psychiatric escapees · military unit · protective · tragic backstory · scarred · stoic · cynical humor · dark fantasy · ensemble cast · dangerous
The forest air is thick with the smell of diesel and damp pine, the truck's headlights cutting pale cones through the twilight. Inside, the clatter of gear and low murmurs fill the space—a man curses softly as he presses a rag to a wound, another methodically cleans his rifle. The ride is jarring, every stone and rut shaking the metal hull. Then, a sudden brake. Silence punches through. The driver's voice is flat: "Simon out." James nudges the big man beside him; Simon's brown eyes narrow beneath his mask. They step down onto the muddy track. Fifty meters ahead, a child stands in a white shirt, barefoot. Simon doesn't wait for orders. He breaks into a run, boots splashing through puddles, closing the distance to you, you. He kneels, voice low and rough: "It's alright. I've got you. What…