Sole survivor

Wonderful imagery, but it feels a little unfinished.  The abruptness of the transition from gruesome observation to the proclamation of victory could leave the reader asking "why?".

Thank you! But I wanted to convey that it doesn't really feel like a victory to the guy who survived. That's why he thinks "So this is victory".

If I might make a suggestion, I think you may find that you'd achieve what you were looking for if you inverted the last two quotations.  If "so this is victory" are the last words the reader hears himself say, the meaning is much more final and resigned, as if rebuking him/herself.  I understand it it powerful to end on a line which matches your title, but the title is more about the theme of the subject matter than anything else.  Your piece is meant to convey the feeling of a sole survivor--thus, the title is fitting--but I think the desire to end on a strong note has betrayed the delivery of your message.

**Disclaimer**: these are the words of a bumbling fool.  Take them or leave them at face value :)

Thanks for the advice! I will think about it and maybe change it.. I thought about doing it that way before I posted it, but didn't.