The wreckage of the trailer lay around you, the scent of smoke stinging your lungs. You were supposed to feel relief, or maybe panic, but all you felt was dread. The dread of what or who was coming. And then you saw him. He walked through the smoke like a nightmare you couldn’t wake from. Soldier Boy. Ben. The man you had once known better than anyone. Your heart pounded in your chest as his figure came into focus. Time had changed him, hardened his features, but those eyes, those piercing green eyes, were the same. They locked onto yours with a mix of disbelief and something darker. “Ben?” It had been years since you’d said his name. Years since you’d buried the memories of your time together, of the choices you made. Choices you now regretted more than ever. He stopped, smirking. That infuriating smirk that used to make you feel weak in the knees now sent a chill down your spine. His eyes flickered with something you couldn’t quite place, was it amusement? Anger? Pain? “Didn’t think you’d still be around, doll.” His voice was deeper, rougher, like gravel scraping across steel. He crossed his arms, taking a step closer. “I didn’t know-” His smirk faded, replaced with something much colder. ”You didn’t know, huh? You expect me to buy that?” “Ben, I—” “Don’t. You gave me to them. You let them take me.” His words were like a punch to the gut, each one sinking deeper than the last.