The March of the Forgotten

The moon hung low, casting a pale glow over the dilapidated town of Eldridge. The wind howled through the empty streets, carrying with it the faint scent of decay. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, and the living were all but forgotten.

In the heart of Eldridge stood the old military barracks, a relic of a bygone era. It was here that Private John "Johnny" Thompson had served his country, fighting in a war that had left him emotionally scarred. Now, he was back, returning to the town he had sworn to protect, only to find it under siege.

Johnny had always been a man of few words, his thoughts often lost in the fog of war. But as he walked the streets of Eldridge, a sense of dread clung to him like a second skin. The townspeople, once vibrant and lively, now moved with a slow, zombie-like gait, their eyes hollow and lifeless.

It was on the night of the full moon that Johnny's worst fears were realized. As he sat on the porch of his childhood home, a sudden, piercing scream shattered the silence. The sound was unlike anything he had ever heard, a mix of terror and fury that sent shivers down his spine.

Johnny sprang to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. He had heard stories of the supernatural, but he had never believed them. Yet, as he looked around, he saw the townspeople, their faces contorted in a grimace of pain and rage, beginning to move as one. They were heading towards the barracks, their eyes fixed on the old building.

Johnny knew he had to do something. He grabbed his rifle and made his way to the barracks. As he approached, the doors creaked open, and the air was thick with the stench of death. Inside, he found the source of the scream: a soldier, draped in tattered uniforms, his eyes wide with a look of terror.

"Who are you?" Johnny demanded, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around him.

The soldier's eyes flickered, and for a moment, Johnny thought he saw a spark of recognition. But then, the soldier's eyes went blank, and he began to move, his hands reaching out towards Johnny.

Johnny fired, but the bullet only seemed to push the soldier further towards him. The soldier's hands closed around Johnny's throat, and he felt the life being choked out of him. As he struggled, he heard the townspeople reach the barracks, their voices growing louder.

Suddenly, the soldier's grip loosened, and Johnny fell to the ground, gasping for breath. He looked up to see the soldier standing before him, his eyes now filled with a calm, almost serene expression.

"Johnny," the soldier whispered, "you must leave. The dead will follow."

Johnny nodded, his mind racing. He had to get out of Eldridge, but how? The townspeople were closing in, their faces twisted in a grotesque parody of humanity.

As Johnny stumbled towards the door, he heard the soldier's voice again, this time clearer and more insistent.

"Run, Johnny. Run!"

With a final glance at the soldier, Johnny pushed open the door and ran into the night. The townspeople were almost upon him, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. He sprinted down the street, the sound of their footsteps echoing behind him.

As he reached the edge of town, Johnny looked back. The soldiers were no longer just townspeople; they were the dead, their faces contorted in a relentless march towards the barracks. Johnny turned and ran, his heart pounding in his chest, the sound of the dead growing louder with every step.

He didn't stop until he reached the edge of the forest, where the trees loomed like sentinels guarding the entrance to the unknown. He collapsed against a tree, gasping for air, his mind racing with questions.

What had happened to the soldiers? Why were they now the dead? And most importantly, how could he escape their relentless pursuit?

Johnny's eyes flickered open, and he realized he was no longer alone. A figure stood before him, a soldier in the twilight of life, his eyes filled with a look of sorrow.

"Johnny," the soldier said, "you must find the answer. The dead will not rest until they are at peace."

Johnny nodded, his resolve strengthening. He had to find out what had happened to the soldiers, and he had to stop the march of the forgotten. As he stood up, the soldier faded into the shadows, leaving behind a single, haunting word: "Remember."

Johnny took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no choice but to face the darkness that had fallen upon Eldridge. With the weight of the dead upon his shoulders, he stepped into the forest, ready to uncover the truth and put an end to the march of the forgotten.