War Stories 8

by Kieran Richards

�Why are we heading back to the trenches?� Cassandra asked the commander as the entire squad was sprinting back towards the trenches.

�We left Anton, Kath and Holly. It�s a bugger but we can�t leave them behind.�

�Right, in that case we�d better get a move on.� An artillery began to fire in the distance. �Shit, girls get a move on. We don�t want to be hit,� the commander urged the rest of the squad on.

�Why did you do it Kate? Why did you try and kill us?�

�Why is it you and Kath can always tell you�re dreaming?� the figure of Kate came out of a shadow. �I mean it doesn�t give me much of a chance at sending you mad with guilt.�

�Because you always try to make everything right but manage to fail utterly.� Anton said staring off into the distance.

�You never seem to look at me when I come to you.�

�That�s because I don�t want to look at the person who killed me.� Anton looked round at the figure.

�You can�t escape me you know. No matter how far you withdraw yourself I will always be here.�

�That can�t be helped but I can at least try to forget you.�

�But you can�t, can you? Every time you try to repair your psyche I return to haunt you. You will never leave me in the dust. You will never get away from me as long as you still draw breath.� Anton spat round and fired his gun but Kate�s figure disappeared and materialised behind him.

�So why did you try and kill Kath?�

�Why do you think? She was lesbian scum!�

�And so were you!�

�How would a little mite like you know that?�

�I was a kleptomaniac. I found a hell of a lot of strange things. You would never know what I found out about you.�

�Well I hope you�re happy being alive because it�s very cramped in this mind.�

�It�s your own fault for trying to kill Kath. You forced yourself here and now you will never leave!� he turned and walked away.

�Anton, are you alright?� Kath was sitting over Anton looking worried.

�Yeah fine. What happened?�

�We were leaving and you collapsed. I was rather worried,� Kath said looking up. �Let�s get you to your room before you drop again.�

�No! We have to go. We have to get out of here!�

�Quiet. You�re fine. Everything is right. Let�s just get you to bed.� Kath dragged Anton to his quarters and locked the door from the outside.

�How long till we get back?�

�By the looks of things, we won�t get there till tomorrow morning. We�d better setup camp for the night. They shouldn�t fire at night if they�re smart.�

As the first light broke into the trenches, Anton sat bolt upright. Three seconds later he heard a blood curdling scream �Kath!� he rushed at the door only to find it locked.

�Help!!!� Kath was screaming while being chased in only her underwear through the trenches. �Someone please help!!!� she slipped, hit the floor and before she knew it she had been flung against the wall. As she looked into the ugly face of her pursuer she saw a familiar door. �Oh God help me!?!�

�Keep it shut girly, or I may be forced to take, precautions.� The door behind the attacker exploded to reveal a sickeningly frightful sight. The man spun round dropping Kath. �Who the hell are you!?!� that was the last thing he said. A second later he hit the floor with a definite indent in his face. Anton walked over to the quivering body, rolled it over and looked round to Kath.

�Hey babe. You alright?� Kath just stared at him in shock.

�Kath!� Holly sprinted round the corner and skidded to a halt upon seeing what had happened. �Oh my God,� she muttered staring at the man on the floor. Anton lifted Kath off the ground and walked down to the medical bunker and placed her on a bed.

�I�ll leave her to you,� he said passing Holly on the stairs. He walked out of the room leaving Holly and Kath to look on in shock of what had just happened.