Duty

He rushed up the walk in his crisp blue uniform, newly polished insignia sparkling in the morning sun.

“Hold on, son.  I’ve got this.”

He took the envelope and donning his military mask, knocked on the door.

A thousand days flashed through his mind, as he stood there.  Reaching for the strength of his convictions, he waited.

The door opened and without a word, a smiling face turned ashen. 

“Sir?”

As he met her eyes General Hammond’s heart turned a deeper cold but he forced out the words he knew she dreaded hearing.

“I’m sorry, Sam, Jack didn’t make it.”