The Civil Enemy

Collection 2 (5-8): Unwilling Reapers.

Cameron stares at the computer screen that illuminates the dark, clutered room behind him. He feels the sense of depression gloom over him as he cuts and pastes another lame story he wrote into his deviation. 'Oh god not another story...' are the thoughts that flutter through his mind. (This is not really part of the story, just boredom. The story is beneath.)


The sniper is in place. The scope is his reality, his life. He inhales the oxygen and holds his breath. One insight, male, civilian clothing. Sergeant told him they dress as civilians to trick them. The sniper won't be duped, this is the enemy. He squeezes the trigger and the thunder crack of the rifle ensues. The targets chest bursts open, a thick stream of red blood jettisons into the air and lands like heavy rain on the dirt road. The body falls lifeless to the ground like a knockout punch from a heavy weight, nothing heroic or dynamic like you see in the movies. The sniper pulls his head from the scope to observe from a distance. He feels sick and fits his eye to the scope again. 'This is the enemy' he reassures himself. Let’s find another.