Vine Trap

Chapter 1

April 21st, 1918.

The trees stood tall, chipped, and soaked. Insects swarmed around my ears. The rain hit my green helmet in rhythmic taps, and all I could see were endless trees and brown mud, mixed with the stench of animal feces.

I can’t wait to get out of this never-ending onslaught of hail-sized rain. I don't even know why we're in this rain forest and not to mention, this whole war just seems pointless and unnecessary. Honestly I believe the leaders should be fighting, not sending us.

“Private Dean!”

“Yes, sir, Captain Martello?”

“Are you wandering off, maggot?!”

How was his voice louder than the rain? I could even feel his spit from in the front.

“Yes, sir!”

“Don’t let that shit happen again, or I’ll give you a lobotomy. You understand, maggot?”

Didn’t know this Neanderthal knew such a big word.

“Yes, sir.”

You know what? I’m not indifferent about this war. In fact, I despise it. Every bone in my body is filled with hatred for this. All this pointless fighting, for what? So some president can say we did a good job? How many more kids need to die before these countries understand?

“Looks like the captain really laid into you there, huh, Mike?”

One of the only good things about this war is this guy right here: Private Leo King. He may not be as smart as me, but he’s great to talk to.

“Yeah, but he’s just a balding old man. This war is the only thing he has.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you hear about his son?”

“No, I didn’t. Did something bad happen?”

“Yeah, he had his right leg amputated.”

“Oh, shit.”

The guy shouldn't have done something stupid like putting his life at risk for a cause that doesn’t care if he lives or dies. He’s just a idiot who wanted to be part of something bigger than himself.

“Well, better him than me, right Mike?”

“Yeah, you got that right.”

“What do you plan to do after this godforsaken war huh Mike?”

“I know exactly what I’m gonna do.” I said, more vigorous than I’ve felt since arriving on the front lines.

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna get into that stock trading stuff. I heard it’s all down right now. It’s not like it can get any lower, right?”

“Yeah, you got that right.”

“What about you, Leo?”

“Well, I’ve got a wife who’s pregnant with my child, so that’s all I’ve got on my mind.”

I paused, feeling a twinge of envy. Man, his goals are so much better than mine. He’s really an amazing guy. I can respect someone like him—someone who takes responsibility and doesn’t run away from problems.

“Man, those are some good goals. Wish I had a wife to come back to.”

To be fair I don’t think any woman wants me now.

“Oh yeah, did you notice that big guy in the middle of us? The really tall German guy?”

The prisoner. He’s gargantuan, gotta be at least 6’6” or something crazy like that.

“You mean the prisoner of war?”

“Yeah, that’s him. Do you know his name?”

“Leon!” the prisoner said in a heavily accented voice.

“Well, I guess he heard us, Dean.”

“I think you’re right.”

“You’re gonna wanna stay away from him,” a voice whispered in my ear.

Oh, it’s this guy—White Fox. He’s a Native from a small reservation, but I never bothered to learn the name. He’s a pretty normal-sized dude. I think he’s a medic or something. He’s weird, but he doesn’t isn’t anything super annoying.

“I heard he killed his own mother, and the Germans were using him for cannon fodder.”

Damn, even the vile Germans despise this guy.

“Then why did we capture him?” I asked, intrigued.

“Who knows, man. All I know is I feel a dark pressure in his soul.”

Oh yeah, I forgot about that whole “aura-reading” thing he does.

“What are you guys talking about?” Leo asked, irritated.

“It’s too dark for you, buddy,” I said with a sly grin.

“What are you talking about? I can han—”

“Soldiers, stop!” Captain Martello said, with urgency in his voice.

Time seemed to stop around us. The only sounds were our heartbeats, a constant echoing drum in our ears, along with the distant noises of oblivious creatures and the suffocating heat.

“Men, down,” Captain said more quietly than I’d ever heard him.

Oh fuck! Does this mean we actually have to fight? Hell no! I’m not ready to die. This is why I hate war so much—it’s so stupid. Wait, I need to calm down. The enemy is probably freaking out too. I need to think logically and stop shaking.

“False alarm, men. Be at ease,” Captain Martello said.

