The whump and crack of bullets hitting dirt filled the air. Blurs of hot metal tore the air in two around his ears as the soldier crouched low behind a lump of earth. Grit kicked up by impacting shots caught in his eyes and nostrils. Fear filled his mind.

For some reason a rustle in the trees to his left caught his ear amongst the carnage. He twisted, peering into the dense greenery to no avail.

He felt the shot before he heard it, like an unexpected punch to the stomach, he suddenly felt winded, thrown off-balance. His feet lost their purchase and he fell backwards, out of cover and into the bracken which coated the ground. Blackness swirled in his vision and his eyes gazed skywards. Bullets were still flying but they seemed muted and distant. His eyelids felt heavy, cumbersome. They drooped as a shower of mud was thrown into the air by his head.

Before long I will sleep.

There was no fear in this concept. relief, resignation, but no fear.
Just another step of the journey.

Destination: unknown.