(Soda POV)

As each minute, each agonizing and concerned filled, second that went by my worry rose in equal standards. Tonight was one of the coldest nights yet and I know it's downright bitter. The wind was a cold chill against my skin and I shivered as it swept against my face. I had the window down, my gaze peering out into the darkened night, hoping to spot Ponyboy. My eyes were focused, going from side to side, analyzing every inch of the yards, the road but I couldn't see anything. At least nothing moving or may have looked like a lone figure. My anxiety only grew with each passing tree or fence because it meant not finding my brother.

Darry was as concentrated as I was, watching anything that might move in hopes it might be Ponyboy. I could see the frustration and worry wearing him down. The regret was still there and I knew he must be feeling pretty bad about hitting him. Maybe as bad as I did. Even though I wasn't the one to strike out, I still felt just as bad as Darry. It was the first time he had even done something so unnatural. It shocked us both.

I knew he was just angry but he was also worried. So was I. Considering how late it was I couldn't help but think something horrible might have happened. So many scenarios played out in my mind. The most concerning one being Ponyboy being jumped by socs. Compared to us, Ponyboy, as well as Johnny, were much smaller than me or Steve, Darry or Two-bit or even Dally. Dont get me wrong, Pony was strong, I had no doubt my brother could take a soc or two but not a group of them.

Though my temper wasn't nearly as exploding as Darrys, I still worried just as much and when my little brother wasn't home at the time he was suppose to be, until hours later, it scared me something awful and my relief was immediate when he walked through the doors. I saw from, from the way Darrys shoulders stayed tensed, his expression hard and eyes matching, that a yelling match was well only a matter of time. It was obvious as he called Steve and Two-Bit, how he told them that Ponyboy wasn't home and that they might have to go out and search for him, to how he gripped the news paper with barely concealed anger.

Ponyboy and Darry were two peas in a pot but with very different outlooks and character. Ponyboy was more laid back with a calm nature and never really liked confrontation or violence. He reminded me alot of mom, having her features, the same color hair and eyes, with a gentle heart who would help anyone in need. Darry, however, was alot like dad. He was hard, demanding and had that aura about him that made anyone who met him know not to mess with him. He was strong, tough. It was one of the things I admired about Darry just like how I admired Ponyboys kindness. Though my brothers were different in how they think, act and do things there was something I adored about both of them and that's something would never change.

We finally made it to the lot. Darry pulled up but didn't cut the engine. We both sighed in disappointment for the lot was empty as well, save for the pages of newspapers spread out along the ground and a fire that had already burned, it's smoke raising up into the air as the last bit of wood died away. Where else could he be? I was starting to get that eerie feeling again. It bubbled up in my stomach like acid eating away at my insides.

"He's not here. The park is not even a few blocks from here." Darry stated and I gave him a hopeful nod, knowing it's one place we haven't checked yet.

"Let's just find him." I held Darrys gaze, the same emotions swirling around in his eyes that were going around in my mind.

(Darry POV)

The lot was empty. There was only one place I know of that Ponyboy might be and I was praying to whoever was listening that I find him. I wanted, NEEDED, to tell him how sorry I was. It was eating away at me, the never-ending guilt I found myself drowning in. No matter how angry I was, I should have never hit him. I will make it right. As soon as I find him so I can apologize.

I was really surprised at how well Soda was keeping it together. He was worried, I could see it in the way he kept his shoulders strained with tension and his constant blinking. He was no longer watching out of the window but instead had his eyes on the windshield, eagerness making him squirm in his seat. He was probably thinking the same thing I was.

We needed to find Ponyboy.

I drove the short distance to the park and at first it seemed empty, too. I didn't see anyone and I was starting to lose hope in finding him. It was dark. It was cold and I didn't want to think about how much trouble my brother could get himself into or what could happen to a kid this late at night.

It was something I'd rather not think about.

"I don't see him. Maybe we should..." My words dripped off, the thought dying on the tip of my tongue the moment I turned and saw Sodas face.

Soda was staring wide eyed at something in front of us, his mouth agape and before I could ask him what was wrong he was out the door, shutting it with more force than necessary.

I followed Soda out of the truck only to freeze on the spot. I saw a hunched figure a little ways ahead. Whoever it was, was sitting on the ground, their back against the fountain. At first my thoughts wondered to the possibility of it being a soc but this was our territory and that was highly unlikely. Even from my position, I saw shimmers of light illuminating, coming from the light posts, from several puddles of water on the ground and for the first time I noticed something odd about it. It was hard to tell from this far away.

