Interrupted
Short Story
by Paul Stasney
Explosions burst around the lookout tower. Toby sounded the
alarm and began returning fire. The smell of smoke filled the air, and
screams erupted from the depths of the jungle.
Take that you bastards! he yelled as he fired his M-60
blindly into the thick jungle.
Tracers streamed red as they passed close to the tower. Toby
spotted several enemy soldiers sneaking closely to friendly units.
Watch out! he yelled as he pulled the pin from a grenade.
It hurtled toward the enemy, landing just behind them, and
exploded sending enemy soldiers hurdling through the air.
Several loud pops announced an enemy machine-gunner in close
proximity to his tower. Several bullets streamed past and Toby could
feel the wind blasting his face. He rose to return fire to find his ammo
dissipated.
He snatched his field knife from its sheath and dove 100 feet
from the tower onto his attacker, cutting his throat.
Toby ducked low to avoid fire but several soldiers were
already moving on his position. The eerie silence told Toby that he was the
only one left to protect the camp.
Anyone else would have been terrified in this situation but
not Toby. He had once fought a hundred armed soldiers with only a spear.
He feared nothing, and now they were going to pay for killing his
friends.
Toby! came a female voice.
The jungle and weapons had disappeared.
Yes, mom! 12-year-old Toby replied.
Come eat your lunch. You can play later.
Interrupted© COPYRIGHT 2004 Paul Stasney.
Reproduction prohibited without permission from the author.
11/17/04
