My finger carefully released the trigger. My principles had remained the same throughout this bloody conflict. No women, no children. I slowly put pressure on the trigger again, fighting my morals at the same time. Finally, the last ounce of pressure kicked in, and the hammer snapped forward, igniting the bullet in the chamber. The kid fell to the ground, almost lifeless. I had missed deliberately. I couldn’t kill a child, ever.

A mirage-looking vapour in the form of a hand swung at my torso, hitting me hard. I traversed a few feet backwards before landing hard. The gun lay in front of the door. The child began to whimper as an evil clicking sound emerged from the tent. Rage tore at my insides as I righted myself up. I ran in a spear-tackle stance toward the door preparing to break whatever had the dark conscience to hurt a child.