Liam slowly looked around at the people who had gathered before him. Men and women stood shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the village, some still carrying the exhaustion of sleepless nights on their faces, while others looked as though grief had permanently settled behind their eyes. There were elderly villagers leaning against walking sticks, mothers holding their children close to their bodies, young men trying desperately to appear strong despite the fear that had taken root inside them, and faces that Liam could tell had cried more times than they cared to admit.
