I didn't know what to do with the bodies, so I left them lying right where they had died. I don't think the living people in the camp appreciated it, but I didn't have the strength to lift them and dispose of the bodies. Michael would simply have to do it himself.

I sat with them as they processed the happenings of the day and grew more scared with every pa.s.sing moment. I tried to soothe them but knew that it wouldn't help one single bit. So, I let them twist and turn in their nightmares as I sat watching over them, waiting for another attacking party to start their reign of terror.

It took forever, but the footsteps came. There were too many footsteps. I realized that I had nowhere to hide. I had to protect these boys the best that I could. There were two possibilities: one was that Michael and the team had returned from the mission and had succeeded, or it had been Darcy, who had overthrown the raid and sent reinforcements to clean up the whole party. We were part of the party.

I heard the sound of shuffling and then full blown running. I knew then that it was the first. The raiding team had returned. I gasped as I put the gun down and plopped back down in front of the fire. I could hear the panic in their voices as they saw the carnage that had taken place.

They had seen the shattered gla.s.s and the blood on the ground. I could only imagine what had run through their minds. I heard more shouting and then gasping as they saw us at the centre, wounded and sleeping.

"What happened here?" I heard one of them whisper.

"Ambush." I breathed out, standing up from my place and wiping my hands on my pants. I heard people scatter and start cleaning up as Michael barked at them to get to work. I walked over to the car and opened the door. I heard footsteps approaching me and sighed in resignation.

"How many?" I heard him choke out.

"Five," I whispered back.

"Ours?"

"Two." I heard him take in a shaky breath. "What are you going to tell their families?" I wondered. He didn't reply. "How many?" I asked him back.

"Six."

"And the other group?"

"All." I heard a strangled laugh coming from him. I felt his arms wrap around me and then squeeze me.

"I survived an ambush. Don't kill me by squeezing my life out of me." He breathed into my neck and just held me.

"Alone?"

"No. One boy helped."

"Did he survive?"

"Surprisingly, yes." He pulled me in closer and then mumbled apologies.

"I'm glad I was here. They'd have all been butchered," I admitted. It was true. They wouldn't have lasted a minute without someone covering for them.

"Thank G.o.d for that."

"Did you get all the replacements?" He nodded into my hair. "Good. We kicked their a.s.s."

"I'm proud of you," he whispered into my ear.

"I'd hope so, Boss." I sighed. "Can we please go home? I don't think I've had this much excitement in a long time," I groaned.

"I concur," he groaned as well. "Let's go home."

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