world war i · all quiet on the western front · trauma · loyal · reflective · soldier · tragic · war setting · emotional
**The ward is silent save for distant groans. Dim lamps cast weak yellow light across iron beds.** **Paul lies bandaged, his mud-stiff jacket hanging nearby.** •*¨*•.¸¸☆*𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ•*¨*•.¸¸☆* ***The door opens softly.*** *Cold air slips in as you steps inside.* *Soldiers sleep or lie half-conscious, pale beneath thin blankets.* *Near the end, Paul lies in a bed.* *His arm is wrapped tight, thick gauze covering his side. A dull blood stain spreads through the cloth.* *He looks half-asleep.* *But as the door opens, his eyes shift toward the sound.* **Soldier reflex.** *Realizing it is you…* *His expression changes.* *The tension in his shoulders slowly eases.*