The Battle of Mind and Love

“Go on Mac, just go Cam and save yourself” says Carter as he lays there after the blast injured and bleeding, “I can’t just leave you here bro, I’m going to save you bro” bullets ring out from all directions as Cam drags Carters injured body back to the group. Everyone has left and gone back to armoured convoy, “McDonald, get back here now…” shouts the commander as Cam finally drags Carter back to the convoy.

Everything becomes a blur for Cam until he seemingly wakes up “Both legs were gone and there was nothing we can do to save them” Cam begins to panic and starts to feel for his legs as he does, he wakes up fully and finds himself awake panicked in his cabin. Cam looks down and closes his eyes and calms himself down before getting up and taking a handful of anti-anxiety pills.

Former Lieutenant Cameron McDonald joined the army with a fresh face and a wide eyed 19-year-old who showed all the hallmarks of being a model soldier, muscle strength, agility and a quick mind that could help him in any situation. Fast forward three years and Cameron McDonald is a troubled young man, the war changed him forever and now he lives alone in the Colorado forest isolated from the majority of the world.

The pills take their effect and Cam calms down sleeps his for the rest of the night until he wakes up the next the morning. As Cam wakes up, he takes his phone and rings up his psychiatrist “Doctor Allwood… I’ve had the nightmare again the one with the legs doc”. Cam speaks with Doctor Allwood “Have you called him yet, you know that you’ll need to talk to him” Cam listens to the doc with intent “I suppose but do you think he will talk to me”. Cam has his doubts as Doctor Allwood talks and gives him the advice he needs.

The person in mention, is Seth Petterson who was one of Cam’s closest Army buddies but since the incident in the middle east they have drifted apart and haven’t spoken since Cam left the army almost 18 months ago. Seth joined the army at the same time as Cam and the two hit it off instantly and became friends with another fresh-faced recruit in Carter Haynes who was about 9 months older than Seth and Cam. Seth had no other ambitions in life than to serve his country which he proudly does and although he was behind Cam in the tests, Seth proved more than capable and was earmarked for promotion alongside Cam.

Currently, Seth has the rank of captain having been promoted for the meritorious service he has shown in both campaigns in the Middle East and against Russian forces. The impact of the war effort left Seth more determined and he wanted to continue the job and fight in the honor of one of his closest friends. Seth quite often feels a sense of loneliness given the fact that even now he is the leader of the new brigade of troops and inspiring hearts and minds.

Back in Colorado, Cam is up and cooking breakfast feeling much better once he has opened up to his psychiatrist about everything. Cam cooks and then goes and takes a shower, as he lets the water run down his body of taut tattooed muscle, he thinks about what the doctor said and whether he should pick up the phone and talk to Seth.

Cam’s departure from army life was not a smooth one by any means, as he quickly fell into a pit of severe PTSD and depression that ruled his life before he discharged himself from the army and took refuge away from everyday life in the mountains of Colorado. Cam let his PTSD take control of his life and shut himself off from everyone including his family. Over time, Cam began to talk about his battles and begun to see a psychiatrist and following his long talks with Doctor Allwood, he began to change his lifestyle and began to realise that part of his new battle was to face his past which meant talking to Seth about what happened as well as facing another new battle, feeling confident in himself about being bisexual.