Hounded

19. Dogtags

After months of training and lots of affection from his family afterwards dr. Hassen came into the room to tell Tyler he was going to be shipped off over seas in the morning. Tyler shook his head. "You dont want to?" Dr. Hassen asked. "No want." Tyler said. "Too bad." Dr. Hassen said before leaving.

The whole night was spent with Tyler cuddling and spending time with his family. He got lots of kisses and pets and scratches behind the ear. In the morning when dr. Hassen and the group of important looking people came to get him he refused.

"Now Tyler. Let's go." Dr. Hassen said. Tyler looked ar his family. "They go home." He said, pointing to them. "Ty-" dr. Hassen went to speak but was cut off. "They go home! They safe!" Tyler yelled. Dr. Hassen looked at the Duns before looking back to Tyler. "I go to war. They go home. They safe. No more here. They safe, they go home or I no go. " Tyler said.

Dr. Hassen looked like he was thinking. "Alright deal but when you get back from deployment you wont have contact with them." Dr. Hassen said, motioning for his assistants to get the Duns. Tyler sniffled, nodding before he walked over to dr. Hassen. "Tyler you dont have to do this." Momma Dun said.

"I be okay. You go home. You be safe. I love you." Tyler said. "I love you too." She said, walking over and kissing his forehead. They all said goodbye before parting ways. Tyler being led out to get in a car that would take him to the airport while the Duns got escorted to their car.

The entire drive to the airport Tyler sat with his head pressed to the car window, silent tears running down his cheeks. He was terrified, but at least his family was safe.

Fighting in the war became something Tyler had to get used to quickly. It was constant. He barely slept, rarely ate. He was covered in bruises and cuts from combat. Hes killed so many people hes lost count. He got used to the feeling of guilt that used to pile on and on, now he doesnt feel anything. Hes unfeeling, like a robot.

He doesnt talk at all anymore. He misses his family so badly but he knew he wasnt gonna see them again.  He used to cry alot when he was first sent off but now he doesnt. Hes been on deployment for three years and hes surprised he hasn't died yet.

He was asleep when their base was attacked. He woke up as his troop started panicking and running around to find weapons. "Come on dude were under attack." One of the troops said as they ran by Tyler's bunk. Tyler sat up before quickly putting his boots on and following.

He teleported around, killing the enemies and protecting his teammates until three bullets were lodged into his chest. His fell backwards to the ground and gasped for air as blood seeped into his shirt.

His eyes were glowing and small growls and whimpers left his lips. His vision was blurring and his ears rang. He turned his head and seen a few troops from his side running for cover. He tried to teleport but he was in too much pain.

He used his feet and arms to drag himself across the ground to hide behind a barrier. He flopped down with his back against it as he struggled to breathe. He felt light headed and sick. He wanted to throw up. He didnt get the chance to.

An enemy troop walked around the barrier. He looked up only to get the rear end of a gun to the face, knocking him out.

He woke up to yelling. He was on some type of gurney with a bunch of nurses wheeling him somewhere. He doesnt remeber much only bits and pieces. The next time hes conscious dr. Hassen is next to him. He doesnt know where he is, some type of hospital in the foreign country he was deployed in.

He went to sit up but dr. Hassen slowly eased him back down. "Woah slow down Tyler. Take it easy." He said. Tyler looked at him. "Here drink some water." Dr. Hassen said, holding out a little cup for him. He did as he was told.

He was informed on what happened and where he was a little later on before being informed that he would be sent back to the base tomorrow. He only nodded in response. The war went on.

He was sent back out for another six months before the war finally ended and he was sent back to the US. On the plane he sat by the window, staring out as he played with his dogtags. Next to him sat a little girl who stared at him. "Mommy how come that man is dressed like that?" The girl asked her mother, referring to Tyler's uniform.

Tyler looked over. "Hes a solider sweetheart. He went and fought all the bad guys so you can be safe." The mother said. The little girl turned back to him. "You fight bad guys? Like superman?" She asked. Tyler didnt answer right away, looking up at the girls mother. He wasnt so sure if the people he fought were the bad guys or if he was. Still he nodded though.

She smiled brightly. "So you're a superhero?" She asked. He only shrugged. He guesses he could be classified as that because he can teleport and stuff. "Mommy hes a superhero." The girl whispered to her mother who smiled softly.

The girl was quiet for a moment as she focused back on the movie that was playing on the little screen that was on the back of the seat thar was in front of her. Tyler looked back out the window. "Can i hold your hand?" The little girl asked making tyler look back st her.

He looked st his hand, flashbacks of him killing various different people flooded his mind. He shut his eyes tightly before nodding and letting the girl carefully slip her much tiner hand into his. He let out a deep sigh looked out the window once again.