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“You learn quickly my friend.” Narendra then scooped a handful of water and drank.

             
“Thank you I had a good teacher.” They watched several woman gather up the creek from them washing cloths and gathering water. “I'm going to miss you Narendra, I haven't known you long but I already consider you a close friend.”

             
“Likewise, Donovan.” Narendra however didn't care for Scott nor his company.

             
Donovan felt revived after washing up. Slowly the two men headed back towards the village.

             
Rachel arrived at the building with Simon and Red Sam, sitting down in her spot the conversations were low and seemly private. Scott sat next to her. “I understand your not staying here, when Donovan leaves tomorrow?”

             
Her expression turned a bit nervous. “Yes I am, but I fail to understand why this is any of your concern?”

             
“Well its not and I'm sorry, but wouldn't you think its safer here?”

             
She looked at him, “you were in sector seven. You know how rough that was with all the gangs and the alliance, if I can survive that, I think I can handle anything out there.”

             
Others entered the room, including Donovan and Narendra, all taking their arranged seating.

             
“Then can I go with you two please?” Scott pleaded.

             
“I thought you wanted to stay here?” Donovan asked, taking a plate of food and pulling off a humble serving.

             
“Well I was, but I sense I'm not really welcomed here.” he whispered looking about nervously.

             
“You expect people to just automatically accept you?” Donovan gazed at Scott. He waited patiently for him to take the latest plate that was being passed around. He was certainly going to miss this food.

             
“You're right, I shouldn't. I wasn't expecting any special treatment however.” Scott, only took a very small portion this time, has he accepted the plate, and passed it on.

             
“Well You are welcome to go with us, that would help with security.”

             
With hesitation, Rachel finally nodded in agreement.

             
“Thank you, thank you both, I'll not let you down.”

             
Donovan was only able to eat half of the food on his plate. He pushed it off on Rachel's plate.

             
“Why?” she asked, looking at him with concern.

             
With a weak expression, he gazed at her. “You're so beautiful.”

             
“Thank you, but you should really eat, this is the last meal for a while.” Her attempt to make him take the food didn't work. She knew the fact they were leaving was disturbing him.

             
The villagers were also subdued, and the conversations were reduced.

             
Once the meal was about over, Kern rose up and lifted his arms high. “Tomorrow when we send off Donovan and party, we shall honor them.”

             
Donovan stood, “thank you Chief Kern.” He watched the villagers depart a few at a time.

Chapter 16

             
The Trio walked to their respected rock carved shelter. They bid Scott a good night, once in total darkness, he frowned at the two go hand in hand into their own lodging. Red Sam had left a small fire burning in the fireplace. Donovan placed several pieces of wood, for the night air was getting colder.

             
When he entered the bedroom, Rachel pulled back the covers. He slide down into them. “You're so warm,” her hands rubbed his back playfully. He saw that she trembled from the cold. Wrapping his arms around her, they hugged sliding deeper into the covers. They exchanged several kisses of passion. Should she dare say she loved him. She did it before, suddenly Narendra entered her mind. Wait where did that thought come from? She felt ashamed of the thoughts. Holding him tight, she grew warm, burying her head in his chest, she loved that he pulled her into his body.

             
The three words were not exchanged, but they both felt them just the same.

             
Donovan woke first. Kissing Rachel, he slipped out of bed, and got dressed. He could hear someone stoking the fire. Must be Red Sam, he thought to himself.

             
Rachel followed suit, they packed everything. Upon entering the main room, Red Sam, Ashwin, and Simon greeted them. They exchange pleasantries

             
“Do you have room in that pack for seed and some cooked food?”

             
Donovan took the items and packed them away. “Thank you Ashwin, and here is a extra box of ammo for that laser rifle. I'm leaving behind the HO-2 converter for Simon, and the power cells.”

             
Rachel hugged Simon, he was like a father figure to her. “I want you to have my laser rifle, maybe you can learn to produce more?”

             
“Thank you and maybe one day we can finish watching the chips. I will keep good care of them.”

             
She felt tears forming in her eyes, “thank you for everything Simon.”

             
“I'm honored to have met you Donovan Fitzgerald, after watching most of those chips, I feel I know you better then most.”

             
Donovan nodded with a smile, “thank you Simon, I wish I could have gotten to know you better.”

