Chapter 23: Seeds of Strength

Max lay in his hospital bed, the memories of the previous day's dream still vivid and unsettling. It was unlike any dream he had ever experienced—too real, too coherent, almost like a memory from a life he hadn't lived. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind those dreams, and he needed to find out what it was.

After breakfast, Max decided to ask for his mother's help. When Margaret came to check on him, he broached the subject carefully. "Mom, can you help me find some books on meditation?" he asked, his tone serious.

Margaret looked up from her phone, surprised by the request. "Meditation? Why the sudden interest?"

Max hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to tell her everything about the dreams; it felt too strange, too personal. "I need something to help me stabilize my mind. The accident and everything... it's been a lot. I think meditation might help me suppress and stabilize my thoughts."

Margaret frowned slightly, concern evident in her eyes. "If you think it'll help, I'll find some books for you. Anything to make you feel better."

"Thanks, Mom," Max said, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He didn't know if meditation would provide the answers he sought, but it was a start.

As the morning turned into afternoon, Margaret brought lunch to Max's room. The hospital staff had allowed them to have a quiet meal together, and Max was grateful for the semblance of normalcy. They were just starting their meal when John walked in looking unusually cheerful. He was accompanied by a man with a serious expression and a noticeable scar running down his face.

"Hey, Max," John greeted, his voice full of warmth. "I want you to meet Martin. He's going to be your physiotherapist."

Max looked up, meeting Martin's stern gaze. Despite the man's intimidating appearance, Max smiled politely. "Pleased to meet you, Martin. I'm in your care."

Martin nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "We'll get you back on your feet in no time, Max."

John took a seat next to them, pulling out a stack of letters from his bag. "I'll be leaving for the Pentagon tomorrow for a few days. But before I go, I have these for you." He handed the letters to Max.

Max's eyes lit up. "Letters from Kyle?"

John nodded. "Yes, he wanted to make sure you got these. He's been writing to you about his adventures."

After lunch, Max found himself alone in his hospital room. He carefully opened the first letter, eager to hear from his brother.

Dear Max,

I hope this letter finds you well. Life here in Afghanistan is as adventurous as ever. The landscape is breathtaking, and it's incredible how different everything is compared to home. I've seen sunsets that paint the sky in colours I didn't even know existed. The nights are something else entirely—stars stretching across the sky like a blanket of diamonds.

The work we're doing here is tough, but it's rewarding. Every day brings new challenges, and every mission feels like a test of everything I've trained for. The camaraderie among the soldiers is something special too. We look out for each other, like a real family.

On a lighter note, the cuisine here is an adventure in itself. You wouldn't believe the kind of things we eat! I've had some strange dishes, but some of them are actually pretty good. I think I've developed a taste for sand too—seems to get into everything we eat!

There's this girl I might ask out someday. I don't know her, but she saved our butts with some incredible close air support. Maybe fate will bring us together again.

How are things with you, little bro? I hope you're doing well. Remember, you need to become strong. One day, I want you to join me on the battlefield. A Carter should never back down.

It might be a while before my next letter reaches you. I've been assigned to a special place, and communication might be tricky. Take care, Max. 

With lots of love,

Kyle

Reading Kyle's words filled Max with a mix of emotions. He admired his brother's courage and sense of adventure, but the mention of becoming strong struck a chord deep within him. He felt a pang of guilt, believing that he could have been stronger if he had focused more on it. Determined, he resolved to understand his dreams and unlock whatever potential lay within him.

By evening, Margaret returned, her arms full of books on meditation. She had gone all out, determined to help Max distract himself from the pain he was enduring.

"Here you go, Max," she said, setting the books down on his bedside table. "I got everything I could find on meditation and mindfulness. I hope something here helps you."

Max looked at the pile of books, gratitude welling up inside him. "Thanks, Mom. This means a lot."

Margaret sat beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "I just want you to feel better, Max. I know you're going through a lot, and if meditation can help, then it's worth a try."

Max reached for the top book and started flipping through its pages immediately. The introduction talked about the benefits of meditation—how it could help clear the mind, reduce stress, and promote emotional health. As he read, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. This was something he could do, a tangible step he could take to regain control.

Margaret watched him for a moment before speaking again. "You know, when I was younger, I tried meditating. It helped me a lot during stressful times. You can always ask me for help" said Margaret in a prideful manner.

Max nodded, appreciating her words. "I'll give it my best shot."

That night, after Margaret had left and the hospital was quiet, Max tried his first meditation session. He followed the instructions from the book, focusing on his breathing and trying to clear his mind. Max found it easy and difficult, as he was able to sense a particular soothing feeling while meditating, but nothing near to what he felt in the eerie dreams. Max thought, "It was going to be difficult; hopefully, these books have my answer." He looked at the books covering his hospital room with hope.

Feng's Note:

I'm back folks, needed some time to align the ideas for the continuation of the story. I have a crude storyline set. Let's see how it turns up.