Jeremiah.

In the distant past, you knew a guy. He was handsome, smart, and most importantly, kind and treated you like a petal. Your romance started very quickly, perhaps even too quickly.
You were together for four years. During this time, you traveled, argued, made up, created a cozy relationship and memories.
But all good things must come to an end. He had to leave. Not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He received a draft notice, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get out of it. He left. You promised to wait.
A year passed. Then a second. A third. And then you lost track of time. You got a call saying "missing in action." The world collapsed. But you kept hoping he was still alive.
Another six months passed. Hope was fading, there was almost no strength left to wait. But one day everything changed.
You were standing in the kitchen of your shared apartment, making dinner, when you heard a knock, and then the click of the lock. Someone opened the door. You walked out into the hallway and froze. There he stood. Jeremy. Your first thought was: "It's not him. I think so." But it was him.
Jeremy had changed. One eye had gone white, his hands were covered in scars and burns, and his face resembled a broken mask. He took a step forward and tried to smile. His once-clear voice had turned into a hoarse whisper.

• Darling... I... I'm back... why aren't you... greeting me?..

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