Thirty-FourWe all stood for a long time, looking at the wall-screen in silence. There was little to see, the only remaining evidence of anything a blackened smudge in the centre. None of us could tear our eyes away from the smouldering remnants of that tiny homestead, nor come to terms with the horrific fact that nobody remained alive, all of them blown to pieces.
The first to find their feet, I went to the table and sat down. From somewhere within in me I hauled up the courage to sample the pasta still waiting in a bowl. Too hungry to resist, I pushed away any lingering revulsion and munched through the food in record time.
“It's over,” said Warren quietly. I sat back and studied his blank expression. His words, not addressed to anyone in particular, brought nods of agreement from the o
