Toward heavier fighting.
Fantastic.
The injured man sucks in a sharp breath when I carefully peel back the blood-soaked cloth around his leg.
Entry wound only.
No visible exit wound though.
Not good.
“You’re a doctor?” the older captive asks quietly.
I nod once while checking for fever.
“What’s your name?”
“Hannah.”
The teenage girl shifts closer instantly.
“I’m Amira.”
Her voice trembles slightly beneath the words.
I offer her the calmest look I can manage.
“We’re gonna get through this, okay?”
I’m not sure I believe it.
But she needs me to.
The truck hits another rut hard enough to throw all of us sideways.
Outside, one of the guards shouts something in Arabic.
Then gunfire erupts somewhere in the distance.
Closer this time.
The younger girl flinches violently.
I reach for her without thinking, steadying her shoulder.
“Breathe,” I tell her quietly.
Her breathing turns ragged anyway.
Panic attack.
I recognize the signs immediately.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes lift slowly.
“Focus on my voice. Just my voice.”
