IanG

If I'd been a conscript, I'm pretty sure I'd have been the guy who got killed by his own grenade.

If this is based on fact, remembet there are bettet people around than the one who left you. It may seem unlikely now but its true.

I like the metaphore of the first asdignment
It wouldn't have occured to me but now you mention it, its a good one.

If this is written from experience I hope your brothet comes home safe and sound.

As in part one, the descriptions are vivid and you build suspense well.

We are surrounded by images of people who are physically perfect. It puts a lot of pressure on us to measure up. Try to remember celebrities have a lot of help from make up artists and even personal trainers. Teenagers in films are often portrayed by twenty somethings. Photos can even be airbrushed. Most of us are not so lucky. Just because you don't look like your favourite singer or actor, it doesn't make you a failure.

You have clearly worked hard on this story, researching the background, researching your protagonist and building a sense of place. I hope it proves popular.

Sad but beautifully done. You evoke the voice of a small child very well.