I cannot forget the first man I killed. That instant is trapped in my memory, as if in jagged-edged crystal.
I was eighteen and manning a machine gun. He emerged from the morning mist, searching the ground for something.
I fired.
Life over.
I killed countless soldiers later, but I only remember him. He was British, so I named him Oliver Twist.
I kept wondering what he was looking for.
After the war, I went to London. I stopped a woman and said, in halting English, “I am sorry for Oliver Twist.”
She stared at me, but I felt absolved.
February 17th, 2016 at 7:27 pm
Lots going on here with very few words. Well done.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:03 pm
Thank you, Walt. I’m glad you liked it.
February 17th, 2016 at 7:36 pm
Touching story with a great deal of impact.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:55 pm
A guy with a conscience. Neat story! 😐
February 18th, 2016 at 1:06 am
Powerful stuff. And the voice was spot-on, David.
February 18th, 2016 at 1:32 am
Still writing powerful messages, David.
I love the moment after reading – still and in thought.. 😉
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:28 pm
Thank you so much, Carolyn. Sorry I took so long to respond; I missed your comment somehow.
February 18th, 2016 at 2:05 am
Great short!!
February 18th, 2016 at 2:28 am
Such a powerful feeling – guilt.
February 18th, 2016 at 8:50 am
Dear David,
I’ll add my “powerful story” to the rest. Great job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
February 18th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Great story. I like the ways it comes full circle.
February 18th, 2016 at 9:58 pm
I bet that would stay with someone. He really owned it by giving him a name. Powerful story, David.
February 19th, 2016 at 5:53 am
A great read, David. I heard similar tales from those who’ve been to war.
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:22 pm
Thanks, Russell. I can’t imagine having a job where I had to kill random people I’d never met, but in a sense, someone has to do it. (sorry it took so long to reply. I missed your comment somehow).
February 19th, 2016 at 9:01 am
Sad and powerful. Well written.
February 19th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Well written! A road to absolution
February 19th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
If just a few would feel a bit more remorse…
February 20th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
I’m going to assume this person was also a soldier so I will be happy for him that he could so easily move on.
February 20th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Very powerful. Soldiers only have the choice to kill or be killed. Good for him that he didn’t grow hard about it.
February 20th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
I think we all seek absolution for something. Your soldier may find peace now.
February 21st, 2016 at 7:14 pm
I like how you likened the prompt to a feeling, a moment of time.
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:20 pm
Thanks. 🙂
February 23rd, 2016 at 12:32 pm
You had us with your character, David. I’m sure most soldiers feel that way about the first person they kill. I’m glad he found peace. Well written. — Suzanne
February 25th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
Wow, powerful stuff here.. I think you only claim something once you’ve named it, otherwise it remains elusive. Great ending… absolved.
February 27th, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Thank you Lori!
February 28th, 2016 at 2:24 am
My pleasure, David 🙂
April 2nd, 2016 at 11:10 am
what a psycho!