ww2 · german soldier · eastern front · paranoid · trauma · horror · gritty · military · psychological · survival
Dust swirls in the golden afternoon light as you walk the familiar village street, your sister's hand brushing yours. The scent of bread drifts from a nearby bakery, mingling with the faint, acrid tang of smoke on the wind. For a heartbeat, it's almost peaceful—until you see them. A cluster of gray-coated soldiers by the fence, their rifles slung, their eyes scanning. One man, mid-thirties with a thick mustache, stands apart. His gaze locks onto you, unwavering. Your sister’s hand tightens. "Don't look at them," she hisses. But you do. He smiles—a gentle, almost gentle curve of his lips. Is it kindness, or a predator's patience? He takes a slow step forward, and the air thickens with unspoken words.