We hop out of the truck on the outskirts of the city and sneak our way back on, Hydra still sleeping peacefully in my arms. My face is still revealed, but Antonio decided to go the safe route and cover his, but in the end, both of us end up being gawked at as we sprint down side streets and up hidden passageways that Antonio had discovered. Moving like true natives of this land.
But then, as we turn a corner just a few blocks from her home, we're immediately cut off by a tall, skinny, dark lady. She shares similar features to Hydra, with only a few differences.
"You can stop searching now," She speaks with one hand raised in front of her, stopping us in our tracks, her voice soothing and womanly.
"Excuse us, please." I smile, attempting to step past the woman, only for her to once again get in my way sadly staring ahead at us, finally dropping her arm limply to her side.
"I understand this may seem suspicious, but that's my niece. I'm aware of what had happened to my sister and her husband, but I knew whoever took her would be back sooner or later."
"Do you have a way to prove your connection to her?" I scowl, holding her tightly as she snore into my flat chest.
"Follow me and I will show you," She tiredly waves us along, and with a quick glance amongst ourselves, we follow her.
She leads us out from between the buildings and into an opening, filled with people who stare at and watch us. Our guards raise, but we continue to follow. For all I know, this could be one of the lovers of our targets, baring her face in an attempt to lure us in. But when nobody launches themselves at us, instead walking by, gawking, and mostly minding their own business, some part of me begins to believe her. Not trust her. But believe her.
She brings us to a quaint little shack not too far from the market, it doesn't have a door, instead a blanket covers the entrance way with a torn up pillow case covering the two windows. When she leads us inside we all have to duck down due to the shallow ceiling. The shack itself isn't the worst thing. Better than sleeping in tents or under your own clothing, but it's one room, two if you count the little curtain in the back left corner that cuts off the bathroom as its own separate space. The kitchen is just a cube of sandstone with a little burner stove next to it also made out of sandstone. There is no fridge, which explains their storage of woven baskets, likely filled with dried foods or logs to cook with.
She gestures for us to join her in the living room—a collection of chairs with blankets on top of them across from the kitchen that all circle to face each other, and when I sit down, I silently sigh with relief as the pressure is released from my back and feet. We all sit together, taking a mutual moment of silence as we all stare down at the hard, dusty, sandstone floor.
Hydra starts to relocate in my arms, still sleeping peacefully as her apparent aunt begins to speak, "Every week I bring my sister a newspaper, stupid routine, I know, but it's one we've had ever since we were little and living with our father. I saw those people as they were leaving her house, the blood on their bodies and bruises on their faces, I knew I had to get inside." She breathes heavily, her exhale shaking as she works to keep her suffering inside. "I snuck through the back door after they left. Immediately, I found my sister, nearly decapitated with her clothes torn off her body and her skin red. But then my next worry wasn't checking her pulse, wasn't to break down crying, no, I needed to find my niece." She gestures to the girl in my arms, and I instinctively pull her closely to myself, she slowly begins to awaken, with her gradually opening eyes only visible to me. "Though it may sound stupid, sorry, not as smart, but I was happy to see her shoes and head scarf were still present, especially since I didn't see any of the men carrying a child."
"What about her husband?" Antonio asks, and simultaneously, we both stare at him with confusion.
"I see the life of a child as a priority rather than some sleazy man who got his wealth by being a whore."
Shit. Should've covered the girl's ears.
Though, there was no way in hell I could've predicted she'd say that.
The girl adjusts herself, sneezing the moment she moves, I tap her awake, letting her know she's safe to show she is conscious and doesn't have to listen in. She yawns and sits up, but her eyes turn teary within moments. She turns, now seeing her aunt, and begins wailing, leaping off my lap and flying into her arms.
That removes the rest of our suspicions then. They really are related and it's clear that Hydra trusts her enough to run up and hug her.
"Well then, our job is done here," I shrug and rise to my feet, the little girl doesn't stop crying, her voice making my ears ring as she shoves her head into her aunt's chest. Her aunt, being unable to move and wish us goodbye, mouthing 'thank you' as we let ourselves out, the sun blazing down upon us once more.
We speed walk back to our truck, keeping our eyes peeled for every gaze focused on or avoiding us. It's only once we're returned to the hidden passes between buildings that we begin to speak, voices hushed as we rush to safety.
"So what now? We can't just go and show our faces to them." Antonio breathes, keeping up with me like my speed and silence is no more than a warm up; I bet if I were to start jumping from building to tent to building he'd get noticed instantly. He's not nearly light or nimble enough for such agility.
"We're going to take their identities. Simple." We reach our truck, other than a few black market folks question its origin and materials, it remains mostly untouched. Our presence scares them off in an instant, and we hop inside, this time, the woman drives. "Now first up, people watching."