"Fly me to the moon. Let me play up there with those stars. Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars. In other words, hold my hand. In other words, baby, kiss me—Khaaaaah!"

Charlie spat the lump of chewed tobacco out and swallowed the bitter juice. He watched the rays of light cut into the thick, dark foliage and continued mumbling. Through the night vision binocular, the old man could see soldiers and their dogs. He couldn't see them, however. Charlie hoped they could get to him on time. He would wait here for as long as he could, but it wouldn't be forever. There was not much else he could do. His aim was rusty, and leaving this vantage point would be suicidal.

"Come on, Robert boy... Where are you?" Charlie whispered and scanned the landscape again, hoping to see the familiar silhouette.

Sudden rustles from behind pushed him to the ground with his hands on the old GLOCK 19. His finger was on the trigger. Charlie lay on his back and pointed the gun up at the pitch-black forest.

"Wow! Charlie... It's us!"

A familiar voice broke Charlie's tension, but new waves of anxiety came almost immediately.

"What took you so long?" Charlie switched his gun safety back on and put it in his pants waistband while standing up.

"You know."

Charlie rolled his eyes at Robert's nonchalant answer. He didn't know, but it was not hard to guess. Charlie squeezed his eyes at the group before exclaiming, "Lou-Lou."

"Be careful, Charlie. She's hurt."

Robert stepped in front of the girl before Charlie could rush over to give her a bear hug. The boy had always acted like a mother hen back then. Charlie had almost forgotten about it.

He scratched his head and laughed, "Follow me."

"Where are we going?" The man in hospital gown, who Charlie had purposely ignored, gave him a look. The air of authority emitting from him put Charlie in a foul mood.

"Ha, General. You need to learn patience."

"I don't think you know who you'r—"

"Dad, please! Not now!" The girl shut him up.

Charlie pointed to his ear, "Hear that?"

"What's that?" The boy with a funny man-bun looked around.

"Well, follow me. You'll see," Charlie smirked.

He led the group through thick bushes, ignoring the hushed questions the general occasionally threw at Robert. The boy could fend for himself, and the general would have to learn that he was not in control anymore.

The closer they got to the destination, the louder that mysterious sound was. At this point, it was not very much a mystery anymore. As if someone had opened a giant tap, the whole area was mist up.

"Prepare to get wet!" Charlie screamed.