(Haddock Household)
The phone rang loudly throughout the quiet household belonging to the Haddocks. The time was 6 am as Sal woke up groggily then reached over for the handset on his nightstand, grabbed hold and pressed 'answer.'
"Hello?" Salvatore greeted while still lying in bed with Viola asleep beside him.
"I need your help!" Treyden blurted out with worry.
/Flashback/
A month they had been home and two into Hunter's recovery. The bullet wound was closed, and there was no longer a worry of reopening or infection but the fractured scapula and cracked rib was still healing. Following this was sure to be a month or two of physical therapy to make sure Hunter still had mobility in it. The doctors were saying with a few exercises that he should be okay. Most of this past month had been Hunter readjusting to life out of the war for the second time, but the nightmares about Theo's and Harry's deaths were starting to get to him, and he hadn't told anybody. Plasma Fire was home, and they knew what had to be done together; something they didn't get the chance to do since Hunter was severely injured and with Harry gone, Hunter was technically the leader of the company. The soldiers had to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and commanding officer.
It would be done within another ceremony, the promotions and awards one just like the first time. That is where the company was gathered now, at Archian Hall with Defender Brigade officer heading everything. Most of the soldiers were through; some awards were given to the next of kin since the soldier was no longer with them and had died on tour. It was the beginning of February, Hunter's and Treyden's birthdays were in this month, so that was something to look forward to, or so Hunter had thought before all this happened. Hunter was consumed with nightmares of losing his closest friends, the way they died ate at him in the night, and he woke many times in a cold sweat trying to catch his breath. Had he told anyone? No.
Hunter didn't expect any medal this time, just the Afghanistan Campaign one since everyone was receiving it for serving the one-year tour. Treyden made First Sergeant, and Andrew reached Sergeant First Class. When Ross Pearson, the Brigade Colonel stood before Hunter, the man smiles softly.
"At last we come to our young First Lieutenant, Hunter Haddock, who will be receiving the Afghanistan Campaign for serving his twelve-month tour in Afghanistan," Ross pinned the small version in place then handed Hunter the medal one in a small envelope then stepped back holding the microphone and moving to his podium. Yep, just as Hunter expected. "Now, I know it's been a hard two months for all of you, Plasma Fire, with losing thirty-two members of your company. One of them, unfortunately, having been your beloved leader; Major Harry Andersen," Ross continued as a lot of the soldiers surprising lost their composure to lower their heads with closed eyes.
Hunter was one of those soldiers who tried to stay firm, but his hand balled into a fist at his side, and he shook a little. No, he would not break here. "I've worked with that man for years, and I'm honored to have the chance to serve with him as he was a damn good friend to everyone. I know I can speak for all of Plasma Fire and myself when I say he will greatly missed but forever in our hearts," Ross went on, then cleared his throat. "Since the loss of Harry, headquarters has been searching for officers and trying to find just one to lead this excellent company, and after two long months, they made their decision. Plasma Fire, are you ready to meet your new company head leader?"
"Sir, yes sir!" the one hundred and eighteen soldiers replied formally.
"Plasma Fire Company of the Archi Island Army, I present to you your new commanding officer; Hunter Haddock!" Ross announced as Hunter's eyes widened. "Come on up here, young man," Ross invited. Hunter pulled himself together and left the formation to walk next to Ross who right away pinned a tag that read: MJR. HADDOCK. "You are the soldier they chose to give the company command to for your extraordinary leadership skills and always willing to put yourself in a line of fire to save your team no matter how big or small it might be. You've been promoted to Major and will take the reigns over this company, the one you saved when Harry Andersen passed away,"
"I-I don't know what...to say," Hunter admitted as he shook Ross's hand absent-mindedly.
