Old Ghosts

An Alleycat Crew Short

Dirt flew into his eyes as enemy rounds struck the ground at his feet. Kash hit the dirt hard, rolling into the shadow of his ship’s crumpled wreck. His ears rang and smoke filled his lungs. All around him, tracer fire lit up the night like furious lightning.

He could hear his squadron’s voices… screams, orders cut short, silence. One by one they’d gone down, their ships spiraling into the earth, their comms flaring with static and final words. They were all gone now… all but him.

Another burst of rounds peppered the dirt. He ducked lower, teeth gritted, tasting dirt and blood. The weight of it pressed on him—the failure, the loss, the crushing loneliness of being the only one left… his inevitable doom.

“Kash.”

The battlefield flickered. The gunfire faded.

“Kash.”

He shot upright, lungs burning, drenched in sweat. The walls of the Alleycat Savant swam into focus—along with her.

Calynn was there, perched on the edge of the bed, her hand gentle on his shoulder. Her eyes searched his face, sharp and steady.

“You’re okay. It was just a dream.”

“Didn’t feel like one,” he said, dragging a hand across his face, still struggling to breathe.

Without hesitation, she slid into his arms. He held her tight, burying his face in her hair as the nightmare bled away. Her warmth was the anchor he needed, the only thing keeping him from sinking back into the smoke and screams.

“You don’t have to tell me,” she whispered. “But I’m here to listen if you need an ear.”

“Just a bad dream,” Kash muttered.

But his grip tightened, betraying the truth.

She didn’t press, just waited. She always knew when he was lying.

Kash nuzzled into her neck and let her scent push out the stink of the battlefield… and still she waited.

At last, he relented.

“We were hit—hard. We were so outnumbered. I was only a Private back then.” Kash paused, jaw clenched. “They took out my entire squadron, saved me for last. I was good as gone but… another squadron came in to pull us out.”

Calynn stroked the back of his neck, saying nothing.

“I still remember the look on the guy’s face when he asked if anyone else made it,” Kash continued. “I just shook my head.”

“I could never be a soldier for that reason,” Calynn said softly. “Losing friends but still having to fight…”

“Fight or die,” Kash added.

“Then I’m glad you kept fighting.”

Kash’s thoughts turned to the faces of the friends he lost that day. The ghosts of his past rarely crept into the forefront of his mind, but when they did… they brought pain with them. He closed his eyes and gently pushed Calynn back so he could rest his head on her chest.

For a long time, neither of them moved. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat and the hum of the Alleycat Savant filled the silence.

Calynn ran her fingers through his hair and rubbed his back, her presence calm and steady.

Kash drifted off to sleep again. But this time, the ghosts stayed in the dark.

If you’ve ever served, or if Kash’s struggle feels familiar, you don’t have to carry your ghosts alone.

📞 In the U.S., you can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 then pressing 1 — support is available 24/7.
💻 You can also learn more at woundedwarriorproject.org