From memory.
He sat down.
For almost thirty years, he had believed the people responsible were gone.
But someone knew.
Someone had found him.
And someone wanted him to remember.
The Man Behind the Challenge
Marcus noticed the change immediately.
Walter became quieter.
He stopped eating lunch in the staff room.
He started checking doors.
Windows.
Hallways.
Parking lots.
Marcus approached him.
“You got something.”
Walter looked at him.
“What makes you say that?”
“You've been watching exits.”
Walter said nothing.
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Is someone after you?”
Walter looked around.
Then handed him the photograph.
Marcus stared.
“Who are these people?”
“People I worked with.”
“And this man?”
“Daniel Cross.”
Marcus frowned.
“I've heard the name.”
“He was supposed to have died in an extraction operation.”
“Supposed to?”
Walter nodded.
“That was the official story.”
“What really happened?”
Walter looked toward the gym.
“Someone sabotaged the extraction.”
Marcus's expression hardened.
“And Cross?”
“He survived.”
Silence.
Marcus looked again at the photograph.
“Then he's alive?”
Walter nodded.
“I think so.”
Marcus swallowed.
“Why would he contact you now?”
“I don't know.”
Then the gym doors opened.
Dylan entered.
Behind him was a man in his fifties wearing a dark jacket.
Walter saw him.
The color left his face.
The man smiled.
“Hello, Walter.”
Dylan looked between them.
“You know each other?”
Walter did not answer.
Marcus did.
“Who are you?”
The man extended a hand.
“Daniel Cross.”
Walter stepped forward.
“Take your hand off my past.”
Cross smiled.
“You always were dramatic.”
Dylan looked confused.
“What is this?”
Cross ignored him.
He looked at Walter.
“Thirty years.”
Walter's voice was cold.
“Why are you here?”
Cross answered:
“Because you left me behind.”
Walter shook his head.
“You betrayed the team.”