The trees and plants of the forest rioted upwards, shading the track from the river of sunlight as they twisted and bent and arched over the red mud road, creating a natural pergola. The air was heavy and oppressive and the stream of silence filled the car as Rosedale and Cooper drove towards the village.
An opening in the hillside allowed them to break from their thoughts, which neither of them wanted to share with each other.
Ahead they saw a small collection of huts, palm leafs and corrugated iron in the distance. Rosedale touched the brakes and they came to a stop on the brow of the hill.
‘We take it easy okay? I know you’re ready to bite, but we’re in the middle of nowhere, and probably not more than a mile from a heavily armed militia group. So no accusations, no hostility. We just go in there and be polite. Ask questions, maybe even get their help. Remember who you are, Thomas, what you’ve been trained in. Separate emotion from action. Separate what our goal is with Maddie. From this moment on until we find her, we just think of her as our objective. You got that?’
Cooper nodded. At ease with Rosedale taking the lead.
‘But more importantly, Thomas, and you need to hear me on this one… separate all this from Ellie.’