Chapter 1

Johnny and I walked to the park after Darry hit me. I just couldn't believe he would hit me. I felt bad for Johnny though, hearing me ramble about this on and on. He had it bad at home, I shouldn't be complaining. He put an arm over my shoulders in a comforting way.

We heard a car and turned. We saw a car following us, a soc car by the look of it. It parked while we stood there, not knowing what to do. Four socs came out, looking angry. I knew that Bob Sheldon, the soc, probably sent them to get us for picking up the girls earlier.

"Sh-should we run f-for it?" I asked Johnny, my voice shaking. "We can try" said Johnny, his voice steady, but still sounding fearful. We started running, as fast as we could. We heard them coming closer to us. We tried to get away, but then I felt someone grab me by the shoulder and shove me to the ground. I saw a soc punch Johnny, sending him down, too.

I tried to get up, but someone started kicking me, and it really hurt. I couldn't do anything but lay there. I heard a soc's voice saying, "This is what you get greasers, for picking up our girls." I felt heavy hands come down on my arms, pinning me to the ground. I started yelling for help. Then I felt the kicking continue, one kick hitting my lower right leg pretty hard. I yelped in pain. Then someone started slugging me in my chest, and on my face. I was starting to feel dizzy from all the blows.

I heard Johnny, and it sounded like he was fighting someone. I was starting to really hurt when a blow hit me hard in the chest. I tried to say something, but I felt like I couldn't speak. I finally just passed out.

When I came around, my whole body ached. I knew that it would be hard for me to walk if I tried. I heard a soft voice say, "Ponyboy…It's gonna be alright" I opened my eyes, and saw Darry sitting by me, stroking my hair. "Darry…" I said in a weak voice. My throat burned like it was on fire. "It's okay Pony, don't worry, you'll be okay" he said. I realized that I was still outside, in the cold air. I started shaking from the cold. Soda went to get the car" Darry said. I tried to make a sound, trying to form a word, but I couldn't. Darry just said soothingly "Pony, don't try to talk."

I looked over and saw Johnny sitting next to me, too. "Hey Pony" he said softly. I then heard a car drive up. "Looks like Soda's here" Darry said. Sodapop came over, and saw me awake. His expression turned a little bit happier. I tried to get up, but my body hurt too much. "Don't worry, Ponyboy, I got ya" Darry said quietly. I felt my body being gently lifted up by Darry's strong arms. But I then felt a sharp pain in my whole body. I winced in pain. "I know, it hurts" Darry said softly. He then carried me to the truck, with Soda opening the door. Darry set me gently in it. He walked to the other side and got in.

I leaned against him, feeling exhausted and unable to hold myself up.

I then wondered where Johnny and Sodapop were. I figured it out, when I heard the tailgate open and close. No wonder they were riding back there, you could only fit three people in the front, anyway. Darry started up the car, and I started to feel drowsy. I think we were only a couple of streets away from the house, but they brought the truck after they figured I couldn't walk. I just leaned against him, starting to get really tired. I felt us driving for a few minutes, then the car went slower and we pulled into the driveway.

Darry turned off the car, and I heard the tailgate open and close again. Darry opened his door, with me still leaning against him. He slowly got out of the car, turned around, and picked me up again. "Is he sleeping?" I heard Soda ask quietly. "No, but I think he's close to it." Darry replied. I wasn't shaking anymore, but it was still cold out. I tried to huddle myself closer to Darry. Darry realized this and said, "Come on, let's go inside, he's starting to get cold." He carried me to the gate, opened by Johnny. He walked up the porch steps and into the house. He stepped into the living room and said "Should we put him on the couch or in his bed?" Soda answered, "Let's put him on the couch, then we can take care of his wounds easier." Darry moved to the couch and gently put me down on it.

I closed my eyes and felt my shoes being taken off. I heard the sound of feet moving around. I felt someone next to me and opened my eyes. I saw Soda on his knees next to the couch with a washcloth in hand. He said, "Ponyboy, this might hurt, but I got to get ya cleaned up, ok?" I just slightly nodded. He gently dabbed the wet washcloth on my face. It hurt, but I tried to ignore it. I just closed my eyes again and tried to think about other things. I didn't know what to think about, though, and I quickly fell asleep.

