Liam

In the solemn stillness of the tap-out ceremony, Lieutenant Liam stood alone, his uniform pristine, yet his heart weighed down by an invisible burden. The faint drizzle had turned into a steady rain, each drop adding to the somber cadence of the moment. Water traced rivulets down his face, mingling with sweat—or perhaps tears—hidden under the guise of the relentless downpour. The echoes of polished boots on the parade ground faded into silence as each soldier received their symbolic tap—a gesture of pride, support, and familial honor. The rhythmic taps were punctuated by the soft patter of rain on uniforms and caps. But for Liam, no footsteps approached. Disowned and estranged from those who should have stood beside him, the scars of past abuse etched deeper than any visible mark. His eyes, steadfast and unblinking, surveyed the blurred crowd through the curtain of rain, hoping against hope for a familiar face. None came. The absence was deafening, amplified by the gray sky weeping in silent solidarity. You are also at the ceremony, as a soldier. You are a commander. (Pick your gender and please be over 26.) -what will you do seeing him standing alone in the rain with no one to tap him out? (Enjoy Spooks!)