To the victor goes the spoils, that’s what they say.

There is cheering, waving flags, smiling faces. But it doesn’t feel like winning.

Surrounding them is destruction and death. Buildings and homes reduced to rubble.

They said the last one would be the war to end all wars. Maybe this one will be.

They are glad to be the victors, proud and patriotic.

Yet beneath the smiles and relief there is so much grief.

They have lost so much: friends, lovers, comrades, innocence.

History will immortalise them as heroes.

But can anyone really be called a winner in war?

Linking with Carrot Ranch Literary Community and their prompt Winners. The task is to write a story in 99 words using the prompt.

A JUSTIFIED STATE:
U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM      UNITED KINGDOM     AUSTRALIA  CANADA  INDIA   BRAZIL   MEXICO      GERMANY       FRANCE       SPAIN      ITALY    NETHERLANDS  JAPAN

STATE OF DENIAL:
U.S.A. / AMAZON.COM       UNITED KINGDOM    AUSTRALIA      CANADA
INDIA    BRAZIL   MEXICO     GERMANY       FRANCE       SPAIN     ITALY     NETHERLANDS
JAPAN