Triton's plane finally landed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but his mind was far from at ease. As he waited for his armored car to take him to Tavernwoods, he couldn't shake off the heavy burden of war that weighed down on him. The thought of leaving Circe and their child behind made his heart ache with guilt and longing.

Sitting next to Triton was Steel, his fellow soldier and comrade. Triton wanted to confide in him, to share his inner turmoil, but he couldn't find the courage to do so. The fear of being judged or misunderstood held him back.

In an attempt to distract himself, Triton took out his phone from his pocket. It was a rare luxury to use it now that he was no longer in the barracks. As he held it in his palm, he couldn't help but think of Kirk, his friend who got caught using his phone to call his wife. He remembered the consequences that followed - being forced to do push-ups, again and again, for a whole month. All because he wanted to hear his wife's voice.

Triton couldn't imagine being away from Circe for that long. He sympathized with Kirk, but at the same time, he couldn't help but judge him for breaking the rules. He couldn't understand why someone would risk getting in trouble just to hear their loved one's voice.

"Hello..." That's all Kirk heard before Captain snatched the phone from his hand and ended the call. Triton could only imagine the disappointment and frustration Kirk must have felt in that moment.

But it wasn't just Kirk who suffered the consequences of breaking the rules. Triton himself had witnessed Captain's strictness and discipline first-hand. He remembered the day when Captain caught Donavon on his phone and the punishment that followed. It was a never-ending cycle of push-ups and reprimands, and it didn't stop until the day Donavon finally broke.

Triton couldn't help but wonder if Steel had a wife and children waiting for him back home. He wanted to ease his mind from all the thoughts and the heavy weight of war. But when he asked Steel, the hesitation in his response was enough to make Triton regret bringing it up. Steel's appearance, with his neatly trimmed hair and buttoned-up fatigues, only added to the contrast between their two personalities. Steel was a by-the-book soldier, while Triton couldn't help but question the rules and the consequences that came with breaking them.

As they drove towards the airport, Triton's mind was consumed with inner conflict. He couldn't make sense of his conflicting emotions - the guilt of leaving his family behind, the fear of failing as a soldier, and the doubt about whether he was truly fighting for the right cause. As they arrived at their destination, Triton couldn't help but wonder if his mind would ever be at peace again.

"I have a son, he is four, but no significant other." Triton looked at Steel like he was confused by what he had said. Significant other, he said to himself in his head.

"What happened to his mother?" Triton asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a tinge of concern.

Steel's jaw tightened as he tried to control his emotions. He could feel the anger bubbling inside him, threatening to erupt like a volcano. He clenched his fists, desperately trying to hold himself back from punching Triton in the nose.

"It's a long story, Triton," Steel said through gritted teeth, turning his attention to pulling his phone from his pocket.

Triton raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in Steel's voice. "Man, a long story sounds perfect. Tell me we have a while to wait," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Steel let out a heavy sigh, knowing he couldn't avoid telling his story any longer. Reluctantly, he began, "I was seventeen years old at the time... "

But as he started recounting his past, his thoughts took over and his story veered into a different direction.

Steel was seventeen at the time and he was a senior in high school. He lived day by day being ridiculed and tortured, his self-esteem crushed by the constant taunts of his peers. No matter how hard he tried, he could never fit in. It was as if he was an outsider looking in, desperately trying to find a place where he belonged. He wanted to be popular, to have friends who accepted and understood him. But no matter how hard he worked at it, it seemed like an impossible goal.

Two days before his eighteenth birthday, Steel made a decision that would change his life forever. He decided to attend a party thrown by Davis Baker, the star basketball player of the high school team. Davis was popular, charismatic, and had all the girls swooning over him. He was everything Steel wanted to be.

But to Steel's surprise, Davis had invited him to the party. It was a small glimmer of hope, a chance for Steel to finally fit in and make some friends. As he walked into the party, he tried to blend in with the crowd, sipping from his red plastic cup and going back to the keg every so often to refill.

"Steel, you made it," Davis said, approaching him at the keg. Steel almost dropped his cup in shock, spilling some beer on the floor.

"Yup, I made it," Steel replied, trying to sound nonchalant as he quickly replaced the spilled beer.

