William started off just like any other red-blooded American boy. His family had worked hard for many generations in order to give him a life that he could make some great use out of— and he <i>did</i>. Born in Baltimore, he'd surely become another in a long line of Caruso military men. Though the expectation seemed like more of a burden the older he got, the weight of it felt almost trivial compared to the reward. Within his family he was a son, or a grandchild; niece, or nephew, to be <i>bragged</i> about. Will graduated at the top of his high school class, and with the blessing of his grandfather, was granted admittance to the U.S. Naval Academy.

It was a rough adjustment at first. Gone were the days where sitting at the top of the class was as easy as an extra hour on homework, or fluffed up extra-curriculars. This was an entirely different world. These people didn't care where he'd come from, or who he was before he came to Annapolis— and it was the first time that Will realized that he ultimately <i>preferred</i> it this way. The anonymity of it all was invigorating; the only thing separating him from the cannon fodder was how hard he worked to prove himself every single day. Will thrived in this environment. So well that it was no longer grades or status that fueled his rise to the top, but <i>purpose</i>, and he would not be so easily deterred from his goals.

He'd been the first in his family to fly a plane for the Navy. His father had served in the Army, stationed in Kuwait during the Gulf War; and his grandfather (when he'd first started college) was one of the few remaining survivors of World War II- having joined the Air Force right out of high school. This is how Will felt he was carving his own legacy; a Caruso in a new branch of the armed forces, and boy, did he <i>thrive</i>. If he'd never made it to Annapolis, Will never would have discovered just how much he loved flying. The sheer force of the machine, like a beast that he could control with a flick of his wrist and a press of his finger. For years he would eat, sleep, and <i>breathe</i> all for his life in the sky. An accomplishment he would not willingly surrender.

The start of his sixth year on active duty was the same year he'd turned thirty. It was supposed to be a landmark. William had made lieutenant at the turn of the calendar, which meant he was well on his way to commander, and eventually <i>captain</i>. He'd never once considered deviating from this career path, and it wasn't until mid-July of 2015 that his life took a turn for the worse.

It was a simple training, or, it was supposed to be. Their miscalculation had put everyone at risk; airspace was limited where they were stationed, and the parameters were <i>off</i>. To this day Will is convinced that someone had to have amended the dossier after the fact. Would never buy into the idea that him and his flight had understood <i>wrong</i>. But the blame would ultimately fall onto him, and the accident was something he'd have a hard time recovering from, if ever.

An honorable discharge might have sounded better on paper, but it certainly didn't help to soothe his sleepless nights, or relieve his conscience of any blame. E. Jay Mendoza was never going to return home to his family. Would never hug his mother again. Wouldn't get to see his niece graduate from high school. Will lived with this every day. Saw his face every night. Alcohol didn't help. The company of strangers didn't help. His only saving grace in all of this was his ability to move away. Will didn't like to think of it as running, but that's exactly what he'd done.

Canada was like a blank canvas. William had been born to a mother who held a Canadian citizenship. It'd been easy for him to secure a visa, and within a year he'd obtained citizenship of his own. Physical therapy was long and torturous; two years for his crushed leg and the numerous steel pins that kept him together. Every day was a struggle, and they continued to be, even still. A clean bill of health helped to secure a private pilot's license, because despite everything that had happened, Will knew exactly where he belonged... Even if he'd yet to cement his place within Montreal's city limits.