The general’s presence commanded instant respect and silence. He scanned the room, his eyes resting momentarily on each soldier, as if weighing their souls. The young woman remained on the floor, her tears a silent testament to the cruelty she had endured. The general’s voice, now calm but firm, cut through the tension like a blade.
“You see those scars?” he began, pointing to the girl’s back. “They’re not the result of some accident or misfortune. Each one is a testament to her courage and sacrifice.”
