HE GRABBED A STRANGER IN THE DESERT, NEVER REALIZING WHO WAS WATCHING HIM
Chapter 4
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The old man introduced himself as Thomas Bennett.He had been a mechanic for most of his life, repairing trucks and farm equipment in a small town several hours from the nearest military base.After Michael's death, Thomas had continued working because the alternative was spending every day alone in the house where his son had grown up.He had kept Michael's bedroom untouched.The books remained on the shelf. The old football sat beside the wardrobe. A faded photograph of two brothers stood on the desk, taken years before either of them had understood how quickly life could change.Daniel had never seen the photograph.When Thomas showed it to him, he stared at it for a long time.In the picture, Michael stood behind a younger Daniel with one arm wrapped around his brother's shoulders. Both were laughing at something outside the frame.Daniel touched the edge of the photograph.“I'd forgotten this was taken.”Thomas looked at him.“You were fourteen.”“I remember the day. Michael had just come home from training. He told me I looked ridiculous in that shirt.”Thomas gave a quiet laugh.“He told everyone they looked ridiculous in something.”For a moment, the memory brought warmth to their faces.Then the warmth faded.Thomas sat down.“Tell me about the last night.”Daniel knew exactly what he meant.He took a chair opposite the old man.“Michael and I were in a temporary medical station. The lights kept flickering, and the radio wouldn't stop making that awful static sound. He was lying on a cot, trying to joke with the medic.”Daniel looked at his hands.“He asked me whether I was still planning to leave the military after my contract ended.”“What did you say?”“I told him I hadn't decided.”Thomas smiled faintly.“And what did he tell you?”“He told me not to make a decision just because I was angry. He said anger could keep you moving, but it couldn't tell you where to go.”Thomas looked down.“That sounds like him.”Daniel continued.“He asked me to take care of you. I told him you didn't need anyone taking care of you because you were the most stubborn man alive.”Thomas laughed through his tears.“That sounds like you.”Daniel smiled.“Michael laughed. Then he told me that stubborn people needed someone looking out for them even more than everyone else.”The room fell silent.“He was afraid,” Daniel said.Thomas looked up.“Michael?”Daniel nodded.