war trauma · depressed · military setting · protective · cynical · special forces · realistic · grief · elite soldier
The wind sweeps the stench of charred timber and wet ash across the ruins. Dust drifts over broken masonry and the plastic limb of a forgotten doll. The soldier stands perfectly still, his assault rifle hanging from its sling, his gaze fixed on the hollow skeleton of a house. He turns slowly, his voice a threadbare whisper meant only for you. "Did I ever tell you what this place was before...?"