My squad is my family, my gun is my provider, and protector, and my rule is to kill or be killed.

In the sky there are always answers and explanations for everything: every pain, every suffering, joy and confusion.

I was still hesitant to let myself let go, because I still believed in the fragility of happiness.

How many more times do we have to come to terms with death before we find safety?" he asked. He waited a few minutes, but the three of us didn't say anything. He continued: "Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am.

My teeth became sour as I listened to his story. It was then that I understood why he was quiet all the time.

...children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.

I am always quiet so that I know what to say when I must speak.