The Night We Were Followed

Two young army radio operators have to attend a remote radio site on a mountain.

 

We could be injured, or possibly killed,

whatever the ending, blood could be spilled.

I had to keep focused, I had to keep driving,

since all around me, the darkness was thriving.

 

 

When the trip started, we set out real slow,

but knowing exactly, where we should go.

‘The hut’s at the top of the hill,’ they said,

‘try not to get followed, you could end up dead.’

 

 

The main road it stopped, so we used the track,

we were so conscious, of terrorist attack.

Then as we followed, the track up the hill,

I wondered, ‘Would I be able to kill?’

 

* * *

 

 

We got to the hut, it was right at the top,

I switched off the engine, our noise to stop.

As we got out of the car, wouldn’t you know,

someone was coming, and driving real slow.

 

 

I doused the lights, then cocked my Browning,

the sound of that car, the wind was now drowning,

I knelt on the track, and aimed ready to blast,

the car that had followed, sped up and went past.

 

 

My mate looked at me, and said, ‘You okay?’

I said, ‘I was ready to blow them away...’

I’ll never forget my feelings next day,

‘That was the night, when my thoughts ran astray.’

Author's Note

This is a true tale involving myself and a colleague going out after midnight into a foggy night. It was a 20 mile drive before we reached the site. The incident took place in 1975 whilst we were serving in Northern Ireland. I was 23, he was 21.

Reviews

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

A fabulous tale and as this is a true one, rather frightening. Told well and rhymed superbly. I love to read your work, the rhythm is fantastic!