Page 1 of Instinct & New Identity

PROLOGUE

August 25

Dear soldier,

First, thank you for your service.I’mwriting to you as part of our school project to write to a soldier, and admittedly,Idon’t know what to say.Wearen’t allowed to tell you our name or anything identifiable about ourselves, so that kind of restricts whatIusually write about.SoIapologize in advance if you find this boring, but hopefully not. :)

I’m 17 years old (turning 18 next month), female, and a senior in high school inFlorida.Ihave a younger sister who is 13 and a total pain in my butt.Myfavorite classes are art and technology.I’mhoping to go to college next year for coding or computer science (nerd alert).

Without writing your name or “anything identifiable,” tell me about yourself.Doyou have any siblings?Whatdo you like to do?Anyhobbies?

In an effort to make this not completely boring, here’s a joke (that hopefully isn’t too cheesy).

Why did the soldier bring a pen into battle?

(because he wanted to draw his weapon – ha!)

Hope you have a great day!

—C

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September 30

HeyC,

Thanks for writing.Weget a lot of letters and trust me, yours is not boring compared to most of the others.Itmust have been that cheesy dad-joke you added at the end. ;)

I’m 20 years old, male, and fromGeorgia.Ialso have a younger sister who is a pain in my butt, thoughIwould have chosen a different word to use for her.She’salso a senior in high school, though she has no idea what she wants to go to school for.

WhenI’mnot stuck in a giant sand-box,Ilike to play video games, hang out with my friends, and watch sports.Ilike all sports, but football and soccer are my favorites to watch onTV.Ienjoy crossword puzzles and word searches, andIalso enjoy reading suspense novels and biographies.

What about you?Whatdo you do for fun?

I’m not an artist, soIwon’t attempt to draw a cute animal like you did, but here’s my attempt at a cheesy joke.

What is a soldier’s favorite holiday?

(Tanks-giving)

—V

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November 2

HiV,

Ok, your joke was definitely cheesier than mine, butIstill laughed.Didyou say my cat was “cute?”Idrew you a very tough and intimidating cat!Infact, that cat is so tough, it will protect you while you’re overseas protecting people like me :)

I’m assuming from your sandbox comment that you aren’t in theNavy.Areyou allowed to tell me what branch of the military you’re in?

That’s cool your sister is the same age as me!Mostof my friends don’t know what they want to do after they graduate either, so she isn’t alone.

What doIdo for fun?Ilove music.Ilisten to a variety: pop, country,Latin, hip-hop, rock, etc.Thoughmy favorite isTaylorSwift.Yes,Iam a hugeSwiftie.I’venever seen her in concert, but hopefully, on her next tour,Ican go see her somewhere.Doyou like music?

Why does theArmysoldier always carry a pencil?

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