Saturday mornings are my favorite. Nancy and I go for a walk around the park and end at our favorite cafe on the edge of town. Every Saturday. She knows how much I need order and peace in my life. The same routine every week, the gentle spring breeze rustling the vibrant green leaves in the park- it’s medicine for my soul. My rusted, rotten soul.

__

_ Blood. so much blood. Screams of agony from grown men send shivers down my spine. Their bodies mutilated. Because of me. My own warm blood flows from my shredded knuckles and mixes with the blood of the man I showed no mercy. But that’s what I’m trained to do. They said I’m a good boy. I did what I was told._

“Honey, I’m right here.” Nancy’s soft voice drags me back to life, my eyes fluttering open and my muscles slowly releasing one at a time. Her nimble fingers trace circles on the back of my neck and her gentle smile crinkles her eyes. “You’re okay, Ace. You ready to go walk?” I sigh and nod.

I’d be nothing without my wife. She’s saved me from the raging waters in my head countless times for six years. She’s sat beside me in therapy, silent and strong like an oak tree shading me from the beating sun. Her love is the only reason I can survive the torment of the war crimes I committed. Everyday I get a little better with her by my side.

The bird’s songs echo around the park and the suns morning rays creep higher and higher as our walk drags on in the calmest of ways. The path is empty aside from a few scurrying squirrels and the occasional elderly couple shuffling hand in hand. I suck in the crisp air and watch as Nancy struts a couple steps ahead of me. Her golden hair dances softly and her cheeks are rosy with exertion when she spins and parts her lips to say something. Her smile is contagious. It’s crawls up my skin and curls my lips, baring my teeth. It urges me to laugh before she’s even spoken a word.

But she freezes. She’s as still as stone for a brief moment before her spine stiffens and her silly demeanor shifts into something more… professional. Her eyes transfix on something behind my shoulder. My eyebrows stitch together and my smile drops into a frown. I’ve never seen her like this. A fire ignites in my chest, my heart pounding and fear zapping through me when I spin around to see a massive, familiar man behind us, hands in his pockets and tattoos etched into every inch of his skin. His expression is dangerous. A new scar runs from his eyebrow to his chin.

This is bad. Nobody was ever supposed to find me. They promised me I was done. I could live a normal life. But this- this is Echo. My Lieutenant. The one who made me… _no_. No. This is just in my head. Nancy will snap me out of it any secon-

“Ace.” Her voice isn’t soft anymore. It’s firm, and empty. _No_.

“You’ve done well in recovery these past few years. We’ve decided it’s time for you to get back to work.”

She steps in front of me, her eyes stormy and serious. This isn’t the Nancy I know.

“Baby? Please-please don’t.” I whimper.

Everything begins to spin and my fingers carve into my palms. If she says it… if she utters my activation code- I won’t be in control anymore. _She doesn’t know it._ She wouldn’t- surely she loves me…

“I’m sorry Ace,” she nods at Echo.

_Please. God, please no. _

“Pigeons. Nutmeg. Antarctica.”