Max

Memories are a strange notion.

I remember small bits and pieces of my childhood. Moments of my brother and I swinging in the backyard or walking to school together in the morning. I remember our Christmases, or the time we decided to make thanksgiving dinner for mom which ended in a disaster when we nearly caught the house on fire. I remember when I got the call about dad's death, and the moment I met Shawna. But, as I walk slowly down the corridor that is filled with filthy cell after filthy cell, the same memory kindles inside me on constant set of repetitive notions.

The first time my squad was on assignment to go around a city and make sure there was no danger. I was petrified, worried that any little mistake could not only cost me my life, but the lives of my brothers. The army trains us to be brave, to make a life changing decision in the blink of an eye, but it doesn't teach you not to be human. So, naturally your main worry is that your human aspects will make a turn for the worst.

A noise rattles from twenty yards in front of me as I make my way to the second to last cell. I pull out my gun and pull the safety back. I reach the nearest cell and look inside. This one has blood in it like the others except this one is fresh, and there is a shattered wooden chair on the ground. I briefly remember the wooden legs and arm pieces attached to Shawna when she ran into me. My blood boils thinking of what he might have done to her. I hope she made it out and ran into Austin or Shane.

I continue walking down the narrow hallway and reach a door that has seen better days. This one is different than the other one. I can tell automatically that this one has no lock attached to it. If Julian is in here, then he may have something attached to the door. Slowly, I walk over and nudge it with my gun. It opens with a loud creak and I observe the door.

Nothing.

Opening the door wide, I walk inside and see a number of steps leading to a corridor, just like the other wing. Just as I'm about to reach the top, a board flies out at me and hits me right in the face. My body goes flying backwards hitting each step as I go down. I land with a thud on my back, hitting the last step hard and my gun goes flying and hits the metal bars of the first cell.

I look up to see Julian walking down the stars with the same board in hand and a gun in the other hand. He looks sinister, as if coming down off of something. I immediately pounce up and ready myself. Robert was always able to take me in combat whenever we trained together. I don't know about special forces but I have a feeling they have the same type of training a solder does.

"This is where you die Stone." He says then lifts the board up once more.

I lift my forearm up just in time as the board collides with my arm. The pain runs from the tips of fingers all the way to my shoulder as I fall back down to the ground. I yell out and scoot back as he comes at me again with the board. This time I manage to kick his shin and watch as he drops the board.

I jump up and punch him right in the jaw, causing his hand to let go of the gun. Julian stands up straight, and then goes into attack mode. His fist collides with my face, his hands grab at my throat before kneeing me in the stomach, and I take it all while giving it right back.

I manage to get one punch in his gut, causing him to falter a little but then he's right back at me. Whatever he must be on is not only enhancing his strength but he most likely can't feel any pain. One more punch to my face and I lay on the floor panting. Julian moves over to grab his gun and points it at me. I stand there stunned thinking this might be it. I close my eyes and think about the fact that he at least had to go through me first. My loved ones will be safe.

Shawna will be safe.

"This is for Robert." Before I hear a gunshot I hear a grunting noise. My eyes pop open when I see Timmons now wrestling with Julian on the ground. The gun drops and they scamper around with each other.

I try to get up but my body is protesting too much. I manage to crawl around on my belly as I try and pry open my swollen eyes and look for the gun. Someone grabs me on my side and I almost begin fighting again until I hear Timmons's voice.

"It's me. We need to get you out of here."

"Where is he?"

"As shitty as you look, it looks like you managed to get some good hits on him. I ran him into the wall and he isn't getting up yet, let's take this opportunity and get the hell out of here. Pretty sure I hear your brother calling out your name upstairs."

I lean some of my weight on Timmons and just as we turn, Julian stands there with the gun in his hand.

Fuck.

"You may have gotten your kid back, but I can still hurt him another way." Julian clocks the gun and aims it right at us.

A shot rings out and I close my eyes, awaiting the pain to surface. When it never does, I reopen them and look to Julian. He is now laying on the ground with a gunshot wound through his chest. I look beyond Julian and see Shawna standing there with my gun in her hands breathing heavily.

Images begin to resurface through my head as I watch Shawna hold the gun at arm's length. Suddenly I'm no longer in the underground hospital but transferred back to the bleak and stark desert. I can see the woman that killed all of my brothers and know without a doubt my mind is going to begin playing tricks on me.

"Timmons, I need you to get her out of here." I beg covering my eyes as she images begin to take over my mind.

"Stone."

"No man, I need her gone now. Take the gun with you too. Just leave quick. I can't be around her right now." Although Timmons knows nothing about my past or my PTSD, he must sense my urgency because he lowers me to the ground gently, then grabs a protesting Shawna and heads up the stairs.

Breathing hard, I stare at the dead man laying in front of my feet. Blood pools around his entire body and I am taken back to the scene where Matthews is telling me he isn't going to make it either way. My heart hurts even more for Ellen and Emma who could have had someone close to them that had a part of Robert with him, but now never will.

A pair of boots come into my vison and I smile when I hear his wise cracking ass make a joke.

"Damn Stone, you've gotten soft in these last couple years." I look up at Matthews, but he looks different than what I'm used to seeing when I envision him.

He isn't wearing his uniform and there is no broken limbs or gaping hole in him. There is no bloody face or destroyed clothing, he looks at peace. He is standing there with his hands in jeans pocket and a white colored t-shirt on. His hair is longer and instead of panic, worry and sadness in his eyes, all I see is a carefree attitude.

"Well, you know, we all can't be Wells." I laugh when I hear him chuckle. "I'm sorry Rob, I know he was your brother but."

"Don't be sorry man. Julian was upset, and pain and anger can easily change a man. You've done right by my girls and that's all I could have asked for. Keep doing that and we'll call it even. I'll take my brother home, he needs some peace now."

"I'm sorry I failed you. I'm so sorry."

"You think that was on you?" He says with humor in his voice. "Oh man c'mon. You know as well as I do that those things happen. Hell, we had a training exercises on the very thing. We got ambushed, end of discussion."

I nod my head not entirely convinced but happy enough to know he holds no grudge.

"Now, go get your girl and do me a favor. Get some help. We may be soldiers but ain't nothing worth a damn to fight for, if they ain't there." I smile then say goodbye for the very last time to my brother.

Standing up, I make the slow agonizing journey up the stairs and stop when I see Timmons, Austin, Shane and Shawna. She is clutching my brother with tears in her eyes and the moment she sees me she leaps onto me and holds me while sobs wreck her body. I hold her, ignoring the pain I feel all over and relish in her warmth.

"I'm so sorry Shawna. I'm going to make it up to you baby. I promise."

"Just don't leave, you big oaf. Never leave me again."

That I can promise her.

I don't plan on going anywhere ever again.