Page 62 of Shifting Years
"Sir, I don't have a girl. Never did. I have aman. A man I love."
The fatherly warmth left his face, replaced by a stone-cold stare. Likewise, I changed in his eyes from someone who saved a fellow soldier to someone he couldn't use. Instead of a survivor, I was one ofthem.He would have given me everything most men wanted, and all I had to do was play along, never breaking character and praying nobody discovered until the day I died.
The little man in my visions was sometimes older and implied we stayed together, despite everything.That must mean something.
"I understand," said the general gruffly. His face softened for a moment. Maybe there was a sliver of respect, or maybe he was just relieved I hadn't embarrassed him. Whatever the reason, I didn't belong in his army, and I wouldn't be the hero in the papers.
The general turned on his heel, the photographer trailing behind. He paused, back still to me, then barked his order. "Let him go. He's not a traitor, but he's not the man we need."
***
This wasn't a standard army base but with enough soldiers for me to feel their eyes on me. To some, I was a traitor, and to others something worse. Rumors leaked out. I'd leave soon, by choice or not, but I had unfinished business.
Inside a converted office was worn medical equipment and a few hospital beds. On white sheets—thankfully free of blood—lay Bobby with a gauze patch on his neck. Tubes attached to his arm, giving him a vague Frankenstein's Monster feel, especially with his swollen forehead.
"My man, the hero," he said with no sarcasm. His hand slapped against mine and he winced. Guards behind me, stationed outside the room, stilled and slowed their breathing, waiting for me to say something traitorous. My new ears came in handy.
"I told them the truth," he said loudly. "How you saved me, the times they tortured you, and how you tried to save the others." His voice lowered. "Dig?"
I did. There was no mention of a wolf, and I left out details, like my double. My heart raced while I admitted what I told the general. Bobby nodded, as if I had just told him the sky was blue.
"Don't matter, because you're my brother."
"Never had one, I think, but I'd like that." I'd been shot and stabbed with bamboo, but nothing hurt like this throat burn.
His expression turned serious, and he pointed to himself before making the maybe gesture. Even beaten up, he was a good-looking man, but I never felt anything for him. Something told me he had his own discovery, and he wouldn't need me. We made promises to look each other up in the States, and I hoped I'd see him in Los Angeles one day.
Higher-ups would push me out of the army, and I had enough war for a lifetime. Hopefully, this will be the last. I did my duty to a country which didn't want me, and it was time to fulfill it to a tiny mansomewhereon the planet. I had clues and the army had my records. How long could it take?
***
"How long?" asked Kim.
"Years," said Mike with a tremble.
"Didn't your other self help you?"
"No, and I'm still unsure what he was." I shrugged. "A possible future me who wasn't sure of his choices?" My hand rested on Mike's shoulder. "I don't have his insecurities."
"So your double never visited?"
"No, because I—"
Mike rolled his eyes up and huffed.
"—wishedhe'd go away so he did," I finished. "Explain why I don't have any other power, Mike? Tell me. You sense what people need. Mary's immune to poison. Penny senses fear. Tina and Dawn change reality like I do, although my wishes go wrong. Theirs don't."
"Youdidn't cause it," said Mike. "You're confusing causation with correlation."
"Or you're jealous because the ROTC guy who didn't read metaphysical books can do what you can't."
He folded his arms. "I was trying to make you feel better and I'm not going to argue."
"So, what happened?" asked Kim louder than normal.
"Dishonorably discharged," I said. "All the help that could have led me to discover my identity isn't available to someone with my history. Every time I'd check in, they'd do a background screening and stall for time. Figured continually asking for attention wasn't smart, so…"
"He did what I always thought I'd do," said Mike. "He hitchhiked the country while I stayed home whereithappened." His faint green eyes looked up, growing wetter with every second. "I can do it. It's time to hear about Henry the monster, the real one."
