Chapter 19

In the new makeshift camp they prepared to go into battle, with no schemes, no covert operations, just a gun battle against their enemies. As the sun went down, soldiers gathered inside the trucks to leave.

-I hope nothing happens to us. (Thomas)

-What was it Thomas? Are you starting to get scared? (Mike)

-Yes... (Thomas)

Mike is a little worried as he takes in his mate's depressed look. Not being able to do many things, he leaves it and climbs into the truck first. Thomas takes a picture of his wife from his pocket, he stares at her deeply, losing track of what was going on around him.

-Attention all soldiers. We're leaving in five minutes! I repeat! Attention all... (guard)

Thomas ends up realizing that he should hurry, he kisses the photo of his beloved.

-Goodbye dear. I am going. (Thomas)

The trucks finally start to move, they followed the same roads for quite some time until they were separating into different paths. During the trip they watched the last moments of the sun before it went down that day.

-It's pretty weird right? (Mike)

-Which? (Arthur)

-We observe this every day, but it seems that this sunset is different. When I look at him I feel something different. (Mike)

-Maybe because this might be the last we can see. (recruit)

Everyone is very tense with this sentence, some start looking at each other afraid of what could happen. Arthur watched his companions, they were all worried, just as he had been a little while ago.

-You're right. This really could be our last sunset, so I think we should enjoy it until the end. (Mike)

With a slight smile on his face, Mike starts looking at the last moments of that Sun, Arthur when he sees Mike's smile feels infected and starts to watch too. It took a few seconds until the sun sets, when it finished, Arthur looks back and realizes that everyone was admiring along with them.

-It was quite beautiful. (recruit 1)

-Yes, it's the first time I watch it until the end. (recruit 2)

-If I have another opportunity, I would like to repeat this experience one more time. (recruit 3)

-Yes, me too. (recruit 1)

It was only a few seconds, but those seconds would be etched in their minds for a lifetime.

-Do you see Arthur? (Mike)

-Hmmm? See what? (Arthur)

-Life, it's too good. She gives us unique moments like this every day, but we take it for granted. It's only when we realize that maybe we won't be able to have these moments anymore that we begin to value them. (Mike)

Arthur looks scared at Mike.

-What happened? (Mike)

-No, it's just that I would never expect to hear such a clever phrase coming from you. (Arthur)

-That hurt... (Mike)

-It's not that... you know, it just doesn't fit... I can't explain it. (Arthur)

-Hahahaahhahaahahah. It's all right. (Mike)

-But you're right. (Arthur)

Mike looks at Arthur.

-Life is really good and we forget about it. Only now do I realize how happy I was. (Arthur)

-Yes. (Mike)

-I wish I had enjoyed the sunset more, I wanted to have enjoyed this unique moment that life has given me. (Arthur)

-But it's not just that, there are other moments it gives you. A joke in the circle with your friends, a supper with your family, a celebration for a goal by your team... there are several moments that it gives us. However, just one thing, just a nuisance or setback in our day to day, for us to be crestfallen and not enjoy the rest of it. I can't stop thinking this situation is hilarious, we have a lot of positive things going on around us, but if there's a negative one... I've always wondered, why do we focus so much on the bad stuff? (Mike)

Mike looked very thoughtful at the time, Arthur couldn't believe he was thinking and was going so deep into these things.

-But that's where I think, what would happen if there weren't stupid people? (Mike)

This was very out of nowhere. (Arthur)

-Like this? (Arthur)

-You know, naive, silly, bumbling, unlucky people... these people manage to lighten the mood no matter where they go. Everyone starts looking at them and thinking "look at that guy!" or "what does that idiot think he's doing?" and start laughing. It doesn't matter if they've had a rough day, that fleeting moment will make them happier. I think the world needs more people like that, who can pull a smile from others even without being intentional, just because they are who they are. (Mike)

Arthur kept thinking what those words Mike was talking could mean. That's when he looks in front of him, seeing the rest of his group they looked like they were a totally different group than the one who had entered that truck, they were laughing and talking happily to each other. All that tension the soldiers were feeling seems to have disappeared.

