"Soldiers"
The young soldier stepped from the jungle path, leaving the security of the troup behind. A moment of privacy was all he needed before resuming the march deep into the enemy territory.
He felt nothing as his boot cought the trip-wire and five bamboo stakes pierced his body.
Pain would come later along with the darkness. He looked up and saw the sun shining through a gap in the trees and knew he would never see it so bright again.
Blood and urine pooled at his feet, soaking the already damp soil. Unable to cry out, the only sound he made was through the hole in his punctured lung.
No bride in white would await his return from the war. No children would play at his feet.
Not old enough to vote but old enough to die, he wept silently for what could have been but would never be.
Pain came rushing into his body like a dark wind. At the moment it became unbearable, his soul slipped free and rose toward the light shining above.
Peace came to him at last but there would be no peace for the world he left behind.