They went back to Abby’s hut, the first they had entered. Kate walked to the other huts and took blood samples from the bodies. By the time she returned, Abby had gathered wood for a fire. The sun set, and Kate pulled some food and water from her backpack. Despite her entreaties, Abby wouldn’t eat, taking only a bottle of water.

They lay down to sleep on the bare ground. The jungle erupted into a terrifying series of shrieks, howls, grunts, and calls that kept Kate awake for hours until finally she could no longer open her eyelids at even the most hideous noises. She had never been so glad to have someone sleeping next to her.

The next day eight men arrived via helicopter. Abby and Kate watched them start the burials.

“Abby, we’ll need to take one body back with us to perform an autopsy, but the morgue at my hospital is closed. We’ll have to send it to Port Moresby.”

Abby thought for a moment, then quietly replied, “The chief’s. He’d want to sacrifice his body for his people.”

The men took until midafternoon to bury the bodies. When they were done, Abby spoke a eulogy over each one and said her final good-byes. Her daughter, Miraba, was the last. Abby knelt beside her fresh grave and wept. She reached to the sides of her head to remove her medical mask.

“You must keep your mask and gloves on, Abby,” Kate instructed.

Abby didn’t seem to hear her. She removed the protective items, placed her fingers to her mouth, kissed them, and placed them on the dirt. “Rîcuaa’nu ‘nû quia’nu jné ten la, Miraba. ‘Ajia’ huøø rîcuaa’na núu.” You will always be my little one, Miraba. Our time apart won’t be long.

She bowed her head silently for several minutes, then finally rose. “I’m ready to pack my personal things.”

Kate handed Abby her mask and gloves. “One of the men already collected them.”

Abby walked to her hut and looked inside the mostly bare enclosure. “I want to stay here another day or two.”

“The helicopter pilot needs to return to Lae now.”

“Ask him if he can come back in two days.”

“He’ll say no.”

“Please, Dr. Sampson.” Her whole body sagged from the weight of her heartbreak.

“Okay,” Kate answered.

She contacted the helicopter, spoke to the pilot, and turned back to Abby. “He says he can’t come back a third time. The men say we must all leave now. They’re going to set fire to the village immediately.”

Abby walked to her doorway and looked out at the village. She spoke softly. “All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well, and everything shall be well,” she said softly.

“What is that?”

Abby turned back to Kate. “An old saying. I’m comforted by it sometimes.”