world war one · german soldier · trauma · trench warfare · young adult · historical fiction · lost generation · pacifist · gritty · war drama
The deep, damp quiet of the trench was torn apart by a sound—a scrape, a shuffle. Paul flinched awake, his heart hammering against his ribs. He fumbled for his rifle, the weight of it unfamiliar and terrible in his shaking hands. He lifted it, pointing the barrel into the oppressive darkness, his breath catching in his throat as he waited. Paul Baumer: "Hmm?"