             
Once outside, Scott joined them. They made their way to the entrance.

             
Narendra came upon them. “Donovan, I want you to have my first bow I ever made.”

             
Donovan looked at the fine crafted item. Taking it he tighten his lips, maybe to keep from crying. “Thank you.” he then handed Narendra his laser rifle. “Just remember you can't be prone when you fire this weapon.”

             
Narendra eyes flared with surprise. “Thank you! I remember the day you demonstrated the weapon, and taught me to fire it.”

             
Chief Kern, handed Donovan a knife. “My token for you to travel and find peace.”

             
Donovan looked the well crafted weapon over before he secured it around his waist. “Thank you, Chief Kern. I only wish I had something to exchange with you,” he patted his new weapon.

             
“You have given plenty, to my village.”

             
The two men shook hands. 

             
The group departed. Rachel looked back one last time. She watched Narendra climb upon a rock to observe them longer.

             
Few spoke to Scott, and he felt relieved to be away from the village.

             
Rachel then handed Donovan her laser rifle. “You need it more then I.” He hesitated at taking it. “Go on and take it,” she encouraged. He finally grabbed it and handed her the gun. “You can have it, but remember there only seven rounds left.

             
She nodded, placing the firearm in her pants pocket. The group made their way along the creek bed, slowly moving along.

             
“At the bend we continue heading south, till we come the rocky cliffs and ridges, beyond that is the lake,” said Donovan.

             
“Did you actually reach the lake?” Rachel asked, has she gasp for breath.

             
“No that when I found Scott, but Narendra told me to continue heading that direction instead of following the creek. The soil is so rich.”

             
Rachel gave a expression of delight listening to Donovan describing the land. With the sun now overhead they stopped for lunch. Sitting on rocks, Rachel pulled out some of the smoked fish and some fruit.

             
Rachel sat next to Donovan, and shared a apple with him. He slice off a piece and feed it to her, making her laugh, as the juice ran down her chin.

             
Scott turned his head, feeling a bit of jealousy rising. He finished eating his ration of food, and ignored their idle conversation.

             
“I said are you coming?” Donovan yelled a bit louder at Scott.

             
Scott looked up and saw the couple had already started climbing the series of ridges.

             
“Wouldn't it just be easier to follow the creek?” he complained.

             
Donovan stopped, readjusted the back pack. “I've been that way, its where I found you, if you wish to continue that way then go, Rachel and I are going this way.”

             
Rachel was frighten, has the two men somewhat confronted each other.

             
“Fine,” Scott grumbled more to himself. For several more hours they traveled over coming one small ridge after another.

             
“Donovan I'm getting tired.”

             
He could hear the fatigue in her voice. Stopping he slipped off his back pack. “All right we stop here for the night.”

             
“How are we going to build a fire there is no wood here?” Scott looked around not thrilled of the spot.

             
“We are having a cold camp, I have several furs for you Scott.” he glanced at Rachel, who was giving him a puzzled look. “Some of the villagers gave them to me.”

             
“Thanks,” Scott eagerly took them from Donovan.

             
Rachel hugged herself, “why can't we have a fire?”

             
“I don't want to attract whats out there and we no longer have the comfort and protection of the villagers.” He saw the worried look on Rachel, and leaned in close to her, whispering, “you will be safe.” He then kissed her.

             
After a cold meal of dried fruit and some smoked meat, the couple cuddled close in the sleeping back, while Scott, buried himself in the furs. The rocks did provide a wind break.

             
Moving around the next morning was difficult, their bodies seem to ache from the restless sleep. Taking more time then usual they were packed and moving after eating more of the dry goods.

             
Helping each other over rocks and steep ridges, they took heart for the terrain was getting easier to traverse. From their left, a pack of wild animals could be heard. Leaping over rocks large wild looking dogs were spotted.

             
Donovan bravely moved forward. “Rachel run!” Firing the rifle, he glazed one of the dogs. Hesitating Scott froze in total fear. Rachel climbed over some boulders, then realized she was stuck in a little crevice, unable to climb out, the smooth rocks surface offered no hand and foot holds to climb out. Pulling out her pistol, she braced for an attack.

