PART 4: A Hero’s Highway

General Vance gently took Arthur’s worn canvas duffel bag. “Sir, your motorcade is waiting outside. The Governor’s office has cleared the interstate all the way to Illinois.”

“Thank you, Marcus,” Arthur nodded.

As the elderly veteran turned to walk down the aisle, a lone passenger near the front stood up and began to applaud. Within seconds, the entire bus stood up—reporters, mothers, elderly women, and teenagers—their applause filling the vehicle with deafening warmth.

Even the bus driver wiped a tear from his eye as he tipped his hat to the old soldier.

Arthur stepped off the bus and into the cool Nebraska breeze, where two black security sedans and the Army SUV sat idling with flashing lights. The Military Police held the doors open as the old hero settled into the leather seat of the command vehicle.

Inside the bus, Tyler sat alone in his row, staring at the clean, empty seat beside him. He picked up his muddy shoes, placed them neatly on the floor, and sat bolt upright—head down, hands folded in his lap—for the rest of the journey to Chicago.