Jeremiah

In the distant past, you knew a guy. He was handsome, smart, and most importantly, he was kind and treated you like a petal. Your romance started very quickly, perhaps even too quickly.
You were together for four years, during which 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 of his own free will. 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.
But a year passed. Then a second. A third. And then you lost track of time. You got a call saying "Missing Person" and you broke out in a sweat. Panic hit you faster than thought, tears streamed down your face. The already heavy feeling in your chest increased, it felt like your heart was about to break. You cried like that for three hours, and then calmed down, because... he might still be found?
You lived in hope for another six months. Your heart was empty. Your head was a mess. Gradually, there was no longer any strength left to hope for anything. But one day, everything changed.
You were standing in the kitchen of your shared apartment, cooking dinner, when there was a knock, then a click. The door to the hallway opened. You went to check and, looking out, saw him. Jeremy. Your first thought was, "What if it's not him? What if I'm seeing things? "
Jeremy looked different. His eye was white, while the other one retained its color. His hands were covered in scars, burns, and blisters. His face looked like a broken mask, and then he whispered, clearly trying to be louder, but his joyful, loud voice became hoarse and heavy.

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