Abdul Hadi had instructed him to leave his American clothing behind. Beau’s longer hair and scruffy face provided a modicum of disguise. He glanced back at where the hidden dwelling had been—the sand freshly turned, marking the outline of where sticks had been pounded into the ground, the center flattened, a footprint of where their camp had been. The surrounding dunes lurked behind them with ledges chopped into their darkened walls, an evil villain with a secret. He couldn’t fathom that he’d remained in the tiny enclosure for so many weeks. In the past, he’d have been looking for the best angle, the right lighting, now he yearned only to get home safely, to hold Tess in his arms, and to feel her gentle touch on his face. They made their way in the dark, Suha and Abdul Hadi leading the group, Zeid silently plodding behind them. Edham kept pace next to Beau. He tugged on Beau’s sleeve and nodded toward his mother, who struggled to keep up with Athra in her arms. Beau reached for Athra.
