The burlap sack tumbled to one side, stained with fresh, warm red.
Black bread and rotten vegetable leaves scattered out, rolling into the dust.
In the crowd, a scrawny little girl hiding in her mother's arms stared blankly at the half-loaf of bread that had rolled to her feet. A GULP echoed from her throat.
Her mother quickly covered the girl's eyes and held her tight, her own body trembling, teeth chattering.
The squad leader sheathed his shortsword without a glance at the body on the ground. He hissed orders to the surrounding soldiers, "Drag it away! Clean this up! When's the next patrol rotation? All of you, stay sharp! Watch your posts! Anyone caught looting or rioting will be executed on the spot!"
The soldiers silently carried out their orders, dragging the body away and crudely covering the bloodstains with sand.
The young soldier stood frozen, his hands trembling slightly. He kept his head down, not daring to look at the center of the square again.
