They told us shells are not supposed to hit the same spot twice. Another lie.
They told us back home that it would be an adventure, that if we don’t fight the Germans and Turks would take our country. More lies.
Why did we sign up? We are still only 16. Me and Bill quit school together. Three months of not shaving, tissues in the soles of our shoes to make us look taller, and they let us in. Must have been desperate. I told Bill to sign up, I believed the lies. Our country was under threat. He was scared and now hes dead. Its my fault.
A captain sees me sitting alone and orders me back to camp. I mumble inaudibly. I don't want Bill to be left alone. We have been together since the start.
'And take his boots with you!'
I glare back at the captain, hatred in my eyes. I hate this damn war.
One last look at Bill before they wrap him up. I grab his boots, wipe the snot and tears from my face and stumble back to camp.
'Australian War Memorial Archives', accessed on 7/11/2011, access here
TAT: I like your person. He's a bit funny. He seems like someone that might grow up to be your local postman. It was a nice story :D
ReplyDeleteVICKY: your soldier was a bit childish, shouldn't he be more like manly and "i'm gonna save the world ansd not scared ofa nthing " type of guy. BUt overal it's good
I really liked this and the fact that 'Bill' was so isignificant to his captain and the war he risked his life for that they could even fathom taking the shoes off of a boy in his final grave is absolutely heart wrenching.
ReplyDeleteThis really emphasises upon the fact that people are so clueless when joining the War and they don't know what they are getting themselves into. It's not just all glory and adventure, it's about loss, hatred and bloodshed. This story has all the above elements and tugs at the readers heart-strings. Nicely done sir!
ReplyDelete