IAIN KELLY

WAR CRIME

Snowflakes glistened, falling through the electric light. A blanket of innocence covering sin. The same as that night in Kabul.

The funeral had been mercifully brief. Another of the unit was gone, only I remained. Still no one suspected me.

The Military Court said we were innocent. I knew differently. I still see her pleading eyes. I had avenged her where I had failed to protect her.

One bullet left, tonight I will join my unit again and pray she has forgiven me.

january-snowfall-nighttime
© Sarah Potter

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

112 responses to “WAR CRIME”

  1. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar
    Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    Conscience can be a hard companion. Good one.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lori

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Wow, Iain! I loved this. It explodes out of its 100 word (full metal) jacket. Brilliant! I think this is the best thing I’ve seen from you

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Excellent, thanks Neil, appreciate the high praise.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Jessie Ansons Avatar
    Jessie Ansons

    Oh wow! What a sad tale. Just beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jessie, much appreciated

      Like

      Reply
  4. David K Avatar
    David K

    A lot of mixed up and vivid emotions there. Like the line of ‘innocence covering sin’. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks David

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. fictionspawn Avatar
    fictionspawn

    Wow, that’s beautiful. Important subject put in the spotlight, saying incredibly much in very few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, appreciate your kind commet.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Jane Dougherty Avatar
    Jane Dougherty

    Chilling. In a few words you set out the two sides, the no-man’s land in the middle and the moral dilemma.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Christine Goodnough Avatar
    Christine Goodnough

    Guess this fits under the category: War is Hell.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Definitely does.

      Like

      Reply
  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Lots here to parse. Somehow it made me think about the last US soldier executed for desertion, Eddie Slovik.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, it was heading along those lines. A desertion of duty certainly occured.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Magaly Guerrero Avatar
    Magaly Guerrero

    In war, everyone loses… and the innocent lose more than anyone.

    This is heartbreaking. And some of it, much too close to home for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Magaly, I’m glad it meant something to you. I agree completely, no one wins.

      Like

      Reply
  10. shehannemoore Avatar
    shehannemoore

    Powerful piece Iain. Really enjoyed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks as always Shehanne, I aim to please 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. shehannemoore Avatar
        shehannemoore

        Yir a talent Iain .

        Liked by 1 person

  11. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    More than the scene you create with your apt description is the emotion within the character. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks for the high praise Rochelle.

      Like

      Reply
  12. k rawson Avatar
    k rawson

    Wrenching story. So much woven into those 100 words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Karen

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Kecia Sparlin Avatar
    Kecia Sparlin

    Iain, I think this is my favorite of your flash that I’ve read so far. This seemed very real and, yet, a romance (in the classical sense) at the same time. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Kecia, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Very powerfully done, Iain. Emotionally, we were right there with him…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale, glad you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Tragic, Iain. Saw in the press today there was similar true story, a soldier making horrific decision, skewed by battle fatigue and fear. You capture the despair so well. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn. That story has been running for a few years now. No one has come out of it well or without loss.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        Very, very true. Though the circumstances and outcome were awful, I find it hard to judge the man – unsure of how I would react under such pressures.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    A powerful story, so much unsaid,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael

      Like

      Reply
  17. jellico84 Avatar
    jellico84

    What a terrifying tale, indeed. Sorry, can’t say more at the moment….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      No problem, thanks for reading and commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I echo that in war there are no winners… brilliant and sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bjorn

      Like

      Reply
  19. Rommy Avatar
    Rommy

    There is so much detail packed in this piece. You really get a sense of place and character across so well. I hope for the protagonist’s success, even though I don’t quite know what happened.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rommy, glad you appreciated my effort.

      Like

      Reply
  20. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    Wow, powerful take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Very nice piece, overwhelmed by conscience.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Magnificent, Iain.
    As good as anything you have ever done, and your standard is high.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks CE, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  23. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    I would have to agree with the others, this is the best I’ve read of your work–so far. You’ve raised the bar. Outstanding piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, high praise indeed.

      Like

      Reply
  24. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Chilling – the evil we do lives after us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Absolutely, thanks Liz.

