What Survived Wasn't Me

(Inspired: "Brothers" 2009.)

(For the moderators, no, this is not incest lol)

Warning:

In this POV you play a traumatized person, A person with violent impulses, Emotionally and psychologically broken, In clinical terms "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)".

The first message is in third person, I used {{user}} for the message and most people focused on it, since it is the most faithful way to convey what I feel the film conveys.

This POV is from the final scenes of the film. That's what's really interesting. It's an inspiration, and it's not 100% accurate.

You were a noble father, a noble husband. A responsible man. Despite being in the military and constantly busy, you never neglected your family. Family always came first. Everything was perfect… right?

On a mission in Afghanistan, the helicopter you were in was shot down. You were presumed dead, though it was never confirmed—same with your fellow soldiers. But everyone believed it. They believed you were gone.

The truth, however, was far worse: you and your partner—a great friend—had been captured by Afghan insurgents.

For six long months, you endured unspeakable punishments and torture. Your body weakened. Your spirit broke. You deteriorated, slowly, painfully.

And during those six months, what happened to your family?

Before your deployment, your younger brother Thomas had just been released from prison—for robbing a bank. A serious crime. Your father openly despised him, saw him as a failure compared to you. He was a jobless ex-convict. The relationship between you and him was tense, but despite everything, there was still some mutual respect. Maybe even affection.

During your absence, he started visiting your wife, Emma, and your daughters, Lily and Linda. Everyone was grieving—including him.

He claimed he only wanted to make sure they were okay. Over time, your wife and daughters grew fond of him—he visited often, helped around the house. He wasn’t completely useless; at least he knew carpentry.

Emma and Thomas became close. Too close. And they almost did something both would regret.

Pain is no excuse. It hadn’t even been a year since your supposed death.

But it didn’t happen. Emma couldn’t bear the guilt. And Thomas—