Night had already fallen when we left the safety of our camp to strike out for High Peak. No doubt, our superiors were sleeping soundly in their beds. Our Special Forces unit had been split in two. I was to lead Alpha Team up the East Ridge, and Big Dave would lead Bravo on the Western route.
We travelled light, but had surprise on our side. Our night vision kit would show us the way. Several times through that long night, I thought I heard muffled sounds across the mountain, but I couldn’t afford to slow down. And we had agreed to keep strict radio silence.
The cool night air didn’t prevent the sweat from trickling down my back. Several times, I slipped and fell. But I was soon climbing ever upward. Pain and fatigue were stalking me, but I kept one step ahead.
As I neared the final ridge, I allowed myself a brief respite to check through my kit. My watch counted the seconds down to Zero hour. Now was the time to strike.
As I mounted the ridge, I peered through the gloom looking for signs of movement. But the enemy camp was gone. They had fled, with nothing left behind. Or was there? I saw Dave’s backpack leaning against a rock, but there was no sign of him. What had happened? Shouting his name over and over, I searched until I was exhausted.
It was now that tiredness and fear overtook me. I felt too young, at twelve years old, to be on this type of mission. Reluctantly, I took out my mobile phone and rang Mum and Dad in their tent far below. What would they say?
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, October 11th 2015. For more details click the logo.
To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.
Walk the Self-Talk 
Great! Lovely take on the prompt. I was hooked! Loved the ending.
Thanks Graham. Much appreciated!
I love the ending of this one 🙂 I would say that twelve is probably a bit young, I guess his parents will be having words!
Thanks. I’m hoping Dave has gone back down on his own!
Hopes so 🙂
Ahhh, the wonderful imagination of a 12 year old! Loved the story and the great twist at the end! (Hopefully, Dave isn’t really missing. Maybe he is just taking a leak).
Thanks. I’m hoping dave is okay.
Great fun, Steve, well done.
Thanks. I think Dave may be playing hide and seek!
Lol. Didn’t see the ending coming. As it happens it made the story. A real mission wouldn’t have been as interesting, or fun.
I agree, military stories are ten a penny , these days.
Wonderful ending, nicely done. I love how you portray the kids’ imaginative games with such respect, just as serious and real as the children feel them (at least while they’re in the heat of the game).
Thanks. I wanted it all to seem real until the end.
That’s a fantastic twist 😀 Great story Steve
It sounded all real till the end and the twist brought everything in perspective as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old! Good to have parents to call when needed! Lovely story.
Thanks again for your lovely comments. 🙂
You are welcome!