This is a part of a story I started writing few years ago. This is the chapter where James Murphy, (the oldest brother in the family) tells the story to a girl who has the ability to communicate and see ghosts. The story takes place in Sligo, Ireland 1916.
"Why can't I sign along? I'll be doing for once something decent for the country and myself, perhaps I'll become a hero when I return." Spoke a confident voice of a young boy, nearly a man with short cut red, straight hair and few freckles visible around the nose.
The boy was in a room, in the center of the room stood a firm wooden table and on the table stood a candleholder with three candles burning. It was the only light in the room. A girl and an older woman embraced each other and shed quiet tears in one dark corner of the room. Sometimes through the utter silence a sob was to be heard.
Beside the boy, stood a fully-grown young man, James, with slightly longer red hair and pale complexion and an older man, the father. "How much clearer do we have to describe what war really is? How many times more?" Recalled James frustrated, leaning with his hands on the table. Looking at times to the ground and the boy. Biting from time to time on his lips. "Becoming a hero is one out of a million by the chances, Finn. It is most likely to be killed! We love you and by God, we don't want to loose you!"
Finn remained silent for a long moment
James looked up to him. "Finn, even I won't let you! Your own stubbornness brings you to the death!" James' voice began to grow louder. "Think of your Da, Ma and Pat!" James paused and pointed to their mother and sister Pat. "They've been able to raise you in life this far, with war everything will be destroyed. Not only their lives, above all yours! Think about it, think about it very carefully Finn. Because if you go, you will regret it."864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomPeAGmXxu
"I'm regretting already for not going!" roared Finn annoyed.
James sighed of disappointment, letting his head hang down.
"I'm going and I'll sign, whether you like it or not and I'll come back with a medal!" Gave Finn, his pale face flushed with anger and heading towards the door.
James halted Finn by the arm and looked concerned into his grey blue eyes. "Quit it with your great determination Finn and see the world through the eyes of reality! War is an ugly business, worse than hell itself! Wake up Finn! Please, try to understand!"864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFudqoh8N8B
Finn shook himself free and left without another word out of the room.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCHjy5RriB
There was utter silence in the room. A sob of the women interrupted.
James turned to his father, mother and Pat. Tears were streaming down the cheeks of the women. "Forgive me for what I am about to do Ma, Da." Apologized James. "I'm going after Finn and watch over him."
"You won't be doing that alone son, 'cause I'm coming along." Remarked his father placing a hand on James' shoulder with a concerned look and a hint of fear.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8qp0isrkJ
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Many shotguns and pistols roared, canon balls and bullets whizzing through the air. Dark smoke rises from the ground. Here and there an outcry of a man. Horses galloping and zinging sound of swords. Together a great noise that one can barely apart it and later on unforgettable combined with pictures of death. Across many empty and mudy fields known as 'No Man's Land' or directly put 'The Land of Death'. Besides mud, stones and misty and grey sky lie many dead men, innocent men believing they are doing a great deed for their country and a better future. Their pale faces staring blank with a destinctive expression of fear. Many covered in mud and blood. Many live men are cowering in their trenches for safety or what is believed to be safe. The mud went up to their knees and were caked to the hips. There were days and nights it rained endlessly; in a war many things appear to be endless. Because the soldiers are exhausted and/or waiting for something, an order, death, above all the end of the war. Many men were so exhausted that they fell asleep during a march fore they had to stay awake for many nights and days. Going through little food and water. Believed their life before was harder, alas they were wrong.
"Gas! Gas! Put your masks on!" Shouted a lieutnant while putting himself a mask on. A thick yellow fog floated slowly over the empty field and moving closer within the moment to the trenches. Men in the trenches hastily grabbed their masks. Knowing their life depends on their own reaction and the mask. The yellow fog floated closer, reaching the trenches. Suddenly the wind changed and made the fog float back to the opposite side.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBbts5G7JS
"The wind is on our side lads! The gas is turning back!" Noted the lieutnant smiling as he removed his mask.
A loud cheer came from the men.
Suddenly one amongst the soldiers climbed up and ran over to other side. Still wearing his mask. Close on his heels ran another man, trying to stop the other. "Stop! Finn stop!" Called James chasing after.
Swiftly the lieutnant mounted upon his horse and barricated Finn's way, Finn halted and James was able to get hold on Finn's shoulder. "Why do you want to cross the enemy-line? Back to your station at once!" Ordered the lieutnant fiercely.
