Many people were injured, lying scattered across the ground. No one dared step onto the sand. Some stayed close to the buildings, others hid inside, as if they were sheltering from a disaster they didn't dare name.
A few of the wounded tried to move. They crawled forward with trembling arms, hands raised, mouths open as they cried for help.
Each time someone tried to reach them, they were stopped. The others held them back with desperation, restraining their own people so firmly they allowed the wounded to die where they lay.
The moment Gideon stepped out of the vehicle, he knew something was wrong. Freya and the others followed behind him.
"That's horrible," Freya said, already moving forward. "How can they just stand there and watch?"
She tried to rush ahead, but Gideon caught her arm before she could take another step.
"Wait," he said. "They have a reason."
