A Fateful Encounter

Luke awoke to the echoing sound of crocks, his surroundings filled with black creatures. Fear gripped him as the crocks flew away. His head still spinning, he stumbled through the city, now ablaze with flames. The terrorists had left, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction.

With torn and blood-stained clothes, Luke wandered among the lifeless bodies. Overwhelmed with fear and trauma, he found solace on a partially demolished building. Tears streamed down his face as he desperately searched for his parents, their last words urging him to run.

The memories flooded his mind, causing a piercing headache. Luke screamed, a mix of emotions consuming him. Suddenly, the sound of a helicopter pierced the sky. The army had arrived. Soldiers descended from the helicopter, swiftly taking charge of the devastated city, searching for survivors and signs of the terrorists.

Their eyes fell upon Luke, the lone survivor amidst the carnage. A young boy, his condition dire, covered in dust, blood staining his torn clothes and head. Without hesitation, one of the soldiers carried him, leading him back to the safety of the helicopter.

"Sir," the soldier carrying Luke said to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Reynolds, "seems he's the only survivor left."

"Get him in the helicopter," Samuel replied, as the soldier swiftly carried Luke on board.

"We're clear, sir. No terrorists sighted. It seems they are all gone," the team of soldiers reported upon their return to Samuel.

"They couldn't have gone far," Samuel said, pulling out his walkie-talkie to make a call back to the base.

"Come in, this is Lieutenant 1A245," Samuel spoke into the walkie-talkie, and soon received a reply.

"Hello, Lieutenant. What's your status?" a voice came through the walkie-talkie, straight from the base. It was the general commander.

"Sir, we need three helicopters with some more team soldiers, sir. It seems we're going on a hunt," Samuel reported.

"Copy that. Stay at your location. Backup is going to be sent and will arrive within 30 minutes," the commander instructed.

"Sounds like a plan," Samuel said, returning the walkie-talkie to his pocket.

"Take him back to the base and get him treated. He really needs it," Samuel ordered one of the soldiers who was holding Luke in the helicopter.

"Alright, sir, Lieutenant. Will do," the soldier replied.

"Now move it," Samuel commanded the pilot flying the helicopter. The pilot took off, carrying the soldier and Luke, while Samuel and his team of soldiers stayed behind, awaiting backup.

As the helicopter soared through the sky, the clouds failed to capture Luke's attention. His mind was consumed with the events of the previous night.

As the pilot skillfully guided the helicopter back to their base, landing steadily. As the helicopter touched down, a few soldiers welcomed Luke and escorted him to the nearest hospital for a thorough checkup and treatment.

After several hours, Samuel returned with his team of soldiers. A smile played on his lips as he remarked, "That was quite a hunt." His gaze fell upon the soldier who had been left in charge of Luke. "So, where is the boy?" Samuel inquired.

The soldier saluted and replied, "We have taken him to the nearby hospital, Lieutenant, sir."

"Ah, excellent. I believe I have some free time. Why don't you fetch my car? I'd like to pay him a visit," Samuel instructed the soldier.

"Right away, sir. I'll get your car keys," the soldier responded, collecting Samuel's car keys and heading towards the vehicle. Samuel settled into the back seat, ready to embark on his journey.

With two cars filled with a small contingent of soldiers trailing behind for added protection, Samuel's car pulled up outside the hospital. Stepping out of the vehicle, Samuel made his way inside and approached the receptionist.

"Excuse me, a young boy was recently admitted here by my men, approximately seven to eight years old," Samuel explained to the nurse behind the reception desk.

The nurse nodded and kindly directed him, saying, "Just walk straight ahead and then turn left. He is in ward 7."

"Thank you," Samuel acknowledged with a nod, walking straight ahead, followed closely by two of his soldiers. As he turned left, he encountered the doctor emerging from the ward where Luke was receiving care.

"Hey Doc," Samuel greeted the doctor. "You here for him, right?"

"Yeah," Samuel replied.

"So, may I ask how you're related to him?" the doctor inquired.

"Well, we're not related. We found him in a city that had just been raided by terrorists. It seemed like he was the only survivor," Samuel explained.

"Oh, that must have been intense. Do you know what might have happened to his parents?" the doctor asked.

"I presume they're dead," Samuel replied.

"That's sad," the doctor said sympathetically.

"So, how is he doing?" Samuel inquired.

"Well, he's doing good. He had a slight crack on his skull due to the fall he had, but he's going to get better. However, there is another issue," the doctor explained.

"And what's that?" Samuel asked, concerned.

"Given the state you said you found him in and during treatment, I noticed he is traumatized. His mind seems stuck in the same situation where he lost his parents, as he keeps repeating the word 'run.' It's possible for memories of the incident to keep occurring to him as nightmares," the doctor revealed.

"Oh, I see. So, what's going to happen? Will he receive any treatment?" Samuel asked, wanting to help.

"No, all he needs is to be around somebody loving and not stay alone. Just try and get him a better place to live and make sure he stays happy," the doctor advised.

"Alright, got it. Can I check on him?" Samuel requested.

"Yeah, sure," the doctor agreed, leaving to make her way to her office.

"You two stay here," Samuel instructed the two guards, motioning for them to remain outside Luke's ward. He entered the room to find Luke already awake.

"Hey boy," Samuel greeted with a warm smile as he settled himself on the couch beside Luke's sick bed. "How are you holding up?"

Luke turned his gaze towards Samuel, his eyes searching for answers. "Why am I here, and what happened to my parents?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and pain.

"I know you must have countless questions, my friend," Samuel replied, his voice filled with empathy. "But for now, let's focus on your recovery. Once you're discharged, we can go back to my place and have a relaxing dinner. And then, we can talk about everything you want to know."

Luke felt a glimmer of comfort as he caught sight of Samuel's friendly smile. It was a small reassurance in the midst of uncertainty.