It's A Long Way Home

Private Morrison's bullet had deliberately missed Ray Coleman's heart by a mere inch. Even though he was still badly injured but it was not fatal. And he still had enough strength to take the wolf's life just by his bare hands. The poor wolf struggled for a minute or two before letting out its last breath. 

Ray managed to get up after a few attempts. He looked around and then walked towards a tall coconut tree. He knelt down and started digging. Soon, he found a waterproof bag in the ground and took it out right away. There were only a few items in the bag but all were life savers to him.

Ray first made use of the lighter, surgical knife and hard liquor. The lighter was for disinfection of the knife and the liquor was for the same purpose, but for his injured chest. He then proceeded on to remove the bullet using the surgical knife. He had no choice for that was the only way to stay alive. The pain was so intensive that he passed out for a good ten minutes right after the bullet was removed. 

Ray quickly bandaged the wound once regained consciousness. What is next? Food, obviously. He needed the strength to escape from this living hell. And the wolf was an obvious choice to fill his stomach. He did not like sushi and any other raw food but he had to do whatever necessary to get back to shape.

The next things he made good use of was the local currency, followed by a United States passport. He was clearly well prepared for any unexpected events and all his preparations really paid off. He tidied up his burial ground before leaving as he did not want General Richardson ever found out that he was still alive. On the record, Ray Coleman was dead. End of story. The name printed on the passport was Ray Parker instead.

For the next few days, he traveled legally and illegally to get back home. He had a mission when he came to this foreign land two years ago. Now that his mission had failed, he really wanted to see Ellen right away.

Ellen Shaw. They met each in high school. He was the star athlete and she was the prettiest cheerleader. She was his first true love and they had been together since graduation. And, of course, since their wedding. Well, until he accepted this mission and ended up in battle after battle. 

He had thought about giving up and went home. But, c'mon, giving it all up after that he had gone through for the last two years? And he was so close to completion at one time. Anyway, it was all over now for time being.

Ray arrived at Anaheim, Orange County five days later. He had entered the country using a different identity of course. He seriously wanted to keep his return under General Richardson's radar. 

Anaheim was the home of Disneyland and his hometown. As it was near to five in the evening, so he waited for Ellen outside her office block, with red roses in his hand as gift. He did not inform her about his homecoming, with the intention of giving her a pleasant surprise. 

She was a law graduate and worked in a law firm as a junior lawyer, an occupation that made him proud of her. A conventional nine to five job which was a huge contrast to his living on the edge job.

Ray did not wait too long before seeing Ellen walking out from the office block together with other staff. She tied up her long blonde hair and wore a black suit, looking as beautiful as ever. 

That's my Ellen! Ray was indeed happy to see his wife in person all the separation. 

Just when Ray wanted to run to her, there was a man behind her calling out her name. It was a good looking bloke in his early thirties. Ellen turned around and was full of smiles when seeing him. And before Ray could figure out what was going on, she opened her arms and hugged the man.

Emmm... This is just a friendly hug... Ray paused and continued watching them.

They chatted for a short while before walking towards the car park, hand in hand. 

Ray watched them with a furrowed brow. Maybe they are really good friends. Maybe he is a gay and is her BFF... Again, he tried to convince himself that it was nothing.

However, the next thing they did really blew Ray's mind. The man actually kissed Ellen on her lips while walking and she accepted it with a huge grin. Ray could no longer come up with excuses that they were merely friends or colleagues. He walked towards them and greeted Ellen with a forced smile on his face, "Hey!"

Ellen was shocked when seeing her husband appeared from nowhere and stood right in front of her. She was a little awkward and let go the man's man immediately. "Hey Ray! You are back! You didn't tell me!"

Ray shrugged, "Wanna give you a surprise." He then handed her the bouquet of flowers in his hand. "This is for you. Yellow roses, your favorite."

Ellen accepted the roses with an embarrassing look on her face. 

The man beside her looked at Ray curiously and then suddenly snapped his finger. "I think I know who you are! You are Ray, right?"

Ray nodded.

"Ray, this is Frank. He is a founding partner of my law firm." Ellen quickly introduced the men to each other. "Frank, this is, emm, Ray."

"Nice to meet you. I am Ellen's husband." Ray made his point clear while still being polite. He could kill this guy with just one finger but no, he was not a barbarian.

"Oh yes!" Frank gave him a 'I know who you are' look. "Ellen told me that you were in the army long time ago." 

He took a good look at Ray and realized that the man in front of him was a huge bloke. So, he backed off a little and spoke to Ellen, "I guess you two need some time to catch up. I will see you tomorrow in the office. Same place, same time!" 

He then stepped into a luxurious Lexus and drove away while waving goodbye to Ellen.

Ellen Shaw kept her arms crossed while staring at Ray, "It's good that you're home finally."

Though unhappy with what he just saw, Ray still managed to give Ellen his best smile, "I'm happy to see you here in Anaheim, our hometown, eventually."

However, the next sentence spit out from Ellen struck him like lightning. "I have filed for divorce and it's good that you are home to sign the papers."