NADIA
The sound of marching boots echoed like thunder.
I jolted up from the bed, my heart instantly racing. It wasn't a dream. It wasn't the wind.
I rushed out of the room, barefoot and breathless, and threw open the front door.
Screams.
Everywhere.
Men running, swords drawn. Guards dashing in and out of the estate like panicked birds fleeing a fire.
"War! War!" someone shouted, breath ragged with fear.
Another soldier collapsed on the ground in front of me, blood soaking his chest. His eyes were still open, staring at nothing.
I covered my mouth with both hands.
No… no, no, no.
This couldn't be happening.
We weren't ready. No one was ready.
I stumbled forward, trying to make sense of it—trying to understand how something so peaceful just hours ago could turn into a battlefield.
Children screamed.
Women cried.
The scent of blood was already in the air.
