“Search it,” Rafe told us.
We waded through the rubble until I lifted a board and froze. “Rafe,” I called out, voice soft so I didn’t draw attention to us. My eyes went instantly to the rooftops around us. We were all scanning to make sure we didn’t end up with unwanted company. Everything seemed quiet in the wake of the attack, but you never knew.
Both men came over and we stood over a body that’d been reduced to bone and ash. The bomb and resulting fire had burned so hot there was no flesh left, but it hadn’t been enough to break down the bone.
“Alright,” Rafe said, “let’s get back.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
“If it was you,” he said, eyes meeting mine. “I’d need to know.”
I nodded in understanding and we moved away from the smoking wreckage. He was right. If it had been either of them I’d have to come back and make sure. It wasn’t much, but at least we could offer Colby closure. At least, we could once we let her know we spoke English.
We left the village, got back on our camels, and headed back for our shelter. Life was about to get a lot harder on our guest.