There is the explosion and the kick. As the smoke clears, I see that the rifle that I aimed above is now lying on the ground at an angle. The knowledge slowly sinks in. As I peer through the scope for movement, I know there won’t be any.(129)
I chose this quote because it accurately depicts when Xavier shoots and kills the German sniper. This scene is important because it is the first time Xavier has taken someone else’s life. Even in the face of danger he hesitated and only when his instincts took over did he take the shot. This is also important because the Hun sniper who has been haunting Xavier and Elijah is now dead and Sean Patrick’s death has been avenged. Both men desperately wanted to seek revenge for the death of their friend. What Xavier didn’t realize is that revenge isn’t as sweet as it seems.
This scene is important to the book because it leads to the distancing of the relationship between Xavier and Elijah. Xavier cannot see how Elijah can possibly take pleasure in killing others. Xavier grows tired of having to kill and as a result loses his will to participate in battle. He no longer cares about much else but to return to his home, a peaceful harmonious culture, but instead he has to remain in a foreign war torn land fighting battles he does not want to.
