Judas and Zooey carefully picked through the wreckage.
“Nobody’s left.” Judas said solemnly.
“Either they all left, or they burned.”
“To ash.” Judas stopped as Zooey’s back stiffened.
“I hear something in the distance.”
“Do we face it?” She asked him.
“I don’t know, Judas. I can’t tell what it is.” They looked at each other and ran towards the river. As they stopped to catch their breath, Judas spoke.
“Zoo, I have a strange, sinking feeling that we should have stayed. Maybe it was one of the monks.” Zooey’s eyes narrowed.
“Three hours ago, you were content with forgetting about them. Why the sudden change?”
“What if we were meant to stay there? What if it was another one of their ‘trials’?” She looked fearfully into his eyes. Her deepest fear was failing one of the monks’ trials.
“I doubt they’d burn down the temple. Something stinks. Stinks like arson.” Zooey wrinkled his nose