The sun is frying my black hair. I'm hot, sweaty, and I smell. My family and I walk the dusty road to . . . well, I'm not sure where we are headed. I tilt my head over my shoulder to see my five-year-old sister struggling to keep up with the rest of my family. She looks longingly at Pa. I know that she doesn't understand that the soldiers lied to us about letting us go home after three days and wants to ask Pa why. I know she wants to ask him questions about the Khmer Rouge and Angkar. She has always been too curious for her own good. I sigh, turn around, and tell her, "Loung, keep up." She scampers up to me, and I whisper to her as we continue to walk, "Don't bother Pa." She looks up at me, opens her mouth, and then immediately shuts it. I grab her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. I know it's hard for her not be her usual curious self. This isn't fair. She is only five, and I know that our lives from now on are no longer going to be easy. Geak is even younger than Loung. How is she going to survive this? I look to where Ma is walking next to Pa with Geak on her hip. I pull on Loung's hand to propel her forward. I know I need to help Ma with my sisters from now on. Ma isn't used to this. Loung and I fall into step beside Ma.

"Ma," I quietly address her, "Do you want me to hold Geak for a while?" She smiles at me, "No, I'm good. Thank you." I slow my pace so Loung doesn't have to trip over her own feet and kick up dust to keep up with me. I'm scared for my four younger siblings. They're so young. They have to live through each day not knowing or understanding what the future holds.

I look ahead to my two eldest brothers, Meng and Khouy, walking a few paces behind Pa. Meng is not strong physically like Khouy, but he is strong mentally. I know if it comes down to it, he could outwit any Khmer Rouge soldier. Khouy, on the other hand, is a fighter, but even he knows when to keep his fists to himself. They will survive this. I'm not so sure I will though.

I already miss our apartment in Phnom Penn. I miss my clothes, my jewelry, and my makeup. Of course the boy I have had a crush on since last year finally noticed me, and this happens. I put my hand to my stomach to quiet its rumblings. I miss food. Real food. The kind Ma used to make. The thought of food flies from my mind as we pass another dead body on the side of the road. The woman is young, and her belly is swollen. There are bloody rags lying next her, and her skirt is bloody also. I cringe and try to look away, but I am mesmerized. Where's the baby?

I see a flash of black. In the next moment, I'm squeezing Loung's hand so hard that she pulls it out of my grip and begins to rub it. I hear her whisper, "Ow!" My eyes are transfixed on the soldier clad in black demanding my brothers' watches. Pa hands them over to the soldier, and he disappears into the crowd. I let out the breath I was holding in and rush up to my brothers. "What happened? Is everything all right?" I sound like Loung. Khouy snaps at me, "That bastard took our watches." Meng smiles at me kindly, "You're starting to sound like Loung. That isn't like you, and everything is fine." We continue to walk, surrounded by sad faces with no names. I see the people losing their identities as the Khmer Rouge breaks them. I am Keav. Am I? No, I am just another face to the Khmer Rouge.