The population of Hexiye Village is not large, only over thirty households.
In its heyday, there used to be more than a hundred households living here.
However, after the fall of Sadam, the place didn't become more "free"; on the contrary, even basic security couldn't be guaranteed anymore.
Over the years, those who could flee did, and now only these thirty-some households remain.
The air of the village is suffused with the stench of blood.
In front of a small house, three armed personnel enter to search, with one guarding the door and two going inside.
After searching the house, one of them gets impatient, throws his hands in frustration and complains: "I don't know what the boss is thinking. Hasn't this place been searched before? Everyone was driven to the open space in the middle of the village; it has been searched twice already, where could anyone be?"
Another warns him: "Keep your voice down. If you're heard, you won't be able to save your own life."
The one grumbling wanted to say more but in the end, he didn't dare utter a word.
He walks to the table with a belly full of anger that he can't vent.
Dragged out here in the dead of night, a whole bunch of people killed, and now they still have to search each house for survivors.
So annoying.
He just wants to get back to base and sleep.
As he passes by the table, he kicks it, unable to hold back his fury.
The table flies out, slamming into the wall with a loud crash.
The armed personnel outside keeping watch thinks something happened and rushes in, gun ready.
Seeing it was just a comrade venting, he starts cursing: "Sudani! What are you doing? You scared the hell out of me!"
"It's nothing..."
Sudani, who kicked the table, knows he's done something wrong, but still acts nonchalant as he says: "I accidentally tripped over the table..."
He hadn't finished explaining when he suddenly stops short: "Huh?"
There used to be an old, torn, and filthy blanket under the kicked-away table.
Because the corner of the table was inadvertently lifted by the kick, something dark underneath became visible.
"Bring the flashlight."
He squats down, calling his comrade over.
"Abdulla! Hurry up! There seems to be something here."
He feels around the dark item that had been exposed, realizing it's a wooden board.
"There seems to be something here!"
Sudani shouts excitedly.
Soon, the flashlight is brought and shone on the ground.
Everything becomes clear.
It is indeed a wooden board that seems to have some age, its surface blackened.
"There's definitely something underneath!"
Sudani, an experienced soldier, certainly understands what suddenly revealing a board like this on the ground means.
For safety's sake, he doesn't dare to get too close but carefully prods the edge of the board with his rifle's muzzle, trying to lift it.
However, the board is stuck tight and seems to be fastened to something inside.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Sudani stands up and, in annoyance, fires several shots at the board.
Bang bang bang—
After three shots, a scream comes from beneath the board.
"Come out! Come out quickly! Or I'll shoot!"
No need to ask anymore.
The sound of screaming means there are people hiding below.
An underground tunnel.
These are not uncommon in the villages of the northwest region.
That's why the commander of this small squad insisted his men search carefully.
"If you don't come out, I'll kill you all!"
As he speaks, the impatient Sudani can no longer hold back, firing several more shots into the tunnel entrance.
"Don't shoot, we're coming out, we're coming out."
A woman's voice comes from underneath the board.
Soon, the board covering the tunnel entrance is pushed open.
Then, a terrified woman with her hands raised emerges from below.