Young Flowers

The Village

The sun beat down on us relentlessly, causing sweat to pour down our faces. The village was surrounded by lush green forests, and the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers. But the beauty of the surroundings was overshadowed by the tension in the air. My hear raced in anticipation. It had been a long time coming, but we were finally going to clear out the rebel forces that had been terrorizing the area for months. I tightened my grip on my rifle and prepared myself for battle

As we moved deeper into the village, without any resistance we shouted for the villagers to come out of their huts. They complied that we didn't need to shout much. I couldn't help but notice the absence of any young men. Only women, children, and elderly people were present, huddled together in fear. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional cry of a baby or the shuffling of feet. I lowered my rifle as I stared at the child and mother.

It slowly dawned on me that we had already fought and killed the young men in our previous battle to break the first line of defense. Guilt washed over me as I thought about the lives we had taken, leaving these women and children defenseless.

The mood shifted from anticipation to guilt and shame. We had come to liberate the village, but instead, we had inadvertently caused them more harm.
I looked around at the other soldiers in the platoon, but most seemed like it didn't bother them. They seemed normal, still holding their rifles at the rounded villagers.

As Lieutenant Th'pain gave the order to lower our weapons and inspect the huts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something didn't feel right about the situation. Sergeant Kai was assigned to keep an eye on the villagers with Private Htet. I watched as they approached a group of women and children huddled together, fear etched on their faces. Private Htet tried to communicate with them in their native language, karen, but they seemed nervous and were too afraid. After all, we made them orphans and widows.
I scanned the village, I realized something was off. Even though there were no men to be seen, not even any old men was around. It was then that Lieutenant Th'pain called out to us, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Soldiers, gather around me," he said. "We've been played for fools."

He went on to explain that the rebel forces had likely fled the village and left the women, children, and elderly women behind as a decoy. The young men, who were the primary threat, had likely been killed during the battle for the first line of defense.

As I walked around inspecting hut after hut, I saw a few soldiers dragging a little girl towards the woods, as one was holding her mouth. My blood boiled with anger, but the tingling sense of curiousity also made it hard for me to make a decision.

I quietly followed them into the woods, staying far enough away so they wouldn't notice me. But as I got closer, I realized something that made me stop in my tracks. They weren dragging the girl towards a big jackfruit tree.

I saw the fear in the girl's eyes. I had to make a decision real quick.  My heart sank as I realized they were taking the little girl to her demise, strip her youth and perhaps life away. My mind raced as I considered my options. I couldn't let this happen, but I also couldn't take on these soldiers alone.

I started running back to find Sergeant Kai, I could hear them ripping the clothes of the child behind me as I was leaving the scene.
I found sergeant Kai holding a cigarette between his lips as Htet was lighting it with a cheap plastic lighter.

I told the Sergeant everything in a hurry as I was panting softly. To my surprise Sergeant Kai's expression didn't change much. He leaned back up and took a big puff off his cigarette and laced his fingers together. "And why should I believe you?"

I felt a pang of anger and frustration. "I'm telling you the truth, Sergeant. You can come with me; these villagers have seen it too. I am sure"

He regarded me for a moment before speaking. "Fine, I'll look into it. But I suggest you mind your own business for now."

It was too late as I turned back and saw the soldiers coming out of the woods, tucking in their uniforms. Giggling among themselves. But the little girl was nowhere to be seen.