Jahmin had waved, but no one had seen him, and then when the choppers crashed into the river, he’d stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Watching Idelle being blown backwards across the gravel in a spray of blood was the jolt he needed to get moving. Heaving the water-soaked sleeping bag over his shoulder, he slipped into the trees and went as fast as he could downriver, hoping the others were undercover.
He found them huddling together under the trees like a litter of baby rabbits, eyes wide and scared. His relief was enormous, but there was no time. He handed the bulging sleeping bag to Devin and hoisted Rocky up off the stretcher.
‘We’ve got to go, man. They just shot Idelle.’
Eva let out a squeak of surprise. Jahmin slung Rocky’s arm around his shoulder, rattling off words like an auctioneer on fast forward.
‘Ten bucks says it’s because she saw that thing. And what do you think’s gonna happen if they find out we’ve seen it too? If they don’t kill us, they’ll find some other way to keep us quiet. Come on. We’ve got to get out of here. Rocky, I can carry you if it’s easier.’
‘Nah, I’m sweet, my leg’s awesome. I’ll lean on you.’
Eva was almost gibbering with shock. ‘I don’t understand. They shot her? But …’
Devin untangled the clothes from the stretcher and stuffed them in Mandy’s backpack, before tossing the remains of the stretcher into the trees. ‘He’s right, Eva. We have to go. Now.’
Jahmin led the way, Rocky stumbling determinedly alongside, Eva and Devin bringing up the rear. They slipped between the trees and then they were gone.
