Midnight Glory

Chapter II

I was brought back to my consciousness and slowly sat up.

"Good morning, little lad! How was your sleep?" Clark asked, his friendly smile greeted me.

"It was alright, I didn't know when I had fallen asleep."

"Well that's alright, at least you got some rest. Anyways, meet me at the field kitchen soon!" Clark clapped, and trotted off.

I looked up at the sky and saw a blend of orange and purple, along with a few stars. I brushed off my rain cape and watched as a rat raced by my boots.

The conditions of the trenches were much worse when it had rained before, and a lot of men would get infections due to the drenched trench grounds, as you don't know what has been soaked in there. Luckily the mud is starting to dry up.

I remained seated for a while and ran a finger along the walls. Maybe I could climb up the ladder and go off to search for George? No one is around me at the moment. Besides, the German lines should be destroyed. Therefore they shouldn't see me. . .

I shook my head. I have to stay here. Maybe George will appear soon! He's just missing, not---

"Mother? Father?" I whispered as I tiptoed down the hallway. All I heard were whispers and muffled weepings. What was going on? Did something happen to George? I soon entered the dining room and saw father caressing mother in his arms. Before them on the table was a telegram.

I stared at the small sheet of paper, not wanting to read what it said.

"Oh, my dear Henry!" Mother got up from the chair and held her arms wide open. She convulsed under my embrace and I stared at father. His spectacled eyes were glued at the table.

"Father? What does the telegram s-say?"

"The Secretary of War states that he's missing in action. That is all," Father responded.

"What if he's lost? What if the Germans captured him? What if he's dying and nobody's helping him?" Mother heaved. She lifted her frail hands and covered her face. Father got up from the chair and left the room.

"Mother, I'm sure that he can find his way back to his men," I tried to assure, but inside I fell apart like her. I thought of him being left in the middle of a forest, crying and shouting for help but no one came to aid---no! I must not think that. I blinked rapidly to brush away the arriving tears and followed father's path.

I leaned against the wall for a moment, and  watched father as he stared out the living room window. Was he praying for George to arrive home? Because that is what I hope he would see.

"Father?" He turned around.

"Yes, Henry?" His voice was slightly shaking. I went up towards him, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm going to find George."

"A-and how are you supposed to--no! Henry, you cannot join the army. You cannot---"

"But I want to find brother!" I cried.

"You don't know how dangerous it is out there! What if something happens to you?" I stepped back and lowered my head.

"I want George to return home, therefore I want to find him. I promise that we will return home together."

Father sighed and adjusted his spectacles. I noticed that mother was crying by the doorway.

"Please father, I will try my best to bring him back."

"Henry! Over here!" I could see Clark flailing his arms at the far end. The area smelled of corned beef and potato soup, along with baked bread.

I arrived at his table with some of today's--and everydays'--meal. Clark spoke with his mouth stuffed, and the others were joking around. I tried to smile but only felt so solemn. Where must George be? Is he here at Somme with me? Somewhere?

"Hey Paul, are you going to eat that?" Clark asked, pointing at Paul's slice of bread.

"Yes! Now you're acting like the rats that infest our trenches! Get your own food!" Paul retaliated, and pulled his food closer to himself. I handed Clark some of my bread.

"You don't want that?" he asked.

"No, I'm not that hungry," I responded, then placed the piece of bread in front of him. Clark immediately ate the bread as I took a few spoonfuls of the soup. Everyone ate and laughed away their dreads, as the time was ticking down.

***

The clatters of the bayonets sounded as we fixed them onto our rifles. The barrages had ceased and mines had been detonating. They spewed dirt into the air and tossed it back down.

Sergeant Barkley held the whistle between his teeth as he waited for the order to blow. My heart was rattling and I almost dropped my bayonet as I snapped it on.

The mines went silent but I hoped that they would explode again. The silence was lurking around me and I feared the eeriness. Paul, Clark, and the rest of my battalion gazed up the assault ladders, awaiting the command.

"Are you ready, little lad?" Clark questioned as he made last minute adjustments to his equipment. I gulped and replied with a single nod.

The whistles blared and the men shouted out their battle cries as they climbed up. Other soldiers from other parts of the trench began to emerge up like dead men rising from their graves.

I stammered a little as I trekked forwards but soon I found my balance. I focused at the foggy screen before me. Everyone advanced at a walking pace, although I wanted to charge off into the unknown so I don't have to face the enemy's gun barrel.

Suddenly a soldier besides me fell over, then another ahead of me. We all glanced at each other.

"I thought the German lines were down! Damn it!" I heard Paul shout. Far off I could hear a shell burst. The enemy was not completely wiped out. I lowered my speed and looked around me. The soil was churned up and bodies were beginning to litter on top of it.

Suddenly I paused, staring at the fallen soldier in front of me.

He was lying sideways and his rifle was next to him. His eyes were closed as if he were resting but red was blotched around his neck.

It was Clark. The twenty-one year old who was one I mostly exchanged words with. He was a comedian and was much braver than me, but now he was gone.

The sparks from the guns became more visible as we neared the German lines. More men were falling. I became flooded with fear.

I walked in a straight line, my rifle shaking as it was aimed forwards. The sounds were much more vivid and lights from the guns were much brighter. The thunderous roars sounded once again and besides me I saw a luminous burst.