“Oh, thank Jesus our Lord and Savior,” Leo sighed.

“Someone seemed to be scared,” I chuckled.

“Shut up, you ass.”

“You’re just mad I’m right,” I smirked.

“Bet the big guy thought his friends were gonna get him,” Don laughed.

“Dummer Amerikaner (stupid American),” the large German muttered, glaring at Don.

Oh God, not this prick. Don’s probably one of the most uneducated guys I’ve ever met. He’s a short asshole who’s arrogant and thinks he’s the boss of everyone, all because he’s second in command.

“Shut it, Don,” Captain Martello said.

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir,” Don muttered regretfully.

“Glad the captain put that asshat in his place,” White Fox whispered.

“That makes two of us.”

“You know, Don isn’t that bad, Dean,” Leo said with a smile.

White Fox and I exchanged a look.

“You’re too good for this world, Leo,” White Fox said, patting Leo’s shoulder.

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“What he said,” I added with a nod.

“You’re too nice for war, boy,” Leon added with his thick accent.

“Wow, you speak English,” White Fox said, sarcastically.

“Didn’t know they let your people in the war,” Leon smirked, shooting back.

“Alemán q’añunakaw utji (German scum),” White Fox spat on the ground. The glob hit the mud with a wet splat.

“Pay suma (thanks),” Leon smirked, unfazed.

“Leave White Fox alone, Boche,” Don snapped.

Leon’s eyes narrowed, giving Don a menacing glare, trying to intimidate the much shorter man. But Don stood his ground, expression unchanged.

“Quit flirting with the prisoner and focus on what’s ahead of you!” Captain Martello yelled from the front.

The two men maintained eye contact despite the captain’s orders, Leon tensing his muscles as if preparing for a fight.

“You hear me, Don?!” Captain Martello screamed.

“Sorry, sir,” Don finally diverted his gaze from the German.

The German nodded in respect to the smaller man who had challenged him.

Maybe Don isn’t as much of a coward as I thought.

“You alright, White Fox?” Don asked, genuinely concerned.

“Yes, I am. Thank you.”

“I told you Don was a good guy,” Leo whispered to me.

“What are you two dipshits looking at?”

“Nothing,” we both said in unison, returning to formation.

Some hours have passed

The men started on their way again. The relentless bombardment of rain finally subsided, replaced by suffocating humidity.

"Alright men, we’re setting up a small camp here!" said Captain Martello.

A sigh erupted from Dean.

"Something tells me he’s not gonna help us."

"Aw, don’t be like that, Dean," said Leo, who was beaming with joy.

"You're a simple person, aren’t you, boy," said Leon with his annoying smirk.

"Boches shouldn’t talk," echoed a voice from a tall, slender man smoking a cigarette.

*Ah, he finally decided to speak. This guy’s name is, I think, Michel. He’s a Frenchman who's really good with a rifle. He’s actually the second-highest rank here, but he doesn’t act like it. He’s a real cold person in his mid-30s who volunteered to head on this little expedition with us. I haven’t really heard him talk enough to have an opinion on him. He seems kind of off though. He kind of makes me a bit uneasy, but not like how Leon does. It’s much more subtle, like he’s restraining himself.*

"Oh, didn’t know we had a frog here," Leon said, his smirk widening.

"You think I’d get mad at something as dumb as that?" Michel put out his cigarette.

"I think I made the royal Frenchman mad," Leon said, his face growing irritated.

“Oh don’t worry you brute. You didn’t hurt my feelings.”

The Frenchman smirked and glared at him.

“Oh really little man”

The Frenchman rolled his eyes

"Bye, you dumb ape," Michel said, with a slight smile on his face.

Leon, irritated, retreated to a tree, making it his resting spot. With the body language of a toddler being told no, he sat down in a crisscross position.

*Wow, that’s probably the most I’ve seen him talk. I wonder if—*

“Hey Leo.” Said a timid, ginger with light blue eyes.

Oh it’s marshal. This guys a real muscular dude who’s tall too, not as tall as Leon but he’s probably like 6”2 or close to that. He’s real nice but he’s not as outgoing as Leo. I think he’s a real nice kid but the only people who really talk to him are Leo and David. He’s a gentle guy who could crush my skull with his hands. But he’s way too nice for that.

