Author’s note: The Outsiders are owned by S.E. Hinton.
Darry carried Sugar as if he was afraid he would break her. Both Soda and Steve offered to help, but Darry just ignored them. I have never seen him so focused before in my life. There was this strength and determination in him that was not going to keep him from the task at hand. I just walked calmly along side at the same determined pace trying to cover up the fear that I knew was evident on my face.
As we steadily walked to the house, I could make out slight moans coming from Sugar, but I was too afraid to say anything. I could barely see her face, but, with the help of the moonlight, the few features I could make out caused me to turn away. This wasn’t my sister. My sister is at home, icing down her hand and sulking over Dallas Winston. This brittle person in my brother’s arms was a stranger. Please let her be a stranger.
Two-Bit ran to the screen door and held it open as Darry entered first. We all looked on in horror as we could now see exactly how badly hurt Sugar really was. Soda turned away as Darry placed Sugar down delicately onto the couch. I just stood staring in disbelief. She was covered in bruises from head to toe. Her hair was matted down with dried blood that now crusted onto her forehead. Her shirt had been ripped to reveal her blood soaked bra and I could make out bruising along her wrists, ankles and thighs. Those bastards! As the anger rises up in me I can feel the heat surge into my face. I can’t think and all I feel is hate. I just want to hit something.
“Steve, Two-Bit, outside please.” Darry’s words cut through the tension, fear and anger in the room. “Ponyboy, get her a fresh shirt and some underwear.” I snap out of my anger induced trance and head for her bedroom. Her dresser is filled with clothes. Which ones do I choose? I just grab the first shirt and underwear I can find.
As I head back into the living room I find Sodapop washing off the blood from her forehead and face as I make out some of Darry’s conversation on the phone beside me.
“No, it’ll be faster if we drive her there ourselves, but you’ll be waiting for us there, right doc? Okay.”
I hand Soda the fresh clothes and turn my back while he dresses her. I can’t take his sobbing. I’m not going to start crying, not until I have a reason to. She’s going to be fine. She’s too strong not to be.
Soda quickly clothes her and heads to the door as I turn back to see Darry picking her up slowly from the couch to carry her to the truck. I follow close behind to see him place her in the passenger seat. She moans weakly and I hear Darry say softly, “You’re okay, angel.” I jump into the back of the truck with Steve and Two-Bit as Soda gets in beside her and Darry runs around to the driver’s side.
“You’re okay, angel. You’re okay.”
We speed off.
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