“We’re earlier than I’d like us to be.It’ll only take Agus forty to fifty minutes for a round trip.That means he could get back to his house before the extraction.”He got out.“Take your time walking into the village and before you ask to contact Agus.I’ll turn the car around and meet you there.”
“Should I wait for you?”
He grinned.“I’ll catch up.We have to be out of the village by oh seven thirty at the very latest.”
“I don’t have a watch.”
“Find someone who does.”He stood at her window waiting.
This was her plan.She just didn’t like the bundle of nerves in her stomach as she got out.
“I’ll be right there with you,” Damien promised and brushed a kiss on her cheek.
His declaration filled her with confidence.Mila headed for the village, walking the few hundred metres from the sign to the square.
Not as many of the longhouses here had been damaged.Groups of people congregated around cooking fires in the square and children slept on the ground where there was space.She spotted people from her village and those who lived here.An area had been set aside for the injured and the doctor from the medical centre was seeing to them.
Men were already sorting the debris into what could be reused and what would have to be disposed of.
Mila clenched her hands.She wanted to help these people, but how could she?
There were a few shocked glances when they noticed her.
She must look a mess with her hair in knots and wearing filthy pyjamas.Mila exhaled, calming her nerves as she scanned the people for the man who worked for Agus, Ibu Minar’s son, Patar.
“Mila!”Fajar’s mother called and ran over to her.“I was so worried!Thank you for saving us.”
Mila hugged her back, tears welling in her eyes.
“Where have you been?Are you all right?”
She didn’t need to fake her exhaustion.“I got caught by the wave.”She followed Fajar’s mother over to a fire.“I must have lost consciousness.When I woke I was in the jungle.”
Fajar’s mother pressed a bowl of rice porridge into her hands.
“Terima kasih.” She took a mouthful and sighed at the warmth.Much better than the protein bar she’d had.
People crowded around her.
“Have you seen the village?”
“Did you find anyone else?”
She shook her head in response to the second question.“It’s taken me all night to walk here.”
“You must be exhausted,” Fajar’s mother declared.“We’ll get the doctor to check you over.”
“Where did you get the bandage?”The loud demand silenced the rest of the voices.
Mila glanced up at the man who had pushed his way to the front of the crowd.Patar.
Shit.“I got it from the medical centre.I was bleeding badly and timed it in between the waves.”As long as he didn’t make her take it off and see the stitches, she’d be fine.
“The medical centre is still there?”someone asked.
She nodded.“It’s the only building still standing.”
People gasped and a few sobbed, but Mila kept her attention on Patar.“Where’s Agus?Is my friend Vance here?”
