Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  When Jiang Ming’an returned at night, he said the helicopter hadn’t arrived for the whole day. Instead, he met with a few refugees from his homeland and brought them back.

  Jiang Ming’an let a few people stay there to wait and inform the company immediately once the helicopter arrived.

  His wife comforted everyone by saying he was the only son of Chief Jiang, and that her due date was coming soon. No matter what, the child’s grandfather would never let his grandson become an Iraq citizen and would definitely fetch her back to give birth. Hence there was no need for everyone to worry, the helicopter would definitely come.

  By the 23rd there was still no sign of the helicopter. Lu Xiangsi gave birth earlier than expected, and her son was born at 4 a.m. on the 24th.

  Jiang Ming’an felt they couldn’t wait any longer. He decided to relocate the workers as well as the fellow refugees.

  He led the first group of people to set out and check the situation. If it were safe, then Lu Xiangsi would bring her child and the following group of elderly people, women, and special needs individuals to set out. But out of concern for the workers of the Jiang company, Lu Xiangsi decided to set out last. After hesitation, Lin Nuan decided to stay and take care of her since she just gave birth.

  Just as the last group went on the bus to leave the company, they were attacked by the terrorists.

  The terrorists specifically targeted Lu Xiangsi and her child. If they didn’t give them the people they needed, they would kill them. Despite being in a life-or-death scenario, none of the workers were willing to speak out and acknowledge Lu Xiangsi and her kid.

  It was only after the leader of the terrorist group randomly grabbed a woman by her collar, preparing to shoot, that the person unconsciously glanced towards Lu Xiangxi’s direction in panic.

  Knowing she couldn’t escape, Lu Xiangsi passed the kid and the gun to Lin Nuan before she was taken off the bus. She had a peaceful smile on her face—Lin Nuan understood everything she had to say despite her not saying a word.

  Lu Xiangsi didn’t care too much. She walked out from the crowd. Lin Nuan’s Arabic wasn’t too good, and she vaguely understood from the leader that Jiang Ming’an had killed his brother, and he wanted his wife and kid to die in return.

  Lin Nuan immediately hugged the kid tightly. She closed her eyes at the sound of the gunshot. The child seemed to sense his mother passing away and let out a loud cry.

  Lin Nuan was grabbed out the crowd unknowingly. She said assuredly that the kid was her own.

  Afterward, the leader of the armed force received a phone call and decided to bring all of them back to the town they kept hostages.

  On the way there, she overheard their conversation. They planned to record themselves killing the men to intimidate the government and the whole world. Then, they would send the children and women off for trade on the black market.

  Lin Nuan understood it all, and her heart beat vigorously in panic.

  After a three-hour long car ride, the ISIL members began asking where Jiang Ming’an’s child went after they arrived at the town.

  It was at that moment that Fu Huai’an saw Lin Nuan for the very first time in the aim of his rifle.

  Under the golden afternoon light, Lin Nuan’s petite face covered in a mixture of mud and blood was clearly visible. The white strap on her forehead turned black, and her ponytail was somewhat messy. She had holes all over her dirty clothes with a newly born baby in her arms. She stared at the leader of the armed forces with determination—which was a clear contrast with the people behind here who were kneeling on the ground huddled together in fear.

  She explained in very poor Arabic that she wasn’t a worker of the Jiang Company and had only gone there to look for somebody. She went to them due to the war and saved the baby on the way. She had already sworn to the mother of the baby with her life that she’d look after it like it was her own. She had to keep her promise when Allah was in heaven watching them.