Chapter One

They squatted on their haunches, ready to charge, ready to throw themselves into the fields. The men’s breathing was jittery in the cold air, their breath swirling in front them in plumes of smoke. Fog swayed about the silent trenches, making their clothes and skin damp and chill. Everyone was waiting. Clasping their guns desperately, adrenaline surging through their exasperated bodies. Then there it was, the signal. The cavalry charged first, quickly followed by the men. They scrabbled in the mud, gathering their footing, and stormed ahead into the fog. Bloodcurdling screams and agonised screeches rang through the night like a million heartbroken birds. The battering of gunfire deafened the men and the thick, thick fog blinded them. They were helpless yet still they powered forwards. The horrendous sound as thousands and thousands of men crashed into each other. Their battle cries drowned out by the never ending clatter of machine guns and the shrieks as the men were destroyed bit by bit, each side as wounded as the other.

Eventually the noise died out. The last gun fired and the last body dropped pointlessly to the floor. Rider less horses, terrified and wounded, galloped senselessly about, their eyes wide and wild, trampling the bodies that were strewn against the fields of disturbed soil and spattered blood. Men lay, their limbs in broken positions, their eyes and mouths agape and staring into nothingness. The fog lifted as one of them, groaned and tried to lift himself to his feet. He buckled under his weight as he noticed sprinkling of shrapnel was protruding from his left calf. He tried to pull the largest one out but screamed in agony and left it there. He heaved to his feet once more and looked about him for help. The fog had left drips of water on his face and hair and they flew off as he spun round more and more frantically as it dawned he was the only one left.

Shattered bodies lay at his feet, blood and guts and god knows what was spread like butter over the landscape. He vomited into a puddle next him and proceeded to scream out into the fields. “Is anyone there? Please, help me please!” Tears tumbled from his eyes, his searing leg seeped blood, as no reply came. From either direction, no reply came. “Oh god.” He wiped his eyes and looked about him for somewhere to go. The trenches were nowhere in sight. How far had they run? A thick band of trees lay just to the north and with little other option, and without risking heading towards the wrong trenches, he limped slowly and painfully towards the darkened trees.

Author's Note

this book is pretty much short chapters :)