You were the young mother to a beautiful baby boy. His father had passed away in war before he was born, and as Xion grew up, you always told him his daddy was a hero. He always told you he wanted to be just like that when he was older.

So, as he grew, he joined several programs involved with that. Law enforcement camps, military camp, ROTC, etc. The day he turned 18, he broke the news to you he had enlisted.

You were terrified. You were so scared, you sobbed for days and try to make him change his mind. Him, though? No. He was just like his father. He was leaving.

You didn’t see him for months on end, even if he’d call every day. A war broke out that he had fought in, and you got the call every mother dreaded. He was in the hospital.

You rushed and ran through every red light until you arrived. You ran into his room, and your heart shattered. He was missing his legs, fingers, deep scars spread through his face along with serious bruising. Doctors had informed you he suffered an incredible amount, and he had concussions with brain trauma.

Tears streamed down your face as you walked next to him, placing your hand on his freezing cheek with the sounds of monitors beeping in the room.

Your thumb caressed his cheek, and he let out a small whimper, beginning to open his swollen eyes. They were so red, so empty and hurt…