SUNRISE / SUNSET

~ Iain Kelly

Peter Jones was born at sunrise on a summer’s day.

He enjoyed a happy childhood, living with his loving parents and two older siblings in their small one bedroom tenement flat.

He enjoyed playing with his friends, kicking a football up and down the street. At school he enjoyed sports and reading stories of lands far away.

The war started when he was 14. When he turned 18 he was called up for military service.

He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers during brief training with the infantry. His first trip abroad was part of the D-Day landings. He looked forward to seeing a foreign land for the first time.

On Gold beach, near Arromanches, he survived the onslaught while many of his new friends perished.

Two days later Peter Jones was shot by a German sniper while enjoying a cigarette watching the sunset over the town of Bayeux. As he took his last breath he thought it was the nicest sunset he had ever seen.

He died alone in the field and was buried in an unmarked grave next to a church.

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Copyright Footy and Foodie

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

57 thoughts on “SUNRISE / SUNSET”

  14. Excellent writing – I felt involved from start to finish and really needed to know what was going to happen to Peter. The ending was sad, of course, but at least he died happy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. So sad for Peter . He was too young to bid a final goodbye . So many more lands he could have explored , so many more things he could have done .
    We can only admire the heroic sacrifices of the bravehearts sleeping under anonymous graves . So very well written .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Oh, another tear jerker. This bright boy survives lives a wonderful childhood, survives war on the beaches of Normandy, only to be shot relaxing and having a cigarette. I guess vigilance is always required in the war, even if it’s not only possible. I like the circular theme of the story, born during a beautiful sunset, which is the last thing he sees as he dies. 😢 Wonderful writing!

    Liked by 1 person

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