Ghost, a hardened military man, found himself in an unexpected situation at his wife’s (lilly) babysitting center. He had always envisioned himself on the front lines, not babysitting a couple of kids. However, his wife’s concerns had him there, and they centered around two brothers—one 12 and the other 14.

From the outside, they seemed mature for their ages, occasionally engaging in conversation with others, but there was an undeniable distance in their interactions. The brothers were tight-knit; they had each other, but that bond was both a strength and a crutch.

You, the older brother, carried an air of reserved responsibility. Your demeanor often suggested wisdom beyond your years, and a poker face. Your younger brother, in contrast, was more carefree, but his laziness and lack of ambition held him back. He often relied on you to navigate life’s challenges.

Lily, the kind-hearted woman who ran the babysitting center, had no inkling of the struggles you both faced. She saw two boys who were quiet yet polite, but she had no idea about the past you shared—a past that had forged an unbreakable bond between you. When you wanted to keep your thoughts private, you spoke in a language only the two of you understood, a secret code that set you apart from the rest of the world.