The soldiers gathered in the locker room, their laughter fading into an uneasy silence as the general’s presence filled the space. His eyes scanned the room, piercing through the bravado that had fueled their mockery moments before. The girl, still on the floor, felt the weight of the world pressing down on her. She didn’t dare look up, but in that silence, hope flickered — perhaps someone would finally understand.
The general, a man seasoned by years on the battlefield, carried stories within him that could chill the bravest of souls. He stepped forward, his expression a mix of anger and sorrow, and addressed the room.
