Part 1

The massive artillery cannons roared like thunder as the Corporal walked the battlements. Even now he could see their enemies attempting to approach the walls. Or at least, he thought he did. But they must hold the line, until the reinforcements came. But how long has it been now? Weeks? Months? Longer?

"Private, a moment of your time." The Corporal said to a Private who was sitting against a wall, taking a break while the battle raged.

"What's up, Adjutant?" The Private asked.

"Something is bothering me. How long have we been here now?"

"That's easy it's been... hmmm." The Private stopped. "When was the last time you ate?"

"..." The Corporal didn't say anything, but he had an uneasy look on his face.

"Thought so."

"When was the last time you slept, Private? When any of us did?"

"The last time I went to the barracks the beds were covered in cobwebs."

"I'm going to talk to the Colonel. Keep this conversation to yourself."

The Corporal walked around the Fort, taking the long way back to the Colonel's office. The barracks were cobweb covered just like the Private said. The kitchens were empty, and cold as death. When he visited the magazine though, he was simply unnerved. It was empty. What have they been firing?

When he arrived in the Colonel's Office, the Colonel looked different somehow, as if he was slowly dying, or fading away. Looking around the office, the walls were also covered in cobwebs, as if nothing had been touched in years. The Corporal approached him right away, and stared him directly in the eyes before speaking.

"How long have you known?" The Corporal asked. "How long have we been trapped in this hell, Colonel Kurtz?" The Corporal shouted at him.

"Jason, how many years have you known me?" Colonel Kurtz asked the Corporal in response, not breaking his gaze.