The Long Way
The Long Way
By Grace Hartley
Bang! Gunpowder tainted the air, filling everyone’s lungs with fear. The screams could be heard for miles, giving even the quietest of minds dread as the soldiers sprinted out onto the death ridden field. “Major Barton! Major Barton!” A familiar face appeared, it was Frank, he had scabbed knees, and tears rolling down his cheeks. Frank looked up with woeful eyes. “He’s dead! Archy’s dead, it’s all my fault,” he sobbed. I realised everyone was more devastated by the outcome than the others. This was getting dangerous, everyone was sick of seeing people getting slaughtered every day, just the thought of it made my heart sink. Unexpectedly a voice raised above the chatter “Everyone listens up, we need to push back against these ruthless leaders, this is not the adventure of a lifetime, this is a slaughterhouse.” Everyone stood there in silence without saying a word, I don’t know if it was from sheer fear but the silence itself was enough for me to know the consequences are going to be dire. It was just as I expected a rebellion; is going to begin.
