Early the next morning, as the desert breeze began to blow dust in earnest, Dina gave a loud yawn. It was a signal to her team, telling them it was time to leave.
Mark, Mikela and Duncan immediately stood up and they found Pietro dousing the bonfire.
“Good morning to you, Pietro,” Dina greeted cheerily, “I once again thank you for allowing us stay with you. Now, we'll be on our way.”
Pietro smiled, “You're welcome, Stranger, but I'm afraid we can't let you leave.”
Dina thought she misheard Pietro, so she decided to clarify by asking him, “What did you just say?”
“We can't let you leave,” Pietro reiterated, and the other souls began to rouse and appear one by one, until they had virtually surrounded their guests-turned-captives.
Dina felt her subordinates tense, and gave them a sign t
