A Void Unfilled

" Adrian, it's late again," growled Corporal James as he passed the bedimmed mess hall, where Adrian sat by himself at a battered table. The distant soft murmur of voices from conversations slightly reached him as he reflected on his recollections.

" Every night is a penance," Adrian spoke under his breath, nearly to himself." I close my eyes, and there's only that we used to partake — Flora laughing, she believing in me."

Private Reyes approached timidly. His voice shook ...