Death, Gore
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJCuh6ZsrZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8px2IzYa6
Sounds of loud explosion burst in unison, echoing unclear in the distance;
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLqNjPxGW4
One meant aircraft run. Two meant tank busters.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYiXRanD8Z
Three meant artillery bombardment.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS6F5ro5XX
This is it.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVed3Gh19H
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObEhEr5cz4
Lt. Campbell turns around and shouts toward him, “Spread out! Spread out!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxQfPnJFRD
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUeik9BJm9
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e4QAKpDb4
The dark red sky ripples its shells. Ground quakes, sounds of explosives blasts ringing his ears violent.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7sprf9UT9
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXYx4qOlCo
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl494zKCM7x
Then a shell thunders and blasts, sending black soils and dust spread tall and high.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWwo2S74Bn
He looks away. It could’ve been him.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY2iucx5dR
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlBb83dIF3
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VlnnwNuPG
Pvt. Edwards nods as he takes and opens it still looking indifferent. At least he accepts his gesture.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnira5u3ba
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?!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBQCabqlTs
Sgt. Gallagher shouts his voice near Ed, “Heard they chop their hand off!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVFHh7LMse
Lt. Campbell shouts back, “What?!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIaiNGCTEf
“My friend from the colonies! He says they chop their hands off!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPKIDvbpXL
“Feudalistic chap!” Lt. Campbell shakes his head.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA4zhrPpS1
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchU0CuxLPz
Tom clenches his throat dry. Waiting.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk031Gvk0h1
A whistle blares strong, signalling the second charge. This is it.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d0iiUFpu4
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn510mbjse4
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBSnjT1RTB
As Tom aims he discovers a grey soldier throwing a grenade toward them. He stumbles and falls scrambling as it flashes.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqWJWetvqw
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29B1J7VMeV
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcfzQd9jsW
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjva9PQCBt
There he finds Pvt. Edwards kneels as he cocks back his rifle. A yellow shell flings from its chamber.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCXRSunsed
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFApxRWdsv
Tom sees a deep enough hole for cover, he grabs Edward and jumps down to it.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tjfZbY7oz
The earth trembles as the barrage shells land, ringing his ears once more.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsowfInjuP
As the dirt drips from above, Tom looks at his buddy and exchanges his gaze with him. Still steady.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi9l6B5iLx
“It’s us now, Ed,” Tom says.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZvy3UvSfK
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y485LGMY0
"Hey. What's it like in Sheffield again?" Tom asks.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb824W8sQoZ
Edward shrugs, means 'it's okay'.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKq2x5QRhj
"Could I visit your home someday?"
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxwdoEwMmO
He raises his eyebrows abruptly. It means 'sure'. Not much of a conversation as always. Though a hint of a smile reassures him.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPCgRZ6IuM
Tom leans his head back, wandering his mind away from the surrounding blows as the cloud expresses its hellish colour.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL2voGZ2ob
There's a glimpse of a green meadow between his thoughts. His heart aches from the vision. Tom looks at his only friend.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72R5knk2jv
Is it even possible Ed?
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ556SSF7Nzj
The barrage ends, and a hush of stillness seems to have dominated the ground above. Tom peeks at his buddy, waiting for an answer.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmRwtIvNoz
Pvt. Edwards nods his head around up, means 'let's go'.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOHqWy2HmL
Tom follows as he pulls himself up the hole. He stands up and looks around as the mist of explosive shells covers them.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo4jKEiXRo
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.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSXkraQm6Y
The soldier aims toward him. Tom closes his eyes.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRmQsjF4ZI
This is it.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLBFs2OIiE
Two shots blare through his ears at the same time.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjFD86KdzK
He opens his eyes, the grey soldier's on the ground without a soul, his breath shortens as he turns to his side.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb3zUAryIi
He finds blood streams from his friend's forehead.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TUr1Jpy89
Eyes wide open, chest rips out in tormenting despair, as Tom screams his lungs out.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijcEGycdKs
“Edward!”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlli7IUV53n
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHFUSatI1q
