When You Can't Find The Murderer, Look In The Mirror

    The sounds of the bullets and bombs, are clouded by the persistent thuds on their makeshift shelter’s roof. The layers of dirt and wilting weeds, are being brushed away by the falling bodies of their comrades. Every so often a particularly heavier one would be pierced multiple times when running, so the usual thud would sound like an elongated pound with a decrescendo- swoosh.
     Inside their shelter, is two soldiers, clad in the mandatory cameo and a mother and adolescent. They don’t belong there, their civilian skin shouldn’t be absorbing the vile stench of war- gun powder and blood. Their ears shouldn't have to listen to the crude sounds of death. Her young daughter shouldn't have to fall asleep to the alluring rhythms of war.
     “Go back to sleep.” One of the soldiers whispers to the mother, who sits her body the definition of tension. She manages a lopsided smile, and chokes back a pathetic laugh. The whole situation is pathetic.
     “We’ll be doing plenty of that soon enough.” She states, her tone grave when it should be nothing short of bright and womanly. Beside her, her daughter shifts as another loud death echoes off the walls. Breath is caught in her lungs for a few seconds as she reassuringly wraps the blanket around her child. “How much longer?” Her eyes trail their way over to the less then ideal exit, a half buried window. “Til, you guys gotta leave.”
     “As soon as you’re safe.” Is the immediate response, from the well trained soldier. He sheepishly takes in the expressions on his fellow shelter-mates faces. Biting his tongue, he returns to his thoughts as he stares intently at the dusty floor boards.
     Two more thuds rattle the foundations, the woman’s shoulders twitch involuntary. The soldiers don’t even so much as blink, it makes her feel more pathetic.
     “They’re gonna start looking for you fellas soon. Sounds like their gonna need more warm bodies out there.” The mother breaks the silence again. “If there’s anybody left.” The soldiers don’t even react, besides nodding their heads in agreement.
     “Sounds about right.” The elder of the two says. He begins checking over his weapon, inspecting the magazine and counting bullets. The other soldier catches on and does the same. They gather their stuff together, which is simply a pack containing more ammo, a box of matches and the guns in their hands.
     “You gonna stay here, or yeah gonna make a run for it?” There isn’t much of a question in his words as the soldier asks the mother. She looks at her daughter again before answering.
     “Gonna run.” The soldiers don’t respond other then a single nod of their heads.
     The one closest to the window begins shifting the obstacles out of the way. Removing the black cloth and a few good sized rocks. “Here.” The other one extends his gun out to the woman, earning a slightly surprised face from the busy soldier. She looks confused, but grabs the weapon. It looks heavy and wrong in her small hands, but she tests out the weight anyway and thanks the soldier.
     “Won’t you need it?” She asks, even though they all know the answer.
     “Won’t make much of a difference, lady.” His southern accent and raw words sends chills down her spine. It’s so pathetic.
     “Lindsy.” She calls out as they begin to leave.
     The soldier turns around, looking for an explanation. “My name is Lindsy.” She repeats herself, adding more emphasis to the word name.
     “Matt.” Is the soldiers last words as he climbs out of the window. A different sort of expression on his once stone features.
     The woman kneels down next to her daughter on the floor, and waits- listens. Almost on cue, two more thuds echo through out the room, as two bodies make impact with the roof. This time she manages not to flinch.          “Wake up.” She shakes her daughter awake and drags her over to the window.
     “What are we doing?” Her child asks, sleep slurring her words.
     “Leaving.”
     Two more thuds disturb the dust in the empty room as the blood of two civilians blend together with the ash and destruction already maiming the earth.
     And all it did,
        Was put more blood on the field.