This chapter took me so long to publish D: I tried a new method of copying and pasting literally all of this chapter into Microsoft Word because I thought it would be easier than having to come back in here and edit everything with all the italics and bolds. It was mainly because the last chapter had the fatal mistake of me forgetting one of them. So... it was precaution but one of the worst things I've ever done. Why did I even pay for Microsoft word? A whole year at that. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Darry POV

I tossed and turned in bed. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake the image of Ponyboy somewhere bleeding out. Every time I had closed my eyes, all I could think of was how scared Ponyboy must've been.

How long was he bleeding like that? I glanced at the clock. 4 AM, the hospital aint gonna call at this hour.

Still, I couldn't lie down and do nothing. Everything in me wanted to do something- anything- instead of laying down and waiting for news. I stood up, stretching my aching muscles.

I needa call me and Sodapop out of work. Might as well get ready while I'm at it.

Quickly I pulled on a shirt and some jeans. I walked out of my room, quickly looking at Sodapop and Ponys room. My heart stopped for a moment as I looked at the sight. Steve held onto Sodapop and somehow, Sodapop was still crying. I looked away from the sight as I walked into the living room. Johnny slept on the couch, Dally was slumped on the recliner, and I nearly tripped over Two-Bit as I tried to make it to the kitchen. As I made it to the kitchen, I just stood there.

First one up usually makes breakfast, but no one's going to eat. Not with Ponyboy in the state he's in. The State.

I closed my eyes, hoping to forget anything about the State. It wasn't like Ponyboy had any school to miss, but the State would definitely find out about the injury. Without thinking, my hand traveled to my stomach.

Was he stabbed here?-

Instantly I pushed the thought away. Tears lined my eyes as I leaned back on a counter. Burst of sunlight filled the kitchen from the window. I looked at it quickly, noticing the sunrise.

Ponyboy always did like sunrises. Always standing outside even when it got cold just to look at one.

I frowned, wiping my eyes.

He aint dead, I don't have to reminisce like he is.

I stood in the kitchen for a while, unsure of what to do with myself. By the time I had a vague idea, Two-Bit was standing in front of me.

"Ain't it early, even for ya?" Two-Bit asked. I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging slightly.

"No," I answered. Two-Bit grabbed a cup and filled it with water.

"The kid's tough," Two-Bit mumbled. He sipped from his water, offering some to me.

"Ponyboys tough, but he aint street smart," I stated, grabbing the cup from Two-Bit. I drank the rest of the water, noticing someone getting up from the couch.

"I just wonder who done somethin' like this to the kid," Two-Bit said. My hand tightened around the cup, "Me too." I looked outside the window again, keeping my face as neutral as it would stay.

"Here-" Two-Bits voice said. I looked over, watching Two-Bit hand Johnny a cup of water. Johnny took the water and looked at me worriedly. Not too long after, everyone was up. Sodapop and Steve walked out from the hallway, both looking as if they hadn't slept. Sodapops eyes were red and slightly puffy, while Steves had eyebags. I looked at the rest of the gang, finding that they also either had eyebags or red eyes. Johnny had a combination of both.

Guess we all couldn't sleep. At least not without worrying about Ponyboy.

Just as I was going to say good morning, the phone started ringing. Without thinking, I ran to the phone and picked it up.

"Hello?" I greeted, hoping to calm down my breathing.

"Hello, is this Darrel Curtis? Guardian of Ponyboy Curtis?" The voice on the other end asked.

"Yes- yes it is," I stammered over my words. I braced myself for anything.

"We have an update on Ponyboy Curtis. If you'd like-"

"We'll be on our way," I interrupted the voice. Slamming down the phone, I looked at the gang. Instantly they were getting ready, throwing on shoes and running out of the door. Sodapop and Steve followed me to the truck and hopped in as I started it.

"What'd they say Dar?" Sodapop asked, his voice raspy as he looked at me. My hands gripped the wheel slightly as I maintained my breathing.

"They said they had an update."

"Good or bad update?" Steve instantly asked. I shrugged, carefully pulling into a parking spot.

"Whichever one it is, I hope it's good," Sodapop said as he followed us to the waiting room. The rest of the gang filed in a moment later and stood behind me as I walked to the receptionist desk.

"We're here for Ponyboy Curtis," I immediately said. The receptionist looked at some files and looked up as walked with another doctor.

"Here they are. Mr. Curtis this is Dr. Aubry," Dr. Locke introduced. "He is overseeing Ponyboy's health. He's here to give the update. I'll be in the room later on." With that, walked away, leaving us with Dr. Aubry.

"There's good news and bad news with Ponyboy," Dr. Aubry instantly said. I straightened up, hoping to appear older than I looked.

"What's the good news?" Dally instantly asked. looked at him, and then to me. I nodded, "What's the news?"

"Ponyboy has shown remarkable strength, he's a fighter that's for sure. His chances of surviving are up to 55%." Dr. Aubry stated.

55%? That's barely a bit more than half.

"55%?" Johnny asked, sounding shocked.

"I thought if he survived then he'd have a better chance?" Two-Bit stated. Dr. Aubry nodded, "Here's the bad news. Would you like to come into my office?" He looked at me and I nodded.

"Follow me then."

He led us through the hallways, stopping right at an empty conference room. We all stepped in, and Sodapop held onto Steve. Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally looked worried as they stood around the table. dug through some files, picking one up and reading through it a bit.

"In the night, Ponyboy Curtis got an infection," Dr. Aubry started. "He was given antibiotics that mixed with the anesthesia he had been put under." Dr. Aubry slightly sighed and put down the papers to look at me.

"The bad news is that Ponyboy fell into a coma. With signs of head trauma, the puncture wound, and other lacerations, we assume his body decided to shut down until it was safe enough to wake up." I felt my heart drop and Sodapop took a shaky breath.

The rest of the gang seemed to stand still, and I could feel tears running down my cheeks.

A coma? That's what mom and dad were in before-

"B- but there's a chance he'll wake up… right?" Johnny asked, his voice loud in the silent room. looked at the papers, and back up.

"As of the moment, we are unsure. You can go visit him in his room. Talk to him, if this is his last week, then I'm sure he wouldn't want to be alone," Dr. Aubry answered. I wiped my eyes, but before I could turn around, someone ran out of the room.

"Dally!" Two-Bit exclaimed. I turned back, looking at the dent on the wall next to the door. Dally was sprinting away and for a moment, I could've sworn there were tears in his eyes.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoy the way this fic is going at the moment because I sure am... (insert heart emoji).

EDIT!!! Me messing up posting this was so embarrassing oh my gosh. Thank you lalalei (insert crying emoji) I think im starting to re-hate posting on FFN... LMAO