“Hey marshal, how's it going?”

“Well I kind of feel like someone’s watching me.” As the marshal looked around him handedly.

“It’s ok man. You wanna be room buddies with me and Dean tonight?”

“Yeah that would be cool. Would it be ok with Dean though?” As the man looked at me like he was a lost puppy.

“Don’t worry I don’t care man. As long as you don’t take up too much room it’s fine.” I said with a smirk

“Thank you Dean and Leo.” A soft smile went across the boys face.

Well I did forget to mention he’s a bit of a cry baby. He was definitely sheltered though. Well to be fair he was raised by a single mother and he’s only 18 so I get why he’s scared. He’s the one guy I don’t like to make fun of or joke around with. I just feel I would hurt the guy's feelings.

“Alright guys I’m gonna go get my stuff.”

“Bye Marshall.” Leo’s voice as energetic as ever.

“See ya man.” I said, keeping a small grin on my face.

Well so now we got another dude sleeping in our tent. I hope there’s enough room for all of us. Not to mention he’s huge. Man maybe I should—

"Owww, you dumbass!" erupted from Don.

"Sorry, bud, it was a true accident, I swear," a hint of sarcasm and mockery in the Frenchman’s voice as he looked down at the short man.

"You tripped me on purpose, you fool!" Don trembled with anger.

"Calm down, little man, you just got a little cut."

"You best apologize, you—you—"

"Hey guys calm down.” Said another voice softly.

*Oh god, not him. It’s David..*

This guy rivals Leon in intimidation, but it’s more akin to someone like me or Leo. He’s also one of the most intelligent people I’ve met. He’s cunning, but he doesn’t make it obvious—instead, he’s subtle about it. The fact that I noticed is only by coincidence, because of my experiences growing up. I can barely wrap my head around him.

"Don, you’ve bickered with everyone here. Learn to take some stuff on the chin, man," David said with pure kindness in his voice, calming the once-furious man down with just a few words and a hand on his shoulder.

"And you, Michel, stop irritating him. He's done nothing to you to warrant such a response. You need to be nicer to everyone here." His tone shifted from friendly to concerned

"Fine. I’m sorry, Don," the Frenchman said begrudgingly.

"See? Look at that, everyone’s back on good terms," David said, keeping his face neutral.

*That’s what I mean—he’s terrifying, being able to know exactly what the situation offers. In fact, I’d say I’m the most scared of him out of everyone here.*

"Oh, hey there, Leo," David's face melted into a smile.

"Hey, big guy," Leo returned his energy.

The man walked over to Dean and Leo, keeping his smile plastered on his face as he approached.

"And you, Michael," his tone was the same, but now laced with scorn.

"Hello, David," Dean said indifferently.

"Hey, Leo, I need some help setting up my tent. Could you help me?" His voice was sickeningly sweet.

The two men walked over to where David’s tent was.

Dean audibly exhaled in relief as the two men walked off.

"You noticed it, didn’t you?" Leon said, not missing a beat.

"What are you talking about?" Dean feigned ignorance.

"No need to lie. You can trust me," Leon said, his face not changing like before.

"Do you really think I can?" Dean asked inquisitively.

"Yes, my friend, I mean you no harm. And I can tell what he’s doing—it rubs my stomach into knots," Leon said, worried.

"So what did you notice then?" Dean asked, curious.

"I noticed how he seems to have influence over mostly everyone... except you." The German’s face cracked into a grin. "I wonder why that is? Maybe he realized you caught onto him? Or maybe he sees you as the biggest threat here, even over me. Now, wouldn’t that be interesting?" A devilish grin spread across the man’s face.

Dean began to feel the air suffocating him with its immense humidity as his mind raced.

*Maybe this German is smarter than I thought. It seems I’m caught between two monsters here—one who hides among humans and the other among his own kind. How can I get Leo out of this? He's oblivious to this whole situation. I got in over my head believing I had a chance to reason with either of these monsters. But I will overcome this; Leo will make it out of this alive at any cost. Wait, I’m overreacting—there’s no need to panic right now. Nothing has happened. But I feel it: when something does happen, I fear we’re gonna be submerged in the waters of chaos itself.*

"Are you gonna answer me, boy?" Leon said, maintaining his expression.

