Chapter 99: Escape
When the moon hung high in the night sky, a group of people secretly snuck into the military compound where the soldiers’ families lived.
After confirming that no one had noticed them, the leader said, "Brothers, let’s meet here again in a quarter of a sichen."
The others nodded and quickly dispersed. Before long, the leader slipped into the tent where his mother and younger sister lived.
Seeing that the two of them were still asleep, he approached and gently nudged them.
"Mother, wake up. Mother." He called in a low voice, then turned to rouse his younger sister. "A Mi, wake up."
After a few more calls, his mother stirred. Surprised to see her son, she asked in a hoarse voice, "Ha Tuo, why are you here? Don’t you have guard duty tonight?"
Ha Tuo replied with a hint of urgency in his tone, "Mother, I will explain to you later. We need to pack up and leave this place immediately."
Sensing his anxiety, Mother Ha nodded and quickly began gathering their few belongings.
Meanwhile, Ha Mi woke up. Rubbing her eyes, she sleepily asked, "Elder Brother, what is going on?"
Ha Tuo looked at her and said, "A Mi, we are leaving right now. Don’t make a sound—just follow closely."
Trusting her elder brother, Ha Mi nodded and helped her mother pack. Before long, the three of them had tied their cloth bags to their backs.