The Price for Peace

‘What is it?’ Elias asked. Callie pointed towards the rubble and said anxiously, ‘Elias, help me lift that beam. I heard a sound earlier.’ Without hesitation, Elias lifted the heavy beam, and Callie joined him. Together, they cleared the rubble until Callie spotted a tiny kitten nestled among the stones. It was meowing weakly. ‘Oh, I thought it was a baby.’ Callie breathed out a sigh of relief. Carefully, she picked up the injured kitten, noticing a wound on its right paw that was bleeding. ‘It’s hurt.’ The kitten, a fragile newborn, was clearly in distress. Callie gently treated its wound, wrapping a bandage around it. The kitten seemed grateful and stuck out its tiny tongue to lick the back of Callie’s hand. ‘It tickles,’ Callie chuckled as she looked at the kitten, gently placing it on the ground. The tiny creature struggled to stand properly. ‘It’s too young,’ Callie mused, concern in her eyes. She decided to tuck the kitten into her medical bag, leaving its head out. The kitten pr