Chapter Text
Tulsa- 1957
Darry couldn’t believe it. His parents were gone. It all happened so fast. His parents had gone out for dinner, leaving Darry in charge of his 4 and 9 year old brothers.
“We’ll be back soon sweetheart, make sure Pony is in bed by 8:30 and you and Soda better at least be in your pjs” She said, kissing the top of his head.
Darrel Sr lifted Ponyboy onto his hip and said “be good for your brothers, ya hear? Listen to Darry.”
“Okay Daddy, bye Mama!”
“Bye Darlings, see you later!”
And then they were gone.
Darry snapped back into reality by someone shaking his shoulder. He looked down at Soda, tears streaming down his face.
“What’s up little buddy?”
“Something’s wrong with Pony.”
That being said, Darry looked over to Pony and saw he was in the exact position he left him in when they got the news.
Two police officers were stood in the corners, their hats tucked under their arms with grim expressions on their faces.
Darry turned to Soda. “Go find Cocoa.” Soda nodded and ran off towards their shared room.
Darry approached Ponyboy and picked him up, rocking him side to side in hopes of getting some kind of reaction from the 4 year old.
“Pony honey, it’s Darry. It’s all gonna be ok hon, I’ll never leave ya.”
Just then Sodapop came over, Pony’s stuffed dog Cocoa in hand. He held it up to Pony’s face, smiling softly at him . Only Pony could get Soda to smile like that.
“Hey Pony look, it’s Cocoa, he wants to say hi!”
Pony looked up from where his shoulder was buried in Darry’s shoulder and said “I want Mama, where’s Mama?”
Soda was about to say something when a knock came from the door. One of the policemen opened it and standing outside was a tall lean man with a manilla folder tucked under his arm.
He shook hands with the officer and stepped inside. Looking around the room his eyes locked on the three brothers huddled together. He smiled.
Darry couldn’t tell if it was creepy or reassuring. He was only 12 after all.
The man walked over to them and introduced himself as Mr Redmond. He stuck out his hand to be shook but the boys just stared at him, emotionally drained.
He clapped his hands together, looking somewhat cheerful despite the circumstances.
“Well boys, as you know since you are all under age, you will need a guardian until you turn 18. Now do you have any family members in the area.
Darry sniffed. “Naw we don’t, Meemaw and Pop Pop passed away last year.”
“Anyone else?”
“No.”
He sighed. “Well then, luckily the boys home over South has a couple extra beds available.” Looking directly at Soda and Darry.
Darry squeezed Pony to his shoulder. “We’re sticking together, we’re all we have left now.”
Mr Redmond looked unsure but nodded. “We’ll see boys, right get in the car, the nice officers here have already packed your bags here.”
Mr Redmond leaned down to pick Ponyboy up out of Darry’s arms.
Ponyboy made a squeak of indignation and gave a loud cry.
“Stop it, you’re hurting him!” Darry said, trying to grab him back.
Mr Redmond gave a big tug and lifted Pony to rest on his right hip and bounced him a bit to try and calm him down.
“Now now boys, calm down and let’s get going, they’re expecting you.”
With that he walked out the door, leaving the boys to follow after him and Ponyboy.
Once they were situated in the car they began driving away from their house, they’re home.
Soda and Darry sat on the sides with Pony in the middle. Darry had a hand on Soda’s shoulder and on Pony’s waist, pulling him in closer.
After about an hour of driving, the car pulled up in front of a large grey building with tall fences guarding all around it.
Immediately both Soda and Darry’s doors were opened and a man and a woman appeared, apparently to escort them in.
“Come on Pony, let’s go” Darry said, grabbing his hand.
“No Darrel, we have found Ponyboy a nice home with a nice family that wants him straight away.”
Darry was shocked. His parents had died only hours ago and Pony was already leaving. No, he swore he would always protect his brothers and he wasn’t about to break it now.
Hands attempted to grab him from behind and Darry started kicking, screaming and punching anything to get closer to Pony and keep him safe.
But it was no use. The doors of the car were slammed shut and began driving away while Darry and Soda were dragged inside. The last thing Darry saw of his brother was his petrified little face, blotched with tears and snot and he knew right then and there that face would haunt him for the rest of his life.
~~~~~~~~
Darry awoke suddenly, Ponyboy’s name on the tip of his tongue. His little face etched in his mind.
He shook his head. He needed to get a grip, he was 20 for pete’s sake.
He walked into the kitchen, the clock read 4:37 am. God he had to be up in an hour. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get Ponyboy’s face out of his mind.
Little did Darry know, right down the hall Soda had woken up to the same voice and face as 8 years ago.
And little did they both know, that little brother had just woken up to two faces and voices screaming.
Only he still didn’t recognise these faces and voices, they were only familiar.