Just Like You

Chapter 7: I live here

Qama’s journey, which consisted of swinging through trees when there were any available and running when there weren’t, was easier because the route was more familiar to them than to Perens, and because they did not tire out as easily as she did. All the same, their heart was beating hard long before they came near the site of the blast. When it became apparent that there were fewer animals around than usual, and the smell of smoke began to dominate that of anything else, they slowed down and concentrated on moving quietly rather than quickly, allowing their heart rate to settle almost to its resting level.

The smell of smoke, now combined with the previously unknown one of chemicals, became almost too unpleasant to bear as Qama approached the clearing where they had first met Perens. They stopped and changed from her bright clothes into their own plainer and less noticeable ones, then placed the bag next to a tree and walked on for a few more paces, carrying only the bow and arrows, until they could see into the clearing.

Here there were around forty men, some of them stamping out small fires in the undergrowth. The others were carrying shovels and either standing round a large crater or stepping into it to check the temperature and hurriedly clambering out again because it was still too hot to stay there for long. A few of the men who appeared – according to a wish of Luxal, no doubt – to have authority over the others were giving orders in loud voices, but the one most obviously in charge simply stood silently and watched. Around him were guards who looked out of the clearing towards different parts of the forest.