i killed you to save myself.

we sat in the same place for days, looking looking looking. we took notes, some pictures, ate food and drank room temperature water all while looking watching looking. we called back every few hours, sending back messages. we were looking for a weakness, sitting on a raised vantage. nobody realised we were watching, which was of course the way it ought to be.

on an afternoon three of the fellows came out with a fourth, one of our own guys. they beat him to a pulp while asking him questions. while their backs were turned in an engaging argument about whether to choose the monkey wrench, tire iron or bolt cutters next, he made a remarkable escape into the generous confusing cover in our direction.

we got startled. if they started scouring the area, we would be found. my partner and i looked at each other, then over to him.

the three had decided on the bolt cutter and realised he was gone. they fanned out to look. they shouted and fired shots randomly. finally he got up and ran.

he must not lose them, my partner said.

are we going to leave him to die, i said.

are you going to drag us into die too, my partner said.

he ran and somehow their first bullets missed him. he managed to throw a stone back and they slowed their advance on him.

i took out the rifle and gave it to my partner. my partner gave it back to me. we can't compromise our cover, she said.

he waited behind a tree trunk throwing stones. he was going to run for it when the three reloaded. he would be lost to them if he made it here. he stood up and threw another clod of dirt. they shot back. i shot him then. the three stood over his body and argued amongst themselves who had shot him and how. Then they dragged his body back and put it on a stick.

we left our hideout two days later. then bombers came and razed the whole fucking mountainside. so much for maintaining our cover.