Falling into sick

Panic: chapter 7

"You look like death warmed over twice!" Steve laughed. He pulled at the sleeve on the long sleeve shirt I was wearing. "You look like a corn dog, but just the stick!" I gave him a glare but it wasn't much. I didn't have the energy.

"Did you get back to sleep alright?" Darry asked. I nodded my head.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Steve said. "I thought those were gone." I headed out towards the living room and believe I heard Darry tell Steve I slept in my old room for the night. I went out and sat on the patio. I pulled out a smoke but realized I didn't have a lighter on me. So I sat with it in my hand and let my mind wander.

"Is there anything you want to do today besides sweat on the hottest days of the year because you're wearing a long sleeve in summer."

I knew it was Steve trying to tell me to change before I die of heat stroke but something in his voice didn't sit right with me. I gave Steve a glance and walked inside. When I stepped in, my breath hitched and my brain went fuzzy. Somehow I knew immediately what was going on. "P-a-n-i-c—a-t-t-a-c-k".

Steve comes running inside and looks startled at first. He leads me to the couch and goes into the kitchen leaving me alone for the second panic attack I've ever had. "Soda. I, I want Soda." I kept saying. Steve was in front of me. He kept telling my to take a pill and drink some water but I knew I couldn't. Even if I tried I'm too shaky. "I want Soda."

"He will be off soon." He kept telling me. Soon couldn't come fast enough. It felt like hours I sat on the floor. Shivers mixing into my shakes. My breaths were staggered and my energy was dwindling. Steve kept giving me worried glances. I should have known Darry and Soda had prepped Steve on the in-case-something-happens. He kept uneasily glancing from the phone on the wall to the door. I felt my body try to fall asleep but I wouldn't let it. I needed to see Soda. I'm not sure why but I needed to. The door opened with a squeak.

"Damnit! You told me half an hour!" He pointed over to me. Darry step slowly over towards me.

"How long has it...."

"3." He answered.

"Doctor Smith said it should only last Two hours."

"Ya. He started off worse but I think he tired himself out, well more tired than he was this morning. And man did he look tired."

"Steve just shut up."

"Soda." I whimpered.

"What did you say Pony." Darry asked.

"Soda. I want Soda."

"He's been asking for him since this started." Steve said.

Darry glanced around. "Has he eaten anything today?" Steve shook his head. "That's two days he hasn't eaten anything." He gave Steve a worried look.

"That explains a lot."

There was a small noise in the room. When I woke up I couldn't remember where I was or what had happened. It came back to me when I saw I was sleeping with my head in Soda's lap. Soda. I can't worry Soda. He doesn't deserve to be worried. "Hey, baby." He said smiling down at me. I try to shift away but Soda puts his hand on me to stop me. Panic over rides me and I start to squirm. "It's okay Pones. Just relax." He said. But I can't. I roll of him and onto my feet and suddenly feel very claustrophobic. I sit down on the floor leaning against the wall.

"Where did he go?" I heard Darry ask grughley. Assuming Soda pointed in the direction I was sitting, Darry sighed and walked over to me. "I think it's time you put some effort into living kid."

"Why would I want to do that." I felt him clench and I knew he was getting mad at me.

He bent down and gripped both of my biceps. He looked into my eyes and when I tried to escape them, he pushed me hard against the wall. "You don't get to stop living. You have to sleep, you have to eat. You have to get better. Soda and I need you Pony. We need you to work with us not against us. Am I clear."

"Darry, lay off him." Soda said. He pushed me further back when I ignored his request.

"Darry!" I whimpered.

"Darry stop! You're hurting him!" Soda yelled. I was still pushed against the wall. "Darrel. Get control!" Soda said. He jumped and pulled Darry's arm.

"You better put some effort in kid. Soda and I are trying our best to help you and we need you to get on board! You got that." Shaking, I nod my head and he lowers me to the ground. After realizing what he did, he leaves a shaking me and takes the truck out with the rest of his frustration, hopefully. Soda was beside me the moment Darry stopped. I was shaking and my arms, back and head hurt.

"It's ok Pony. He's just been extra stressed and wants you to be alright." Soda spoke so softly.

"Then Why'd he do it Soda." I said, my voice high and tight with the tears I was holding in.

"He just can't contain the stress, Pony. He wants you to get better and it's hard seeing you like this for him."

"What about you?"

"I love you pones." He pushed his hand through my hair. "Nothing will ever change that."