Guess who's back?! Me! I know it's been months since I last updated, but writer's block is hard to get through. Also, a heads up that this chapter is a little heavy on the feels; or it was to me while writing it. So enough of me typing,
Onwards!
Thursday, September 30th, 1965
11:46 AM
"Carlos! Curtis! Drop everything right now and head to the hospital!" Helms said.
"Soda?!" Darry asked, instantly bolting up from his seat.
"No, not Sodapop! Scott Gregory just woke up!"
"He what?!" Carlos shrieked.
"Are you kidding?" Darry asked.
"Nope! I want all three of us to head down there right away!" Helms said.
"Sir, why don't Curtis and I just head down there ourselves. I'm sure you'll have a press conference to attend to once word gets out that he's alive," Carlos said.
"I told you! I'm making the rest of this investigation my top priority that I want to stay between just the three of us. I just want all the right facts so we finally catch and hang that son of a bi*** without any issues!" Helms responded.
"Fine. We'll follow behind you in case we have another lead to chase," Carlos scowled.
"Very well," Helms said. Both Special Agent Helms and Agent Carlos got their keys out and left the trailer for their cars.
When Carlos got in the car, he slammed his door shut and violently put the car into drive.
"Seriously, what is your problem? You'd think an agent of the FBI would be ecstatic that a victim of their most wanted survived so we can possibly get more leads," Darry said.
"Drop it! I already have an emergency at home that I have to attend to and this just added to the things I've got to get done today," he snapped.
"Oh yeah? I'm sorry that the life of my brother and friend aren't as important as you getting back home to do whatever you need," Darry fired back.
"You are about this close from me throwing you out of this car and dropping you completely off this case. Then where will your brother end up?! Dead!" Carlos snapped back. Darry didn't fire back and just sat in his seat staring out the window. Carlos took a deep, calming breath and continued driving.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break* Break*Break*Break
As soon as the trio got off of the elevator, they heard someone moaning and crying that got louder the closer they got to the room. After being let in by the agent guarding the door to Soda and Scott's room, they saw Scott being held and rocked by his mother and father. His mother's wails instantly pierced Darry's heart first with joy, but was suddenly shifted the opposite way the more he thought about Pony and Johnny. Soda had the exact same expression as he was crying and grinning hard, but his eyes told a different story.
"Excuse me, Scott? Mr. and Mrs. Gregory?" Agent Helms interrupted.
"S-Special Agent Helms," Mr. Gregory said.
"Yes sir. You have no idea how happy I am that this happened; you folks have been through so much over the past week and a half. I was wondering if I could have a quick word with Scott."
"Absolutely not! He's in no condition to be interviewed or whatever else you plan to do with him!" Mrs. Gregory said.
"Ma'am, I understand that this is a difficult time, but we need to ask him a few questions that could help save the lives of the two other victims that he has captured," Helms explained. Scott's expression dropped even more and then gave a quick glance over at Soda.
'Guess they were able to talk a little before we got here. Nice job, Pepsi.' Darry thought.
"I…s-suppose," Scott said.
"Are you sure, honey? You don't have to do anything you don't want to," Mrs. Gregory said.
"I-it was…so horrible. I don't want anyone else to have to go through that. If I can help…...then I will," Scott stated.
"We are so proud of you, son," Mr. Gregory said patting his shoulder.
"Usually, we don't like to have family members or other people interfering with the interview process, but due to the circumstances, I'll let you decide if you want to have your parents here with you" Helms said.
"I…I don't want to upset them," Scott whimpered while looking at his mother.
"Oh sweetheart, if you don't want us here, then we'll go. But we'll be right here with you the whole time," she said taking hold of her son's hands. Scott let a few stray tears fall down his face before nodding.
"I'll call a nurse to move Sodapop to another room," Agent Helms said.
"I…I don't mind if he stays, unless he doesn't want to," Scott said.
"I'll leave this up to you, Darrel," he responded.
"Uh hello?! I'm right here!" Soda interjected, but Agent Helms still looked at Darry. Soda's attention then went to Darry as the two brothers studied one another. Darry's eyes were determined with knitted eyebrows, but they instantly shot up when he looked at his immediate younger brother. Soda's dark brown eyes burned with rage that pierced through Darry's with an expression that was dangerous for Sodapop Patrick Curtis. With every look, Darry felt like his eyes were daggers that stabbed him over and over again. His eyebrows however were tilted up at an angle. He had seen that look many times over the course of the past few years, but that look mixed with one who felt betrayed, the pressure he had put on himself and the lies he had told Soda all came down to crush Darry's soul. They begged and pleaded at the twenty-year-old, but every instinct in him was warning of the consequences of letting the young greaser stay and hear about the horrors. But all the expressions that Sodapop made hurt Darry just a little bit more. Darry then turned to face the Special Agent.