"You don't have to say anything. You've earned this. Plasma Fire Company, Ladies, and gentleman, let's give it up for him!" Ross called out as everyone got to their feet while clapping, the company did the same. Hunter couldn't believe it, promoted to Major? The rank...Harry was before he died. Hunter didn't know how to feel about it, but he did keep replaying the scene in his mind when Andersen was shot and died in his arms. "Now, I understand that your company wanted to pay tribute to your fallen friends?"
"Yes sir," Hunter nodded.
"Then," Ross handed him the microphone with a smile and stepped back. "the floor is yours, Major," Great, Hunter wasn't prepared for a speech. Honestly, he was just gonna let everyone in the company get a shot and honor them the way Harry did when the first tour ended. Now, he had to wing shit and didn't want to because he didn't know if he could make it through without going into a flashback of that horrible night. What did he say right now? Hunter didn't want this, it wasn't what he intended to do, and suddenly every set of eyes in the room were on him.
"Something's wrong," Andrew elbowed Trey lightly, forcing him to look more closely. "Hunter doesn't freeze like that, Treyden," he whispered. Treyden knew Andrew was right; Hunter never froze when it came to things like this. Treyden could see from his stance that Hunter had a far off look in his eyes like he wasn't here anymore.
Hunter's mind was racing, flashes of Theo's death, then Harry's. The room was spinning as Hunter got dizzy, then light headed. The whispers were starting, everyone wanting to know why Hunter hadn't said a word in nearly two minutes. Treyden saw Hunter's eyes close tightly when fireworks started going off outside. "He's gonna black out!" Trey whispered in fear as he moved out of formation and hurried behind Hunter just as dropped the microphone and started falling backward, thankfully, right into Treyden's arms.
(Two Weeks Later)
After Hunter passed out at the ceremony, he woke up five minutes later having no idea why he blacked out in the first place. Ross sent Treyden and Hunter home so Hunter could get some rest, feeling that maybe everything was just overwhelming for him. Treyden, Dustin, and Hunter left, then the Haddocks along with friends did the same moments later. The time might have only been 6:30 pm but Hunter went right to bed. Treyden was concerned and confided in his father about it but Dustin just said to give Hunter some time since they were just out of war, plus Hunter was dealing with his healing and Harry's death still since most of the first month since the passing had been spent with Hunter in the hospital and sleeping to recover. Treyden accepted the answer and periodically checked on Hunter through the rest of that evening.
Two weeks went by as Hunter's nightmares were getting worse but he refused to tell anyone about it, feeling that it was his battle to fight. Every night for Hunter was plagued with horrid memories of losing friends, mainly Theo and Harry but there were some of Liz's and RJ's. Deaths that were hard to watch or happened in his arms. Hunter was lacking sleep and working fourteen hour days, six days a week with his new rank of Major and job of company leader for Plasma Fire. Hunter hated the flashbacks, how quickly something triggered and he would space off frequently throughout the day but play it off that he was still healing and hard to sleep at night due to being uncomfortable.
Hunter knew it was PTSD and depression taking over, but he didn't have the heart to tell anyone how much he was suffering because everyone didn't need to worry about him. Hunter could handle it. It's just because things were fresh from Harry dying last month and leaving Hunter control of the company to get them to safety, then he got shot and still healing from that. No, Hunter wouldn't let it win, he could beat this on his own. Treyden had turned twenty-one, Hunter's birthday was two weeks away still, it was sure to be another gathering at his parent's house with friends and family. Wonderful for him, a crowded area where he couldn't just close himself off when flashbacks started.
The evening was worse; Hunter wake up from thrashing around in cold sweats and trying to catch his breath. Hunter would spash his face, use the bathroom, get a drink of water, then go back to bed but rarely managed to return to his sleep state, resulting in Hunter going to bed at 11:30 pm, then being up at 2 or 3 am from the night terrors and unable to go back to sleep. Regardless of all that, Hunter and Treyden were doing really well in their relationship, but they hadn't had a lot of sex given Hunter's arm being in a sling perdicament. By the grace of Odin, though, the two managed to make out and get one another off despite the lack of arm to engage in more pleasurable acts of intimacy. Hunter couldn't believe it would be two years together come May 17th, 2021. What was he worried about a little PTSD? Everything would be okay with time as it always did.
