James grabbed the other pack.
They both took a rifle.
Bane closed the back and headed into the scrub.
They separated slightly but kept each other in sight.
After a while, Bane stopped to sniff the air.
James moved closer.
Bane glanced over at him.“Do you smell that?”he asked quietly.
James nodded.“That’s jet fuel.Turbine helicopters use kerosene-based Jet A or Jet A-1.You never forget that smell once you’ve smelled it.”He looked around.“But I don’t see any debris yet.”
Bane shook his head.“We aren’t close enough yet.”He moved away and slowly turned in all four directions.Then he turned slightly to the east and noted, “It’s strongest from that area.”He pointed to the east.“Keep your eyes and ears open.I don’t think we’re alone out here.”
James grunted and shook his head as he hitched the weapon up in his hands.He followed Bane deeper into the brush and kept scanning his gaze into the distance.
Several moments in, they heard running footsteps off to the left and both men froze.
James moved silently closer to a tree to blend in.
Bane moved close to another tree.
Both men waited with rifles held high as they studied the area.Suddenly, they heard more footsteps.
Bane thought he saw the shadows in the distance moving swiftly and he slowly raised his weapon to his shoulder.However, when he looked through the scope he didn’t see any real targets so he had to hold his finger still.
After a long moment, he lowered his rifle and waved James forward.
They moved quickly and quietly through the scrub and the trees.Then suddenly they froze, as off in the distance, they heard the sound of shooting.Then they also heard the return fire.
James looked over at Bane and whispered, “Must be Sam and the boys.”
Bane nodded then he caught sight of debris from the copter.His eyes narrowed then he moved closer.He knelt in the dirt and studied the fragments of a dash panel.He looked around the area and noted several more pieces of the copter.
That’s when he spotted the blood.