"He can stay," Darry said. Soda gasped at this. Darry quickly turned his attention to Soda and just before he felt some tears form in his own eyes, gave a quick nod towards him. Soda quickly got over his shock and with tightly clenched lips nodded back before his expression returned to the look of rage. With that, both Mr. and Mrs. Gregory sat next to their child and holding him close. Scott then hesitantly explained what happened after he was kidnapped including some of the torture methods he used. Mr. Gregory was now holding his wife as she whimpered, and fought hard not to run out.
"Then I woke up one day and he started treating my wounds and feeding me an entire meal. He never did that before besides stopping me from bleeding out, I guess. There was only one time when he…stabbed me…that he put a gauze on to stop the bleeding. I think he had medical experience with the way he treated me and how good his stitching was. He did this before he let me go," Scott explained, and then showed his arm that had been stitched up beautifully.
"I may not be a doctor, but I've been stitched up a few times in my life. That's definitely a clean stich. Not perfect, but not bad for someone who isn't working in a hospital," Special Agent Helms commented. "Do you mind if we snap a quick picture of that?" Scott shook his head.
"Thank you. Carlos?" Helms said. With that, Carlos got a quick picture and then returned to his spot further away from the group. "Go on whenever you're ready."
"While he was giving me stiches, he kept apologizing for this happening so quickly and that's when he talked non-stop about Ponyboy and Johnny; their favorite things to do, how they did in school, and whatever else he could tell me. After he was done, he just let me go free. He said that if I could make it to the town and call the police, then he would let me go free. But he was going to send his dogs out after me." Darry gave a quick glance at Soda who was watching Scott, but every few moments would glance over at Agent Carlos for some reason.
"That ba*****," Mrs. Gregory hissed.
"I tried so hard to get away," Scott whimpered starting to cry. "I tried so hard, mom. I was so close but….." Scott then completely broke down while his parents held onto him tight.
"Shhhhhhhhhh, we have you, Scotty. You're safe now and neither he nor anyone else is going to take you away from us again," Mrs. Gregory said.
"Are you able to tell us anything more?" Helms asked. Scott took a shaky breath and nodded.
"It was strange. Wherever I was, it was nothing but fields of corn for miles and it seemed like every barn or house I came in contact with was abandoned. I couldn't find anyone, and then I finally found someone who was home. I told him that I was kidnapped and he ushered me inside. I sat in his living room while he called the police."
"Do you remember what he looked like, or what his name was?" Helms asked.
"I don't remember much, but he was a white man with black hair. I think he said his name was…Emmett? Evan?"
"Evan Glass?!" Darry asked.
"I don't know his last name, but it might have been Evan," Scott said. Special Agent Helms started looking through his notes before pulling out a photograph.
"Was this him?" he asked.
"Yes! That was him!" Scott answered.
"Glass was working with Lynch to capture Ponyboy and Jonathan," Helms explained. "Which possibly explains why neither my men nor myself were notified of a call to the police as you claim he did."
"So…you're saying that this Evan Glass was working for Lynch the whole time? He only pretended to help out Scott?" Mr. Gregory asked.
"That's what it seems like. Keep going, Scott," Helm urged.
"I kinda had a suspicion since the 'police' were taking a long time to get there. I had enough time to eat a nice dinner that Mr. Glass had prepared and everything. Then…then I heard dogs barking outside and I got scared. I remember what Lynch had told me about h-hunting me with his dogs. I tried to run, but Mr. Glass was almost forcing me to stay. I ran out the back door and then…" Scott hugged himself as he cried. No one in the room spoke a word of comfort or yearning as to what happened next.
"It's alright, Scotty," Mrs. Gregory said.
"I know, mom," Scott whimpered. Scott took a heavy breath before continuing. "I don't remember what happened after because I guess I blacked out. When I woke up again, I wasn't back in the barn, I was in what looked like a basement. Lynch was there right in front of me pouring gasoline everywhere. He then read one of his stupid poems about me and then…he started to pour g-g-g-gasoline all over the floor," Scott sobbed.
"Scott, you've been more than helpful. You don't have to…" Special Agent Helms said, but Scott continued.
"He read some verse from the bible and then…...HE LIT A MATCH!" Scott screamed struggling through the tears.
"Honey, you don't have to…"
"Then he dropped it and ran off," Scott whimpered. His mother and father held him with all of their might and kissed him wherever they could. "I though I was GOING TO DIE!" Suddenly, Soda started to cry out as well. Darry then went over and held onto his brother and rocking him.
"Shhhhhh, Pepsi," Darry said gently.
"Alright, I've heard more than enough," Helms said, then went over to the door and opened it. "Excuse me, ma'am," he said to the first nurse he saw. I want to give these here folks some privacy for a few minutes. Is there any way we can move Mr. Curtis to a spare room just for a few minutes?"
"Yes, sir. We'll be right in," the nurse said.
"Thank you," Helms said. "I want to thank you again, Scott for all that you've told us. I know it wasn't easy. I'm going to get back to my investigation. I'll have my agent continue to guard you until further notice just as a precaution. If we need anything else from any of you, I'll be sure to phone my agent ahead of time."
