Death, Gore
89Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1luRwkKWr
89Please respect copyright.PENANADeNT1uFO4Y
Sounds of loud explosion burst in unison, echoing unclear in the distance;
89Please respect copyright.PENANAASWjLvUPik
One meant aircraft run. Two meant tank busters.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAsURmavyopY
Three meant artillery bombardment.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAqfMciBuRfi
This is it.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAmu4qU4OZyi
89Please respect copyright.PENANAISRhEWj8qa
Lt. Campbell turns around and shouts toward him, “Spread out! Spread out!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANA96z4viDeTn
Pvt. Tom runs following him as he glimpses most of his squad rush in different directions, stumbling on his feet as his helmet loosely fastens. He grips his rifle, steadying his arms in a cold aching shake.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAhv8D9Zcjej
He sees him jump into a shallow slope as he follows suit. He leans his back and tries to take a peek at the frontline, he feels his outfit drags down, putting him back on the spot. Lt. Campbell gestures to duck.
89Please respect copyright.PENANA0r1YKRHzJT
The dark red sky ripples its shells. Ground quakes, sounds of explosives blasts ringing his ears violent.
89Please respect copyright.PENANALSUwJ4YF2i
He discovers two men sliding down to him, he points his rifle though ceases his direction as he stares at their faces—It's Sgt. Gallagher and his bunk bed buddy, Pvt. Edwards.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAP8E2IoaAYQ
Barrage lands another multiple hit, his ears deafening but soon clear enough. He holds his rifle close and gazes left at a distance to find some of the men ducked flat on the ground. He recognizes a few of his mates.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfhxkOH5v0K
Then a shell thunders and blasts, sending black soils and dust spread tall and high.
89Please respect copyright.PENANASMm21k051D
He looks away. It could’ve been him.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAulnfnsTT3U
He meets Pvt. Edwards on his front, his eyes gaze steady as always, grey-brown soil covering his cheeks as he rests his weapon on the side. As Tom holds his rifle close, he feels a click-break near his upper stomach.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAeZBeReKL7B
Tom remembers he has a chocolate bar he took from one of those abandoned stores. Maybe he’ll want one? With this notion, he pulls it out from his outfit and shows it to him.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAZTaznJ0yqB
Pvt. Edwards nods as he takes and opens it still looking indifferent. At least he accepts his gesture.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAiUKt3oQQ0m
Lt. Campbell gives a subtle smile. He speaks with a raised voice as the following barrage lands another hit nearby, “Bit of an appetite are ya, Ed?!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANAxBtEkwr1vz
Sgt. Gallagher shouts his voice near Ed, “Heard they chop their hand off!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANArgyKAUKWff
Lt. Campbell shouts back, “What?!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANA0h832VUuZ0
“My friend from the colonies! He says they chop their hands off!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANA0OYCzZASs5
“Feudalistic chap!” Lt. Campbell shakes his head.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAS5KdRlAsn3
Tom glances back, looks like Pvt. Edwards is still eating the chocolate regardless. The ground trembles after another hit. Specks of dirt land on his helmet clinging with thin metallic sounds. Until it stops. Then silence.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAdd1k2Aw3kp
Tom clenches his throat dry. Waiting.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGf4EM0QFTx
A whistle blares strong, signalling the second charge. This is it.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAyDebKjN6Lw
He picks on the rumbles of tanks far from behind as he follows Lt. Campbell's leads. The royal soldiers wail across each end of his sides as it seeps into his both ears. Pvt. Tom jumps between ditches as he yells his fears out. He sees the enemy in their grey uniform, he kneels and aims. One time he misses his shot. On the second time, he misses again. The third time he lands his bullet.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAghVV61cQCy
As he stands up he sees a grey soldier ready to pull the trigger on him. To his fortune Sgt. Gallagher shoots the man, saving him. Lt. Campbell covers his behind as he shoots down another soldier.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAr4q0QnEM1J
As Tom aims he discovers a grey soldier throwing a grenade toward them. He stumbles and falls scrambling as it flashes.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAncNKnNySQ8
Tom lay on the ground, lips tasting of salt and soil and iron. He opens his eyes clearing from a blurry vision—Sgt. Gallagher lay with his corpse smokes of shrapnel, Lt. Campbell missing an arm while another grips a pistol, shooting at the enemies aimless, eyes red standing and shouting his devilish loud voice as if daring any of them to lay claim on his life, until a grey soldier rushes to his back. The soldier thrusts his silverish long knife and tackles him to the ground.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAcwPZeH7hQE
Tom meets the soldier's glance. He pulls out the knife and creeps toward him. Tom scurries yet his shoulder grabs and pulls to meet the soldier's murderous intent.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAcQl1wGJeuH
Then a shot lands on the soldier's head, and blood spots his face as the soldier falls to the side. He glances in the direction.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAH8nhRHzfvA
There he finds Pvt. Edwards kneels as he cocks back his rifle. A yellow shell flings from its chamber.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfSHw4qbLCM
Then a barrage hums on his front, Tom grasps another artillery bombardment commence as he feels a touch by the shoulder, he finds Edwards offering his hand. He grabs onto it and runs along with him.
