He stopped when he saw the explorers.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
His eyes moved from one stranger to another.
Then he looked at Layan.
She stood abruptly, crossed the chamber, and clung to his sleeve.
“I told you,” she said in a strained voice. “I told you I didn’t want to go out.”
The old man lowered his stick.
“It’s all right.”
“No, it isn’t.”
He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
“Look at me. You’re safe.”
One explorer stepped forward.
“Who are you?”
The man studied him.
“My name is Imran.”
“Do you live here?”
Imran hesitated.
“Sometimes.”
The answer only increased their confusion.
One of the explorers gestured toward Layan.
“Do you know who this woman is?”
“Yes.”
“How long has she been here?”
Imran looked at her before answering.
“A long time.”
The explorer took a breath.
“Is she Layan Mahmoud? The student who disappeared three years ago?”
