For the next year, Sam would endure grueling rehabilitation. Luckily, Lieutenant Simmons called in to his superiors to allow Sam sanctuary at the base.
Also, Doctor Miller decided to help with Sam's rehabilitation. She called her companions and told them to carry on with their work. She would be staying and helping Sam.
During this year, Sam would open up to both Simmons and Miller. He found them to be truly kind and compassionate people.
But life was not easy for Sam. He was struck with a horrible illness. One that destroyed many people. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sam hasn't been able to sleep well since he finally allowed the grief and despair sink in. After that, he felt haunted. He felt guilt and misery.
It was a severe case of survivors guilt. Something that is common in PTSD cases.
Despite his agony, he still was relieved to have the support of these two nice people.
Sam was aware that he was on a military base, and that he isn't in a hospital. It is odd for him to be a resident of a military base when it would be more logical to go to a hospital.
But seeing that Sam was a paranoid guy who was obviously on the run, he decided to call in a few favors and was granted permission to house him for the remainder of his rehabilitation.
Miller was also granted permission to stay, to watch over Sam's recovery.
Despite his trust in the two of them, he still didn't tell them the personal things. Like his parents, the project and Zola. He also made sure to keep mum about Wushan and the Pale Hand. He trusted the two of them, but he didn't want to risk tipping them off that he still lived.
Despite his hatred for the Pale Hand for what they did to him and those other kids, he doesn't want revenge. For one thing, he doesn't think he would be able to beat Wushan. The man was another breed. Sam only caught a glimpse, but that glimpse told him all he needed to know. Wushan is strong. Stronger than any of the other fingers. Even stronger than the strongest quirk users he fought during his mercenary days.
Secondly, he promised Zola. He promised to return to Japan. To get away from Africa. Going after revenge would undo what she did for him to escape.
He planned to settle down in Japan, and live a tranquil life. Something he was never allowed here in Africa.
His rehabilitation was going smoothly. His ankle was very badly scarred and he would have a nasty reminder of that damn snake for life.
But the biggest change was his head.
He couldn't recognize the person in the mirror. After having the bandage around his eye removed, he saw the nasty scar the old king was generous to leave him before dying.
On top of that, his hair was now bone white. The only thing that remained of the past Sam was his eye color and facial features. Everything else, made him look like a different person.
He was currently standing in front of a mirror, assessing his wounds.
His naked body was a mess. All over were gunshot scars and knife scars. Even burn scars. But the worst were on his back, his front, his shoulder, his arm and his face.
The old king snapped the bone in his arm in half when it bit him. Its initial attack made its claws dig into Sam's back and its giant maw bit into his shoulder.
He saw the bite mark on his shoulder and his forearm.
Then the scratch from the claws. Both on his face and the chest.
His back was the worst. Not only was the damage from the leopard there, but also the burns from the cauterization and the cuts from hanging under that truck and having his back scrape against the rocks on the road at a fast speed.
He could only see a stranger.
But that was okay. Since he wasn't who he used to be. He felt empty. Hollow.
He remembered the night Zola kissed him. The happiness and love that filled his being. He felt at peace for the first time. He allowed himself to put his guilt aside for that moment and allowed only her to exist.
He then dug into the bag he was given with his stuff. Inside is a clean hide of the old king. Sam requested that it be cleaned and returned to him. When asked why, he just said he wanted to remember.
But the one thing he would cherish, was a single photograph. A Polaroid picture taken the night Zola and him became boyfriend and girlfriend.
He looked at the boy in the picture and saw the large smile on his face.
He then looked in the mirror and saw the empty eyes of the one staring back.
He tried to smile. He tried to fake a smile. But he couldn't. He even tried to smile by using his fingers, but he just felt stupid.
Smiling was lost to him. But he didn't care. What could he possibly smile about?
'*But I found true friends. Friends I would cherish. I know you will find them one day.*'
A memory of his mother hit his mind.
He gave a humorless laugh.
'I found one, mom. But he died for me. And so did the love of my life. And I lost you and dad too. I even lost most of my memory of you two. I'm just not destined to have friends.'
Sam knew his mother loved him and he loved her. But he had to disagree with her. He may have had a true friend, like she promised. But he didn't cherish him enough. Because he lost him.
Sam gritted his teeth.
'That's enough. Enough with the pity party.'
Sam took one last glimpse in the mirror.
"Goodbye, Samuel Suzuki."
He said one last goodbye to the past. To his past self. As now, Samuel Suzuki wouldn't be Canvas. He would be a normal guy.
Today was a special day for Sam as he was finally returning to Japan. After a full year of rehab, he was finally back to a healthy state. The moment his rehab was complete, he was basically kicked out.
Luckily, Simmons came through and got Sam a flight to Japan and even called someone for help getting Sam a job and a place to live.
Sam was grateful. He truly considered Lieutenant a friend. He also cared for Miller.
After his rehab was officially completed, she returned to the states. She gave Sam a warm hug and told him that he would always have a friend in her. She gave him her number to call if he needed her assistance, before leaving.
"You all packed, kid?"
Simmons was waiting outside the bathroom. Sam was wearing some of the clothes Simmons bought for Sam to wear during his stay. He was wearing an under-armor shirt that showed off his ripped body and some cargo pants and steel toed boots.
He made sure to keep his knife, well, Zolas knife that she gave him before she…
He kept it on him. He felt naked without it.
"Yeah… I'm ready."
Sam was cleaned up, packed and ready to go home.
This was the day Sam was finally looking forward to. But the excitement he felt just imagining his return home was now empty. Because he was going to be going alone.
