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Chapter Four

The loud knock on the door came three and half hours later. It was about six o clock. I dropped my pen and looked at Darry. Soda ran out of our bedroom and into the kitchen. His face was pale. Darry's face was hard. He took a deep breath. "I guess we have to answer it." He says through his teeth and then he brushed past Soda and made his way to the front door. I looked up at Soda. His eyes were filled with fear. "Is it the state?" I asked. "I don't know." He whispers back to me. Deep down, I think we both knew it was the state. Soda and I then went silent. We were both trying to listen to the conversation. I heard two voices from the door. Darry's, and a woman's. I recognize the woman's voice, even though I don't want to. It's Mrs. Reems, our social worker. She was here and I could hardly breathe. I felt like I was going to cry, but I made myself stop. "Ponyboy? Sodapop?" I hear Darry suddenly call. His voice is strained, and he sounds upset. "Can you come here for a second?" He says. Soda stands up, and walks towards the kitchen door. I follow him, even though I don't want to. Soda and I walk out the door. I try not to look scared, even though I am. I see Mrs. Reems standing just inside the doorway. I look over at Darry. His face is red, and his hands are shaking. Badly. He is also holding a paper. I grip Soda's arm. "No," I say. I know they are here to take me away. "NO!" I shout.Everyone turns and looks at me. I will never forget the look on Darry's face, the horrified look in his eyes, and his devestated expression. It was the same look he had the night I ran away and caused all of these problems. "What is this about?" Soda asked, glaring at Mrs. Reems. With his arm, he pushed me behind him. He finally realizes what's happening and his face goes pale. "You ain't takin' him!" Soda yells. "Soda.." Darry says, but then he swallows, unable to say anything else. Darry tries to meet my eyes, but I immediately look away. I feel like I am going to faint. I grabbed onto Soda's arm. I can't make out anything that Soda, Darry, and Mrs. Reems are saying. I hear them talking, but my brain doesn't register the words. They just have no meaning. I just need to sit down. I suddenly feel my knees buckle, and I'm on the floor. Soda sits on his heels, holding my face with his hands. "It'll be okay Pony." he whispers over and over again. "No it won't." I say back. "Do I need to call the police?" Mrs. Reems questioned. "Ponyboy is coming with, now." She says, placing emphasis on the word, now. "Jesus!" Soda shouts, turning around and looking at Mrs. Reems. "Give us some damn time, will ya?" Mrs. Reems sighed. "Ten minutes." She said. "Soda, take Pony to your room and help him pack." Darry says. His voice doesn't sound like his. Soda grabs my arm and somehow I managed to stand up. I cling to Soda as we walk to our room. I look out the window when I get in our room. It's dark out. I wondered what would happen if I jumped out the window and just ran. "Ponyboy, you are comin' back to us, You hear me?" Soda asked. I shake my head. "I ain't goin no where." Soda sinks down on his knees in front of me. "Pony, listen. You heard what they said." Soda said. "I didn't hear what they said." I answered truthfully. "They have a paper sayin' that you have to go with them." Sodapop said. "Some judge took the custody away from Darry." Soda told me. "I ain't goin!" I said."You have to. Trust me on this Ponyboy. It'll be easier if you just go with them. Darry and I will get a court date set and we will figure this out. Okay?" Soda says, trying to convince himself. I nod. I feel the tears begin to fall. "Hey, Pone. Don't cry." I shake my head as I wrap my arms aronnd Soda's neck and bawl into his shoulder. "I can't do this." I think to myself. I don't want to go. Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look over and I see that Darry has himself next to us on the floor. "I'm sorry Ponyboy." Darry said hoarsley. "There was nothing I could do." I could tell that Darry was trying his hardest not to cry. "What about Soda?" I ask. "Are they takin him too?" Their silence tells me no. Darry sighs and stands up. He leaves the room, but quickly returns with an empty suitcase. He sets it on mine and Soda's bed and starts to pick out some of my jeans and shirts. I even see him slip my favorite book, Gone With The Wind, in. "Darry stop it!" I say. "I'm not leaving." "They only gave us ten minutes Pony." he says, as he finished packing. He rubs his eyes with both of his hands, and I hear him mutter some curse words under his breath. "Ponyboy, listen to me." Darry says as he looks into my eyes. "None of this is your fault, it's mine. But I want you to promise me that you will do as they say, and just.. trust us. Don't give them anything to think they're right about." Darry tells me. "And if they don't give you back, we'll come kidnap you." Soda's eyes are wet, and I can tell he is crying. "Everything is going to be fine. Okay, Pone?" Soda asked. Somehow, I manage to nod.