They stood there, like gray ghosts, because there is no color in moonlight. The silence around them was eerie, strange, a shocking contrast to the incredible noise of the firefight they'd just been through. Wisps of gray smoke drifted silently through the compound as if in slow motion but they - they were too stunned to move.
The Cong were gone. The attack had been sudden, out of the blue, and came with a ferocity the Cong had never demonstrated before. It ended almost as suddenly as it had started.
They knew the days of 'easy duty' were gone now. Forever.
Ndinombethe.
15 comments:
You have lived this, I know.
Your short stories are so amazing. You should publish a collection. Really.
is there ever 'easy duty'?
A glimps into the past you try to keep hidden from us.
Amazing stuff... and yes, it does make me think back to personal experiences.
Reading Karl Marlantes, "Matterhorn" he describes this exactly.
Good story from the real deal.
Ah, Lou, of course I believe ALL war is horrible, but somehow that war always plays more "ferociously" in my head.
You and I are the same age. You were there with our friends, our classmates, our brothers and a few of our sisters. And those of us at home waited and prayed, and watched in horror as "the body count" was updated on the nightly news.
Well said.
I don't think I could even explain why, but this... brought a tear. Beautifully done.
I'm shuddering at the thought of being there.
I cannot imagine.
Your words snake around me and draw me in, they take me places and when they're done leave me speechless. (Hugs)Indigo
Simply amazing.
Jientje: A long time ago.
Nan: One of these days.
Shadow: No, but some is easier than others.
Patsy: There's nothing that can be done about what I've lived through - and nothing that can be gained by reliving more that is necessary.
Big Mark 243: Thank you, Mark.
My point: Thank you, Sir.
PattiKen: I saw it from the other side of the 'tube'.
Moneythoughts: Thank you, Fred.
Tara R: Thank you, Tara.
Emily: Me too.
Hyphen Mama: Don't even try.
Indigo: Wow. Thank you, Indigo.
Awful subject, wonderful piece, beautifully described.
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