I'm the enemy

Chapter 3

Bombs and gunfire sounded outside, an ever present chorus of battle. As dawn broke and light flooded into the tent, Ernst felt a strong wave of empathy in his chest. He knew what it was like to be out there, surviving on minimal sleep just trying to make it in this cruel world. Being on your guard all of the time, fearing ambush and attack from the enemy who would kill you because they had been told to. It was a cycle that repeated everyday and the men were well used to it. No purpose other than to fight, to kill. They were killing machines, predators against their own kind. They dug trenches and discussed strategies of taking away human life. The truth was that they had become used to death, used to the cycle. Remorse was felt deeply but they knew it was a weakness. Dehumanised robots they called themselves. Warriors with their senses honed. Toy soldiers for the Kaiser. His rule was controversial but they had no choice but to follow him as if they were pawns on a chessboard. Rumours were spreading that he would be overthrown or forced into exile. He hoped that they were true, though that was potentially dangerous thinking that he tucked into the deepest crevice of his mind.

He decided to think about something else, that type of thinking wouldn't get him anywhere. They War would end when it ended and nothing he thought could change that. He remembered the Christmas truce that seemed so long ago now, though it had only been 1914 four years ago, with a fond smile. Through all of the violence German, English and French soldiers had come to find peace for a week. He remembered the games of football, the pleasantries that had been exchanged until all of that had been destroyed by the reminder that this was a war and they were soldiers. The next day they picked up their guns and resumed fighting as if nothing had happened but they knew it had. Soon they were killing people that they had been laughing and smiling with just the day before. They learned not to get attached to anyone after that but it was unavoidable. Everyday they felt the pain as another comrade lost his life and their hearts hardened to lead after every loss. Every happy memory he had was tainted by war and what could have been. The pledge he'd made when he joined the army reverberated in his mind, he'd promised to serve his country no matter what but that was difficult now. He was considered an ally and since he had been introduced to the other men in the tent he had built up a quiet camaraderie. He knew he'd feel guilty either way after this experience, he could kill neither ally nor German after meeting with both of them.

One of the men spoke up breaking his train of thought though he was grateful "John, John mate are you awake?"

"Yes, I am are you well? Do you need a nurse?" He asked, concerned

"No I'm fine. I just needed someone to talk to. It's the bombs, they're all I can think about. How many of our comrades, our friends are out there dying, fighting for the King? How many of them will never come home? How many of them will never see their families again? Will we see our families again?"

"I don't know. I don't know George. I'm sorry but I don't know"

George laughed mockingly though not unkindly at him "That's the thing isn't it? None of us know. They said this war would only last a year but it's been four years and we're still fighting. I'm getting desperate. When will I see my Jennie or my girls? I miss 'em, I miss 'em so much" Then he started to cry, gasping sobs escaping his mouth. "Oh God I miss 'em"

"Tell me about them" Ernst said, reaching over to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I've got two daughters, Elsie and Jean. We had another kid on the way, if it was a girl we were going to call her Edith after my mum but if it was a boy we were going to call him Robert after Jennie's dad, God rest him. Lovely man he was. I love Jennie so much, I couldn't bear it if I never saw her again. We met in the town hall at one of the dances and she was like an angel. I couldn't take my eyes of her. She was wearing this beautiful silver dress and gave me a big smile, as cliche as this is, I fell in love with her at first sight. We go to know each other and I'm sure you can guess the rest. We both cried like children when I had to leave" he sniffed, still crying but smiled a weak smile

"What about you?" He asked "Any sweetheart waiting for you at home? Children? Mind you, you might be a bit young for children"

"I'm 24 and no, no sweetheart or children for me. Just my mother, father and sister."

"Anyone you've got your eye on? I've seen that you talk to that nurse a lot, the French one " George grinned cheekily

"Lucille?" He blushed slightly, ducking his head "She's lovely of course but she's just doing her job and I'm only a soldier" An enemy soldier at that he added silently in his head

"You lit up when I mentioned her and you're blushing. Have you got a bit of a crush, lad?" He teased but there was a seriousness in his eyes

"Perhaps but I highly doubt that she feels the same way. It is only a crush not a declaration of love" he said sarcastically

George clapped his hand on Ernst's shoulder in an almost fatherly way even though he was only 30, and therefore only six years older than him. "In all seriousness son, you should tell her. You never know what's going to happen in this war and you don't want to have any regrets if you die tomorrow. I think you might be surprised" Then he winked and lay back down, smiling "Thank you for talking to me, it helped"

"Any time" said Ernst before lying back down as well and thinking about what George had said. Maybe he did have a crush on Lucille. It would be hard not to have a crush on such a sweet, kind, pretty woman who also stood her ground against him and wouldn't leave him alone until he was alright. He smiled fondly then with a jolt, realised that George had said "you might be surprised". Did he think Lucille felt the same about him after such a short while? The thought made him beam but he tried not to get his hopes up. He would see the next time she came to talk to him but eventually he fell asleep the guns and bombs acting as a strange lullaby which lulled him to sleep.

Author's Note: Hey everyone, thanks for reading this chapter of I'm the enemy, I hope you all enjoyed it. Please vote and comment as I really love seeing your feedback and feel free to leave any constructive criticism. Thanks again for reading and bye for now