Luke walked back to Stuart's quarters. Quiet. Too quiet. Then he saw it Stuart lying there, eyes open. Luke rushed forward. "You're awake!" Relief hit him like a wave. Stuart blinked slowly. "Yeah… I'm tired. And hungry." Luke smiled. "You got it, champ."
He stepped outside and flagged down a caretaker. " Stuart's awake and hungry."The caretaker lit up. "I'll get food right away!" She ran off. Luke went back inside and sat next to Stuart. "Glad you're alive, soldier." Stuart stared at the ceiling. "I don't know what happened. I don't remember anything."Luke took a long breath. Then he told him everything the crash, the gorilla, the hyenas, the village, the people helping them.When Luke finished, he looked at Stuart… and Stuart was staring back with pure hatred. Luke didn't flinch. He understood. "I'm sorry," Luke said quietly. "I made a mistake. And you almost paid with your life. I'm sorry, Stuart."
Stuart sat up slowly, eyes down. "Accidents happen," Stuart said. "It's okay. "Luke exhaled, relieved. He hugged him. Stuart didn't hug back. He just sat there."I'm tired," Stuart said. "I'm going to sleep." "Sure thing," Luke replied, standing. He stepped out just as the caretaker arrived with food. Luke smiled at her, then walked off to gather his gear. Outside, he looked up at the sky. A quiet fire burned in his chest.We can win this, I know it.