I have almost nothing to go on as cannot remember the author or title. I just remember finding it extremely disturbing/creepy at the end with a very strong image. It's of a creature/monster in the wood that is like a giant centipede with lots of feet and it somehow represents the horrors of war. I cannot remember the story but there is a sense of foreboding and darkness. (And I haven't got it confused with James and the Giant Peach!). It's definitely a short story and this creature is at the very end and it has some element of horror/loss/terror.
I am on the West Coast of the USA and just about to go to bed, so will check back in 8 hrs! 