Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Gray Ghosts ❯ Chapter 1

The gray ghosts

 

It was still relatively dark but the first rays of dawn were starting to streak across the horizon. And across the barren wasteland called “no mans land.” The sniper lay in wait expecting an enemy attack. But soon he needed a cigarette. But he knew the light would give him away. Even then he couldn't wait. With not quite steady hands he put the cigarette to his lips and struck a match. Within a fraction of a second he heard a shot. And dirt flew. Putting the light out he silently cursed his addiction. The sun was starting to show over the Somme river valley. And soon it wouldn't be smart to be in the open. The sniper started to crawl back when he heard a whistle. Thinking quickly he rolled into a shell hole strewn with human remains. Men forgotten or abandoned by their comrades. He pulled a body over him and waited at the lip of the crater. Out of the morning mist they came like gray ghosts coming back for a second round at life. The sniper waited for the covering sounds of the rifles and the rattle of machineguns before picking his targets. But for every man he killed the sadder and more far gone he became. He was used to death but despised killing. At the fifth man his sanity was gone and as the enemy retreated the sniper crawled back to his trench. And then he stood over the parapet praying he would never kill again. At the crack of a rifle his prayer was answered as a bullet struck his head. An explosion of crimson followed as the sniper toppled backward like a broken toy.