𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 | A Triple Frontier Fanfiction

Prologue

SOUTHBOUND
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FOR FOUR YEARS, Billie had tried to navigate life solo away from her brother, in a new city, a new place to call home. But New York never felt like home as she got busy seeking her purpose in a life she couldn't even recognize anymore. Her country's service had consumed her whole, stolen the tranquillity of her night. The faces haunted her. Although she attempted to leave it all behind and move forward, she never really could.

Trapped in a lacklustre library job she could barely go by, at twenty-four, Billie expected life to be more settled. However, each passing day reminded her that her journey was far from perfect. She was lost on her own, with no one to guide her but she refused to admit that she did indeed need help every time her brother would call.

Deep within her thoughts, Billie longed for the moments spent with her unit. They were more than mentors and brothers; they were once her support system when she had no one else to count on. Yet, she knew she had to let them go in order to move on. At least that's what she thought until she found herself in a new city, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.

It was August when she reluctantly agreed to visit her brother after two whole years. During that prior visit, he had imposed himself on her unexpectedly for a few days as he visited her in New York, insistent on checking on his little sister and despite his continuous efforts to persuade her to return to Florida, she remained stubborn like she had always been.

For the past few years, Tom had been living on his own after separating from Molly whom he left his daughter Tess with, essentially juggling responsibilities for two households, almost three if Billie hadn't insisted that she would be fine. But of course, she lied. In reality, she could barely afford to sustain herself, yet she refused to depend on her brother.

Tom wasn't faring well either; his real estate business had hit a rough patch, and he found himself grappling with financial difficulties, particularly with Tess on the brink of graduating from high school and enrolling in university. Billie felt a deep sense of sadness. They shouldn't be facing such struggles, especially after everything they had sacrificed in service to their country and yet they did.

The creaking of the living room door pulled Billie out of her brief reverie. In her little daydream, she stood there, staring down at a picture of her and Tom—the one he always kept on display in the living room.

Tom stepped into the room, juggling bags of groceries as he skillfully shut the door with his foot. "Hey," he greeted, mustering a weary smile.

"Hey," Billie reciprocated the smile, stepping forward to assist her brother with the bags.

"I've got it, don't worry, Bee," he assured her.

As Tom unpacked the groceries on the kitchen counter, Billie gazed around, trying to find her words. "What's all that for?" she asked.

Tom sighed, sharing a glance with Billie. "Have you been eating?"

"Yes?" Billie retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You're almost skin and bones," Tom added.

"I've been busy with work," she explained.

Tom's expression shifted. "Bee, you can't keep doing this," he implored, placing his hands over the counter and fixing his gaze on her, but she continued to avoid meeting his eyes. "We're family, and we take care of each other."

She shifted uncomfortably before she spoke again, sightly meeting his eyes. "I'm handling things just fine," she hissed a hint of defensiveness in her tone.