The Invisible Enemy
By Arnold Castle
At fifteen he was sent to war to fight an
enemy he couldn't understand. But more puzzling
was the victory to be won—after he met defeat!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
October 1954
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
It was the day.
The automobile with its three passengers moved slowly along the quiet morning street. There was no need for hurry.
The boy's father was soberly recalling his own war experiences, wondering how similar Tom's would be. The mother was remembering vividly fragments of films, of facsimile reports, of forgotten conversations, envisioning her son cringing pathetically in a shallow foxhole as the penultimate weapon burst into grisly glory in the dark dawn sky. Tom's own thoughts were tense, but he managed to conceal his nervousness from his parents.
"We're here, son," his father announced calmly, pulling the car up to the curb.
"Dear, can't we drive around the block just once?" his mother asked, her voice almost a whisper.