Destiny's War Part 1: Saladin's Secret (out soon)
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
British (General) North American (US Mid-Atlantic)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Syria August 1917. The acrid stink of gunpowder fills my nose and makes my eyes water. My lungs are raw, my ears ring, muting the cracks of gunfire and screams. I am unable to process what is happening. I have no muscle memory for battle. I stand frozen, staring at the man I have just shot. The blood is darker than I remember. Memories flood in of a deer. I killed the deer's eyes, its gaze somehow forgiving as life faded. The memory seems so far off a lifetime ago. The man's eyes are the same. Life begins to fade. No, he's not a man, but a youth not much older than myself. His hand grips and amulet around his neck. His lips quiver. A prayer man, a distant voice, calls out. I am mayor. I remember or used to be before I killed a man, a boy. What was his life? Like his dreams, I bend down, unclench his fingers. The amulet hangs from a rawhide string without knowing why I rip it free. Man, the voice is louder. Hand grabs my shoulder. I wheel around, raising my rifle, ready to strike. I quickly lower my guard when I see it is my friend, my only friend in this **** on earth. We have to go now. His voice is panic stricken. Still dazed I nod. I look back at the boy just killed my first kill. Flies are buzzing in the blood. I slipped the amulet into my pocket The dark blood pool's ready to touch the tip of my boot The thin line between life and death