When I woke up, it seemed like morning. I had a blanket on top on me, and my body hurt. I turned and saw Johnny sitting in the armchair. Why was he here so early? Or did he sleep here? "Hey Pony, how you feeling?" he asked. "My body really hurts" I said. "Johnny, why are you here so early? Did you sleep here?" I asked, confused. "Yeah" was all he said. I looked at him slowly, and saw a few bruises and cuts. "I thought the socs really beat you up" I said. "Yeah, they did, but I was fighting with them, keeping them away." He said. "Johnny…wh-what all happened?" I asked slowly. He was quiet for a moment. He answered, "After I got punched down, I got back up started fighting with the soc. I was mostly winning, but then another soc started in on me, too. I started yelling for help like you did. It was getting harder, cause' the socs were really beating my head in. Not as bad as you, though. I knew that you had passed out when I didn't hear any noise from where you were, except for the socs laughter. About five minutes or so after you passed out, Darry and Soda came. They were helping me fight until the socs ran off. Darry told Sodapop to get the truck, after he saw what condition you were in. You shoulda' seen Darry and Soda though, kid. When they saw what the socs had done to you, they were really angry. They beat the socs in less than two minutes. They really care about ya, Pony." I didn't know what to say.

Then I heard footsteps that sounded like they were going to come in the living room. In a few seconds, Darry came in. He had on an expression that I think would look worried, confused, and angry at the same time. When he saw me, though, his expression turned into a smile. "Ponyboy, I'm so glad that you're awake. How are you feeling?" I was starting to really hurt, so I told Darry, "I feel fine, but when I woke up, I was starting to hurt, but now it's getting worse." I didn't know what else to tell him. "Yeah, I thought you were going to feel like that. Do you want to go to the hospital?" I shook my head. I hated hospitals; they've always scared me something awful. I don't know why, but they do.

I tried to move a little so I could face Darry and Johnny easier. I tried, but had a pain in my body that was almost unbearable, especially in my leg. I grimaced in pain, and shut my eyes. A few seconds later, I opened my eyes to find Darry and Johnny both looking worried. "Are you okay, Pony?" Johnny asked, talking faster then normal. "Yeah, but…my leg…really hurts…" I said, the pain coming back. "I was worried about your leg last night. It seemed pretty bad. Can I take a look at it?" Darry said. I nodded my head. He walked over to the couch and took the blanket off my legs. He gently pulled my pants leg up a bit. It really hurt, but I didn't do anything. He was looking at it carefully, examining it. "Do you know how you got hurt?" He asked. I was remembering, and then I realized the soc was kicking me. "The soc…he was kicking me…and then he kicked me really hard in the leg." I said slowly. Darry just nodded at the information. "We could wrap it up. I really don't think it's broken, but a bad sprain. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" He asked. Again, I shook my head.

Darry just sighed. I soon realized that Sodapop wasn't there. "Where's Soda?" I asked. All of a sudden, almost like his name was called, Soda came running in, almost running into the coffee table, with Darry catching him. "Hey Pony." Soda said cheerfully. "Hi Soda." I said, happy to see both of my brothers. "What time is it?" I asked. "About 7:30 or so." Darry said. It was a Saturday, so neither of my brothers had to work today.

My head started to hurt, so I asked, "Do you think I could have some aspirin?" "Sure, I'll go get you some." Darry said as he walked out of the living room. Soda looked at me a little worriedly, "Do you want me to call the gang and tell them to lay off coming over today? You know how rowdy it gets." "That's okay Soda. I'll be fine." I said. I liked having the gang come over, ok, well, most of the time. Sometimes it could get pretty loud, but I still wanted to see them.

Darry came in with the aspirin and a glass of water. I attempted to sit up, but all that happened was a moan that escaped my mouth. Soda came over to me, and helped me sit up. Darry handed the aspirin to me, and I finally unscrewed the cap. I poured the aspirin into my hand, and I didn't even check how much I poured out. I started to put my hand toward my mouth when Sodapop said, "Pony…" in a hard tone. I opened my hand, and Soda took out two of the five pills in my hand. "Sorry." I said in a quiet voice. I quickly put the pills in my mouth and Darry handed me the water. I quickly swallowed the aspirin and handed Darry the glass. "Thanks" I said. "No problem." Darry said.

I was wishing the medicine would kick in soon, because my whole body was aching. I was hoping the gang would come over after the aspirin started working. I heard voices from outside. Never mind, I thought.