(Hunter's Twenty-First Birthday; Fury Residence)
The party was being held at Treyden and Dustin's house for once, shocker for Hunter but he didn't mind. It had been another sleepless night and now he had to deal with everyone being around him when all he wanted to do was sit in his room and listen to music to drown out the sounds of bombs and gunfire. As expected, everyone was starting to arrive but he remained in his room, he told Treyden he was going to take a nap before the party, that was forty-five minutes ago. Hunter sighed as he sat up on his bed, then docked his phone to scroll through a few songs before finding something to listen to.
In the living room, everyone was there and wondering where the man of the hour was. "Hunter's napping, he was tired, so he told me to wake him when you all got here," Treyden chuckled after letting in Andrew, Conner, and Nikolas. Other's couldn't make it because of previous engagements.
"Well, go get him. It sounds like he's up, I hear the music," Audrey smiled. Treyden nodded while headed to Hunter's room which was just off the living room, in fact, then Treyden's and his father's rooms were on the opposite wall. It was a small house, almost set up to be like an apartment but it worked for them.
"He probably fell asleep with it on, he loves his music," Conner snickered with Nikolas. Treyden stopped at the door and listened closer. "What's up?"
"Nothing, I just hear music but no lyrics. I wonder if its one of his made ones, he doesn't let anyone hear them until they are done, and even then it's a stretch. Ssh for a second," Treyden remarked while cracking the door open a bit and peering inside to see if Hunter was sleeping. Instead, he saw Hunter sitting up on the bed and staring out the window with a saddened look in his eyes.
"Do you know what it's like when you're scared to see yourself? Do you know what it's like when you wish you were someone else? Who didn't need your help to get by? Do you know what it's like, to wanna surrender," Hunter sang quietly as the music jumped to a louder set of instruments.
"I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow! I don't wanna live like this today. Make me feel better. I wanna feel better. Stay with me here now, and never surrender!" the note held a few seconds before the melody went softer. Treyden glanced back towards the guests, Salvatore frowned a bit. The old man knew how much Hunter loved his music, creating songs but he'd never heard one quite like this before. "Never surrender..." was sung lowly.
"Do you know what it's like when you're not who you want to me? Do you know what it's like when you're your own worst enemy? Who sees the things in me I can't hide. Do you know what it's like to wanna surrender?" the music picked up again as Sal moved closer to peek inside the room as well, seeing Hunter clench his fists and close his eyes.
"I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow! I don't wanna live like this today. Make me feel better. I wanna feel better. Stay with me here now, and never surrender!" Hunter sang out as the music kept going with drums and guitar. Finally, it got quiet again. "Make me feel better. You make me feel better. You make me feel better," Hunter took a deep breath now, "PUT ME BACK TOGETHER!" he yelled.
"I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow! I don't wanna live like this today. Make me feel better. I wanna feel better. Stay with me here now, and never surrender!" it seemed to repeat a few times after that before the song stopped and Hunter lowered his head down and sighed.
"Hunter?" Treyden spoke up first while making his way in the room and sat next to Hunter on the bed. "Are you okay? I thought you were sleeping?"
"Yeah, I'm...fine, baby. I finished that a couple days ago, wanted to see how it sounded all together. I slept for maybe fifteen minutes and have just been lying awake the remaining time. Is everyone here?" Hunter asked, then saw his father. "Hi, Dad," he greeted while getting off the bed to hug him carefully. Trey smiled now, he knew things were okay. Hunter always wrote songs of different genres. Yet, Treyden couldn't deny seeing the emotion Hunter sang with, or the sadness in his eyes. For now, he'd leave it be but Treyden knew something was up and he intended to find out.