"Yes, I noticed it, and it’s obvious you did too. I have no clue how he caught onto me. And now, you too."

"Well, you’re good at hiding it from the naked eye, but not from someone like me or him. Us monsters have a sense when we can feel our own kind."

"What do you mean by that?" Dean's face began to crack, revealing a face more akin to that of a monster.

Leon’s body recoiled in pure fear, as if the air itself pulled him back to protect him.

"We’re done here," Dean said as he walked away, and the air faded, returning to normal.

*God, that stupid German and that freak David. I don’t know what to do. Fuck! It’s killing me. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can—*

"You alright, maggot!?" said a familiar voice.

Dean looked up, surprised.

"Captain Martello?"

"You doing alright, Private?" The captain’s voice, laced with concern, was softer than before.

"Yes, I’m fine, sir. Thank you for asking." Dean turned his head and ran his hand furiously through his hair.

"You don’t seem like it."

"No, I swear I am," Dean said, his voice growing irritated.

"You know, I have a son around your age. He’s recently been taken from the battlefield."

"Yes, I’ve heard. I’m very sorry for you."

"Well, I actually didn’t want him coming to this war."

"Really?"

"Yes." His voice started to tremble. "He was so excited to come to war, and I thought it would be a great idea. After all, my father and grandfather were both soldiers. But after seeing him, I realized how wrong I was. Seeing him lying there... no right leg, knowing he’s never going to be the same, kills me. He’s only 19, just getting his life started, and he’s lost a leg." The normally stern voice turned soft and sorrowful, as a single tear rolled down his face. "All I’m saying is, Private, if you have second thoughts about this war, go with your gut and get out. And make sure to get your friend Leo out. He's got a really bright future, I can tell, and I would hate for him to die in a hellish place like this."

As the man walked away, Dean could now see not just a soldier, but a man, the same as him, under all that equipment.

*I’ve never seen him like that before. Under all that armor lies a man.God, I talk about being right a lot, but I don’t seem to ever be right. I shouldn’t have thought that about his son. What's wrong with me? I really am a monster. I’m not confident or intelligent, despite acting like it. No, I can't think like that. As long as I act strong, I will be strong. If I keep up my confidence, I will become confident. Right, Dad? Don’t be weak. I can’t be weak. Weakness is punished and will not be tolerated. Weakness lets others control you and take advantage of you. But then why would Mom say everyone has weakness, when Dad was never weak? He never once was weak—always strong and confident. I must be like him. God I gotta get up can’t let anyone see me like this. I already let captain Martello see me and that was too much.*

“Hey, Dean, there you are.” A voice echoed with energy.

Leo?

“Hey Le—

*Wait, that’s not him.*

“I mean, hey William.”

“You think it was someone else, bud?”

“No, no, it was nothing.”

*God, don’t let it be this guy. William is like the weird kid who clings to you after just one conversation. He’s just odd, always scribbling in his notebook, and his breathing—it makes my skin crawl.*

“I got a question, bud?”

“Yeah, what is it?” I said, hesitantly.

“Could I sleep in your guys’ tent?”

*No, no, no, hell no. We already have three people, and while he could fit, I definitely don’t want him to. If Leo finds out, he’ll insist. Wait, I got it—I’ll throw someone else under the bus.*

“Sorry, I don’t think we have enough room,” I said, forcing a smile.

*I need to find the first person I see. White fox, I’m sorry, but it had to be you.*

“Oh, are you sure you don’t have enough room?” William’s tone shifted, irritation evident.

“We don’t have enough room, but I know someone who does. White Fox!”

He turned, his face contorting in disgust.

“I think he has some extra room in his tent? Don’t you, White Fox?” My eyes pleaded for help.

White Fox glared at me. “Well, I wouldn’t say al—“

“Oh, you have some room! You and I can room together.”

“I owe you one,” I whispered to White Fox as I passed him, hoping he’d understand.

White Fox shot a look back at Dean, a silent plea for assistance.

As Dean walked away a figure observed him as he went to the rest of the group.