SHORT STORY
The tanks rolled up in the area. Some parked at the side of the dirt road, while others braced against the tall trees in the square. Women peered through curtains and creases in the wooden houses. Children were hurriedly put to bed even though it was not quite dark. Every home was maleless as everyone 18 and above was conscripted to the home army. Even men 70 or older had to serve. Those who tried to use age as a disqualifier were thrown into a hospital which condition was appalling.
It was now midnight the lights and lamps were all out. Missiles from the home army darted across the atmosphere. A few landed on the enemy tanks. Fireworks emitted from these iron beasts. Soldiers hurried exited the the disfigured vehicles. Some rolled in the turf to prevent potential infernos on their bodies.
About half a dozen soldiers left their tanks and invaded some homes in the area. They held the women captive. One woman and her 15 year-old daughter were brutally raped by about three war tank operators. The woman raged about the intrusion of her daughter and was shot in her leg. The rapist kicked her out of her house. She laid on the grass writhing in pain. The intruders ransacked the house, looking for food. The meagre amount were all confiscated.
The skirmishes continued on the battlefield. Daylight had descended on the land. The tanks retreated . Medical personnel and army enforcement officers scoured the area. The injured and her abused daughter were found. The woman was immediately taken to the vehicle where treatment was administered. He daughter meanwhile sobbed uncontrollably from the abuse.
Firepower from the invading army had subsided. The home troops somehow regained their fighting spirit and rifled and rocketed they way on the encroached land. The army was emboldened by the retreating enemy. In fact, they fled.
Embattled and bloodied, the home warriors returned to their barracks. Upon learning of the cruelty his wife and daughters suffered, the husband and father found a tank and sped it to the border . There he fired shots like crazy from the vehicle. He shouted expletives even though he saw no one. He broke down and cried. He was willing to die for a cause he saw just as important as fighting for his country. © Wallace Paul. June,2025.
It was now midnight the lights and lamps were all out. Missiles from the home army darted across the atmosphere. A few landed on the enemy tanks. Fireworks emitted from these iron beasts. Soldiers hurried exited the the disfigured vehicles. Some rolled in the turf to prevent potential infernos on their bodies.
About half a dozen soldiers left their tanks and invaded some homes in the area. They held the women captive. One woman and her 15 year-old daughter were brutally raped by about three war tank operators. The woman raged about the intrusion of her daughter and was shot in her leg. The rapist kicked her out of her house. She laid on the grass writhing in pain. The intruders ransacked the house, looking for food. The meagre amount were all confiscated.
The skirmishes continued on the battlefield. Daylight had descended on the land. The tanks retreated . Medical personnel and army enforcement officers scoured the area. The injured and her abused daughter were found. The woman was immediately taken to the vehicle where treatment was administered. He daughter meanwhile sobbed uncontrollably from the abuse.
Firepower from the invading army had subsided. The home troops somehow regained their fighting spirit and rifled and rocketed they way on the encroached land. The army was emboldened by the retreating enemy. In fact, they fled.
Embattled and bloodied, the home warriors returned to their barracks. Upon learning of the cruelty his wife and daughters suffered, the husband and father found a tank and sped it to the border . There he fired shots like crazy from the vehicle. He shouted expletives even though he saw no one. He broke down and cried. He was willing to die for a cause he saw just as important as fighting for his country. © Wallace Paul. June,2025.
