An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 6

Dally's POV

I was leaving Shepard's house that afternoon and decided to head to the Curtis's. I pulled into the driveway and some red head is comin' outta the house, crying. I thought she was one of Phaedra's friends, but I ain't for sure. I got out of my car. "They aren't here."

"I didn't ask if they were." I had no problem being there alone.  Ever since I can remember the Curtis house has always had an open door policy, even when The Curtis's were alive.

"They're at the hospital," she sniffled. "Pony wanted to me to bring this to Phaedra." She held up a ratty, brown teddy bear.

My blood ran cold, "whose in the hospital?" I demanded.

"Phaedra."

"Get me the damn bear," I spoke harsher than I intended, "Now!"

She kinda threw it at me and I raced off. I ran inside, "I'm looking for Phaedra Curtis's room!"

She pointed us down the hall. I walked into the room and saw Phae layin' there. I threw Darry against the wall, "why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

I'm surprised Darry didn't beat the hell outta me, "we tried and couldn't find you. Now, let go of me and I will tell you what happened."

I let go of his shirt and followed him out into the hall, "who did that to her, Dare?"

"Not sure. They punched her hard enough to rupture her appendix." Darry got a little choked up, "The left side of her face is paralyzed. Whoever attacked her, sliced her face."

I looked back into the room. I saw Two-Bit and Steve both staring me down. I pushed down the rage and walked into the room. Squeezing Phaedra's shoulder gently, "We're gonna get this fucker. You just hang in there. They fucked with the wrong girl." I stood up, "Steve, Two-Bit, you're with me. We're gonna take a little trip round the East side."

"I'm going too," Pony jumped up.

I have never seen him look so dangerous and determined, "no." He looked like he wanted to deck me, "Pony, you gotta stay here, Phaedra's gonna need you." I pulled the kid into me, "I'll let ya take the first crack at em." Without saying a word, Two-Bit, Steve, and me walked outta the hospital, dead set on findin' the bastards responsible for this.  I was ready to bash some heads in.  I meant it when I said that they fucked with the wrong gang.

Phaedra's POV

The first thing I heard was voices, but they sounded so far away and garbled; like I was listening under water. The next thing was pain, so much pain in my head, my stomach, my face, and my arms.

I tried to open my eyes, but it was so hard. They felt so heavy. I tried to talk but couldn't form the words. I felt pressure on my hand and tried to squeeze back. "Phae, Phae, sweetheart. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. Just wake up, please."

I, somehow, found the strength to open my eyes. The shapes in front me were blurry, but I knew Pony was there. I could sense it.  I tried to call his name, but I don't think I did. The shapes became clearer, "Pony," I choked out, my voice raspy.

"She's waking up!" Pony cried out, "Phae, I'm right here. Oh god, Phae, I was so scared."

"What...happened?" My face felt really strange. My vision cleared up and I saw the very concerned faces of my brothers and Johnny. Pony and Soda started bawling and Darry looked like he was close. "Will ya stop crying and tell me what the hell happened?" I growled. I was really starting to wake up now and the pain was pissing me off, "Now!!! I wanna know what the FUCK is going on!! What's wrong with my face?" I yelled in a hoarsed tone.

"Phaedra, honey, the doctor will explain everything." Darry spoke in what I call his 'Dad' voice. I used to irritate him on purpose so he would use it. If I closed my eyes, it was just like hearing Dad's voice, "you need to calm down."

I hit the button on my bed to sit me up a bit, but as I started to sit up, pain ripped through my stomach. I immediately let go the button, whatever I was hooked up to started beeping. A nurse rushed in and put something in my IV. I felt myself drift off into the welcoming darkness.