World at War Short Story

Tom was walking with his squad at dusk when gunfire erupted from the farm houses up ahead. Someone had shoved him down at the last minute and his face became embedded in the mud. A deafening silence soon followed as he realized everyone else was dead. He remained motionless as he was sure an enemy soldier was going to verify he was dead by putting a bullet through his head. However no one came.

After what seemed like an eternity, the light finally disappeared from the sky. The night sounds were all around him. He listened intently to any noise that he could hear to try and determine what was around him and what might be in front og him. He was in a corn field with houses all around the clearing. He had crossed a railroad track a few minutes before the ambush. A tank engine could be heard running somewhere in the distance as well as an occassional shot ringing out. He was all alone. Tom knew that if he could get to the other side of the farm house, he would be safe as his lines were very near to his position. There was a full moon and he was afraid to move. The snipers would get him for sure if he tried to make a run for it.

As he laid there motionless, he noticed that a few clouds hid the light of the moon for a few minutes at a time. He knew if he could time his escape to when they passed overhead, he might be able to run for cover without being shot. He waited and waited and waited. Finally it was time. Darkness was everywhere as the moon was masked in a cloud. He jumped up and stiffly tried to run. He charged through the corn field and narrowly missed running into a tank that was sitting only several hundred yardds away. He kept running as fast as he could. He could hear voices shouting in german nearby but they did not know where he was. As he ran he knew his time was running out. His lungs were threatening to burst from his chest and he forced himself to keep moving as fast as he could. Farther and farther he flew. He was so close to a bombed out house. Just when he was a few feet away, he dove with his last ounce of strength. The moon appeared again even brighter than it was before.

He made it! He was safe. Now as he sat there catchingg his breath, he realized that he was the only survivor. Why him? John had 2 kids. Pete was just married before he was shipped out. Why was he alive and not them. He would never know but as he had heard said before, the only glory in war was surviving. Now he truly knew what that meant. He pulled himself up and slowly worked his way to his lines.

Yes I have too much time sometimes!!!