Narin awakens to a devastating sight in the village of Zêrav—a sight that marks the beginning of an unthinkable nightmare. The sacred water sources that her people have relied on for generations have been poisoned overnight. Thousands of bags filled with pesticides and other harmful substances litter the landscape, making the water undrinkable and leaving the villagers without access to essential resources. Desperation sets in as several men from the village head to a nearby Yazidi settlement in search of help, only to find that their neighbors are in the same dire situation. Meanwhile, they discover that Muslim villagers, although some are willing to lend a hand, show a reluctance to help others, further straining fragile relationships. With the heat intensifying and hope dwindling, the villagers are forced to rely on a few remaining bottles of water, each drop now a precious commodity in their fight for survival.

Days go by, and the villagers’ efforts to clear debris from fountains are in vain as the Tigris River remains polluted, further deepening their despair. As night falls, the attackers return, this time targeting the land’s natural resources—burning olive groves and reducing fertile fields to ash. Narin watches helplessly from her window as the landscape around her changes, the once-thriving village now reduced to a scene of utter devastation. The hatred and violence around her seem inescapable, and Narin is left contemplating the brutal reality of their situation, realizing how fragile life is amidst such violence. Her mind races with thoughts of survival and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring.

The next day, Narin receives an unexpected phone call from her father, Khaled, who is in Baghdad. He informs her that he has been detained at a checkpoint, but hearing of the water contamination and destruction at home, he decides to return at once. However, his journey back is not without danger. As he travels, roadblocks and increasing threats from extremist groups impede his progress, making his return seem impossible. Meanwhile, back in Zêrav, Grandma’s restlessness grows with each passing hour. Unable to sleep since the poisoning of the wells, she notices a chilling change—the Kurdish forces that had once protected the village have mysteriously disappeared. Fear quickly spreads among the villagers when news reaches them that thousands of troops have left, abandoning the Yazidis to fend for themselves. In the face of such uncertainty, the villagers debate whether to stay or flee. Ultimately, they decide to remain, displaying white flags in the hope of avoiding violence and showing their surrender to the approaching threat.

As Khaled arrives at another Yazidi settlement, the situation becomes even more dire. Militants have taken control of the streets, and the once-peaceful village is now a battleground. Among the militants is Hajji Amer, a man Khaled once considered a trusted ally, but who now leads the armed force with a cruel determination. The Yazidis, including Khaled, are stripped of their possessions and threatened with violence. Although Khaled tries to remain calm and resolute in the face of these harsh realities, his resolve is tested when they are led to a water cistern and executed en masse. In a stroke of fate, Khaled survives, severely injured and alone, and with great effort, he makes a desperate call to his mother-in-law, urging her and Narin to flee the village at once and seek safety on Mount Sinjar.

Grandma’s voice trembles with urgency as she urges Narin and the few remaining relatives to escape while they still have a chance. The night is fraught with tension as they begin their journey, not knowing what dangers await. As dawn breaks, their hope fades as they are ambushed by ISIS fighters, and chaos erupts around them. Forced to flee into the desolate mountains, they are pursued relentlessly, with each step bringing them further from everything they knew. Yet, in the midst of the confusion, Narin and her family cling to the last vestiges of hope, knowing that survival is now their only goal.