At the break of dawn, violent tremors shook the ground, as if a raging earthquake was striking every corner of the village. The small houses shuddered violently, and sounds rang out that made hearts tremble even before bodies did.
Kandle leapt from her place at the impact of the sounds, her eyes widening in terror. She rushed to Morl, shaking him urgently:
– Morl… Morl! Wake up!
Morl turned sluggishly, his voice drowsy:
– Just five more minutes…
An even louder explosion roared, shaking the earth, mingling with the screams of people in every direction, blending with the sounds of running and panic, until even the air seemed to shiver.
Morl sprang up suddenly, as if he had heard the roar of beasts emerging from the darkness:
– W-what is all this?
Kandle grabbed his hand tightly and pulled him along before he could speak:
– They're here! Come on, move!
She shouted, tears glistening in her eyes.
Morl froze in place, his small body dwarfed by the horror surrounding him, his voice trembling:
– M-mom, what's happening? Who are they?
Kandle gripped his hand even tighter and pushed him out of the house. As soon as they stepped outside, the terrifying scene revealed itself…
Screams tore through the sky, women and children's bodies lay scattered on the ground.
Houses were demolished, smoke choking the air.
Morl collapsed, crying, his screams spilling uncontrollably:
– Mom! What is happening?! What is all this?!
She didn't answer. Kandle dragged him along, the words too heavy to speak. She ran with the fleeing crowd, and as they surged forward, a nearby explosion shook the area even more violently. Panic spread, people stumbled over one another, some falling underfoot without mercy.
Morl ran blindly… not understanding, not seeing clearly, as if his body moved without a soul, chasing after his mother who pulled him along.
Kandle's eyes, as they ran through the crumbling alleys, glimpsed scenes that would remain etched in memory forever:
Children kneeling beside their parents' bloodied bodies, shaking them and shouting their names, as if pleading for them to return to life.
The sounds of vehicles rose, followed by gunfire in the air, escalating the panic.
Everyone saw strange crowds, their clothing unlike the farmers' attire they were accustomed to.
Kandle suddenly stopped, gasping from exhaustion, her trembling eyes searching for a way through the rubble:
– Morl! Move!
She screamed hoarsely, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Morl looked around, vacant, soulless:
– They are… the bullies…
She didn't answer. She pulled him again and changed direction. Leaning close, she whispered, trying to mask the tremor in her voice:
– Shh… stay calm.
From behind the ruins, they saw soldiers moving, gunfire everywhere, and the cries of people blending with children's wails.
Kandle suddenly knelt before Morl, holding his shoulders, her eyes drowning in fear:
– Listen to me, Morl… no matter what happens, don't say a word. Do you hear me?!
Morl regained some awareness at her voice:
– W-what do you me—
She quickly pressed her hand over his mouth, pulling him close to the rubble, shielding him with her body.
The soldiers' sounds grew nearer, heavy footsteps, shouting, panic intensifying.
Suddenly, without warning, Kandle shoved Morl forcefully between the debris. His small body slammed into broken wood and rocks, colliding violently, muffling his cries.
Kandle shook her head slowly, a faint smile cracked with tears appearing on her lips.
Morl's hearing was blurred, his vision shook, yet he saw his mother's lips moving, tears streaming down her cheeks.
In a single moment, amidst his stifled gasps, he understood what she was saying:
– I love you…
And then…
Silence.
Everything vanished. Nothing remained in the world except Morl, his mother, and the air filling their lungs… for the last time.