In "The feather pillow" by Horacio Quiroga when the parasites don't have a human to feed on they usually are small, they are parasites of feathered creatures. This parasite, in particular, has been feeding on Alicia's blood, that is why it became so monstrous. We learn about this in the last parragraph of the story.
Answer:
Darry is hard on him but only because he wants the best from ponyboy and more. Sometimes he doesn't mean to do it intentionally and yells at him. That would really show why they don't get along.
Hope it helps and have a great day! =D
~sunshine~
Answer:
I think this is suggesting that the girls don't want to play with the boys so they leave.
