Not Without My Sister

Vika Kallagova could have run away. When Chechen terrorists stormed Beslan School No. 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 1 — her 13th birthday — she was well placed to escape. She and a group of other older kids were standing at the far end of the crowd of over 1,200 children, parents and teachers assembled to celebrate the first day of the new school year. So when the shooting started she and others made a break for the school's ramshackle heating plant. The 30 or so attackers did not chase them: they were too busy herding their hostages into the school gymnasium....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!