Without hesitation they returned to the trenches.
"You're barking mad! What was going through ya head Finn!" Recalled James furious.
"Just leave me alone James! I can take care on my own! I'm not a child anymore!" Shouted Finn back.
"Stop saying such things Finn." Noted the father in a calm tone.
"James, a word with you." Called the lieutnant sternly while dismounting his horse.
Father was about to follow the lieutnant, but James held him back. Many men began talk, wondering what the lieutnant wants with James.
At the resting station that was also the aiding station, or better said a so called 'mud-tunnel'. The lieutnant came to a halt and turned to James. "It was your brother again. I admire that lad's courage, but his determination."
"I'm sorry lieutnant, I'll keep him under a tighter leach and it won't happen again."
"You may speak freely James."
"Sir, it's just as you said, his determination. He has dreams of becoming a hero and returning back home."
"I've thought of it as I saw some spark in his eyes, young he is indeed."
"Too young to be here in my eyes, sir."
"What about you?" Wondered the lieutnant curiously while lighting a cigarette.
"Honestly sir, I'm here because of my brother. I've made a promise to bring him back alive."
"Besides watching over your brother, I've seen some talent in you. You have the gift to protect someone and when everyone has lost his hopes somehow you can replaced it anew. I've been wondering if you want to become a sargent?"864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ520gsb16K6
"Pardon me sir?"
"Heighten your position from soldier to sargent." Repeated the lieutnant and took a brief draw from the cigarette.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2ELsxt26P
James was speechless.
"Well?" Wondered the lieutnant.
"I- I don't know what to say. My main goal till now was to watch over my brother. I didn't focus on anything, except fighting for my brother, my father and my life."
"Well would you be interested?"
"No, I'll stay with my brother sir."
"You'll watch as sergeant over the section where your brother and father are and other men of course." Noted the lieutnant and took another draw from his cigarette.
James fell in silence of thought.
"It is a one time offer. I would take it if I were you."
James was quite for a few moments. "Grand, I accept."
The lieutnant smiled, they shook hands on the offer. "Glad you accept it, Sargent Murphy." Lieutnant shook heartly James' hand.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxcVaQ4Rgg
As few days passed, James received a star as a signia for sargent. Naturally Finn was spitting mad and jealous of him. Since then James had a better overlook of his younger brother, father and many others. The men in James' section saw him as a good sargent. Soon James' second name began to spread, as "the Watchful Sargent". Because he always took great care of the men he was responsible and on other duties.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnlygwT0LS
His younger brother Finn, did not like it at all. "How dare you let this happen!" argued Finn as he once approched to James.
James said nothing, but bit his lip and focused in his work that lay on his lap.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Aye, loud and clear Finn! It wasn't my wish to be in this position. The lieutnant offered me, he guaranteed your safety and many others. So don't come up with the thought, that I'm following your ideas and wishes! My wish is that I bring you and Da safely home and by God that the war is soon over! I know what I'm doing and seeing the other men including you has its way of reminding me all the time. I'm carrying now a far more greater responsibility than before. Second, I'm in charge here so don't go bossing around like at home, because we aren't at home, we are in France fighting at the front against the Germans! God! Do I also have to remind you now here? You have no idea how blind and stubborn you are!"
"You sound just like Da."
"I'll take that as a compliment because I worry as much as Da does to you. You're my wee brother." Explained James concerned.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkde22FH33
Finn left without another word and held an annoyed expression.
James sighed of disappointment and focused at his work.
"Sargent, sargent! One of our men has stepped over the enemy line!" Announced a soldier out of breath to James.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sWOUQk5y0
Hastily James let everything drop into the mud and peeked over the rim of the trench.
"James, I can't find Finn. He's missing." Called his father worried.
"Sweet Mary and Jesus! Finn that rascal!" Cursed James, hastily he grabbed a rifle from the closest soldier's hand and climbed himself upward with the help of the ladder that Finn used. Running as fast his legs can carry him over No Man's Land. "Finn come back!" Shouted James.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjS3VEnY4j
Finn continued.
Quickly James drew out from his pocket a white kerchief smudged with dirt.
"James!" Cried out his father from behind. Climbing quickly out of the trench. "Finn!" He called.
James was able to get hold of Finn by the shoulder. They heard very close the manly voices of the Germans behind the other trenches. "Come on, we best leave now before they notice." Whispered James cautiously.
Quickly Finn held up his rifle and fired a shot.
