He chanced looking back for a fraction of a second and spotted the Captain standing in the trench as though he had no care in the world. The man exuded confidence which in turn lent Murphy enough courage to push through the lines.

The first rounds must have been smoke or chlorine because there was little sound. That changed after the third volley which made the ground tremble as the earth itself shattered.

“Well make it!” Murphy said.Even as his eyes locked on the familiar round helmets with a straight all around lip, he could picture that smiling Captain. Perhaps there was a greater power looking out for us tonight…

“No time,” the Captain reminded him. “Go now before the artillery starts up.”

“Yes, Sir,” Murphy said.

He took Roy over his shoulder to ensure they could not get separated on their way back. The added weight meant he would dig deeper into the mud, but instead of complaining he tightened his jaw and grunted.

In five steps he made it over the rear lip of the crater just as the ground began to shake. Soon after he heard shells flying overhead towards the Krauts.

The man withdrew a calling card from his breast pocket and held it to the Sergeant.

“I’m looking for a Warrant Officer Second Class to look after the day-to-day,” the Captain said.

“I’m a sergeant, Sir.”

“You don’t say?” The Captain replied. “Take a week to think it over. Show that card to your superiors, they’ll know what to do.”

“Sir?”

The Captain slipped the card into the Sergeant’s front pocket. Without a word he brought Roy forward, whose eyes were still glazed over. He’s even drooling a bit.

It was that curious grin from the officer that gave the Sergeant a reason to pause. The Captain was clearly no stranger to battle and authority, but he also appreciated that someone challenged him.

The captain, however, ignored the questions and simply emphasised his reasoning.

“Use the excuse that will get him help instead of being executed for cowardice. No man ever deserves to be diagnosed with shell shock,” the Captain said.

“Yes, Sir,” Murphy said.

He went to grab the private, but the Captain shook his head. He supposed it would have been too much to hope that they all make it through the night.

“Before you go, I believe your corporal has neurasenia,” the Captain said. (Nervous exhaustion.) “He may never recover.”

“How’d—(you know that?)” Murphy asked.

It was that curious grin from the officer that gave the Sergeant a reason to pause. The Captain was clearly no stranger to battle and authority, but he also appreciated that someone challenged him.

“Your… aggressor… is not dead… I need to question him.”

Nothing about that statement made any sense, then again neither did black blood, moving faster than a speeding bullet, or fangs. He was tempted to question further, but there was resolve written on the officer’s face.

“You have your orders, Sergeant,” the Captain said while pointing the way which curiously happened to be the precise bearings to take to get back to his lines.

“Yes, Sir,” Murphy said.

“What—(was that?)” Murphy asked.

The Captain raised his hand to silence him and shook his head. In the space between heart beats, this gentleman was now less than a foot away.

“Not the place or time,” the Captain whispered. “Head back to your lines.”

Whoever gave him that initial warning must have gone. The one before him spoke exactly like an educated British officer. I’m not sure I’d like to meet the other man.

“You’re not going, Sir?” Murphy asked.

“Your… aggressor is not dead… I need to question him.”