"You want some shots?" Davis asked, taking a swig from his cup. But before Steel could even answer, Davis suddenly spat out the beer, almost like a scene from a movie.

Steel couldn't help but let out a small laugh, the tension from earlier dissipating for a moment. He had never seen someone spit out beer so dramatically before.

And just like that, Davis and Steel struck up a conversation, talking about anything and everything. For the first time in a long time, Steel felt like he belonged somewhere, like he had found a friend.

But little did he know, that night would change his life in ways he could have never imagined.

The music blared through the speakers, the bass thumping in his chest as he slammed back one shot after another. The lights were flashing, the room was packed, and he was lost in the euphoria of it all. This was his escape, his release from the mundane reality of high school.

As he tossed back his last shot, a girl appeared beside him. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. "Hi, my name is Crystal," she said, her voice cutting through the noise of the bar.

He sat down his shot glass with a thud on the table. "Do you think I can show you my dick?" he blurted out, stumbling back into the table. He was wasted, and his words were slurred and thoughtless.

But to his surprise, Crystal's eyes lit up. "Sure!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hand and leading him towards the stairs. She helped him up, but he was stumbling and swaying the whole way. Finally, they reached the top, and he leaned against the wall, trying to steady himself.

Crystal pushed open the first door they came to, and he stumbled inside. His head was spinning, but he managed to catch himself on a nearby dresser. Crystal laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

The scene changed back to Steel, talking to Triton with a fierce intensity. Triton couldn't tear his eyes away, as if he were reading a gripping novel.

"Crystal ended up having the baby," Steel said, his voice heavy with emotion. "We tried our best to be parents, but when our son, Xzavier, was six months old, I enlisted. In the same week, towards the end, I went to visit her to tell her I would be leaving. I still remember walking into her dorm room. She was lying on the bed, half hanging off, lifeless. Xzavier screamed and cried, as if he knew his mother was gone forever." Steel's voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Triton's heart ached for him. "I'm so sorry," he said sincerely.

"It's not about who survived the war," Steel replied, his voice filled with pain. "It's not about who won the fight. It's about those who have felt the touch of heroin, and it's a sting that never goes away. There are no winners, only victims." Triton could see the raw emotion in Steel's eyes, and it sent a chill down his spine.

For a moment, there was silence between them as Triton took in Steel's words. "You have a way with words," he finally said, his voice filled with admiration.

Steel gave a small smile, his gaze piercing. "I've had a lot of time to think and reflect, especially while I was at war. It changes a person." He paused, his eyes searching Triton's face. "But I can see that you understand. You've been through your own battles, haven't you?"

Triton nodded, his eyes never leaving Steel's. He could feel a connection forming between them, two soldiers who had seen the worst of humanity. And somehow, in this deingy airport, they had found a sense of understanding and camaraderie.

As they sat in silence, Triton couldn't help but think that this was a scene straight out of a movie. But it was also so much more than that. It was real, raw, and intense, a moment that would stay with them both forever.

"It's from a novel," Steel said, his voice low and intense, his eyes fixed on Triton's expression. His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

Triton's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued. "What's it called and who wrote it?" he asked, intrigued by the unknown quote.

"Really, you don't know what quote is from?" Steel's tone was filled with disbelief. Triton's lack of knowledge about the quote was surprising to him.

"No, sorry I don't." Triton's admission only seemed to fuel Steel's disbelief.

"It's from a book by Kane DeLisio entitled To the Sunrise of Paradise," Steel said, a small smile forming on his lips. His fondness for DeLisio's works was evident in his voice. "But I suppose most people wouldn't usually go for an author like DeLisio," he added.

Triton could sense there was something more to this author that Steel admired so much. "Why's that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Some of DeLisio's works are full of sarcasm, others are more comedic. But when he wrote To the Sunrise of Paradise, he was sincere and relevant to the current crisis of heroin in the world. He was so keen and immaculately persistent on the subject," Steel explained, his voice growing more passionate with each word. "The reasons were later revealed in an interview with DeLisio."

Triton could see the emotion in Steel's eyes as he spoke about the author. "What did he say?" he prodded.

