Numb: The Genesis

XI. Occupation

The ship rocked and rocked in the violent seas. I was unstable on the balls of my feet so I spread and bent my legs enough so that I could hold a strong stance.

By this time, I still haven't directly killed a man. I've witnessed it, but never have done it myself. Now that was something I wasn't prepared for: taking a life away from a stranger. You don't know who they were before the war, but I guess it's reasonable to say war changes people and you've got to do what you were sent to do. And that's to defeat and conquer.

I surveyed the area. The enemy ships were indeed coming close. Very close. My men crowded around me from behind, all tired and assembling in confusion.

"Fall in! Accompany the cannons, we're-" I was calling orders until the enemy ship collided with ours. I saw silhouettes in the far end nearing us. That's when I knew we were going to deal with close combat. "Swords! Now!"

The sound of metal sliding out showered my ears. Holding mine tightly in my hand, I walked on forward with my men following my step. I started to see the faces of the opponent. Only their eyes illuminated-with fear.

Stiff. Something had overcome me. I felt the loss of grip of my sword. Why did I feel this sort of numbing, burning? The longer time stood still, the more I felt the pulling sensation. There was a pulling at my ankles, as if someone or something wanted to drag me down. To somewhere. Whispers. Whispers in my ear. Telling me what to do.

It wasn't just me anymore in my mind. Something else had come to occupy it.

Crimson red painted my face. Wet. Warm.

I looked down at my blade.

It was now filthy. With blood.

To my horror, a man's figure toppled to the ends of my feet. Half of his head, gone.

What have I done?

Then another thought had corrected me. And it said:

What have we done?

***

My, oh, my. I'm sorry to all of you who have been waiting so long. Curse my health! It's such a short chapter too...

Well, I'm back! Still ill, but I really felt horrible for not at least updating. I hope my apology compensates for the lost time. I'm going to finish this story no matter what it takes!

I love you all and stay in good health! <3

Kiki