"Achtung, die attackieren! Alle in Deckung! Macht euch bereit! Ich sehe schon zwei!" Called the Germans. (Look out, they are attacking! Get in cover! Prepare for the signal! I see already two!)
"Run Finn! Run!" Called James and pushed Finn away from the German trenches.
Immediately storms of bullets were flying everywhere, within mimuets the cannonballs were whizzing and the rattling sound of chains from tanks were in motion. Suddenly a shrapnel pierced through Finn's shoulder. He gave a cry of agony and fell unconscious to the ground.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBe8DDgX8o
"No!" Cried both James and their father.
Father was closer to Finn, he quickly threw him over his shoulder and ran back to the safe side, James sometimes fired back with the rifle, covering his father and brother. As he turned round to see his father, he was no were to be seen. "Da! Finn!" Called James desperately.
While running back few meters closer to his trench he suddenly fell. Before his feet lay his father and brother. From father's head came blood streaming out, his eyes stared blank, he was dead. Finn breathed and was still unconscious, lying under his dead father and blood.
"It's alright Finn, I'm here!" Shouted James to Finn while tears began to roll down his cheeks of sorrow and fright. Repeating those words to himself in a quiet tone, while trying his best to put Finn over his shoulder as fast as possible. Soon he was running as fast as his legs can carry him and Finn.
Suddenly something burning and painful pierced in his right knee, James cried out in pain and lost his balance. As he looked at his knee he saw the bullet-hole that had pierced. Warm blood was oozing. Quickly he stayed on the ground and tore off a part of his trouser to stop the wound from bleeding. Great drops of sweat were trickling down his forehead and cheeks out of pain and fear. Soon he checked on Finn if he was still alive, his chest moved. Rapidly James pulled out his pistol from his belt close at hand, he heard voices.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Af3Vy0VTl
"Ich sehe Bewegungen dort drüben, gib Acht." (I see movement over there, be careful.) The Germans are going to seize the front of the English! Was James' thought.
Soon from the mist of gunpowder and moist of the land, a shadow was heading with caution towards James. He aimed at the shadow and pulled the trigger. The shadow vanished.
"Sie sind in der Nähe!" Called a German soldier. "Da! Ich sehe ihn!" (They are close! There! I see him!)
James saw more shadows and continued to shoot. Suddenly he felt a stinging, burning pressure to the head and everything went black before his eyes.
Like waking up from a faint or deep sleep James found himself back home in Sligo, Ireland. At home with his mother, little sister Pat and astoundingly Finn. They were sitting around a wooden table, very quiet. They all stared at the table; sitting very still except Finn was rocking back and forth. A great bandage covered one of his shoulders and round the head. A letter lay on the table. James wanted to take the letter but it went right past his hand. James gasped, looking at his hand and then the letter. "I must be dreaming." Noted James in a quiet tone. Trying to not to panic. He stepped closer to read the letter. After a while he stepped back abruptly. "No! It can't be! I'm not dead! This can not be it! Ma! Pat, Finn! Hear me, I'm not dead! I'm right here beside ya!" Called James frustrated, standing in front of his family. "Hullo? Can't ya hear me? I'm here!" None of his family noticed him. "It's over now. I don't know if I can take this." Said his mother sorrowful breaking into tears. Pat tried to comfort her. Finn remained quiet, rocking back and forth in his chair. Suddenly he gave a cry out and tears welled in his eyes. They were tears of pain and utter sorrow. "Where's Da? Where's James, my brother?"864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJjU7INTVj
"Finn hear me out! Ma wee brother!" Cried James frustrated to Finn.
"It's no use calling out to them, they can't hear you." Explained a deep manly voice from James' back.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIVksprC8r
"Who are you? Where are you?" Wondered James, looking bewildered around him.
"I'm like you, a ghost. The name's Fergus, I too died in the war at the front line in France. I've heard of you, you're Sargent James the watchful." Appeared Fergus few meters away from James.
"I'm a ghost? But how can this be?" Wondered James calmly, looking to Fergus and then to his own hands.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTqDijxmgv
"Hey, I'm just as long a ghost as you are." Fergus tried to comfort with a friendly smile.
"Therefore you already know that we are ghosts."
"Well in my childhood, I met a person who was very superstitious with ghosts. That's why I have my way of knowing a bit of this. Believe me, I'm scared and confused like you are." Noted Fergus honestly and calmly.864Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll82ZqIZha
