Extrinsic Savior (On Hold)

4: Times Running Out

*Sodapop's POV*

"What time is it?" I asked Steve who was nearly drunk by now. We were at a party and I might've lost track of time, luckily though I only had one drink so nobody should know. I just really hope it isn't too late, or else I might get caught...

"Huh? The time?" Steve slurred, "you're funny, man. What time?"

"The time Steve, what time is it?!" I repeated with frustration clearly in my voice. He looked at me like I was speaking gibberish and laughed lightly, "Just forget it..."

I walked around the house and looked at the clock. It's around one in the morning, I'm gonna be dead! This normally isn't like me but I had to since a lot's happening right now; going to a party was good because it helped me clear my mind, maybe just a bit too much though since I lost track of time... What am I gonna do now?

I left the house as the party still went on and made my way home, dreading even more with each step I took. It just ain't like me to break the rules, so I don't know how Darry'll react. As I reached the door I slowly opened it, trying to prepare for whatever could happen.

"Soda!? Darry!? Please say it's you because I don't know what to do!" I could hear Two-Bit shout, what's going on now?

I quickly closed the door and ran the direction of his voice, in Pony and I's room. I think it looks like I'm off the hook, but what's happening here?

As I walked in the room I could see Pony passed out on the bed with no shirt and Two was holding a wet washcloth against his back, is he bleeding? "What happened?" I asked rushing over to his side.

"Alls I know is I was walkin' around when all of a sudden I heard a scream: it was Pony's. These Socs jumped him and cut his back up pretty darn good, I stopped them before things got worse though and took him back here. Once I got here though nobody was home, so I tried dealing with this on my own. That's all I know, and I ain't think I'm doing this right... so where was you and Darry?" He asked after explaining the story.

"I was at a party and I thought Darry was here with Pony but I guess I was wrong..." I really hope he's not looking for me or anything like that. Why would he leave Pony here alone though? Or why was Pony walking alone by the park so late? Did Darry even know about any of this? I don't even know what's happening anymore... "How's his back look?"

Two-Bit lifted the wash cloth up which revealed the decent-sized deep cut going across on the left side of his back, it's sure to leave a scar. The cut might even need stitches but I ain't no doctor, it's not like we can afford to take him to the hospital though to get it checked out with the social worker already on our backs. If she'd know about this it won't look too good for us...

I went to the bathroom and grabbed a big enough bandaid and some peroxide, just so his cut won't get infected. I came back and carefully rubbed some peroxide on it, I could hear Pony quietly wincing some as I did. "Sorry sweety, I know it hurts but it'll help you're cut." After I finished rubbing it in I placed the bandaid on top. I covered Ponyboy up and left the room. "Thank you Two for watching out for Pony, I really appreciate that."

"It was nothin' Soda, I'm here for any of you guys whenever," he smiled, "Do you need anything else?"

"No, I think I'm good. Thanks again though."

"Anytime. So did ya hear anything new about Johnny?" Two-bit gulped nervously.

"Y-yeah and it ain't lookin' too good," I hesitated not wanting to have to keep thinking about it, "Johnny's in critical condition and they don't know how much longer he can take it before he, uh, is gone for good..."