ADAM POCZATEK - THE LINE

Adam Poczatek is a writer from Tecumseh, Michigan who is currently living in Orlando, Florida.  He spends his free time either drawing or writing.

The Line
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A crisp breeze greeted me as I stepped into the tree line, and the familiar smell of gunpowder wafted into my nose.  I was the last to arrive to this place of judgment, where captured enemies have all met the angel of death. I, as well as four others from my platoon, was assigned to this task: to execute the enemy soldier that was captured.  It was something that I wasn’t particularly against, as it was my duty as a soldier to kill evildoers, but something didn’t sit right with me. I make my way into the opening in front of me, passing by broken down vehicles and burnt down buildings, and meet up with my platoon mates.  The general is with them. “Damn it all, now I’m gonna get in trouble for being late.  
“Jessup, you’re late.  I’ll have to write this on the report.”  The general writes something down in his pocketbook and looks up at the five of us.  “Today, we take the life of a man who wishes the end of our supreme leader’s reign. Today, we make another tribute in his name.  Today, we fulfill our duty as his greatness’ soldiers,” the general says.  
“For the glory of the supreme leader,” we all chant in unison.  
“Ready your weapons.”  We all start to grab our guns off of our backs, and line up in front of the prisoner.  Shakily, I put the loaded magazine into my rifle. This is the first time I’ve been assigned to something like this.  Is execution truly the best way to deal with traitors such as this one?  
“Aim.”  I point the barrel of my gun at the traitor.  His face is not one of fear, but one of pure hatred.  If it wasn’t for the fact that he has been gagged, he would probably be screaming bloody murder right about now.  Does he really believe his cause is just?  I steady my breath, and look down the sight of my weapon.  Shit, this is brutal.  Isn’t there another way?
“Fire!”  I close my eyes and pull the trigger, hoping my bullet isn’t the one that kills him.  Bang.  I hear the ruffle of birds leaving the trees around me.  My eyes open up. The man is still standing. Three shots to his chest, one to his leg, and one to his arm.  He lived, but just barely.  Blood is starting to pour out of him like a stream, and yet he stands, as visibly angry as he was before.
“The sinner still breathes.  Jessup, show him to hell’s door and shut it on him.  See me when the deed is done. As for the rest of yo-” 
“With all due respect, sir, could another from the platoon have this task?”  I think of something I can say to help get myself out of this situation without making it sound like I’m too scared to kill him..  “I don’t want the blood of a whelp like him on my hands.”
“If you would prefer it, I can have you join the traitor in hell, or would you like to re-think your decision?”  The general takes a step towards me, a grim smile on his face. A bead of sweat drips down my face.
“Sorry sir, I’ll gladly do the deed.”
“I’m glad that you think this way.  See to it. As for the rest of you, on me.”
“Sir, yes sir!”  We all chant. I watch as my platoon mates leave with the general.  Fuck, I really have to do this now, don’t I?  I walk up to the traitor.  I hear him try to mumble something to me, but the gag makes it inaudible.
“Sorry, I wish there was another way this could go.  It doesn’t seem fair to me either. Sorry.” I push the barrel of my rifle into his face.  The man starts to violently shake, as the adrenaline starts to settle down. I whisper a short prayer to the God I’m starting to think didn’t exist, and pull the trigger.  His body flops onto the ground. I continue to fire another 4 shots into his torso, before finally falling to my knees. Looking down at the body, a pool of blood gathers around me, soaking my legs in it’s crimson shine.  I stay there for a good couple of minutes before finally getting the strength to stand up. “I guess I’ll have to go see the general now…” I leave the clearing, never looking back at the cold, lifeless body that lies behind me.    
                        

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