Meret stepped out of the house, her breath steady even though the air outside was thick with dust and the metallic scent of blood. The smell clung to her skin and clothes, but she didn’t care. Everything inside her felt numb, like her body was moving on its own. The night air was cold, brushing against her face and drying the sweat that still clung to her temples.

For a moment, she stood completely still, not sure what to expect. Then the glare of several torches hit her face all at once. The ...