The rain had lessened to a soft drizzle, the heavy drops giving way to a mist that shrouded the village square in an eerie stillness. As Leah sprinted down the muddy path, her feet slipping and sliding, her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst. Her clothes clung to her, soaked through, but the cold was nothing compared to the dread clawing at her chest.
The great tree in the center of the square came into view, its gnarled branches silhouetted against the grey sky. Underneath it, Leah could see them—a dozen soldiers in black trench coats, their presence imposing, their rifle guns gleaming dully in the weak light. The insignia of the Army marked their uniforms, a stark contrast to the soft, earthy tones of the village.
Leah's breath stopped when her eyes landed on a familiar f
