Slowing to a walk as he neared the line of soldiers, he gently pulled Valentino’s head away from him and pointed toward the crowd of adults. The girl scanned them with an anxious frown on her tear-stained face. She must not have recognized anyone because she turned back and buried her face into Josh’s neck once more, her little body trembling with fear and shock.
A wave of anger swept away the shakiness. Whoever those dead men were on that field behind them, Josh sincerely hoped they burned in hell for what they’d done—and for what they’d wanted to do today.
Finally, he reached the group along with the main body of students. Chaos erupted around him as frantic parents and villagers reunited with the children. Shouts and cries rose, frightened wails from the kids and their relatives.
Jo
