Death, Gore
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfxReefI68
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rY8gajQ6B
Sounds of loud explosion burst in unison, echoing unclear in the distance;
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUcDo6QNMc
One meant aircraft run. Two meant tank busters.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSMA1VOzlC
Three meant artillery bombardment.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSrqdLdoUZ
This is it.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNIcPfEy1e
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee95kGopsj
Lt. Campbell turns around and shouts toward him, “Spread out! Spread out!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKhbbSayiP
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4hbmgLHvq
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ342FBu26sO
The dark red sky ripples its shells. Ground quakes, sounds of explosives blasts ringing his ears violent.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOwsX6d5Zo
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD35ejMAyR
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbHMiaOFWS
Then a shell thunders and blasts, sending black soils and dust spread tall and high.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLO2dTgct
He looks away. It could’ve been him.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX4mRsKDjA
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFnpiFsPAz
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDnw17RDVP
Pvt. Edwards nods as he takes and opens it still looking indifferent. At least he accepts his gesture.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG2oVdqMYd
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?!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmSyf3ErKa
Sgt. Gallagher shouts his voice near Ed, “Heard they chop their hand off!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ2T5cols7
Lt. Campbell shouts back, “What?!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ZlDLNtZa
“My friend from the colonies! He says they chop their hands off!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfojpy5Bvl
“Feudalistic chap!” Lt. Campbell shakes his head.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgKvmmgRWK
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmAPovGCHh
Tom clenches his throat dry. Waiting.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOejNbkUWMQ
A whistle blares strong, signalling the second charge. This is it.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmXOeg935r
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3O97cVVKB
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiCSDMLwdr
As Tom aims he discovers a grey soldier throwing a grenade toward them. He stumbles and falls scrambling as it flashes.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDRgdXLOEa
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9RwJJnDQY
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx6U8a9SWI
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXxHgOSOms
There he finds Pvt. Edwards kneels as he cocks back his rifle. A yellow shell flings from its chamber.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUJMy0AHll
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijyF2yoqIB
Tom sees a deep enough hole for cover, he grabs Edward and jumps down to it.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh2S5e1gnS
The earth trembles as the barrage shells land, ringing his ears once more.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyWkylkPvm
As the dirt drips from above, Tom looks at his buddy and exchanges his gaze with him. Still steady.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oCKvKwjbQ
“It’s us now, Ed,” Tom says.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpivhH3rJvI
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwoOpA39wb
"Hey. What's it like in Sheffield again?" Tom asks.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvmbznTak8
Edward shrugs, means 'it's okay'.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXzl9rgBbe
"Could I visit your home someday?"
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SMQP94fWy
He raises his eyebrows abruptly. It means 'sure'. Not much of a conversation as always. Though a hint of a smile reassures him.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvyeMtCQvI
Tom leans his head back, wandering his mind away from the surrounding blows as the cloud expresses its hellish colour.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn8V7hzW3M
There's a glimpse of a green meadow between his thoughts. His heart aches from the vision. Tom looks at his only friend.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdp0AxBuf
Is it even possible Ed?
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEi2xXIadx
The barrage ends, and a hush of stillness seems to have dominated the ground above. Tom peeks at his buddy, waiting for an answer.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZL1kGdjx4
Pvt. Edwards nods his head around up, means 'let's go'.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu5nVhOeZI
Tom follows as he pulls himself up the hole. He stands up and looks around as the mist of explosive shells covers them.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vnqpEYD0e
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.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6vkgB87rm
The soldier aims toward him. Tom closes his eyes.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn0uE9rQtL
This is it.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8tpXm1iTc
Two shots blare through his ears at the same time.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdnkJgtVaH
He opens his eyes, the grey soldier's on the ground without a soul, his breath shortens as he turns to his side.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKWD1dKtQe
He finds blood streams from his friend's forehead.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxsG1lhl7I
Eyes wide open, chest rips out in tormenting despair, as Tom screams his lungs out.
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnc7izwrwj
“Edward!”
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk1vJpuW5s
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh2fnJyFcr
