Second Harvest

Roy searched the room and could not find Michelle. He was initially disappointed, but then chairs began to slide noisily on the wooden floor. Everyone in the room stood, and again the men removed their hats, their eyes fixed to the floor. Roy glanced up to see Michelle walk to her chair with a nice looking young man at her side. Once she took her seat, the crowd returned to their chairs. Michelle and Roy made eye contact and Michelle faintly smiled.

A gavel struck at the judge's table, and silence filled the room in anticipation. "The following is a military trial concerning Corporal Roy Folsom. The charge is willful murder under the Articles of War. If the defense is found guilty, the punishment is death by firing squad."

After the translator finished, an unpleasant gasp could be heard from the villagers, and they started murmuring. The gavel struck again, bringing the room to order. A chair was placed a few feet in front of the judges table, and Roy was instructed to sit in it. The prosecution began to lay out its case. At first, a few doctors gave their witness reports, and then several fellow soldiers answered questions concerning their knowledge of Roy. The sergeant, who had been near the tent when Roy made his report, produced additional information. Then an hour break was declared for lunch.

Michelle Dubois and her new husband tried to approach Roy to speak with him, but guards prevented them from any contact. The isolation only increased Roy fears. He refused to eat or drink during the break. When the room returned to the trial, a lieutenant-colonel at the judge's table leaned over and whispered in the general's ear. The general immediately gave Roy a surprised expression. "I'm told you wouldn't eat or drink during the break, Mr. Folsom."

"No sir, that's correct." Roy looked at his feet.

From his table, the general poured a glass of water and the walked over to Roy and held out the glass. Roy shook his head.

"Thank you, sir, but I'm not thirsty."

The general leaned over and whispered into Roy's ear. He then stood up straight and again offered Roy the glass.

Roy looked up at the general and took the glass draining its contents in fast, furious gulps. After finishing, he handed the glass back to the general.

"Thank you, sir, I appreciate your kindness."

The general patted Roy's shoulder like a father to a child. He then returned to the judge's table. Nodding to the prosecutor, the general indicated that they should continue the trial. Several more witnesses gave reports and with each passing hour; Roy started to feel lost. He berated himself and chewed on his lower lip. Based on the evidence so far, he could see no possible outcome that would be in his favor. Finally, Roy was asked to retell his version of the events leading up to the attack on Sergeant Fassbender.