Barefoot and Midnight
ShortStory 2,044 words Recommended by 4 award/anthology sources
"You ready?” asked the first man, his face pockmarked, lips leering, eyes sullen. “Light’em up,” replied the second. The third nodded his head and produced the gasoline. They knew the children slept inside. No one had to tell them. The Freedmen’s School in Gayoso’s Flats was one of several humble buildings where the former slaves gathered to grasp what hope lay ahead for their futures."
Content warnings 3
child-deathracismviolence
Quasar links out; the story lives on Apex, where the author gets the click.