"Hey!" I called for Soda, who wasted no time running over to the fountain and I followed behind him.

I wasn't expecting that small body leaned up against the fountain to belong to none other Johnny. I was confused and more than a little worried. I got a good look at the water and noticed that the reason it looked off was because instead of a clear substance it was mixed with a scarlet color. That was the first thing I saw. The second was where the red was coming from. A guy, a soc by the look of it, was laying on his back starring up to the dark sky. His eyes were wide open, his mouth opened only a portion and his clothing was covered in blood. His blood.

I found Soda starring at the lifeless corpse with fearful eyes and I felt the same shock and confusion he did. "Johnny?" My voice was low, cautious, as not to scare a clearly shaken Johnny. I inched my way towards him.

"Darry.." Soda soft use of my name made me look at him and that's when I saw the color completely drain from his face until he looked paler than I've ever seen him. "Pony..?" He whispered.

I followed his gaze and what I saw had my heart completely flat line. All the air was knocked from my lungs. Laying on the ground was a very still Ponyboy and that was enough to get my legs moving. I ran to him and fell on my knees. Soda was falling to the ground on Ponyboys other side. Sodas eyes were shinning like fine glass as the tears started to form but not a tear fell as he fought them back. He was barely holding it together and so was I. Seeing Ponyboy in such a state was a shock and definitely something I won't forget. His skin was pale and clammy. He looked dead and that scared the heck out of me.

"Pony?" I turned his head towards me. His skin was like ice and I almost flinched at the contact.

He looked so young. His eyes were closed and his face almost looked peaceful. It only made me panic that much more and I gripped Ponys chin, lightly shaking his head from either side in hopes to gage a reaction from him. "Come on, Pony."

"Darry. Is he..?" Sodas voiced cracked, with the question neither of us knew and was dreading the answer to.

I placed my head on his chest. I waited until that beautiful 'thump' of a beating heart greeted my ears and the relief that hit me almost gave me whiplash. Soda noticed it, letting out a sigh of relief once he saw my own relief building up to the surface, and was already moving around until he had Ponyboys head on his lap. He started stroking back his wet bangs, moving away a lone strand of hair out of Ponyboys face when his hair stubbornly refused to stay back. "He's so cold and his clothes are soaking wet..." Soda muttered subconsciously.

I didn't like the way his skin looked. Ponyboy was naturally pale, me and Soda having a slightly darker tan of skin, and seeing it now, it was much to pale for my liking. I watched in fondness as Soda wiggled out of his thin button up long sleeve, draping it over Ponyboy in some form of sheltering him from the cold. Even though I was the oldest, sometimes Soda surprised me. I guess he took it from mom, a quality I was glad my brother had.

I needed to get Ponyboy to the hospital and fast. I had too many raging thoughts that were anything but pleasant and reassuring. What happened? Why was Ponyboy soaking wet and unconscious? Who did this? I glanced back at the dead soc and I had a sinking feeling what happened. Ponyboy and Johnny must have been jumped. That was the only answer that came to the multiple questions I had to ask.

"Darry?" Johnny's small voice called from behind me and I looked back to see the kid standing up on shaky legs.

I looked down at Pony. We had to get him to the hospital. Now. Soda was in a trance, gazing down at our brother with concerned eyes. "Pepsi-cola." I used his pet name only to get no response. "Hey!" I said a little more loudly and Soda flinched. "We gotta get him to the hospital."

"Why isn't he waking up?" Soda asked wearily and with uncertainty.

I turned towards Johnny, he was barely keeping it together. His arms hugged his body as if he were freezing. I realized that his clothes, though not as wet as Ponyboys, were still a little damp in some places. He was shaking but I wasn't sure if it was just from the coldness enveloping him. In all honesty, he looked completely stunned. "Johnny. Go get the gang. Tell em' to meet us at the hospital." I ordered him swiftly.

For a second Johnny only stared, his eyes wide and shocked. He was in a traumatized state and even though I wanted to comfort him Ponyboy was my main concern. They both needed a doctors look over and I needed to get the to one as fast as possible. I couldn't see any noticeably injuries on either Ponyboy or Johnny but I wasn't taking any chances.

"Johnny!" I yelled, none too gently this time, snapping him out of his daze.

"Y-yeah." Johnny stuttered but turned and started running in the opposite direction.

I heard a groan. It immediately brought my attention back to Ponyboy. He was starting to come around, his eyes fluttering as his head turned to the side in obvious discomfort. "We got to get him in the truck."

"Pony? Come on, wake up." Soda coached, encouraging Ponyboy to open his eyes.