"Thank you," Mr. Gregory said. That's when a few nurses came in and got in position to move Soda's bed.
"Hang on, Soda," Darry muttered. He then got onto the bed and not once letting go of his little brother. After that, the nurses rolled Soda and Darry to a separate room with the two agents following close behind. Once they were inside the other room, the nurses filed out.
"We'll give you two a minute too," Helms said.
"Try not to be all day. We have an investigation to do," Carlos said. With that, the door was closed, and Soda started to cry more.
"I know, kiddo. Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have let you stay," Darry said.
"No, I-I wanted to. It's just that I can't stop thinking about them. I knew about the fire but…why is Lynch doing this to them? To us?" Soda asked.
"I've told you before. Some people are just sick out there," Darry responded. After a few moments, Soda was able to calm down enough.
"I have to join Steve and Dally," Soda said.
"What?" Darry asked.
"Steve and Dally were here earlier. They were with me when Scott woke up," Soda explained.
"Why am I not surprised?" Darry asked.
"If Pony and Johnny were released, then we have to find them before Lynch does. After that…it'll be over. Ugh," Soda whimpered before clutching his head.
"I'll handle it. You're still recovering from that concussion," Darry answered.
"I am not just sitting in a hospital room for days on-end," Soda yelled. "What Lynch did to me…is nothin' compared to what the kids have been through," Soda said.
"Come on, Soda. I can't have you nearly fainting on me every other minute while we're out there. What will Pony say if we find him out there?"
"Hey! It's passed out, not fainting. And when we find him, he'll be more relieved to see us again than worry about me having a concussion," Soda responded before lying his head against the pillow. "Though I won't deny that this doesn't hurt like hell."
"Which is why I'd feel better if you stay here and heal so you can join the search with us faster," Darry said. "I'll come visit and let you know the update every time I get off from investigating with them; everything!" Darry promised.
"Yeah. Sure, you will," Soda hissed.
"Soda…"
"Whatever! Just go!" the younger Curtis brother said and turned away from the older.
"I won't leave you if you're not ready," Darry said.
"No, I am. And when you find that ba*****," Soda said and looked at Darry straight in the eyes before saying "….kill him. Shoot him right in the heart, head, I don't care! Just do that for me," Soda said with venom in his voice. Darry didn't respond at first as he saw true hate and vengeance on Soda. But his own feelings of pain and hatred took over and Darry slightly nodded not realizing he had clenched up most of his body. Without another word, Darry leaned over and kissed Soda's head. While Soda did not lean into the kiss like he normally would, Darry could see some of Soda seemed to relax more. All of a sudden someone pounded at the door.
"Are you two finished yet?! Wrap it up in there!" Agent Carlos yelled from the other side. Darry rolled his eyes before the door opened.
"If you're finished, we have to head back to HQ and start comparing notes for the big search parties," Carlos said. Darry took one last look at Soda who just moved his head in a 'go on' way.
"I'll be back before visiting hours are over, Soda," Darry promised. With that, the two left the room and back to the cars.
"I spoke with Special Agent Helms while you were gone. We're going to quickly head back to HQ, compare notes, and then split up into the search parties. Each of us is going to take a certain part of Oklahoma and start from there until we get a note or lead to narrow it down," Carlos explained.
"So, I'm going with you then?" Darry asked.
"No. After we're done at HQ, I'm going to drop you off at your house so you can start calling your friends and family together. I told you; I have an emerg…"
"…an emergency at home that you had to take off for even though we're in the middle of a life and death situation. You've told me that a hundred times today," Darry said.
"In case you forgot Curtis, I'm human just as much as you are. While I do live for this job, I still have another life outside of it. I have already discussed it and came up with a compromise with Special Agent Helms. I will take care of what I need to do at home, and then I will continue the search into the night myself," Carlos explained. Darry was about to respond, but he started to think about searching through the night.
"I'll come with you then," Darry offered.
"No!" Carlos hissed. "The last thing we need is you collapsing on us from pulling a 24-hour session. What will Sodapop say?" Darry didn't respond.
"You will call me if you find so much as a trace. I don't care what time it is," Darry said.
"Fine," Carlos said. All of a sudden, Carlos stopped at a red light before slamming his fists on the steering wheel.
"What?" Darry said.
"Nothing. I just wish we could get there faster," he responded. A moment later, Darry heard Carlos mutter "Goddamn time! I should have been back by now" under his breath. Darry took a peek at his watch without turning his wrist.
'It's noon. So what?" Darry thought.
And there we go! I hope you guys have enjoyed and again, sorry about the long wait. I've been dealing with the torturous writer's block for a bit, and also some personal stuff in my life. Nothing bad mind you, but it's just stress from life and bills. Welcome to being an adult, right? It was a difficult time, but I think I'm slowly starting to accept it. Everything will work out. Anyway, I'm so glad to get this out for you guys and I'll see you soon!
Take care,
LaurenHardy13