Which event occurs first in the sequence of events for A Long Way Gone?

In "A Long Way Gone," the first significant event is when Ishmael Beah and his friends travel to a nearby town to participate in a talent show. This seemingly innocent outing quickly turns tragic as they encounter the horrors of the civil war in Sierra Leone, leading to their separation from family and the onset of his harrowing journey. This moment sets the stage for the traumatic experiences that follow in Beah's narrative.