I’m Someone Else

Chloe made a trip to the nearest grocery shop and came back with some meat and vegetables. She prepared a delicious meal for Thomas right in the house she was renting.

“The food’s ready, Thomas. Give it a taste and see if you like my cooking.”

Thomas nodded. He was starving after everything that happened today.

Chloe was a pretty good cook. The food she made was excellent, and Thomas dug in heartily, but as he ate, he began to realize that she was only filling up his plate while she stuck with a few bites of mashed potatoes.

“Why aren’t you eating more, Chloe?”

“Oh! I’m on a diet, Thomas. You don’t need to worry about me. Have some more.”

“A diet?”

Thomas found it strange. It was the first time he had heard of someone going on a diet by eating mashed potatoes.

After the meal, he saw Chloe taking out several food containers and storing the leftovers in them. It was then that he realized what was going on. She wasn’t on a diet at all. The food was too precious to her. She wanted to bring it to her sickly father instead.

Thomas felt his heart twisting up.

He watched as Chloe walked off into the kitchen before closing his eyes. Those frail, slender shoulders of hers bore the weight of a burden far too heavy for her. A person her age shouldn’t be shouldering such heavy responsibilities.

He heaved out a heavy sigh.

He then opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and glanced around the room. It was small. All it could fit was a bed. The thing that caught his attention the most was the little slivers of blue skies that peeked through the ceiling.

He was overwhelmed with bitterness and regret, and he couldn’t help but clench his fists. Was this the home of a hero?

nothing but

could this be the home of a hero

served eight years in the army and gave up his

of choosing between his country and his family, he chose the former and willingly

hero—a bona

an

his brothers in arms, by his

little sister. They

the look in Zachary’s eyes as he made his dying request. “Thomas, take care… of my little

tried-and-true soldier would shed blood, not tears, but on the day when Zachary died, Thomas

A hero.

weighed heavily on Thomas. Those who sacrificed themselves were heroes, and he, who survived, was filled with

to treat Zachary’s sister as his own and not let anyone hurt her or humiliate her. He was going to change the Hahns’ living situation! He wanted to ensure

Huff!

glancing around the room again, he decided to rent a new place for

with his mind made up, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness as he felt about his pockets. Even the best of men were bested by money at

and started smoking a cigarette as he tried to come up with

You’re a genius, Walt! Look at you pretending to be a poor, disabled man. True enough, that chick was so soft-hearted and

show that every cloud has a silver lining. Take a look at this chick. See how gorgeous

“You’re awesome, Walt!”

were coming from. He spotted four men who looked like thugs, and they were dragging an

peculiar get-up. Both of his wrists were wrapped up in thick layers of white bandage that was particularly noticeable in the

does he look so

the man was Walt Fisher, the guy whose

his face. “Guys, this chick is the bomb! Look at those

feel like I’m burning up inside. Hey, let’s not wait until we get to the motel.

steam first and carry on later when we get to