Doubts
Hesh supposed it wasn't the first time that someone returned from captivity. Logan was on some heavy duty pain meds. His head was bald, wrapped in compression bandages. He was currently shaving the beard, having already taken scissors to it.
"I don't know what they did to you, Logan. But I promise, no way is anyone gonna do it again."
Logan was still sleeping so Hesh didn't expect an answer. Merrick was waiting outside.
"Hesh?" Logan rasped.
"Hi."
"Where?"
"Base hospital. How do you feel?"
"Like crap. What happened? I feel like I'm floating. I hate that sensation."
"You're on some pretty strong pain meds. You need them considering that you're a mess."
"Hesh, you look terrible. Where's dad? Is he mad at me?"
Hesh was shocked, Logan couldn't remember anything.
"Logan, what's the last thing you can remember?"
"We almost got munched by wolves. Then the base was under attack and its real fuzzy. Did we pass?"
Hesh smiled.
"Yeah kid, we did."
"And dad?"
"He- Logan, that was a few months ago."
"Was I in a coma? Is that why I feel so weak?"
"No kiddo."
"What happened? Is," Logan swallowed. "Is dad dead?"
Hesh sat next to Logan.
"Seven months ago." He said quietly. Logan's face crumpled.
"How?"
"He was KIA."
"Where?"
"Las Vegas."
"No, where were we?"
Hesh sighed.
"We were there. We'd been captured."
"Did-was it fast?"
"Fairly."
And just like that, Hesh broke his brother's heart.
"What happened to me?"
"You were taken as a POW six months ago. We just got you back."
"Why can't I remember?"
"I don't know."
Logan tried to sit up, but realized that he was cuffed to the bed.
"Hesh? Why am I tied down?"
"It's for your own safety."
"Untie me!" Logan said. He pulled at his wrist. "Now!"
"Hold on."
Hesh left briefly to find out who had the key.
"I'm not authorized to release your brother. I'm sorry."
"Who is?"
"Captain Merrick."
Hesh sighed.
"Where is he?"
"He'll be here later to see your brother."
"All right." He returned to Logan.
"Hesh get me out of here."
"Take a breath, kiddo. I don't have the key and we need it to unlock those."
Logan frowned.
"What the hell, Hesh? It's me."
"I know. But they need to be sure."
"You think I'm a double agent."
"No, but we don't know what they did to you. Logan, there was a device in your head. The fact that you're awake at all is a miracle. Just get rest, you aren't well enough to do anything else."
"That doesn't mean anything! I haven't changed!"Logan snapped, then his eyes went wide. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You're not well. Please , relax, rest."
"Ok."
Logan shut his eyes and tried to rest. Three hours later, he heard Hesh and talking.
"Are you going to let him go? He hasn't done anything wrong."
"I know."
"He freaked out about the cuffs. Could you unlock them?"
There was a soft click followed by another. His wrist was free. He could try to run, but he didn't think he'd make it.
"Hesh?"
"How long have you been awake?"
"Just a minute. Can I go home now?"
"When you feel better."
A/N: I'm such a goof. I forgot to put a disclaimer. Oops. You know the drill. Not mine, this isn't for profit, etc.