      Like

      Reply
  25. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Excellent writing, the horror and truth creeps up on us and then hits hard. Very powerful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Gabi, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Sarah Potter Writes Avatar
    Sarah Potter Writes

    This is so topical, and yet war is always topical. Humans are capable of such wondrous acts of kindness and of evil. The decision to disobey an order is a tough one for soldiers. They almost need to be braver to disobey than to obey. It is good that most humans have a conscience — and I do believe it is most, although the few that don’t have a conscience are the ones we have to fear the most. Even some of the seemingly most evil people in history have had a conscience in a patchy sense of the word. They might love their family, or not dream of hurting their dog, but not think twice about torturing or sending someone to the gas chambers as part of their day job D:

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think the biggest mistake many of us make is to dismiss the people who commit horrific crimes as aberrations of some kind, as evil and somehow not human – they are people and human just like any of us and it behoves us to study and understand how and why a fellow human would act this way. Only then can we try to fathom a way to avoid it happening again. Thanks Sarah, always great comments from you, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. HonieBriggs Avatar
    HonieBriggs

    First person gripping, choking, and deeply moving. Excellent work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Honie, appreciate the kind comment.

      Like

      Reply
  28. Balaka Avatar
    Balaka

    amazing story…heart wrenching. Loved it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
      Keith’s Ramblings

      Poignant. I wonder just how many have taken this route.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, glad you liked it

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    Wow, what a dark story, beautifully written. I loved “A blanket of innocence covering sin.” That line gripped me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  30. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    Terrifying take. Very well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  31. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Oh! Takes the breath away. Reality can be grim.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, it certainly can.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Whoa! Heavy stuff. The title was a warning but still… memories of wrong doings should be impossible to live with. Well told

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie, glad it made an impression.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Laurie Bell Avatar
        Laurie Bell

        Sure did!

        Liked by 1 person

  33. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    I never saw any action as a soldier, but this is pretty right on. It’s tough stuff. Great job, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  34. Vaidehi Soni Avatar
    Vaidehi Soni

    Some mistakes are incorrigible. I feel bad for your character though. Nicely written 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Vaidehi, appreciate you reading and commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Brilliantly done. So much story and so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  36. reemamichelle Avatar
    reemamichelle

    There is so much in these 100 words. Conscience will never let you go free for the wrongs you have done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

      Like

      Reply
  37. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    There is such a huge story here in so few words. It makes me feel ill they would do what they did to that young woman. I don’t believe two wrongs make at right but this soldier certainly does. Even enough to kill himself for not stopping what happened. No happy endings here wherever you take it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Afraid not, no redemption for him, at least he has accepted what he did and has done something about it, but too late. No happy endings in war certainly. Thanks for commenting Mandi

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. mandibelle16 Avatar
        mandibelle16

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  38. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    Very powerful. So much detail. Really well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Clare, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  39. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    sometimes, you have to be bad to do good. that last bullet will finally do it, i hope. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, appreciate your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. Laura3527 Avatar
    Laura3527

    Oh how sad. Guilt is always a hard pill to swallow… a reminder that war stays on the brain forever.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Absolutely, thanks Laura, appreciate your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Iain, something feels different about your writing lately, like there’s an underlying intensity, or something. Or sharpness. Well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sascha, hopefully a sign of improvement! Very kind, thank you.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Sascha Darlington Avatar
        Sascha Darlington

        I was obviously too subtle; I doing that way too much lately. Yes! Not that your previous writing wasn’t good, but lately it’s been excellent. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  42. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    Very powerful. Conscience is a hard task master, isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, I think especially in war it must be difficult to live with what is even and done.

      Like

      Reply
  43. The Mom Who Runs Avatar
    The Mom Who Runs

    Powerful story in few words. Really enjoyed this one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, glad you appreciated my effort.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  44. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    Powerful story this week, Lain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Like

      Reply
  45. Leaking Ink Avatar
    Leaking Ink

    Wow. Powerful…sad…lingering…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  46. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Lain,
    Many have said the descriptive words I would love to use: powerful, heart-wrenching, sad, intense, etc. – to capsulize: GREAT – BRAVO
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Too kind, thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. sailajaP14 Avatar
    sailajaP14

    Beautiful and powerful, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  48. Dahlia Avatar
    Dahlia

    You have brought out the conflict and the war within so well – awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  49. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar
    The Reclining Gentleman

    Very powerful, Iain. Well written

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  50. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    Your haunting tale highlights the horror of going through war. Superbly written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, very kind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. magarisa Avatar
        magarisa

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

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