The Fighting Ground

“3:16.” Jonathan hears only his own gasping breath. A pain spreads through his body. He sobs, lonely, lost, and in pain.

“3:30.” Tears spent, Jonathan rolls over and looks up at the dark net of trees. Their leaves shift in the breeze. He shudders.

“3:35.” Jonathan sits up and rocks back and forth. His sleeve is torn; he notices blood on his shoe. He moans over and over with regret.

“3:38.” Rubbing away tears, Jonathan blows his nose and stands, nearly fainting in the process. The woods are dark and growing darker. He picks up his gun and uncocks it. He hears a sound and sees a Hessian soldier searching the forest.

“3:47.” The grenadier is huge and powerful, and Jonathan assumes he’s searching for him. Another Hessian searches nearby. Jonathan turns to look for an escape route, but a third Hessian blocks his path.

“3:50.” The enemy soldiers speak to each other in German, which Jonathan can’t understand. Terrified, Jonathan jumps up, hands raised, and begs them not to shoot. The Hessians surround him, surprised that he’s so young. Gesturing, one of them commands Jonathan to come forward, and he does so. A soldier barks impatiently at him.