What War May Bring

A Novel

Anders van Niekerk and Danie de Villiers were inseparable friends growing up outside Pretoria, South Africa. They did everything together, so nobody was surprised when both decided to join the British Royal Marines. There was a secret kept between the friends: one of them had a violent temper that the other had covered up, until an event in Kabul, Afghanistan, during their third tour of duty. When an Afghan family was brutally raped and murdered, the friend with the even temper confronted the violent one and denounced his actions. During a patrol, due to a questionable IED explosion, one friend watched the other one die, and after that event, his life was never the same again. After being treated in London for PTSD, he was allowed to return to South Africa, where he was supposed to continue his treatment. During his stay at the clinic, he immediately fell in love with his young psychiatrist, Dr. Gerda van Heerden. She also develops feelings for the young man in her care. Gerda investigates his background and draws a shocking conclusion that affects her not only personally but professionally as well. What happened in Afghanistan? Who truly died in Afghanistan? When the truth is revealed during a storytelling session, it becomes clear that the problem with her patient is not only PTSD. His deep and disturbing secret, which surfaced during the sessions, might destroy not only the young doctor but also everyone around her. Would she be able to use deadly force to prevent other atrocities? Dr. Gerda van Heerden has a tough choice to make and only minutes to decide.