Cold War Monologue

We were sent to evacuate another village. As we are marching, I can see the faces full of grief, despair and depression as they're leaving in their columns and us entering in ours. We pass by silently. A few moments pass by and all I can hear is a ear piercing ringing noise and the earth crying out as we were being attacked. I was lost among all of the smoke when suddenly all I can feel is the earth against my face. I hear a faint, “Quick, up, Albert” coming from Paul about three feet away from me. His image was blurry with the smoke in the air. My leg at this point was throbbing in pain.
“I’m sorry to inform you sir, but due to your infection, we must amputate your leg.”
I think back to Paul and I in the dugout. How he said I was shot about four inches above my knee. I remember telling paul “if they amputated my leg, I’ll put an end to it.” Three weeks ago I thought I was strong enough to get through the war with all of my body parts. My thoughts were booming in my head, I can see the nurse's lips moving but nothing was coming out. I didn't see a future for myself anymore. There was no point in my life any longer. “I need a moment, can you leave, please?” I finally responded. My mind is replaying Paul’s face. He was horrified by what I said, if only I can know what he was …show more content…
There was a man put into the room I was in. Lewandowski was his name, he is forty and has been in the hospital for about ten months now. He has a severe abdominal wound. Him and his wife have been apart for the last two years; he's finally able to see his wife after saving up enough money to get her from Poland to here. His joy brings me joy. He had a letter from his wife, he was so excited about her coming, he couldn't help but to share his joy with everyone else. He had hoped to get alone time with his wife, but this wasn't possible. He discusses with all of us what he wants, he left nothing out. All of us men understood and agreed to help him