Summary

The first section is titled “The First and Second Days.” Chapter 1 opens the day after Federal soldiers burned down the home of Havaa and her father, Dokka. Havaa is 8 years old and she is at the home of her neighbor and friend, Akhmed. Akhmed and Havaa stand outside and look at the burned rubble. Akhmed recalls helping build an addition onto the house for Havaa's room and Dokka's promise to help Akhmed build on if he ever had a child of his own. Akhmed also remembers the events of the previous evening. Four soldiers had emerged from a truck and forced their way into the house. They emerged a short time later with Dokka, bound and gagged. Akhmed heard the soldiers ask about “the girl” but they didn't find Havaa. Akhmed waited, hidden inside his own home, until the soldiers left, before going into...