Chapter Text
Watching Soda softly talk to Pony made Dally feel sick. The Curtis’s parents had passed only 9 months ago. So why was the universe trying to take the one thing holding everyone together? Sure, Pony wasn’t perfect but who the hell is anyway? He’s a good kid, he’s smart and too soft-hearted, the only one who could leave this shit hole.
”S…soda” Pony creaked out.
”Shh, it’s okay, you just save your breath okay? I’m right here, just keep those eyes open for us.” Soda reassured.
Darry opened his mouth to try and keep his brother awake when he was interrupted by the sweetest sound he could ever hear in that moment—sirens. The familiar red and blue lights flashed and Darry swore he could collapse with relief.
”You hear that Pony? The ambulance is here, you're gonna be okay” Soda said as he brushed Pony’s hair back with his fingers, but to his horror, Ponyboy’s eyes were closed.
”Pony? Hey c’mon open your eyes honey.” Soda gently shook him while Steve applied even more pressure. “Pony, wake up. It ain't time to mess around okay? Open your eyes kiddo, please.”
The paramedics practically bust through and quickly begin to assess the situation. One of them, Jerry, softly pulled Soda away as he checked for Pony’s pulse.
”No pulse! Starting CPR!”
The gang could only watch helplessly as the paramedics try to restart Pony’s heart. Most of them were too frozen in shock to truly process what was happening.
”His rhythm is back but barely, we need to inform the hospital that he needs surgery, get him on a gurney and load him up”
They rolled Ponyboy’s into the back of the ambulance
”What hospital?” Darry finally managed to say.
“Saint Francis, you his dad?”
”Big brother, and his guardian.”
“I see, you’ll probably have to talk to the cops, all of you. Due to the gunshot wound, don't worry none of y'all are in trouble.”
”My brother, is he going to be okay?!” Soda practically yelled after he snapped out of his state of shock.
”That ain't my call, but from what i can tell, he's hurt bad.”
”That ain’t fair. He’s just a kid, he shouldn’t be fighting for his life” Dally said, his jaw clenched.
”It just ain’t fair. None of it was.”