Later that morning...

Gomer walked out of the barracks after a seemingly sleepless night, the world around him seemed gloomier than usual. The crisp morning air that once filled his lungs now felt suffocating, and the sunshine lost its warmth and brightness. His heart pounded inside his chest, the pain inside verging on unbearable. He couldn't believe that Lou-Ann, the girl he had spent seven years with, had found herself obligated to end their relationship. It was something he never thought would happen, and it had left him feeling empty and unsure of everything.

Lost in his thoughts, Gomer's usually cheerful mood was now glum. Everything was so different. The familiar splendor in the air seemed to be downright absent in the loneliness that seemed to take over him. He knew Lou-Ann had done the right thing in breaking the relationship, for she was going home to help her father, but life was not the same without her.

As Gomer wandered the base in a forlorn daze, Duke spotted him and hesitantly approached, already unsure as to how he was going to reveal what he had heard moments before. To make matters worse, Duke noticed the misery in Gomer's face and became increasingly concerned. It was all he could do to figure out how to put it delicately.

"Gome, you should sit down," Duke thoughtfully offered, the anxiety in his voice showing. "This is going to hit hard."

Gomer sank onto a nearby bench, his already weak legs shaking involuntarily. He nodded to Duke, his tired voice lacking strength and emotion as he said, "Okay, Duke. What's wrong?"

"Gomer..." Duke sighed, holding Gomer by the shoulders as he looked him in the eyes, his own eyes filled with worry as he realized he just had to say it. "Buddy, listen. Sergeant Carter is gone. He passed away last night."

Time suddenly halted. It felt as if Gomer's heart had shattered into a million shards, pins and needles overtaking every inch of his body. A state of silencing shock interrupted his train of thought as he took in Duke's words. For several minutes, all he could do was stare blindly as Duke sat beside him, waiting for him to react.

"Wh-what?" Gomer stammered, his voice showing unbearable pain like he nothing he had ever experienced before.

Duke remained quiet for a moment, trying not to cry in front of his friend before finally speaking up. "I'm so sorry I had to be the one to tell you, Gome. But you're not alone. We're all here for you, buddy. It's going to be okay."

With that, Duke patted Gomer's shoulder once more before walking away. Gomer continued to sit on the bench, numb of any thought or feeling. A whirlwind of thoughts rushed through his mind, leaving him unable to shed a tear. How could someone so full of life and vitality be taken away in an instant? How would the world carry on without Sergeant Carter's raspy voice and fierce devotion to the core values of the military?

Gomer's mind reeled, replaying every moment he had shared with of Sergeant Carter. His heart ached as he recalled the drill sergeant's constant support and the belief he had instilled in Gomer that he could be something greater. A wave of guilt washed over him as he realized he hadn't even had a chance to properly say goodbye. How he longed to simply hear so much as the sergeant's echoing yell of "Pyle!" just one more time.

As the reality sank in, Gomer's shock slowly transformed into a sorrowful void. His eyes finally filled with tears, but they refused to fall. The world seemed to move along without him, his mind unable to process anything.

Gomer sat on the bench for what seemed like forever, wondering and hoping that perhaps he had heard wrong. After a time, he slowly began to process Duke's words and accept the enormity of the loss. Sergeant Carter, his best friend, his mentor was gone forever, and Gomer was left with hole in his heart that no amount of time would ever fill. He not only felt for himself but for the loss his fellow platoon would feel, let alone the sergeant's beloved Bunny.

In that moment, Gomer vowed to honor Sergeant Carter's memory, his guidance, and the values he had instilled. Combined with the pain of Lou-Ann's departure, losing Sergeant Carter consumed every inch of his being, reshaping his very perspective on life itself. His beloved sergeant's passing would forever remind him to cherish every moment, hold on to those we love dearly, and never take a single breath for granted.