In this piece, I was playing with different point of views (POV). It’s unfinished, but I think it still tells a nice little story.
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Joseph
Dozens of green army men jumped from their boats and tanks, storming the beach like waves. Any minute now we’d be upon the castle, and soon it would be ours. First the castle, and then the princess.
“Listen up men,” I said, trying hard to make my voice sound like Dad’s when he’s imitating the evening news anchor, steady yet deep and manly. “Today’s the day our hard work pays off. I know the battle of the swing set was tough, but it was necessary to gain ground. Today’s going to be tough too, but with some dedication we can finally achieve victory.” Grabbing the green plastic army man with the flag, I raised him high above my head to show my troops I was serious. As I lowered him to the ground, the men turned to face the castle.
“Ready, set, charge!” I screamed, cheering my army on.
I dove into the sand, belly down, and crawled with my men towards enemy lines. We were silent, sliding effortlessly across the sandbox. I only hoped we could maintain our element of surprise. And then, as we glided up that last sandy ridge, it came into view – the beautiful, sand encrusted castle of Judico. My heart quickened, and I waived my hand, drawing my men close.
“Okay now, here’s what we’re going to do,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “you three, flank left, and you three there, flank right. Whoever’s left, come with me. Let’s go men.”
I rose from my belly, before circling the air with my finger and pointing at the castle, giving my men the signal to charge. And off we were, our treasure just within reach. As we approached their territory, enemy troops lined the wall-walk, preparing their weapons. Somewhere behind me a cannonball thudded to the ground, the impact leaving a crater. Sand lightly splattered against my back, as I began to slay the enemy troops before me with my sword. They fell to the ground effortlessly, like a delicate red carpet laid out just for me.
I got to the last of the troops and flipped him so that his back was against my belly. I held my sword to his throat.
“Open the gate, now.” I tightened the grip of the blade against his throat.
“Okay, okay.” He pointed at a rope on the wall. “That rope will open the gate. Just cut it.”
“You,” I said, pointing to one of my men, “go cut that rope.”
As he cut it, the tension on the door loosened, and the door slowly lowered, opening the castle to us.
“Finally, she is mine.” I said, waiving the green army man with the flag above my head as I stepped across the threshold of the castle.
But before I could fully step across, and plant my flag to claim my prize, the castle came crumbling down around us.
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