What if peace never comes?

a neighbour with a prosthetic leg is a soldier
he has fought wars
he has killed on and off the battle field
he has returned. he was spared a leg and his life.
he kidnaps a little boy, a neighbour’s son
lures him with a toy, asks for ransom-
gets paid. but the boy remembers his place,
remembers his face, remembers his leg
the boy calls him uncle
this is his father’s friend.
but he could return the money or the boy
or the money and the boy
and the relationship he’d enjoy.
but the boy remembers his name
and he wasn’t supposed to.

leonell echa