‘Crimson Carpet’, by Eleanor Mason, age 14, Fallibroome Academy

He smiles eagerly, yet shyly; round blue eyes from beneath a headful of golden curls. It is an innocent gesture, one which the world returns through bared teeth and a clenched jaw. The boy sees them everywhere: soldiers much like the plastic figures strewn across his bedroom carpet at home. They carry guns that clunk …

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