             
Two large dogs with mangy hair, closed on Donovan, firing the rifle he killed one of the dogs, but the second one locked its jaw on Donovan's arm. Crying out in pain, he found his knife and buried it deep in the dog's side.

             
Scott had climbed up a steep pile of rocks and kicked at the three dogs nipping at his heel, as they maneuvered up to attack him. Their eyes raged with total hunger.

             
Donovan recovered the laser rifle fired once striking a dog, but it then malfunction. The leader of the pack a huge black haired vicious beast turned on Donovan and the two struggled, The leader tore into Donovan's leg. Donovan reached for his knife but fumbled it. Unsure of where it went, he grabbed a rock trying to beat it, they tumbled again. The vile beast locked its jaw on Donovan's other arm tearing away the flesh.

             
“Donovan!” Rachel screamed, going crazy she was unable to help. She could hear his cries of pain. What had happen to Scott, was he already dead, did he run? She grew desperate unable to help.

             
The two dogs on Scott, then made their way to Rachel. Climbing to edge of the cavity, they circled the pit looking for a way down. Hunger made them finally jump their way down. Firing her gun in rapid session, she killed one and seriously wounded the other. Realizing she was out of bullets she bludgeon it to death with the handle of the gun.

             
Scott watched Donovan struggle with the large dog. They rolled again this time precariously close to a rocky cliff. The dog loosing its bite on his arm, tore away more flesh. It then leaped at Donovan in an attempt to make a killing lunge at Donovan's neck. Failing to divert its attack, both tumbled over the edge of the cliff.

             
Scott climbed down the rocky hill, and slowly made his way to the edge, to look.

             
“Oh thank you Scott, help, I can't hold much longer.”

             
Scott knelt down seeing the red diluted blood trickling down both arms.

             
“Scott, help!” he reached out for Scott with one arm, frighten he re-gripped the rocky edge.

             
Scott saw it was about a eighty feet fall. Picking up a jagged rock, Scott lifted it and squarely hit Donovan's hands forcing him to loose his grip. Donovan's shocked expression of being betrayed didn't even phase Scott. Looking down, he observed Donovan's crumpled body laying near the dog.

             
With a hideous expression he looked towards the never ending sound of Rachel pleading for help.

             
“Donovan, Scott?” she cried out, noticing the sounds of fighting ended.

             
“I'm coming,” Scott called out, “Where are you?”

             
“Here, I'm over here,” she called out. Finally to her relief she saw Scott peek over the edge. Laying down and reaching, he grasped her hand then pulled her up.

             
“Thank you Scott,” looking around, “Donovan?” she called out. “Did you see him?” She then noticed Scott had splattered diluted looking blood on his clothing. “What did you do?”

             
She took several steps back. Surprised by his quick reaction, he grabbed her wrist, “I tried to reach him, but he fell before, I could help him.”

             
“Let go of me,” she screamed. She thrashed her arms trying to get free. “Donovan!” she screamed. They both fell to the ground, laying on top of her, he kissed her. “Get off of me,” she screamed.

             
Suddenly free, she saw Scott being pulled off,  Quickly getting up, “Narendra,” she cried out in surprise.

             
Scott reached for Narendra's large knife, however Narendra was faster and much stronger, grabbed the weapon. The struggle for the weapon was brief, has Narendra was able to bend Scott's arm turning the knife into his abdomen.

             
Rachel watched in horror, has Scott sank to his knees fighting for one more breath. She looked back at Narendra for a explanation.

             
He ran back to the place Donovan fell, and looked down. Rachel placed her hand to her mouth at the appalling scene. “Oh Donovan,” she cried out, tears streaked down her face.

             
“I had just reached the far side of the clearing there, when I saw Scott hitting Donovan with a object.”

             
With caution, Narendra climbed down, to check on Donovan. Looking up, he could only shake his head in compete sadness. Once back up top, he hugged Rachel. He felt her clinging to him, sobbing uncontrollably.

             
After retrieving his body and possessions, they returned to the village. “What made you decide to follow us?” she asked still sobbing.

             
“I don't know, a hunch maybe, or something more? I was however to late, for Donovan,” his voice trailed off.

             
The village was sadden at the death of Donovan. He was given a honorable funeral. Rachel slowly healed from the ordeal. She spent a lot of time with Simon, trying to solve the coded password of the hundredth chip. After several months, they gave up.