confusion in the darkness

We're crouched in the dark under the porch. Corrugated metal backs the platform above us, extending messily out from under the edge and catching a pale glow from the moon. The fires cast orange light and shiver shadows across the ground. We don't know what's going on, though we were warned. How are we supposed to understand these things? They come and they destroy, and nobody understands. How are we even involved in this? Why do they take from us? We don't even know who they are. My skin aches as my elbows press down on the rough earth. We've been laying like this for hours. The night is silent. The insects sense the death and fear and danger. Fire and gunfire pop to haphazardly punctuate the calm. Its not calm. Its fear-stricken paralysis. We're lying here with our faces in the dirt and its anything but calm.

---

Why won't this damn thing work? I click the cartridge back into place, feel that everything is intact and then pull back on the trigger. It doesn't move. Dammit. Remove the cartridge, back in...Still broken. What was that thing the captain was saying about broken springs? God, even if I knew I probably wouldn't be able to fix it in this darkness. The only light comes from the burning houses in the village, too far away to be of much use. I duck my head and then quickly glance over my shoulder. No one's there, dangit. I'm on my own for this.

I stand there resigned for a few moments and then drop into a crouch, disassembling the gun and placing the pieces carefully on the ground. I run my fingers over it, feeling for ruptures or bent pieces. Everything's fine, and now my fingers are covered in gunpowder and grease. Exhaling with frustration I fit it all back together, slide the cartridge in and point over to the village. The trigger refused to pull. What the hell is wrong with this thing?

Glance back at the dark again, hoping for someone who knows what they're doing better than I do. Of course, I'm still alone. I'm not signing up to go solo next time, like they'd let me after this. I extend the gun out, peering at it one last time. Ah--The barrel's crooked. I twist it until its snug and a faint click sounds. There, now let's... I don't think, I just pull the trigger and am surprised as it obeys, sliding smoothly and then sending me staggering from the kick. God, that was a messy shot. I wasn't even aiming it...

---

There he is. I spot the dark shape, the darkly camouflaged shadow, slipping along the sandbag wall at the edge of the village. I pause a moment, trying to determine which direction he's headed in and where he'll run when I start to fire. The wall ends and curves back into darkness a few dozen meters ahead. Perhaps he'll jump it? I'm wasting time. I raise my gun and squint through the darkness, planting the crosshairs on his back as he slips obliviously along. Then thppp! I hiss and lurch forwards as a fire races up my leg, forget the rebel that's now escaping. I've been hit. Gritting my teeth I unsteadily lower myself to the ground and huddle, forgetting the pain for a moment and searching for the danger. Where did the bullet come from? The pain grows and I feel my clothing saturate with blood. After all this, godammit. All this training and some sniper had to hit me in the leg. I withhold all I can, grunting every so often when I can't bear it, and then slink painfully back towards where my comrades are based.

---

I hold one hand out, extended towards the sandbag barrier as I walk, as silently as I can, keeping to the shadows. My heart pounds every time I pass one of the burning buildings because I know the light will fall on me. Just move quickly, hope the glare distracts them...Its not far now, and then I can run off and escape to the forest. I just hope they aren't waiting on this side. I pause a moment, staring out at the trees on the other side. I know the enemy is hiding there. I wonder if they can see me. My movements stiffen and I move a little less carefully. I've just got to get away.

Suddenly a bang sounds out.

They've seen me! I almost fall over, then regain my balance and run as hard as I can, diving over the sandbags once I'm concealed by a building close by, then darting towards the forest, hands clutched over head, like that would do anything. The darkness swallows me. I am safe.