Steel took a moment to compose himself before continuing. "He said, 'When you lose the love of your life to heroin, you begin to feel pains in ways you never have before.'"

Triton was taken aback by the rawness of DeLisio's words. He could see the pain and heartache in Steel's eyes as he recited them. "I'm so sorry, Steel," he said, not knowing how else to console him.

"It's alright, Triton," Steel replied, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. "Everything happens for a reason. But when you lose control, it all crumbles down."

Triton's mind raced, trying to comprehend the depth of Steel's words. "Where is your son, Steel?" he blurted out, his thoughts suddenly turning to Steel's family.

Steel's expression turned to confusion. "He's with my mother. Why do you ask?" he replied, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Triton hesitated before explaining, "I just... I can't imagine what it must be like for you. Losing your wife and raising a child on your own."

Steel's eyes softened, and Triton could see the pain return to them. "It's not easy, but my son is my everything. He gives me the strength to keep going," Steel said, his voice filled with love and determination.

Triton could see the complexity of Steel's character, the strength and vulnerability that coexisted within him. He couldn't help but feel drawn to him, wanting to know more about his story.

As they sat in silence, Triton couldn't help but think about the power of words, how they could evoke such strong emotions and bring people closer together. And in that moment, he knew that Steel and DeLisio's words would stay with him forever.

Triton's mind raced as he gazed out the airport windows, taking in the bustling city below. He could almost feel the energy pulsating through the glass, the sound of car horns and chatter filling his ears. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

A sudden movement caught his eye and he turned to see a sleek Black Ford Focus pulling up outside. Triton's heart skipped a beat as he watched the muscular, Dwayne Johnson lookalike step out of the car. Instinctively, he knew this was the man he needed to talk to.

Without hesitation, Triton and his companion Steel gathered their belongings and headed towards the door. Steel was always a loyal and curious sidekick, always eager for adventure. As they approached the man, Triton could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

"Excuse me, sir," Triton called out, his voice strong and confident. The man turned to face them, his raspy voice sending shivers down Triton's spine.

"How can I help you?" the man replied, his piercing gaze locked on Triton's.

Triton cleared his throat and reached for his checkbook, momentarily questioning his decision to carry it with him. But this was no ordinary man, no ordinary car. This was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I'd like to offer you 16,000 dollars for your car," Triton said, scribbling on a blank check and tearing it out before handing it to the man.

The man's response was surprisingly nonchalant. "Sure, I was gonna trade it in anyway. It's paid off, so I'll just sign the title and you can have it."

Triton couldn't believe his luck. This was way too easy. As the man walked towards the passenger door, Triton couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion. But he quickly pushed it aside and followed the man to the car.

"Are you sure?" Triton asked, his voice laced with a hint of doubt. But the man simply opened the glove box and handed Triton the signed title, writing "gifted" in the amount paid section.

Triton couldn't believe his eyes as he held the title in his hands. He had just acquired a new car in a matter of minutes. This was a bold move, but he had a feeling it would pay off in the end.

"Yes, I'm absolutely positive. I was trying to sell it, can't you see the sign?" the man exclaimed, jabbing a finger at the odd-shaped triangle back window. Triton followed his gaze and saw a for sale sign taped inside. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not noticing it earlier.

"No, I swear it wasn't me. It must have fallen off," Triton insisted, pointing to the backseat where the sign now lay. The man peered into the car and nodded in understanding. "Oh, yeah. That would explain it."

As the man finished unloading his luggage, Triton and Steel loaded theirs into the car. Triton settled into the driver's seat while Steel took shotgun. Triton plugged his phone into the auxiliary cord, which was still connected to the radio. A song by CrashMillerDanceSmith blared through the speakers, and Triton couldn't resist tapping his foot along to the beat.

With a deep breath, Triton put his foot on the brake and shifted the car into drive. As they started to pull away, he stole a glance at Steel. His friend's face was etched with worry, still unsure about the plan. Triton turned to him and said with determination, "Let's go get your son."

The car picked up speed as they drove towards their destination, the excitement and nerves building with each passing mile. Triton couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, but one thing was for sure – this was going to be one hell of a journey.