Simon grew up in an unstable environment, surrounded by aggressive and violent people his whole life. He enlisted in the military at his first chance, eager to get out of the toxic environment.

Now he laid down with you kneeling over him on the field, a gunshot wound in his chest. He was only a teenager.

He looked up at you, scanning your face as you attended to the wound.

“Mum..” he chokes out a strained whisper, his eyes half lidded as he tried to stay awake. “It hurts..” he winces.