As the lone dog trotted up to him, he gently caressed his ears with one hand, while the other moved slowly to the mongrel’s side. With an abrupt yelp and whimper, it slumped to the ground as the bullet pierced the animal’s heart before it could sense any kind of danger.
Leave no witnesses, so he hadn’t. His last mission accomplished in a war millions of miles away, confronting the guilty and innocent, mostly as one.
The soldier straightened and his eyes carefully took in his surroundings. Satisfied, he walked stoically through the row of bodies and limbs. As if on cue, the field of bloodied and mutilated figures arose and started closing in on him and he was jolted awake, shivering.
As trembling hands poured water from a jug, for the umpteenth time he tried to make sense of why he’d killed that damn dog, the one true occurrence in his now all too familiar nightmare.
Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
Great story. I don’t know why he’d kill a helpless dog. His nightmares most be horrifying but it is interesting to note the dog was one of the most innocent creatures killed in war.
That’s what happens in certain wars… you get caught up in the horrors and the most senseless of actions seems justified.
A thought provoking write, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for taking time out to read it!😊
I will be back for more. 😇
😊👍
Very poignant and powerful. So sad what war does to the men/women that fight in them. Wonderful story!
Yes, it certainly is very painful to all involved. Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! 😊
A haunting tale. Sometimes we just make the wrong decision
Yes, in such horrific circumstances it takes a lot of will power to keep a level head. Thank you for reading! 😊
the nightmares never spare you, nice post
That is sadly very true. Thanks for reading! 😊
Oh boy that made me sad. He’s just become an automated killing machine.
Let me use the opportunity to invite you to the Bloggers brunch that I am hosting over the weekend Saturday – Sunday. I believe it will be fun to mingle with others. The invitation is titled, It’s Brunch Party Time. I will send one out again tomorrow. My regards.
Sigh…that’s why war should be the last option! Thanks for reading!
Fabulous SW I loved that notion of haunting guilt. Well done.
Thank you so much for reading! Glad you liked it! 🙂
What a weird nightmare he had. He must had watched too many wars related movies to constantly have the same dream. 🙂
War does leave an ugly scar behind. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Poinant, S! War has done terrible damage to human and animals, alike. *sigh*
Yes, the ugly side of war. Thanks for reading! 🙂
My pleasure.. 🙂 🙂