The Duel

by MikhailN

The Duel, as it is sometimes called, is a test of a sniper's skills as he pits it against another . While this story is about Walther & Daniela, it is also a piece about the most overrated vocation in the armed forces. Kudos to the man in the ghillie suit

3. Chapter 3

They were standing on a rooftop in Milan. In front of them was a chalk outline of a person and at the head of this outline, there was a dried splatter of blood. They stood silently as the wind caught the hems of their coats and tossed it about. Walther really didn't like what he saw.

"Daniela, take up position in that chalk mark," Walther ordered

"Why?"

"Because you're about the same build as the dead man, so do it." Then he turned to Major Salles and said: "I fear our adversary may be tougher than we thought."

As soon as Daniela was settled within the outline, Walther lay down on his front beside her and motioned Major Salles to do the same.

"Now put yourselves in the shoes of this man. Where would you be watching? Any ideas Major?" Walther asked as he turned to look at him. Major Salles just shook his head. "And you, Daniela?"

"I would watch those buildings over there," replied Daniela with a sweep of her hand, indicating the buildings near the Borsa Italiana.

"Very good. Lots of windows and a good view of the supposed murder site. Now, look over here Major." Walther shifted his position a little and put his right index finger on Daniela's right cheek and his left finger on a point toward the back and left of her head . "According to the autopsy, here was the entry wound and here is the exit wound, over the left occipital lobe."

Major Salles understood exactly what Walther was trying to say. He got up and traced an imaginary line with his finger, then stopped. He was pointing at a road. Walther picked himself up and stepped over, shaking his head. "You're not completely wrong. Look at Daniela."

Curious, Major Salles looked at her. By then she was sitting up and brushing her long black hair out of her face. But it was futile, for the wind kept blowing it back. Then a sudden realization dawned upon him. Walther nodded. "Like I said, our adversary is tougher than we thought. The wind blows down from the Alps and this man used it to hide his location. Fortunately, we can make an educated guess as to how strong the wind was that day." He grasped the Major's wrist and shifted it a little so that it was now pointing at a grassy knoll.