*Eric*
Luke lies motionless on the ground in front of me. My heart thumps wildly against my ribcage. His limbs resemble those of a rag doll. I turn his head and gaze in horror at his pale face. Eyes are glazed, and his lips are frozen, darkening and turning deep blue.
The stillness is what unsettles me most. It is something I have seen far too many times before, those images burned into my mind. So many men on the battlefield, friend and enemy alike, left in this unmovable state of soullessness. And now I see it in my own young brother.
He’s dead.
An ache the weight of a ball of lead forms in my chest. Air freezes in my lungs. Life has left my brother’s body.
“Move!”
The command sounds hollow, distant.
I feel firm palms shoving against my chest. “Eric, get out of the way!”
Star
