[ IP ] Wilderness

A river of birds wound south in search of day. Swift black shapes chased each other, trilling as they raced for home. Unmoved by the barren woodland below, they flew. 
 
 I shivered and stamped some life back into aching feet. Standing on the outcrop, I could see for miles in the pale dawn. Blackened logs and broken boughs littered the ground and the air tasted of ash. Some rusting bulldozers still stood in the shadows, abandoned where they were. The heavy machines glistened wet with dew. The land behind them cleared of trees and scrub for urban progress, now devoid of human life. 
 
 Nestled in my arms was a rifle, dull green and gray. My fingers wandered over stock, grip and barrel as I waited for something to happen. Cold metal rubbed against leather gloves as I stroked the weapon. In my mind, it grew hot and angry as the muzzle flashed and spat. 
 
 Watch the boundary, guard your country. The government cared enough for this patch of uneven ground to dispatch an entire platoon to watch over it. Two dozen men patrolling half-dead forest. Standing in the lonely cold, looking out for an enemy that was n't there. 
 
 Were we at war?
