Hours passed. The moonless night blanketed the skies with a calm serenity. It was advised by Ben that they all stayed for the night to rest before he figured out their next move. Ben had everyone on guard duty to secure the area in case the ambusher’s decided to return. He, on the other hand, waited outside of the house to be in earshot if Behnam needed anything. So far, everything has calmed down. He brought them food and water, but he figured that Behnam got everything under control.

  Temporary LED lights illuminated the western half village. After checking his watch, Ben noticed that the lights would be turned off in ten minutes. He hoped he could make the place more welcoming and safe to the only survivor of a bodiless slaughter. Yet he was unsure that it had any effect to begin with. He was smart enough to have everyone on high alert when the lights were on, as they could attract their target to attack them. However, a slither of doubt invaded his mind. If a heavily armed convoy couldn’t effectively retaliate against them, what hope did he have?

  Soon after, the Afghan soldier walked out of the terrified boy’s house with his rifle slung over his shoulder and stood alongside Ben. ‘How is the kid doing?’

  ‘Fine, he is just shaken.’ Behnam warmly replied, a total contrast compared to when the two men first met.

  ‘Is there anything else the kid needs? More food, water?’ Ben said, he wanted to ensure the kid’s needs are met. But he was also thankful that Behnam wouldn’t make a comment about what happened when the boy was found.

  Behnam smiled for a brief moment before it returned to a scowl. ‘Thank you, but no. Every need is met.’ He turned to face the home the boy was in. The kerosene lamp’s yellow glow gave the house a homely feel, one Behnam deeply missed. ‘He said he has an aunt not so far from here. We should take him there the next time we move out.’

  ‘We’ll take him there. That’ll be our first stop.’ Ben made an awkward sigh before continuing. ‘Did he see what happened here?’

  ‘Nothing reliable. His village was attacked two nights ago, and he hid when he heard the screaming.’

  ‘He must’ve noticed something. Did he hear shots being fired? A name?’

  Behnam shook his head. ‘None of the sort. All he just repeats over and over again is that our target is a Jinn.’

  Ben bit his lip. It was bad enough that they were too late to stop the killer, and he was frustrated that they had nothing to go with besides a fairytale. ‘He seems to trust you. Until we find his aunt, you’ll keep him safe.’

  ‘After what your soldiers pulled off, I never intend to leave him out of my sight.’

  Touché. You make a fair point, Ben thought to himself. The tree next to Ben rattled as a strong gust of wind brushed beside it. Its ice cold kiss caused him to huff in shock. That is one hell of a cold breeze. ‘I talked to them. I’ll make sure there will be further disciplinary action at the end of this mission.’

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  ‘I hope that is the case. They were out of line. Pointing a gun at a defenceless child.’

  ‘You don’t need to say that twice. Don’t worry, I am…’

  Before Ben could finish, the LED lights suddenly turned off. Cautiously, Ben flipped his night vision goggles down only to realise they weren’t turning on. He dug his rifle into his shoulder as he calmed his breathing. The two men took a few steps back to the house. The only place with a light source. They heard the child inside whimper and cower, but neither of them broke their defensive stance. Something was out there.

  At the eastern side of the village, gunfire barked for a second, only to be replaced with a blood-curdling scream. The slicing of flesh echoed throughout the night. And whatever was out there, it was fast. Ben knew they were not being attacked by multiple forces, but a single lethal entity.

  ‘Inside!’ Ben ordered. The two men bolted through the door and slammed it shut before reading themselves near the windows. Behnam rushed to the lamp and smothered the flame before heading back into position. The boy covered his ears, trying to block out the screams and shooting. Everyone called for help, trying to figure out what was going on.

  Then, silence. The only thing heard was their heavy breaths, the gripping of their weapons. It was like nothing ever happened. The attack was swift and decisive.

  The stomping of boots got closer, frantic running followed by panicked wheezes and coughs. ‘Curly?’ Ben mumbled to himself as he watched his comrade sprinted through the door.

  Before he could register the pain, he went on his back and crawled at the other end of the house to be as far away as possible from whatever was outside. Curly’s eyes widened with fear as he shook in place while he aimed his pistol at the door. But no one came over to comfort him. Everyone stayed frozen in their own places as they tried to figure out what was going on.

  Ben darted his head to face down the alley that led to the road that divided the village. Earth and rock moved and slid, like something heavy was being dragged across the ground. He couldn’t see anything. The darkness obscured his vision to the point that he did not know what was really out there. However, he noticed a silhouette. A formless body not dissimilar to smoke. Its form and shape were indiscernible. He could aim and take a shot, but that would give his position away. He was also unsure if he would even hit whatever was out there.

  The entity paused for a moment as if it was scanning the area for more flesh. In the end, it left. Dragging whatever it had caught into whatever designation that was home while the rest cower in the same building. No one dared to speak up. No one was brave enough to move after what happened. Nor could anyone get some sleep under a moonless and starless sky.