Vernon felt a surge of exhilaration as he breathed in the familiar air of his hometown, the cab weaving through streets brimming with memories. Each passing landmark amplified his excitement; the joy of returning home was almost overwhelming.
As the cab turned onto his street, Vernon’s heart fluttered with anticipation. The thought of seeing his neatly trimmed lawn and sinking into the comfort of his own bed filled him with childlike delight. How he had longed for this moment!
But Vernon had no inkling of the shock awaiting him. Instead of a warm cup of coffee and the embrace of a well-kept home, what greeted him as he stepped out of the cab made his blood run cold.
Growing up in a military family, Vernon was no stranger to the soldier’s life. His father, grandfather, and several cousins had all served, making military service a proud family legacy.
So when Vernon enlisted in the Marines at twenty-five, it felt like a natural progression—a continuation of tradition. His family supported his decision wholeheartedly.
Vernon’s service began stateside and later took him to Afghanistan. The day of his return was a moment he had long awaited. The violence and chaos he had witnessed were things he yearned to leave behind.
He dreamed of a simpler life, far from the battlefield. Thanks to his savings and U.S. military subsidies, he had purchased a modest home—a symbol of the peaceful future he had fought so hard to secure.
During the cab ride, Vernon imagined drawing a hot bath and preparing a stack of fluffy pancakes, a treat he hadn’t enjoyed in over a year. The thought brought him a warm, comforting glow.
As he gazed out the window, the sight of tidy lawns and quiet streets soothed him after the turbulence of deployment. Yet that relief quickly curdled into unease the moment he stepped out of the cab.