It had been two years since he ran away from his home, his family, his friends, and his love. Two years since he had fled from the darkness that Latnok had put him through.
An endless cycle of thoughts constantly threatened to overwhelm the emotional barriers he had put up over the past two years. Reflecting upon it, he despised himself for departing, for hurting those he loved. In the end, though, he knew that it was for the best. His parents, his brother and sister, Jessi, and most of all Amanda, were now safe. Latnok would not go after them after he had severed any connection they shared. That heartless group of so-called 'humanitarians' was only interested in him. It pained him greatly, but he knew that he had made the right decision.
Now, Kyle was twenty and had lived through much in the past couple of years since he had left. His experiences had hardened him, strengthened him, and taught him about the real world. Underneath the tough exterior which he exhibited to those around him, there still existed the boy who looked at everything with wonder, a part of him which yearned to break free of the wall he had erected around his heart.
He had wanted to get away as far as possibly from all that he knew. Kyle had become a soldier of fortune, seeking to rid himself of his grief through heartless acts. For nearly two years, he had fought in Iraq, suffered and underwent many challenges.
A VOICE TO KYLE'S SIDE: Kyle, for fuck's sake man, we're pinned down here!
Kyle looked towards the young man who was frantically begging for assistance. Declan had accompanied him through the good times and the bad. After having gone through so much together, the two had become like brothers.
At first, they had trained together until they were truly ready to throw their lives away in some meaningless conflict. After having proven their combat skills under the watchful eyes of Blackwater, a private military corporation, the two had signed contracts with the firm. Soon enough, Kyle and Declan were shipped off to fight in Iraq.
DECLAN: You think you can go around and take them out?!
KYLE: I'll need to get across the street, and then climb to the roof of that apartment building right there. Cover me!
Declan quickly leaned just past the wall the pair were hiding behind and provided cover-fire, while Kyle ran across the deserted street, as gunshots flared all around him. He reached his destination unscathed and unfazed. Kyle had been in countless similar situations. There was little which frightened him anymore.
It didn't take long before he reached the top of the five-story apartment building. Kyle quickly spotted a gunman on another rooftop further down the street, and instantly knew what he had to do. Taking his rifle in his steady hands, he pointed it at the hapless man and pulled the trigger. Kyle never missed. Experience, as well as his superhuman skills, had transformed him into an almost invincible warrior. As the bullet travelled up the barrel and out of the gun, time itself seemed to slow down. Kyle could see the projectile sluggishly moving towards its target. Every moment was agony to him. The bullet hit the gunman directly in the side of the neck. Clutching at his throat in pain, the man fell to the ground, as blood began to pool around him.
Kyle watched the man exhale one final time before expiring. He felt a strange thrill course through him. He had become accustomed to feeling powerful and in control, though Kyle never consciously realized this. Seconds later, the fact that he had taken another life hit him. Kyle felt terrible for it. The man he had killed could have had a family who loved him, just as Kyle once had. Remorse invaded his thoughts.
As Kyle returned back to grim reality, he heard his friend shout up to him.
DECLAN: Did you get him?
KYLE (shouts back): Yeah, I got him. I'll be down in a few minutes.
As Kyle began to march back down the stairs, he heard a whimper arise from an adjacent room. Curiosity, an instinct which he had never really lost, engulfed him. He cautiously slinked into the room where the sound had emanated from. The sight that met Kyle's eyes was heart-breaking. A little boy, hunched in the corner in a little ball, was softly crying. He could sense fear, desperation and loneliness radiating from the boy. Immediately, Kyle remembered his very first moment of life that fateful day in the woods, how alone and afraid he had felt. Sympathy welled up in him, and he crouched down several feet away.
KYLE (softly): Hey, it's okay. You're safe now.
The boy, not understanding English, looked up in horror at being caught. Alarm was evident in his eyes, but he made no move to run away.
Kyle pulled out a chocolate bar he had in his pouch and offered it. Realizing that the man in front of him meant him no harm, the boy snatched the bar and began to nibble at it. A few seconds later a smile appeared on the youngster's tear-covered face. Kyle smiled back, and then chuckled as he noticed that the boy's mouth was by now covered in chocolate. Remembering the loneliness he had sensed earlier, Kyle frowned.
KYLE (sighs): You have nobody to take care of you and you're all alone. I know what that feel like….Don't worry. I'll take care of you.
Kyle took the boy's hand and the two walked out of the building. Declan was waiting at the entrance.
DECLAN (smiles): Who's the little runt?
KYLE: I found him upstairs. He's all alone.
DECLAN (frowns in thought): Hmmmm....Well we can take him back to base camp, but we won't be able to keep him there forever. Not a very nice place to grow up anyway.
KYLE: I'll talk to Foss. He has contacts. Maybe we can find him parents.
DECLAN: You mean adoption?
KYLE: Yes, people who will love him.
DECLAN: Just like the Tragers with you.
Kyle smiled sadly and nodded.