I Wasn't Feeling Good in the First Place- Kind of Sick Really.

Something drastic happened.

Apparently Ponyboy and Johnny were hiding out from the fuzz at the old, wooden, broken down church- and it burnt down. Dallas had taken them out for a bite to eat at Dairy Queen because they looked as though they were about to collapse they were so skinny. Clearly- when they were driving back to the building to hang out, they told that it was in a uproar of flames. Many people were gawking at it- as it was a historic old place and they couldn't believe that the time had come where it was being destroyed.

Of course- Pony and Johnny ran out like madmen to see what was the reason that it was on fire; but Dallas wanted to get the heck out of that scene. I don't blame him. So they sprinted to the crowd and discovered that there were a group of children inside- unable to get out. Obviously, they had to jump right into the BURNING building and save the youngsters. Ponyboy got out okay- the doctors said that he got some minor burns- but other than that, he was going to be just fine. Dallas can live through anything. Boy is he ever a tough guy.

But Johnny is a different story all together.

He's in critical condition because a piece of burning timer fell onto him back. He was in severe shock and suffering from third degree burns. They are doing everything they can to help lessen the suffering he should be experiencing- but since his back is broken- he can't even feel the pain below his waist. To be serious- I don't think he's going to make it. It would be different if it was someone like Steve, Dally or I- but Johnny so fragile. And I hardly have any hope left.

Sodapop and I went to the hospital to see Pony. There was no doubt that he was overjoyed to see us. He flung himself into my arms and started to bawl. I couldn't help but get teary eyed too. There's no way that I'm never letting go of him again. There's no way. I couldn't take it. There was an abundant amount of reporters there to interview Pony, but I tried to tell them firmly that he had been through too much to be swarmed with strangers. Soda lightened the mood by teasing them. He was grabbing their supplies and wandering through the halls imitating them.

We stayed there for quite a long time until I couldn't stand it- and we had to go home. Pony was so tired that I had to carry him into the house from the Ford pickup. He slept like a baby. In the morning- I had the gut feeling that I had to stay with Ponyboy after that long ordeal, but Two-Bit promised he'd take good care of him. I warned Pony- 'If you smoke more than a pack I'll skin you,'- and I meant it. He's in no condition to be smoking and staying out late like always. You wouldn't believe how skinny he was when I saw him at first. He eats like a horse and I bet Dallas only gave them enough money for one of them to eat well.

But that doesn't matter now- I can fill'em up with our favourites- chocolate milk and chocolate cake. Chocolate will fatten up enough for the big fight between the Socs and the Greasers.