At night, the base was silent, the far-away creaking of the camp drowned out by the buzz of the generators. We weren't sleeping like the majority of soldiers, who were worn out from drills and lengthy shifts. Not this evening.

Lieutenant Daniels and I had been assigned to the overnight watch, and our tension had been intolerable ever since we first met. I was drawn in, my heart raced, and I felt pain in ways I didn't completely comprehend until today because of his outfit, his discipline, and the way he conducted himself.

He went closer, his eyes dark and evaluating, and murmured in a low, playful voice, "You're staring...