Death, Gore
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9I4t2kFw5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe50h6lFMOK
Sounds of loud explosion burst in unison, echoing unclear in the distance;
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnCXoNbu0p
One meant aircraft run. Two meant tank busters.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2lSebEPyh
Three meant artillery bombardment.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f7K4cmBkf
This is it.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQbeuXzPb1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XiaonkhZy
Lt. Campbell turns around and shouts toward him, “Spread out! Spread out!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ18enxPFjg
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqPiDvbbcx
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpHgmD8XfQ
The dark red sky ripples its shells. Ground quakes, sounds of explosives blasts ringing his ears violent.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyTgHrat1v
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyw8I2ap0N
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh91YDTkqg0
Then a shell thunders and blasts, sending black soils and dust spread tall and high.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp0C3ROeMo
He looks away. It could’ve been him.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz8e7rVuzE
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw95XC8DYms
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmjLfpZiH7
Pvt. Edwards nods as he takes and opens it still looking indifferent. At least he accepts his gesture.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL4lTT9lqt
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?!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjMiohRShi
Sgt. Gallagher shouts his voice near Ed, “Heard they chop their hand off!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLghPtkZL3
Lt. Campbell shouts back, “What?!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs4RvavPzI
“My friend from the colonies! He says they chop their hands off!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthIDHeNHyE
“Feudalistic chap!” Lt. Campbell shakes his head.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql74giZpGX
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAMt7KcxVd
Tom clenches his throat dry. Waiting.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPafRTirlG4
A whistle blares strong, signalling the second charge. This is it.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzsIJL12Qi
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb82lv1dsBb
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJgKi739Vs
As Tom aims he discovers a grey soldier throwing a grenade toward them. He stumbles and falls scrambling as it flashes.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKi8qMI6RU
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXByyuqNdR
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT0HqIO5xz
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6HXg7aJn0
There he finds Pvt. Edwards kneels as he cocks back his rifle. A yellow shell flings from its chamber.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI1T2VVzib
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf8ixV1SFw
Tom sees a deep enough hole for cover, he grabs Edward and jumps down to it.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuNgrpi2HC
The earth trembles as the barrage shells land, ringing his ears once more.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK3JJtLL9Z
As the dirt drips from above, Tom looks at his buddy and exchanges his gaze with him. Still steady.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2mzrzFQUH
“It’s us now, Ed,” Tom says.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUjr8Gyp3s
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1UpbDXAT
"Hey. What's it like in Sheffield again?" Tom asks.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb5Ixzbe4K
Edward shrugs, means 'it's okay'.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJtzXeZGlq
"Could I visit your home someday?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mpZuzJoaG
He raises his eyebrows abruptly. It means 'sure'. Not much of a conversation as always. Though a hint of a smile reassures him.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1nHzaJXYY
Tom leans his head back, wandering his mind away from the surrounding blows as the cloud expresses its hellish colour.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxfsDjWlqQ
There's a glimpse of a green meadow between his thoughts. His heart aches from the vision. Tom looks at his only friend.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlk8HNfsz0
Is it even possible Ed?
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidikwlo7kp
The barrage ends, and a hush of stillness seems to have dominated the ground above. Tom peeks at his buddy, waiting for an answer.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbef6ZfltOf
Pvt. Edwards nods his head around up, means 'let's go'.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97BwoOAnWi
Tom follows as he pulls himself up the hole. He stands up and looks around as the mist of explosive shells covers them.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfScoJpXGz
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.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemFgvq7iOg
The soldier aims toward him. Tom closes his eyes.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrG5LIrMH3
This is it.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu55cEYJrv
Two shots blare through his ears at the same time.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkNAmDx5dQ
He opens his eyes, the grey soldier's on the ground without a soul, his breath shortens as he turns to his side.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfumeEqdmYV
He finds blood streams from his friend's forehead.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XA73Y3epe
Eyes wide open, chest rips out in tormenting despair, as Tom screams his lungs out.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlYZkxNFsV
“Edward!”
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hdagi1fSu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1rzf822HB
