Jack Trip's Last Experience

He recognized immediately a few bodies, one of which was a friend he had made a pledged with. Jim Beal had wanted to spend a week with Jack in the countryside when all of this is over. It was just yesterday they were exchanging photos, and reminiscing each member of their families. Now it was all just a passing and jabbing memories. Christmas will miss one best of friends this time.

As Jack arrived at the barracks, he threw himself down, and cried inconsolably. The warm tears rolled down his cheeks profusely as the faces of Jim Beal, Dennis, Rodderick and Don battered his mind. From this point, it appeared Jack was on the brink of insanity. The gruesome scene was too heavy for a mild mind homegrown in an undefiled countryside.

The soldiers of same rank found disgust with Jack’s mannerism. A man in uniform is not allowed to express sympathetically. He is the epitome of bravery, heroism, and guts.

Jack was ashamed, and quickly composed himself. This time his bravery was a little bit more noticeable. Trying to get a better position, Jack peered over and saw at the peak of the hill, the enemy’s camp buffeted their shots at them. He and the fellow soldiers were just about 500 meters away from them.

Now it has been almost 2 hours they had been fighting tirelessly. The sun would soon bow out, and the hue of the sky struck the battalion attention. The instruction was clear. They must get into the enemy’s line before the sun disappeared.

Gnashing his teeth, Jack discharged a few shots as a small revenge for his friends, but quickly ducked when the returns were heavy. The battle has an unfortunate lesson; Hatred makes a soldier.

But the physical trauma of a spree of deaths alone was enough to drain the soldiers out mentally. The comatose soldiers around Jack needed a small break. This long hour of battle chess game had obviously taken a toll on some of them. Then not too far a familiar groaning was heard. It was one of those that agonized your heart and yet you couldn’t do much about it. One of the platoon leader was shot in his leg.

"MacKay needs more water !!! ", Desperate voices were asking around. In such occasions, fledgling soldiers like these ones are usually prepared to be afflicted and distressed with bleak traumas and disturbing images. And they are often caught confused especially in the cauldron of uninviting deaths.

Jack offered his, "Here take mine…" . However he went no further than that because the weight of battle was already too distressful.

There seem to be a stalemate for a while. The sun already set. Darkness reigned. The stakes are higher now. It was an opportunity for Jack to rewind and think of his life after the war. When this is over one thing is for sure, he would grant his father’s wish that is to pursue excellence so that he can stoop to no one. Papa and mama are always proud of Jack for his academic achievements. He has always been much talked about in the small town of 800 people. But life is not without flaws. Jack’s timidity is often ridiculed by neighbors and schoolmates. He is introvert, thus speak less. His mother’s lineage may had been responsible for this.

Jack continued to dialogue with his inner voice.