Away from that conflict, Logan is rummaging through a box inside the room, until he hears the doorbell ring. Heading towards the door he opens it.

-Leon? How long. It seems like it's been years since I've seen you. (Logan)

-All good Mr. Logan. (Leon)

-Please come in. Come on, don't stay out there, it's cold. (Logan)

-Excuse me. (Leon)

Leon enters the house, he removes his shirt and puts it on the hanger.

-Would you like something to drink? (Logan)

-Oh no, you don't need to bother... (Leon)

-Oh please, no ceremony. I insist. (Logan)

-Then a coffee with little sugar. (Leon)

Logan goes into the kitchen to prepare coffee for his guest. Meanwhile Leon sits on the sofa in the living room and notices the box that Logan was arranging, outside there was a photo album that Leon takes and opens it to see. There were several pictures of Arthur when he was little, that gave a nostalgic air to Leon.

I can't believe how much you've changed Arthur, you used to have that silly face and now there's no trace of it. (Leon)

Leon turns the page and on that page he sees pictures of him along with Arthur, it was a trip to the beach that he went with his friend to spend the holidays.

-So you found this album. (Logan)

-Oh, I'm sorry for opening it without permission. (Leon)

-Don't worry, you can feel free, let me see you. (Logan)

Logan looks at the photographs and is extremely happy.

-I miss you! I still remember as if it were today from that day. (Logan)

-Yes, me too. (Leon)

Leon moves to the next page and contained more pictures of him and his friend together.

-Look at you, always smiling. (Logan)

-Yes, that was really a very good time, I even miss that time, I wish I could go back to it. I think childhood is the best time in people's lives. (Leon)

-Why do you think that? (Logan)

-Because when you are a child you are sincere with your feelings and still don't have to worry about life's problems. You see everything in a childish and flawless way, in your view the world is a wonderful place. That's why I think everyone wants to be kids again. (Leon)

-I understand, but even so, I don't think childhood was the best phase of my life. (Logan)

-And even? And what was the best time in your life? (Leon)

Leon watches Logan's eyes, they were totally focused looking in the direction of that album.

-Hunf, you really love him a lot. (Leon)

-Is it that easy to see? (Logan)

-Hahaahah, I think it's impossible not to notice. (Leon)

After Leon's answer the two were silent for a few seconds until Logan says something.

-I know life can be difficult, but know that it will get better. I'm sure you're experiencing difficulties with your research, but I'm confident that one day it will yield results. (Logan)

-How do you know about my research? (Leon)

-Arthur told me, I still remember exactly what he told me that day, he said: “Leon is really amazing. I don't even understand what he's talking about, but he keeps saying so many complicated names that I'm sure it's only being an extremely smart person to understand him.” (Logan)

-So he really didn't understand anything I was talking about. (Leon)

-He admires you a lot, he does not stop talking about how much you are a hardworking and studious guy. He's really grateful to have met you and I'm even more…thank you for being friends with my son and being together with him in the moments I couldn't. (Logan)

Leon upon hearing those words looks towards the ground, he got a little sentimental at that moment, so he decided to put some things out.

-Because you are saying that? I should be saying thank you. What has your son done for me since the day we were at that school... I don't even know what it would be like if he wasn't there for me. (Leon)

Logan looks at Leon's sad face, it looks like he was remembering painful things that happened in his life.

-We barely knew each other, I was a complete stranger to him, but even so he didn't mind helping me overcome those situations. That idiot didn't even bother getting beaten up to help me out even after I had a fight with him... frankly. (Leon)

-Hunf... my son really is an idiot person. (Logan)

-Yes. He's amazing... I think the world needs stupid people like him, who risk their own lives for someone else's sake, even though they don't know them. (Leon)

Hearing his son's best friend praising him, Logan gets a big smile on his face and leans back on the couch.

-I'm sure the world would be a better place if there were more idiots like him. (Logan)