
"I'm okay; I copped an elbow to the cheek trying to get out of there though."
"Soda bring in an ice pack for Sam too!" Darry yelled at the kitchen then surveyed the room, "Is someone going to tell me what happened tonight?"
Steve was intent on sewing up Pony's head and Pony was intent on not cussing, I didn't really know how it all started so I just held the ice to my face. Soda sighed and began filling Darry in on the night's events.