Ponyboy Pov:
I was trapped in the dark. This wasn't one of my nightmares where my dad could dump water on
me and wake me up. No, it was more peaceful. Just an empty darkness with occasional jolts of
pain. The pain mostly came from my side but sometimes it would come from my leg. I don't
remember any injuries on my leg though. The last thing I saw before I passed out was Dally
hollering something. I kept thinking and floating around until a glimpse of light shone in my eyes.
My eyes fighted in protest to it and the darkness was fading real fast.
I could hear the voices of
the gang telling me to open my eyes. I was trying though, It's just that my eyes felt like
deadweight and won't cooperate with the rest of me. Suddenly, light attacked my pupils and I
recoiled. Everybody seemed relieved as they all cheered. They all spoke at once.
"Glad to see your finally awake kid!" That was Two-BIt ever-so cheerful.
"Geeze, about time you woke up."
Steve remarked, sounding annoyed, but his relieved smile
gave it away. I guess he does sort of like me after all. Soda had tears streaming down his face
as he messed up my hair. He mumbled something but I didn't quite catch it because Johnny
started talking too.
" How are you feeling, Pony?" Then the whole room went silent and all eyes were on me. I
fumbled with the iv chord as I spoke, uncomfortable with the attention.
"Just dandy, by the way, when can I get out of here? I really want to go for a run, besides, it
already feels like twenty years since I've been out on a run. Maybe I'll get to explore the town
later too." Everybody looked sad, as all of their gazes were pointed to the ground. Even Steve
looked sorrowful. Sorrowful, I learned that word when a classmate died from a gang fight in New
York -grade five. Finally, Dallas stepped up and did something I would never have expected him
to do. He hugged me, HE actually HUGGED me! I thought that he didn't want me here, wanted
me gone, forgotten. Now that I think of it, I've never really been given a chance. Maybe, just
maybe, he still loves me? I wanted to hug him back, but my side protested against it. My leg
was also bothering me, so I wanted to check on the injury. Before anybody could stop me, I
yanked off the blanket. My left leg felt fine and looked it too. Then it dawned on me, why wasn't
my right leg sticking out of the hospital gown? I swear that I can feel it, my toes and everything!
Panic set in as everybody inched closer to my bed, I demanded answers.
" My leg! Why isn't my right leg there?!
I can feel it and everything, but it's just NOT THERE?!
Everybody tried to calm me down as monitors around me beeped annoyingly loud. Dally tried
saying something to me, but I was too lost in panic. If I don't have my leg, then I can't run.
Running was my passion, what got me away from trouble. What made me forget pain. The walls
seem to close as my thoughts become darker. It inched closer and closer until, BOOM!
Peaceful D
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K
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Dally Pov:
The kid started talking about running, I couldn't take it. It was all my fault- MY FAULT. God, I
wished he would stop talking about running. The guilt started mounting until
finally stepped up
and hugged him. Something I kept telling myself everyday in Tulsa to forget about. Pony
seemed shocked, but tried to return. He grimaced in pain and seemed to be uncomfortable
about his leg. For the first time ever, I was scared. Scared of his reaction once he found out. I
could tell nobody wanted to break the news to him. I let out a deep sigh and tried to find the right
words to tell him. Darry shot me a nervous glance and Two-Bit's smile was nowhere to be found.
Before I could even say a word, Ponyboy suddenly ripped off his blanket. Sharp breaths were
heard all over the room while everybody waited for Ponyboy's reaction. At first, he seemed
alright. Suddenly his heart monitor blared as his breath came in gasps. Nurses flooded into the
room as Soda gently touched his shoulder, but he flinched away. He then started asking where
his leg went and I answered as best as I could.
" Ponyboy… you gatta calm down. Your..your leg had to be amp-." Before I could finish that
word, he went completely still. I even thought he was dead, other than the steady beep of his
heart. The nurse injected a sedative shot and had this sympathetic smile. I wanted to punch that
smile off her face. She wouldn't have done it if nothing was wrong.
" His reaction was expected so I gave him some painkillers and a sedative. He is also
recovering as expected and can be discharged by the end of the week with some physical
therapy. My best advice as of now is just being there for him. He seems like such a sweet kid."
WIth that she left the room leaving us all staring at Ponyboy. He looked at least three years
younger in that huge hospital bed. Covered in the bright blue blanket and all those machines
surrounding him. I made an excuse of needing a cigarette and ran outta that room. The truth
was, the tough hardened hood Dallas Winston was breaking. I was on my fifth cigarette when
Johnny approached me.