Disclaimer: I am not S.E. Hinton so I do not own the outsiders or any of the characters. I only own Carried and the plot.

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Soda looked down at his hands that lay in his lap, ever since he got out into battle all he ever did was pray to God he would make it out alive just so he could see Ponyboy smile one more time and to meet Carrie and caress her in his arms. But right now in this point in his life he felt like that was not going to happen. He had not been able to receive a letter from the gang in a month because they where traveling to much. He wanted to be the old Soda who was carefree and happy… but for now that Soda was gone.

All of his friends where dieing and he could not do anything to stop it but try and shoot the people who where firing but that did not always work, he would miss most of the time out of pure rage and the tears in his eyes would make him unfocused.

He would always pray he would go blind so he could not see any more death, but he could still hear it.

All of the friends he made here were dead except one who was dieing at the moment. Sodapop had been in the war for about three years now and had not heard any of the gang's voices or seen their faces for three whole years.

"Ok Sodapop I want you to stand in back, the last time you were in front you had five people killed… on our side." The General screamed ushering Soda to the back of the line who obeyed… he had more of a chance to see Ponyboy and Darry again if he moved to the back.

About five minutes latter they were going out onto their grounds and began the battle, like always Soda hid and cried silently to himself. He only fought when someone tried to kill him or when one of their enemies killed one of his friends.

He heard running in this direction so he hid deeper in a whole he had found not wanting to be seen.

(4 months latter)

Finally he was back at base and was able to receive letters from his friends, which he got plenty of, he dug out Ponyboy's and Carrie's and began to read both.

Dear Soda,

Soda I'm so scared for you! I can't stop crying knowing that you're out battling scares me. I haven't received a letter from you in months and I feel lost Soda please be alive please. I don't know what I would do without you knowing you were gone would make me lose all hope.

Love Ponyboy Curtis

Soda whipped a tear from his eye and set the letter down and opened Carrie's.

Sodapop,

You're out fighting right? I hope your fighting instead of dead. If you died I don't know how I would confront your family because I know I would have to do it no matter if I wanted to or not… I would see them for you. I am planning on visiting them soon but it will have to be a couple of months so I can get everything settled with…

Well I hope your ok,

Carrie

Soda put his letter down on top of Ponyboy's and stood up to go look for a pen and paper from one of his teammates. Walking a little down the room he saw a man writing a letter and decided it was best to ask him for paper.

Clearing his throat he began to speak. "Um… excuses me do you have any extra paper and a pen or something I can borrow?" Soda asked nicely. The man sitting gave Soda about ten sheets of paper and a pencil. Sitting back down on his bunk Soda began to write:

Hey Ponyboy.

I'm all right sorry for scarring you so bad but… I had to go battle and we move around so much I can't get any letters but I am at base right now. But before you get this letter I could be moving around and stuff… Anyway if I you know 'passed away' they would send you my tag and you would get all the letters sent to me back. I love you so much Ponyboy and I will come back.

Love Sodapop

Carrie,

Sorry about the wait but I was battling and stuff so I couldn't read my letters. I hope you can meet my family someday they would really appreciate it. To meet a new friend… man Carrie I am so scared. I keep thinking about me dieing and wondering if I will ever be able to make it back home. You know those soldiers that get hurt and all they want to do is get back up and serve their country… I wouldn't do it.

Sodapop Curtis

P.S. Call Ponyboy when you get my letter so he won't freak out.

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R&R