I looked onto the muddy and ruined fields as everything moved slowly. Not in a way like in detail, but in a way that it was like a slow film. The pictures of the films moved slowly, as if frame by frame but never skipping. The only thing in focus was my trench. The sacred hole in the ground that offered the most protection from the bombardment of shells. I dropped my sapper kit and ran. The telephone line was up so I don't need to carry it back. The images slowly faded back into normal speed as I lifted my leg to run. As soon as I lifted my leg I slammed it into the mushy dirt and instantly. I was in hell.
The pumping of my heart, the burning in my chest, and the soreness in my legs are all that remind me I'm human. I didn't care about anyone else but me. Just. Run.
I dodged and weaved in the maze of barbed wire and shelling as I continued onward, praying to god and luck that I would get to the trenches with only the lack of a finger or toe. The shrapnel and blasts of artillery over head screamed in my ear as I didn't dare stop or look. I know from afar this may seem silly or with the bright lights, maybe even pretty, but this was bad. This war had taken many of my friends and the officers weren't all too nice either. They screamed and called us cowards, while they sit back and sip on tea and shoot anyone who was too frightened or with commonsense.
I was only a few agonizing inches away from the trench. And like any sensible soldier, I jumped in head first. I tumbled from the muddy ground into the disgusting ditch. The part of the trench was only a extension from the first as it was used for scouting or info gathering. I crawled as the sounds of war raged above me and heard the screaming of my fellow soldiers for more sandbags or to get to their posts. I was then pulled in by a friend: Kluas Friedrich.
"Heilige scheiße! You're lucky to be alive!" He said with slight cheer to his voice. I felt no cheer as, just by the look of my hands, I saw my skin was pale. I haven't even noticed my helmet had been blown off from the artillery. "Nächstes Mal bist du dran..." I whispered with a shaky voice as I didn't care what smartass remarks he made. I was soon transported to a nearby dugout where even the officers saw I earned to reap this award. "Verdammt richtig you can stay here! We now have official connection back and didn't have to waste a soldier! How did you do it?"
I could only mutter the only logical answer I could think of: "Glück" I said with a small, but cheeky smirk. The officer and Kluas had a laugh as they left. I thought this would end the day and I could waste any sentry duties with Klaus, smoking cigarettes with him. Then a chilling sound I know that only brought death to the young and stupid.
A whistle.
"Vater. Dinner is ready." Called Emilia as I looked from the photos me and Klaus shared. "Vater?" She called and I answered. "I heard! In a minute!" I called back as I heard a chuckle. "Alright, but I don't think uncle Klaus will like to wait..." She said as I felt my thoughts freeze. I quickly grabbed my cane and hurried down stairs to see the old bastard.
"Schön dich wieder zu sehen!" Said a grizzled old man. I looked at him as he sat in a wheel chair. "K-Klaus?" I couldn't help mutter as he gave a laugh. "Of course. I'm supposed to be dead right? He asked with a smirk as I looked in shock as he was their. He wheeled to me and a smile came to his face.
"Deutschland über alles, mein Freund."