Short Story: The Soldier

Short Story: The Soldier

This piece has not been edited by the ShortbreadStories team.

I am standing here with pack and gear

The tight grip on my shoulder was heavy

Like my mother's heart as she holds her hand on my shoulder

Cry she could no more, with her eyes red and weary

My uniform was new and comfortable

For a brief moment, I was proud to be here

If only it was my choice to be here

I could not shake the question in my mind, "Will I return?"

For words could not describe my fear

I looked down at my mother and smiled bravely

I knew for some time now this day would come

Yet after all this time, I still do not have any answers,

Words of hope to give my mother that I will return safely

For my departure, my tour of duty will be long or forever

We are not standing here alone; the crowd was large but silent

For words will be wasted, for we all share the same thoughts.

The time will soon come when some of us will be friends

Look out for each other, laugh, fight or may die together.

Suddenly a strong wind picked up as helicopters flew over us

They landed nearby, and we all knew that this was the beginning

Beginning of what, was what raised the fear in us all

My mother started to cry again and I looked at her once more

I could not say goodbye it was too hard to say

My father was not here, but I remember his words well,

"To us you have nothing to proof, do your tour and come home"

I hugged my mother goodbye, picked up my pack and gear

They called my name and I stepped out with a salute

I walked to the helicopter without fear

A group of us were walking together

I looked back once with a single tear

I waved at my mother with a brave smile

I never said goodbye for I knew it was not time.

The helicopter took off and I looked down

I did not look away until I could see her no longer.

For the first time I looked up at my fellow soldiers

We exchanged a simple nod of understanding and acknowledgement.

We were in this together, the beginning of a strong bond.

The ride was long and silent, as we looked down upon our country “one last time”

Was this what it all came down to? We were uncertain.

It was so small, yet we knew that millions live down there

The people we were going to protect and fight for until the end.

Yet no one down there really knew what we were about to do and give up for them

All they do is protest against the war, while we knew it was for them - our safety and freedom.

Still it did not matter, no matter what was said and done, we are here

To walk the path of honour and glory for a better future no matter the casualty.

It has been days of traveling until we reached our posts.

No time was wasted, we only had time to threw down our gear

We stood in position in front of our sergeant neatly and quietly.

Where he marched up and down in front of us - talking words of bravery and wisdom.

After it all we were introduced to our team mates and knew this is where it all begins

We made friends quickly, no matter where we were all from, here and now it did not matter

That night we celebrated our honour and new friendship on this new path that lay before us.

The next day the after match of the celebration could be felt deep within

The training was hard because of that, but we all took the punishment together.

We came back early from our first patrol today with our moods low.

We backed away from the helicopter as we watched them unload two body bags.

Today we were ambushed; we never knew what hit us

It was so fast, so unexpected - they were ready for us, they knew when and where

This was a hard lesson for us all, that there was no room for errors.

We must be ready for anything at all time, no daydreams no jokes - this was real.

Ready to fight, ready to die and ready to bare the loss of our friends

People we have only known for a short time – yet a life time for us.

It was even harder on our commanders we knew, for they had to share the news.

The night was cold and dark; we were here on a new patrol.

The silent night was corrupted with a loud explosion

The night sky turned into fire as the cloud of the explosion spread.

We were ordered to stay low and not to engage upon our enemy.

I laid upon my back looking up at the "fire work display"

What else was I to do? The different colours the sky bared was oddly beautiful.

I knew I could lose my life right here and right now

Even so, I felt this complete peace within myself that it would not matter

Irony here was - my team mate next to me was shaking rapidly from fear

Far after sun rise we were moving out, silently and fully alert.

I heard a noise from a far, time slowed as I looked in the direction

It was then and there that I saw him, my enemy with his gun aimed and ready.

There was no time for warning, to time to get someone to watch my back

I shot a single shot, and like a leaf on the wind, he fell to the ground lifelessly

My team dived for cover while I stood frozen still on the spot.

I had been trained hard; I had been prepared by words for as far as words could

But nothing prepared me for this feeling of emptiness.

The feeling of your first casualty - your innocence.

We returned to our base from a week of patrolling and surviving.

We were dirty and hungry, while the numbness in our muscles was forgotten.

Later on I sat down on my bed with pen and paper in my hand

I wanted to write a letter to my mother, to assure her I am still here

Words did not come easy, for no words could ever ease her worries.

Suddenly the pen moved over the paper swiftly and steadily without my knowledge.

I heard the siren, folded the letter quickly and headed outside.

I quickly handed the letter to the responsible person and joined my team mates.

The rumours spread fast of an ambush we were to set up for our enemies.

We were marching towards the chosen place to set up our ambush.

As we walked, a click sound filled the air and I heard my team mates shout

"Grenade!" as I looked down at the wire line at my feet and I knew

Time slowed as my mind rushed for choices I could make

My head moved fast as I looked around me at my fellow soldiers

This time together I have felt this complete peace,

This deep bond I knew I will never find in a marriage.

Without another thought I fell down upon the Grenade and closed my eyes.

Everything around me became silent and bright as I floated off the ground.

A month later there was a knock on my mother’s door and she rushed to open it.

It was the post man with a letter in his hand and a huge smile on his face

"I knew you were waiting for this so I brought it to your door."

My mother opened my letter fast and anxiously as she eagerly read it.

The letter fell upon the floor as she stood frozen still on the spot

On that piece of paper was written "I love you - goodbye" in my own handwriting.

It was the letter my hands wrote without me knowing, before we headed out.

For my soul knew it was time for me to wrote those words, for my body arrived the very next day.

Along with medals of bravery that were handed with a flag to my mother.