/End Flashback/
(March 2021)
(Fury Residence; Little Before The Call)
Hunter's birthday was great, now it was ending the first week of March and things had been changing. Treyden started taking notice that Hunter was withdrawing from things he used to love, such as the music bit and practicing shooting at the range or at least being there. There were still a few weeks left in Hunter's full heal time but the doctors said he could start physical therapy as long as he promised to take it easy so now there were two appointments per week for that until the doctor cleared Hunter for full healing work. As it stood now though, Hunter still had his mobility, he was just really slow with it. Treyden knew something was wrong but Hunter didn't seem to be opening up about it, he worried if they were falling apart or that he wasn't a good boyfriend anymore for not seeing what was wrong, if there was something.
Tonight had been one they managed to make love, carefully to make sure Hunter's arm didn't get worse. That would be all they needed, have to go to the hospital because something shifted during them having sex. Treyden would never live it down and be terrified to show his face in public again if Hunter got hurt because they were having sex. It was a good night, Hunter fell asleep hold Treyden in his arms. Around 3 am, Hunter got up to use the bathroom but never went back to bed. Instead he was on the couch, trying to rid his mind of the nightmares. Hunter didn't know when it happened but he just snapped and cried for twenty minutes, he couldn't do this anymore. No matter what he tried or how happy he was, this was holding him back.
Hunter wrote a note and placed it on the living room table; then he grabbed his keys and wallet. Finally, Hunter left the house silently, leaving in his truck. At 5:30 am, Treyden was up and noticed the absence of his boyfriend. Assuming he might already be awake, Treyden checked around the house but never found him. Treyden checked outside to see the truck gone and started to worry.
"Dad! Have you seen Hunter?" Trey called over to his father's room. Dustin came out and saw Treyden's concerned face.
"Wasn't he in the room with you?" Dustin inquired.
"He...was but now I can't find him, and the truck is gone. I checked Hunter's room; the keys and wallet are off the nightstand, but his phone is still there," Treyden informed.
"Alright, don't panic. I'm sure he's probably just gone into work early, maybe he had to rush and forgot his phone is all. Call the base as if Hunter has clocked in?" Dustin offered. Treyden relaxed a little and called Fort Draco to ask if Hunter was there, but it never showed him arriving or clocking in, same with the other bases in towns surrounding the city. Treyden put the phone down while Dustin was sitting on the couch looking at a piece of paper.
"No one has seen him at work or the other bases. What's that you've got?" Treyden asked. Dustin faced him with worry. "What...is it?"
"Treyden. How has Hunter been lately, you know, since the end of the tour? Emotionally wise?" Dustin questioned.
"I-I don't know. He seems alright to me but...maybe not so much. I know something has been bothering him, but he says he's okay," Treyden replied nervously.
"Has Hunter ever meant it when he says he's okay and everyone feels like something is off?" Dustin mentioned as Trey shook his head. "I found this under the couch, and I think I've found out what the problem is. Hunter has PTSD, and from looks of this; it's bad, and he's hitting a breaking point with being unable to cope,"
Trey took the note quickly and read it over.
I can't stop seeing them die; I can't stop hearing their goodbyes. Everything hurts, it's all I feel. I can't fight or live this anymore. I just want sleep peacefully and see them as they once were, I want to be me, but I think I died a little more with the death of every friend I've lost. I want to be happy again, and I'm going to the place I know I can be.
Treyden's eyes filled with tears as he shook and Dustin hurried over to him. "H-He's...gonna hurt or kill himself! W-We have...to find...him!"
"We will. I promise we will, son. Call Salvatore, any of his friends. We'll all look for him," Dustin said quickly. Treyden scrambled to get his phone and call Hunter's father. It had rung three times before a groggy voice answered.
"Hello?" said Sal.
"I need your help!" Treyden blurted out quickly in his panic. Trey didn't care; Hunter was going to be dead if they didn't hurry. Treyden needed help, and this was his call for it.
