Children, who moments ago had watched the scene unfold with wide-eyed awe, now sobbed uncontrollably, their innocent hearts gripped by the sudden terror that enveloped their world.
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Well, innocence, was always a matter of perspective.
Sure, they were young, but that didn't mean they were incapable of understanding or participating in the chaos around them. Children had a remarkable capacity to absorb and mimic the behaviors of their elders, for better or for worse.
They could either grow up to emulate their parents' virtues or inherit their flaws. Yet, there was always a glimmer of hope, a chance for a rebellious spirit to emerge— a child who rejected the injustices and toxicity they witnessed, forging their own path toward a better future.