The heartbreaking thing about the images — one heartbreaking thing among many — is the precision. The cooperation. The orderliness.

Time after time, a report comes of another everyday nightmare at an American school, and with it, a harrowing ritual. We see the children — those who survived — filmed from news helicopters, leaving the building in neat lines. They’re 16 years old, or 11, or six. Their hands are in the air, or on one another’s shoulders. Heads down, or eyes looking around anxiously.

It’s an image of relief and horror. They’re in transit, away from the killing zone but not entirely safe yet either.

They came to school in cars or on buses. They walk away from it the way we’re used to seeing prisoners walk. Arms up. Fingers spread apart. Show us that you are safe, you are unarmed, you are not a threat.