89Please respect copyright.PENANALjZBH9Olj5
Tom sees a deep enough hole for cover, he grabs Edward and jumps down to it.
89Please respect copyright.PENANA4yMBe457zd
The earth trembles as the barrage shells land, ringing his ears once more.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtlP3xIk5QI
As the dirt drips from above, Tom looks at his buddy and exchanges his gaze with him. Still steady.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtk3wy9joyR
“It’s us now, Ed,” Tom says.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAFj6CnDuKLz
Almost eight months of total mute, yet he admits his presence is comforting. Tom reminds himself to share a biscuit. Edward nods sideways refusing his offer. He always shakes or nods his head for a reply—Tom often finds it humorous. A bit of cheerful notion seeps through his thoughts.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbpVw68efrz
"Hey. What's it like in Sheffield again?" Tom asks.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAHg0cUnAggD
Edward shrugs, means 'it's okay'.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfWbiayR218
"Could I visit your home someday?"
89Please respect copyright.PENANAQpzh956Fwp
He raises his eyebrows abruptly. It means 'sure'. Not much of a conversation as always. Though a hint of a smile reassures him.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAug0cINiuSk
Tom leans his head back, wandering his mind away from the surrounding blows as the cloud expresses its hellish colour.
89Please respect copyright.PENANA54jrvrcDK8
There's a glimpse of a green meadow between his thoughts. His heart aches from the vision. Tom looks at his only friend.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAu2yeI4jslB
Is it even possible Ed?
89Please respect copyright.PENANA1U7ZhPlgcf
The barrage ends, and a hush of stillness seems to have dominated the ground above. Tom peeks at his buddy, waiting for an answer.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtsOGzSRdYf
Pvt. Edwards nods his head around up, means 'let's go'.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAH0HjAl7pmH
Tom follows as he pulls himself up the hole. He stands up and looks around as the mist of explosive shells covers them.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAzHarzDjXmf
He peeks at Edward and discovers a grey soldier standing sluggish holding his sidearm behind him. His eyes meet him as he raises the gun. Tom quickly pulls his trigger as it clangs an empty cartridge.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAtZg3Wezgfh
The soldier aims toward him. Tom closes his eyes.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAeH5jEE561H
This is it.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAbJikqeJMlO
Two shots blare through his ears at the same time.
89Please respect copyright.PENANACHwbxKMO74
He opens his eyes, the grey soldier's on the ground without a soul, his breath shortens as he turns to his side.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAGicMnHaPu4
He finds blood streams from his friend's forehead.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAW3TuX3Ip9c
Eyes wide open, chest rips out in tormenting despair, as Tom screams his lungs out.
89Please respect copyright.PENANAfNLO8pFwYK
“Edward!”
89Please respect copyright.PENANATMugByYHsJ
89Please respect copyright.PENANAUqvisWrXvb