All of them wore strange uniforms and terrifying masks, going door to door throughout the village to search. According to them, they were doctors from the city, there to examine everyone.
But...
Little Sirin hid in her room, secretly watching these strange doctors, her bright, watery eyes filled with fear.
Because... Little Sirin had already seen them take away many people from the village, including some she knew. More importantly—and what frightened her most—none of those who had been taken away had ever returned. According to a few of her friends, those people... might already have...
So Little Sirin was terrified, terrified that they would take her away too.
"Mom... what should I do..."
Little Sirin silently prayed to her mother, who had long since passed away. Yet... what one feared most was often the most likely to happen.
"Open the door!"
Violent pounding rang out against the door, as though it were hammering directly against Little Sirin's soul, making her body tremble uncontrollably.
She desperately did not want to open it, but she did not dare refuse. She had heard that anyone who resisted would be forcibly taken away, and might even be beaten.
Little Sirin stood helplessly in the room. Her little head felt like a complete mess, with no idea what to do, and she simply froze there.
"Can the person inside hear us? Open the door, now... An examination is required. If you have that kind of illness and endanger everyone else, you will be sentenced."
The pounding grew even fiercer. The room in Little Sirin's home was not particularly sturdy, and it looked as though the wooden door would be smashed down at any moment.
"R-Right away."
That only frightened Little Sirin even more. Hesitantly, she took light steps toward her front door, then slowly