In the chaos of war, can a child's faith lead the way?

“Vira, you are your brother's angel. Your job is to take care of Krystiyan. Do you understand?”

Five-year-old Vira's world has shrunk to a crowded basement, the smell of gunsmoke, and the rhythmic thud of falling bombs. To Vira, the soldiers are sent by God, and the "bad men" outside simply haven't learned to listen.

When a split-second decision thrusts Vira onto an evacuation bus, she is separated from her mother and brothers by a cloud of acrid smoke and a sudden explosion. Armed only with her mother's plea to "watch, listen, and pray," Vira and her friend Andriy must navigate a landscape of charred buildings and checkpoints.

Through Vira's Eyes is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful story of war seen through the lens of childhood innocence. It is a journey of resilience, proving that even in the darkest shadows, guardian angels are never far away.

This story was previously published in the anthology Children of War.