Disclaimer: No I don't own it.

A/N: Someone very close to me died three weeks ago, he left behind two children, a wonderful wife, and many friends and fans. He was practically my own dad, and I miss him very much. His strength over the past year has been inspirational and incredible to me, and he will always be in my heart. My mind hasn't been completely here over the past few weeks, that's the main reason for no updates and no review backs. Please be patient with me during this hard time.

Chapter Seven: My Companion Is an AK-47

September 24th, 1968

Dear Ponyboy and Darry,

Things out here have been rough lately but I'm glad to tell you me and Steve are doing just fine. I've made new friends with the guys in my platoon I like this guy Max the best. The gang would really like him since he kinda reminds me of a nicer version of Dally. He's sarcastic blonde and has friends back in New York that's where he comes from. Maybe he knew Dally I should ask him one of these days.

I've been thinking about what you said Pony and you had every right to be mad with me. I'll be coming home in a couple of weeks maybe even in time for my birthday. So to make it up to you when I get back home I'll buy you a case of Pepsi and some Kools. Maybe we'll even have a party. That would be pretty tuff. Steve says hi he just got back from his guard shift my turn is coming up soon.

How's Cathy and Two-Bit? Hope you guys haven't gotten into any trouble with the fuzz without me or Steve. You know how we hate to miss the action. Speaking of action have the Socs been behaving? If they've been bad give them an ass whipping for me and Steve. Well it's my turn for guard duty. Behave yourselves over there.

Love,

Sodapop Curtis

I put the black pen I was writing with down and looked down at my scribbled words. The letter was barley readable with many grammar mistakes; English was never my best subject that's where Pony had all the brains.

I turned off the lamp I was using to see my paper in the dark. Looking over at Steve and Max passed out next to each other in their respectable sleeping bags, I sighed with jealousy. For three months straight now I haven't really slept without nightmares, and when I do get a good nights sleep I'm too scared to enjoy it because I'm too busy worrying that they'll come back. Stupid I know, but I can't really help it.

Sitting on the ground outside of our tent a cool wind blew my shaggy hair around my face. That was the first thing I would do when I got home, get a haircut. I haven't had one in nearly seven months and I don't think my hair has ever been this long without grease in it.

The sound of a tree branch snapping came from inside the forest. My head shot up and my hand jumped to the gun beside me, it's my only companion while everyone else sleeps. A light illuminates suddenly shattering the vast darkness in front of me; I react by leaping to my feet ready for anything cocking my AK-47.

"Is anyone there!?" I shout sounding braver than I truly feel. My hands are sweating inside the gloves that I wear, and my legs waver ready for that fight or flight response. This is their turf, they can be anywhere and I wouldn't know it. That's what was scaring me the most right now.

No one had answered me, only the bare silence was there growing stronger and stronger by the minute. "Hello!?"

The tension was as thick as cement and I was almost certain I was being watched from all angles. Just as I was about to sit back down on the leave covered ground at least ten men appeared at the edge of the trees, and they weren't looking too friendly.

The tallest one to the right spoke quietly in Vietnamese to the man beside him. The man stepped forward about a meter away from me and cocked the gun in his hands.

"Back down and we let you live, fight us and you die." His English was broken but the message spoke loud and clear to me.

I lifted my gun similar to the way he did. Staring into his cold eyes, I knew he wasn't kidding that this situation was all too real.

"Over my dead body." I spoke the words with difficulty trying to steady my voice.

A single shot rang out into the calm clear night; making it known to all that blood had been spilled in the clearing…………

A/N: I'm happy with the way this came out even though it was much shorter than I had originally planned. And I promise everything will make sense, don't forget that this story jumps back and forth to different time periods. Please review!