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Setting: The Old West (Indians) The beating drums woke Sarah. Or was it her head that was pounding? How could she have been so stupid as to run out in front of a charging horse? But she hadn't been thinking. She'd just reacted. Sensing someone standing over her, she eased her eyes open, afraid of what she would see. Her gaze travelled up a pair of thick, bare legs. A breechclout! Her gaze moved upward over a muscular, bare chest. Long, black hair hid the man's face in the darkness of wherever she was. The only light was from a fire burning low. An Indian. A warrior! "D.K.?" she asked hopefully. He brought his hands to his chest, and Sarah gasped. No tattoo! "Uh ... where am I? Who are you? Do you know D.K.?" "Strange white woman, you do nothing but sleep. Who is this D.K. you speak of? Dancing Knife?" "I don't know." Sarah bit her bottom lip. "Maybe." "I will get him. He visits from a camp not far from here. Perhaps he will understand your strangeness." As the Indian left, Sarah sat up. She wrung her hands as she examined her surroundings ... and waited. She must be inside a tepee. What if Dancing Knife wasn't D.K.? He must be around here somewhere, though. Of course, she could always just go back to sleep. A nervous giggle escaped her. "Am I destined to simply sleep my life away?" "I do not know, Sarah. Are you?" She turned abruptly. "D.K.! Goodness, look at you." He was dressed in leggings and a buckskin shirt. He appeared quite fierce with his piercing green eyes. His hair fell long and loose about his shoulders. He crouched down next to her. "We have to leave this place. There is going to be a raid on the village. The soldiers are on their way. Scouts have reported back to the camp." Sarah's eyes widened. "Oh, no." She scrambled to her feet. "Let's go!" D.K. stood. "You belong to Winter Bear. I do not think he is just going to let you leave." "Is he the one who was in here earlier? And why are you talking so stilted?" "I do not know what you mean. And, yes, it was Winter Bear. He brought you into camp two days ago. You were unconscious. I will check the camp. Once everyone is busy preparing for the battle, I will come back for you. Do not go anywhere, and do not go to sleep." "Okay." She grabbed his arm. "Just don't leave without me." He stroked her cheek. "I will not leave you." He stepped away from her. "I will be back soon." Sarah nodded as she watched him leave. Her nerves were stretched tight. What if they couldn't get away? She paced the tepee. Every sound made her jump. She hoped D.K. would return soon. As time passed, Sarah became more and more fearful. Where was D.K.? Why hadn't he returned, like he said? Maybe he did leave her? Well, she couldn't stay there. She peeked out the flap of the tepee. The camp was bustling with activity. Now would be a good time to escape. She slipped outside and circled around, hoping to stay out of sight. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. Distracted, she slammed into something tall and hard. Fear gripped her so strong, she couldn't even cry out. "I told you to wait for me." Relief washed through her as she turned toward the man. "D.K., where have you been?" "It does not matter. We must go." He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the forest. They walked for what seemed an eternity. "Stop," Sarah finally implored. "I can't go any further. Can't we stop for the night? It's well after dark." "We can rest. But I am not building a fire. I do not want the soldiers to see it." "But it's so cold," Sarah complained. D.K. sat on the ground and leaned back against a log. "Come here." Sarah sat beside him, and he pulled her against his chest. "I will keep you warm." She gazed up at him, her eyes pleading. "Don't fall asleep, all right? With you holding me, if I fall asleep, certainly we can't go anywhere if you're not asleep, too. Then when you get sleepy, wake me up. I'll stay awake while you sleep." "All right." He pulled her head against his chest. Sarah smiled, remembering how he'd done much the same thing when she'd found herself with him in her prehistoric journey. She relaxed against his body. She would be safe with him. Nothing would happen this time. |