A Frontline Folly
Unfinished Short Story
His hands felt ice cold as I held them in the bloodied mud .“ I don’t think i’m going to make it Rolf”, “Nonsense, I can grab you a syringe, you're going to be fine!” This lie did more for me then him, perhaps if I believed I could save him, It could minimize the trauma of his inevitable death. Dwindling supplies and flooded trenches did nothing to help the morale of German troops. The Entente powers had been slowly repulsing and halting our advance along France’s eastern border. That god-forsaken trench was one of our last strong points in bloody Belgium. Frigid wind chilled Werner’s desperately grasping hands. With one last frozen tear he said “I’m going drinking when I get up there, Damn I hope they have Scotch!” In his last moments, Werner wanted me to laugh, to be joyful despite his death at the hands of the French. I will always be regretful that I did not comply with his last request. Falling over his body, I wailed and sobbed intensely, only moving to dodge bullets and shrapnel. It was the first time I had not been shaken by the battle itself. This loss caused more pain than a bullet ever could.
Our previously gargantuan division was a sliver of its former self. Only 1 medic, 1 officer, and 3 infantryman (including myself) remained. My somber superior, Heinz could no longer remain apathetic toward the German cause. His men and seedy connection toward the higher ups that kept his position secure were wearing thin. “For the Kaiser!” Heinz shouted half-heartedly. My thoughts drifted to the monarch, I had once fought for him, swore to lay down my life for his regal gains. It was only after watching the blunders that I realized the Kaiser’s rule was tainted by damming incompetence. My fight was Germany’s, he would not be entitled to my blood. Heinz slumped, giving up, as I had not responded to his jingoistic pandering. Artillery bombardment began, gunfire rang, there would be no pauses for the grieving. Recognizing my hellish surroundings once again, I rose from my tearful sorrows and reloaded my weapon. The eyes of our division rested upon Heinz, His whistle would blow shortly, signifying our charge toward the opposing trench. At last, after careful anticipation the dreaded instrument sounded, and we crossed the parapets.
Falling From A High Rise
Part of an ongoing novella
Prologue
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Applause, caps thrown, robes worn, hopes high. The culmination of an entire academic career in a single ceremony. It would be a lie to say that Jesse’s parents weren’t proud of him, he was a fine kid. He did well in school, had some nice friends, even got a couple girls too. Jesse knew a lot of things (or at least he thought he did) but one fact stood out from the rest. It was a truth so naked and so real that it twisted daggers into his idle mind. His parents were never truly satisfied with him. He got high marks, but why not the best? He’d been with a few girls, but why not the one? A fine kid, but why wasn’t he perfect? The unsolvable mystery, the ever-perplexing question. Undenounced to his folks, Jesse had taken notice of their curiosity. They didn’t need to say a single word, the scorching apathy in their eyes was more than enough. Like some leave college with a mountain of loans, he would leave high school with one. A loan to his own mind, he was living on borrowed happiness. He was still a kid like any other though, and he wasn’t going to let what loomed kill his mood.
Now was his time to shine, he was more than satisfied with himself, or at least he could fake it for a little while.
Sydney
Submitted in 2018-2019 Scholastic Awards
Todd clasped his guidebook tightly as he gleefully bolted through doors of the airport, taking in the aroma of the city for the first time. Ever since the first day he could think for himself, he dreamed of escaping the drudgery and dullness of his hometown. Australia’s exotic vibrancy drew many tourists, Including Todd. The danger of his planned exploits only provoked giddy excitement.
A plethora of thoughts bounced every which way in Todd’s head with him drawing ever nearer to the Sydney Opera House, a beautiful structure that he had hoped to visit before descending into the risk of the wildlife trail. The building’s brilliance seemed to resonate with him despite a lack of interest in opera. After observing the opera house itself, Todd began to survey the environment surrounding him. A massive group of Seagulls flocked and dove toward the tourists. All of the mangy birds seemed to be surveying the area for a scrap of food. Todd would have stayed near the house, but he was simply not captivated enough by mere seagulls.
He wanted new thrills, things he had yet to see in his short life. A brief period was spent on the beach, after which Todd strolled back to his hotel room, trying to take in all the unique sights and sounds of the city. Waking up, he went on his way immediately. Nothing on his jog to the nature trail seemed anything but exquisite. Though he had only been in the country for a day, he was as comfortable as a man who had spent 1,000 years in his stead, attaching so quickly to his idea of paradise. He was away from all his afflictions at home, and while they still held sway over a tiny sector of his consciousness, he seemed to be suppressing them well enough. Perhaps it was time to stop running and face the truth. He pondered this new line of thought before being interrupted by a vicious eagle at the mouth of the trail. Thankful for a distraction, he looked upon the eagle very closely. A small rabbit hopped from side to side on the trail attempting to evade it in dense shrubbery. This technique was no match for the ferocious dives of the wedge tailed beast. Hoisting its kill high in the air, it flew deeper into the desert, presumably hungry for more. If all wildlife encounters were as epic as this had been, the trail would have been well worth the steep price of admission. An intense evening of danger and wonder followed. It wasn’t 5 steps that went by without another encounter with an interesting animal. Snakes and goliath tarantulas that Todd would typically recoil from, only attracted him. From an outside perspective, he would seem like a man with a Deathwish.
The distant sunset was the perfect backdrop to his perfect day. Todd took a rest near a tree to watch the brilliant orange and purple sky, he had never witnessed something with such majesty. After the awe inspiring display, night began to fall and he noticed a struggling owl clinging to a tree branch. As Todd drew closer its injuries and faults became apparent. Its wing had a large gash, which severely limited its movement. With no way to accrue food, it cried out into nothingness, yearning for a remedy to its plight. Todd wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do, it was beyond his control. Watching this helpless owl did nothing for Todd aside from dampen his mood, so he moved on, and began meandering toward the resort. Between the trail and hotel lay nothing of substance, and with the sun completely faded, no scenery to admire. Todd was alone with his thoughts, something he had desperately hoped to avoid.
It was time, time to cease the suppression of his inner thoughts. He would confront his emotions, whether he chose to, or otherwise. Anger, confusion, and most prominently, a deep sadness permeated his mind. A disease that had skipped two generations now came for him, and what was he to do? His life would be tainted before he had even passed his prime. Only a week beforehand, he had received the devastating news that he, a mere 23 year old, had cancer, reaching far past its point of origin, plaguing the body. It could not be, it must not be, Todd thought. Since the announcement, he had kept anything relating to it tucked away, refusing to allow himself an outburst. Todd buried his true feelings under piles of distractions, that was, after all, the true purpose of this hastily planned trip. If visiting the city of his dreams could not make him forget, what could? This moment was a long time coming, try as he might, simply forgetting was, and never will be, possible. For hours, the floodgates of his mind were opened and he could not stop the ever-present flow of tears. He saw a raven perched atop a lamppost, overlooking and seemingly understanding his trauma. It stood alone, sulking. The raven was not brooding, sharing in the agony felt by Todd. After what felt like years Todd grasped himself. The few years he had must not be wasted in the ways of grief. Every part of him pleaded to stay chained to the ground, but he rose up. Todd had to find a new solution.
At sunrise, he stood at the shore and looked outward, allowing the waves to caress his legs. Todd took large breaths and engaged in deep thought. Even if it hurt, he must survive not by cowering, but by accepting his new unfortunate situation. A small white dove took flight from the docks and began to soar above the clouds. It was only then he realized that he needn’t find a solution. The answer was within himself and it was greater than any trip, more brilliant than any sunset. The infinite beauty of peace.