We were trained to hit, not just shoot. It sounds cruel, but we’re taught to kill seamlessly in a shot without feeling the slightest guilt. Whichever side a soldier is on- America, Russia, China, or Syria- we always believed we’re on the right side. We have to. And by the time we stepped behind our enemy’s line, we’re bound to kill or be killed.
So there we were, moving stealthily along empty houses where our foes, reportedly, hide. It only took one noise before the firing started. It lasted for only thirty-three minutes but it felt like a lifetime. Dead men lay sprawled out and crooked in the mud. Victory was on our side.
Or so we thought.
Amidst the mutilated corpses, stood a howling dog; its cry was haunting. I drew nearer to find it licking a dead woman’s face. There were children in there, too.
I walked as far away from that killing ground. The dog, to my surprise, followed my scent. Filled with guilt, I kneeled to meet its eyes, “Forgive me.”
Word Count: 175
Here is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers prompt. I’ve known from the moment I saw the photo prompt from pixabay that it would probably entail a heartbreaking story from most of us. So here I am, joining the band.
Enjoy more stories here:
March 17, 2016 at 7:57 pm
‘… we always believe we’re on the right side. ‘ … This is just so accurate…a bad guy to one side, a hero to the other… and in the midst of it all, the innocent suffer. Great story!
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March 18, 2016 at 10:04 am
So true… And in a war, there is no true victory. Everyone suffer, most especially the innocent ones. Thank you, S!
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March 17, 2016 at 8:50 pm
Awww, this almost made me cry. Such a sweet, heart touching story! I love it, Maria.
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March 18, 2016 at 10:14 am
I hate to admit that peace is so fragile in our world today and that more innocent people are suffering because of war. *sigh*
Thank you, PJ! And thanks for the prompt..
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March 18, 2016 at 10:22 am
Yes, that is so true, Maria. Too much suffering because of war. 😦
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March 18, 2016 at 10:51 am
We’ll just have to live with it I guess… On the bright side, at least we are in a safer place compared to them.
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March 18, 2016 at 11:05 am
Yes, thank God, we are and I hope we continue staying in a safe place and the war doesn’t come to us.
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March 17, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Poor woman and child killed accidentally. It happens when they fired without looking. But what can they do? Either kill or be killed! Wonderfully done. 🙂
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March 18, 2016 at 10:19 am
Thank you, Fun! It’s saddening to imagine that innocents were killed amidst the war but those soldiers couldn’t do anything, they were trained to shoot and kill everyone in the area. *sigh*
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March 18, 2016 at 6:38 am
Well told story. It is the civilian casualties in war that are often the worse because they cannot defend themselves. You can feel the dogs pain, and the soldiers after realizing there were civilians who died. His apology is a great ending.
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March 18, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thank you, Mandi! I completely agree with you. War and its casualties are endless. I wonder if a day would come that we could put an end to it.
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March 18, 2016 at 10:37 am
I don’t think on earth that is possible. History repeats itself, always 😦 not to be negative, just realistic.
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March 18, 2016 at 12:59 pm
True… And we’re left with no choice but to live with it. 😦
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March 18, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Until Jesus comes or we go to him:)
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March 18, 2016 at 12:31 pm
No one goes through war without a story of tragedy. This was a well told story of what feelings occur when your put in the position of war.
Isadora 😎
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March 19, 2016 at 11:16 am
Yes, no one. Innocent and guilty alike.
Thanks for dropping by, Isadora. 🙂
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March 18, 2016 at 10:42 pm
A tragic beauty here. The question is, will he ever forgive himself?
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March 19, 2016 at 11:39 am
Thanks for taking the time to read, Russell. I’m sure that will be a long process, if he ever get the chance to forget that haunting memory.
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March 19, 2016 at 3:25 am
So sad and war contributes to our tragedies unfortunately.
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March 19, 2016 at 11:42 am
A saddening truth indeed. 😦 Thank you for reading, Susan.
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March 20, 2016 at 8:37 pm
Wonderful job on this Maria. War is a tragedy for everyone…even dogs! We understand what is happening, they do not. It’s painful for us, but also painful for them.
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March 21, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I couldn’t agree more, Jessie. It’s even unfair for them (animals) coz their dreadfully affected by a war they didn’t have anything to to with. 😦
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March 21, 2016 at 9:17 am
War destroys beyond a country. It wreaked havoc hearts of both humans and animals. Sad yet beautifully told tale.
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March 21, 2016 at 12:25 pm
I couldn’t agree more. *sigh*
I just pray it doesn’t get any worse. 😦
Thank you, Rosema!
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March 21, 2016 at 12:27 pm
That is true. -_-
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March 21, 2016 at 9:12 pm
A sad truth of war. Either side is the right side. Well written
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