Retribution of the Roar

Scene One: A Peaceful Morning

Alex Kane stood in his small workshop, the rhythmic hum of his sanding machine filling the air. The scent of freshly cut oak and pine was familiar and calming, a stark contrast to the chaos of his past life. He ran his hand over a chair frame, smooth but still raw, ready for its final coat of finish.

The workshop had become his sanctuary. After leaving the military, Alex had sought solace in something tangible, something he could build with his own hands. His work was simple, but it gave him a sense of purpose he had lost during his years of service. He'd always preferred the quiet, away from the noise and unpredictability that came with his old life.

His mind, however, wasn't always as still as his hands. Even now, flashes of old memories would creep into his thoughtthe tense moments before a mission, the weight of his weapon, the fear of what might come next. He had buried those thoughts for years, but sometimes they resurfaced without warning, sharp and unwelcome.

As Alex worked, he tried to push those memories aside. His hands moved methodically, focusing on the task at hand, trying to drown out the past. But today, the weight of it felt heavier than usual. His phone buzzed on the workbench.

It was a message from his younger brother, Ethan.

"Coffee in 20?" it read.

Alex smiled to himself. Ethan was always full of energy, always pushing for something more, even when life felt quiet. It was one of the things Alex had always admired about him.

He wiped his hands on a rag, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the door.

Scene Two: The Brothers

Ethan was waiting for him at the coffee shop, his usual enthusiasm bubbling over as Alex walked in.

"Finally! I thought you were going to turn into a statue in there," Ethan joked, sliding a cup of coffee across the table.

Alex took a sip, feeling the warmth seep into his bones. "I was finishing something up," he replied. "You know how it is."

Ethan grinned. "Always the workhorse. Anyway, I've got something to show you."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What is it this time? Another one of your big stories?"

Ethan had been a journalist for a few years now, chasing stories wherever he could find them. Some were small, others were dangerous, but they all had one thing in common-Ethan's relentless pursuit of the truth.

"This one's different," Ethan said, leaning in. "I've been following a lead for weeks now, and I think I've found something big. There's a weapons smuggling operation through the docks. I'm not talking about a few small-time crooks. This is the real deal, Alex."

Alex felt a twinge of concern. "You're getting in over your head, Ethan."