In Vietnam

Vietnam

Ponyboy's POV

At 0500, Hutch woke us up. We had five minutes to get ready before we headed to the airport. We marched to the bus, and it took about half an hour to get to the airport.

When we got on the plane, Soda looked at me, and I looked at him. Then, I leaned my head on his shoulder and fell asleep.

It was a few hours later when I was shaken awake by Soda. He hugged me hard, and I hugged him back. It was going to be a very long time before I would see him or Darry again.

When Soda let go, he said, "Make sure to write every week. I love you, kiddo."

"I will. I love you too, Soda."

Then, Darry took me into his arms. His shoulders were shaking a little bit, and I could tell he was crying. Soda and I were trying to keep it in, but you could see the tears in both of our eyes as we locked eyes one last time before we went our separate ways. Darry told me, "I love you, Ponyboy."

"I love you too, Darry. Stay safe, and don't forget to write."

"You too." Then he looked at Steve. "You two take care of each other."

Steve said, "You got it, Darry."

Darry and Soda gave me one last hug, and then we left.

We marched off the plane and started walking to our camp. When we got to a flat area, we started to set up the tents and the latrine, which was basically an outside shower that collected rain water to use.

We finished setting up the camp relatively quickly, so we were able to relax in our tents. The first two weeks went by smoothly. We did chores, explored the area, and we didn't even know if were going to even have to go to war.

The third week was the first time we got ambushed.

It was starting to get cloudy, and it was humid. We were all just chilling and playing cards when we heard a loud boom. Everyone stood up with their guns at the ready and looked around. At first we didn't see anyone, but then we heard a rustling noise. I turn toward the nearest bush and see a gook. I shoot at him.

He lays on the ground, lifeless. I suddenly felt depressed, because I just had my first kill. Before I had anymore time to think, we hear more rustling. Then, I saw something shiny in the bushes. A grenade.

I yelled, "Everyone get down!"

I was just in time. The grenade went off, and dirt went everywhere. Luckily, no one was hurt. Everyone started shooting at the snipers we were able to see. After, things went back to normal.

Steve, Randy, and I played cards with the other men in our unit. General Hutch was with us, as well.

Two weeks passed before the next ambush. This time, monsoon season had started, and the ground was very wet and muddy. We had a hard time standing up, and I kept slipping in the mud trying to run to cover. There were a lot more snipers than the last time, and we lost John. It was a bullet straight between his eyes.

Steve, Randy, and I took out several gooks, and the rest ran after most of their men had dropped dead to the ground. We had to move after that ambush. A lot of the area around us was destroyed, and it was no longer safe for us to stay.

We gathered up most of our things and started our long march through the jungle. It was quiet most of the time, and there was only an occasional few whispers.

We marched for five hours before we started to set up our next base. During the middle of setting up, Steve asked, "How're you doing, kid?"

"I'm okay. You?"

"Same as usual."

When we were finished setting up, we had a little time for ourselves before a few of us had to go on a mission. I decided to write to Darry and Soda, because I haven't had a lot of time in the past few weeks to write. I quickly walked to my tent, and when I got there, I grabbed a pen and paper.

I wrote:

"Dear Darry and Soda,

I'm doing alright, and I'm sorry I haven't written to you guys yet. We got ambushed twice, and we've already had to move once. Steve is keeping me company, along with the rest of the guys in the unit. I hope you guys are doing alright; I miss you. Stay safe, and I love you guys.

Your brother,

Ponyboy Curtis."

After writing, I folding up the paper and put it it an envelope. I put it in my bag, and once I zipped it, I headed out of the tent. I was not expecting what happened next.

Right as I came out of the tent, I felt something whiz by me and into my shoulder. I felt the worse pain I have ever felt. I let out a small cry and looked at my shoulder. It was gushing blood, and there was a bullet lodged in my shoulder. Before I could get some help, I passed out.