Flash Fiction

Wayward Soldier

Competition Notes ▼

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon

Comp Winner - 298/300 words - 3 word prompt

The cemetery was quiet. An eerie mist had rolled in early, blanketing the ground and making the air dank and heavy. Two cloaked figures made their way through the maze of cracked tombstones and weeping angels, lighting the way with an old oil lantern. They stopped in front of a weathered headstone and surveyed their surroundings. They were alone. A gaunt arm held the lamp high, illuminating the plot, while the larger of the two began to dig.

“Not tha’ I ain’t glad ya home Tommy, but this is weird,” he said between laboured breaths.

“Aye, tha’ it is mate.”

“N’ ’m to ol’ for this shit.” He stopped and took a deep draw from his flask. “N’ ya’ve seen better days to.”

His companion chuckled in agreement. “Ya know tha stuff ‘ll kill ya.”

“Tha’s wha’ ‘m hoping, aint ‘appened yet though.”

Tommy shook his head, “Ya, shouldn’t wish ya life away. Never know wen e’ll take ya up on it.”

George shrugged and stomped the shovel back into the earth. A dull thud echoed as the metal head hit wood. He knelt down and clawed at the compacted soil. He wedged the shovel in the coffin’s seam. The oak creaked and moaned under the pressure as he pushed down on the handle. A final heave forced the lid free, revealing an empty shell.

The skeleton marched forward and unhooked the rifle at his shoulder before stepping into the open grave. He turned to face his brother-in-arms.

“I owe ya f’this.” He said as he crouched down and stretched out his weary bones.

“Tha’ ya do,” George smiled. “Ha ‘bout ya stay dead this time.”

The soldier nodded and lay back, resting his skull on the remains of his kitbag. “Aye….is’ time t’ rest now.”

“Goodbye brother.”