The three of you stood in the blinding light of the soldier’s assault rifle. For the first time that night, you were at the mercy of a human being, one that wasn’t… sick.

“Easy now,” Joel pleaded, holding Sarah closer as he shielded you with his body, “We’re not sick,”

The soldier stilled, mumbling quietly, “I got three civilians down by the river, one is injured … ankle … oh … Yes sir.”

His rifle raised back up. “Yes sir. Yes sir.”

Joel tensed up beside you, “No, no, no, no. We are not sick. We’re not sick.”

You pulled at him, “Joel!”

Shots rang out before he could react, and you all fell to the ground, tumbling down the wet riverbank. You crawled to Sarah, your heart crushed as you saw her blood soaked shirt. You gripped her hand, caressed her cheek, “No, no, no. Hey baby, you’re going to be okay.”

Joel came up beside you, pulling her into his arms as she sobbed, “I know it hurts baby, I know. I know. I know.”

You couldn’t lose her. You couldn’t lose your baby girl. But it didn’t matter how many times you begged, how hard you sobbed, the life slowly drained from her tiny body. Your body fell forward, sobs wracking through it as you lost the thing you loved most.

Your baby.

Joel was frantic, “Come on baby girl. Come on, come on, come on. Come on. Baby girl.”

Joel trembled as he pulled you and Sarah up into his arms, holding his family for one last time.