But he accepted this. He has to keep going. And he will.
Simmons saw the longing in Sam's eyes. He hated seeing him so… empty.
During the year of rehab, Sam and Simmons grew a friendship. Simmons would always talk to Sam and help him with his rehab. He made sure to keep his curiosity to himself, but still egged Sam for some cool stories. Sam would be lying if he didn't enjoy his enthusiasm when asking for a story.
Sam fully trusted him and told him about Zola. About Charles and about the many lives he took. He left out the pale hand and the canvas project though. He doesn't feel that anybody needs to know that.
He also told him of his fight with the old king. Simmons had shining eyes throughout the whole story.
Sam decided to leave his stories at that. He didn't go into detail about missions as he wants to forget those.
Simmons respected that. The respect they had for each other grew into a friendship. They trusted each other and cared for each other.
Despite Sam believing he is someone unworthy of friendship, Simmons told him 'I ain't hearing any bullshit about how you can't have friends! You're my friend. End of story.'
Sam couldn't argue that, so he accepted it. And they became close friends.
"I gotta say. I'm gonna miss you, kid. So are the others."
Sam gave a slight smirk.
The others stationed here were all supportive and accommodating. He found every courtesy here.
"…I'll miss this place too. But I've got a promise to keep. And you got a job to do."
Simmons nodded.
After saying his goodbyes to all the others stationed at the base, Simmons drove him personally to the private airport that is used by the military in Tanzania.
He went out of his way to get Sam a private flight back to Japan. Another great courtesy.
When they arrived, Simmons just saluted and the guards at the gate saluted back and allowed the two of them to enter.
They finally reached the plane and Sam was about to board.
"Well, I guess this is it. You'll find some work when you get there. That will keep you stable. Also, I made sure to send a memo about your return, so if you are contacted by the government about therapy, please take it. We both know you need it."
Sam sighed. He knew he needed it. His PTSD wasn't getting any better. Despite feeling a bit lighter after making a friend in Simmons, he still was haunted.
"I understand."
"I mean it, dude! You better not skip any sessions or else I'll lay the smack on your ass!"
Sam smirked.
"I got it."
Simmons smiled.
"Well, you gotta get going, bud! Call me if you want. You got my personal number."
"I will. Thanks, Lieutenant."
Simmons laughed.
"Still calling me that, despite asking you to call me Don?"
"Habits die hard."
"Yeah, yeah."
Sam held out a hand for Simmons and Simmons took it, shaking it.
"You have a second chance. Make the most of it."
Simmons said seriously.
Sam nodded.
With that, Sam grabbed his stuff and got on board the plane.
They thought that they wouldn't meet for a long time. Little did they know.
———
"Samuel Suzuki. Welcome aboard. It will be a long flight to Musutafu Airport. I've already received clearance for access to the private runways. So no worries about anything."
"Understood."
"Hah. Don told me you were a simple guy."
Sam nodded and went to sit in the empty plane. It was small, but it was a plane, and Sam needed to get to Japan.
He sat on a chair and buckled up.
'I'm almost there. Just as I promised, Zola.'
He watched as the plane immediately took off and finally reached the sky. Now he just had to wait for a day until they arrived.
———
It was a long and uneventful ride. Unlike passenger airlines that would serve food for such long flights, this was just a flight in a small plane. Luckily, Simmons packed him some snacks.
Finally, he watched from his window as Japan reached his eyes.
'There it is.'
Sam saw it.
"It's beautiful."
Sam stiffened.
He felt someone holding his hand.
He looked to his right, and saw Zola. Sitting right beside him, watching the approaching city of Musutafu.
"Thank you, Samuel. We are finally free!"
She said with a warm smile that showed nothing but happiness.
But the moment he blinked. She was gone. He was only reminded of what could have been. What should have been.
'It should be you on this plane, and not me.'
His mood was dampened. The slight excitement was replaced with nothingness.
———
"Take care kid."
The pilot said with a handshake that Sam reciprocated.
"Thank you for your help."
"No problem. I owed Don a favor so it's all good."
Sam nodded and the pilot waved him off. Finally. He was home… but all around him, he saw ignorant people. Weak and unguarded.
There was no urgency and no care about anything. Sam knew the moment he looked up at the signs in the airport. Just why they are all so pitiful.
"All Might…"
Sam knew All Might. He wasn't a fan. He still vividly remembers that war crime he witnessed with scumbag soldiers opening fire on innocent villagers.
He remembers seeing the dead kids wearing All Might merchandise.
"Symbol of peace. More like a symbol of frauds."
Sam got some nasty looks from the passerby's.
"Who is this guy to say that about All Might?"
"Is he a villain? Look at that scar."
"I bet he was caught by All Might or another hero and holds a grudge."
"Loser."
"Villain."
Sam heard it all. And he was about to explode. He quickly walked away, leaving the masses to their chattering.
'Fucking pathetic worms! They know nothing! They act like they do, but they are ignorant of the real world! Nobody is even aware of the atrocities in Africa!'
Sam was pissed. These people are living in a bubble. He was so mad he wanted to go back and beat those idiots up for their words.
'*Live… Samuel.*'
But once again, Zola entered his mind.
He promised to live for her. And he felt he had no choice.
He decided to just bear with it.
"For you Zola. For you."
Sam decided he was going to try living in this world. Even if it is a world of lies. He had to at least try.
But that isn't how things would work for Sam. Even after finding a job and a place. He was still haunted. And despite returning to Japan, he never truly left Africa. And because of that, Sam became the dreaded villain that would bring some of the biggest heroes to their knees.
The Quirkless Monster.
End of Arc 3