| The Outsider's Baby |

Chapter 23

"EVERYONE OFF THIS BUS!" someone yelled. I grabbed my bags and ran off the bus and joined people in formation. "I AM YOUR LIEUTENANT!" The man yelled. We went through the many procedures, and no one suspected I was a woman. I was thinking about the gang wishing I was home, but I got a vision, and Eric couldn't die. Once our Lieutenant, Josh, was done talking...I walked up to him confidently. I saluted to him and he saluted back. "What the hell do you want soldier." The man said. "Sir, I thought you should know something...I see the future, and there will be a bombing here tonight. I am sure of it, and if you think I am wrong, and I can't see the future ask me a question." I said confidently in my boyish voice. Lieutenant Josh scoffed. "Okay, how many people are here right now, what will I do after the war, and when's my birthday." Josh asked bending down to my level. I closed my eyes and he laughed, turned around, and started to walk away. "There are 2,587 people here, You are in the army but you will retire after the war, and your birthday is January 17th. I said. The Lieutenant stopped, turned around, and stared at me in shock. Then he started yelling orders to get in position. "The attack will be at 11:45 tonight." I said. The Lieutenant yelled, "THERE WILL BE AN ATTACK AT 30 MINUTES PAST 23 HUNDRED." Josh yelled. He looked back at me. "I like you soldier. Be careful." He said. I nodded and walked to my tent. I walked into a handful of shirtless men. "Eric, it's hot in here. Take your shirt off. I shook my head. "I ain't hot." I said. One of the guys walked up to me. "I am Jackson. Jackson Gonzalez." He said. I nodded. "Eric." I said and shook his hand. "So Eric. Want to be friends in this hellhole?" He asked. I snickered. "Sure, man. Where do you live?" He asked. "Tulsa, Oklahoma. What about you?" I asked. "Oklahoma city. We ain't that far apart." He said. I nodded. "Well, nice to meet ya." I said, and I walked out of the tent. 

We all got our uniforms. I sat down, took out some paper and a pen out of my bag and started to write...

Hey guys. It's me. I am here in vietnam. I am safe, and no one suspects that I am a woman. There will be an attack tonight at my camp at 11:45. I saw it in my vision. I just wanted you guys to know I love you, and I will hopefully make it back in one piece. I am sorry for doing this to everyone. I love you guys.

~Coral

I sealed my letter in the envelope. I put it in the mailbox and got prepared for the attack tonight. I would train, learn how to use a gun, take apart a gun, and put it back together. 

Dally's POV

We all watched as our little girl drove away on the bus leaving for vietnam. Everyone was running after it. Even Pony couldn't keep up. I dropped to my knees as a watched Coral leave. She could die I thought. I looked at Darry who was looking straight ahead. "My god what has she done?" He said under his breath. Ethan was crying with his face in his hands. Ponyboy and Johnny were tearing up, Soda was crying, Two Bit was stunned, and Steve had a tear that ran down his face. I hope she will be okay. I need her. We all need her.