As the quake dies down, Ryuth moves lighting fast. I yelp, already on edge from the unexpected tremor. Before I fully realize what's happening, he grabs me and shoves me into the corner, his face tight and alert as he scans the area.

I was starting to calm down when the shaking stopped, but my heartbeat now kicks back into high gear. I know how fast Ryuth can move, but it's still surprising when he does it. He's almost a blur.

I take a deep breath, watching as he stands sentry, his body shielding mine. He continues scanning the area, like he’s just waiting for a threat to appear.

What is going on?

"Ryuth, what is—"

My question is muffled as he quickly places a hand over my mouth, glaring at me in warning. He shakes his head, his mouth tight, anger and fear clear in his eyes.

It's that last part that dries up the words in my mouth.

Why is he afraid?

Is it just the earthquakes?

What is he keeping his eye out for? Or is it just a primal, automatic response to look for a threat when he's afraid? I have no idea.

He takes his hand away slowly, only when he's sure I'm not going to start making noise again. I relax slightly. Turns out it's too soon.

The ground rises and falls under us again and I let out a yelp, surprised by the sudden resurgence of movement. Ryuth slams his hand right back over my mouth, though this time his eyes are looking away as he does it, his body cupped protectively over mine.

I glare at him, but he doesn't see it. Figures. I contemplate biting his hand, but maybe he has a good reason for keeping me quiet.

The shaking slowly settles down.

I know better than to relax this time.

It happens again.

And again.

I brace myself against the wall at my back, trying to ride it out. I don't make a sound now as the earthquakes continue.

At this point, Ryuth is almost vibrating with suppressed energy, his eyes darting around as he shuffles his feet in front of me, keeping them braced apart for balance.

Something definitely has him spooked.

The earthquakes are enough for me. Maybe that's all it is for him too.

But . . . if that really is all that he’s afraid of, why does he keep focusing on the area around us? He hasn't stopped doing that this whole time.

We can't see the quakes coming. Maybe he doesn't understand that? I worry at the thought. It doesn't sound quite right. Yes, he's operating on his instincts for the most part, but he isn't stupid. He's shown that. It makes me worry there actually is something he should be keeping an eye out for.

Not a comforting thought.

After maybe five very long minutes, the unwanted ride finally stops. Ryuth and I both stay in position, neither of us willing to move for another couple of minutes.

Nothing.

There is no more ominous rumbling.

We wait a bit longer.

When nothing else happens, Ryuth carefully straightens, still not making a sound. Another twenty-second pause while he tilts his head, listening.

And then, without any warning, he simply stalks off, out into the surrounding oasis. I blink as he walks away, vanishing into the shadowy bushes in front of my eyes.

Really, Ryuth? Where did he go? Did he decide to just abandon me? After kidnapping me and dragging me all the way out here?

And what were all those earthquakes about?

I sit for another minute or two, waiting, but he doesn't return.

That's when I start getting really pissed off. You know what? Fine. Abandon me. I don't care. Swallowing, I stand, almost expecting the ground to be pulled out from under me again. But it stays stable. Now I just feel stupid standing with my arms spread out for balance. I let out a huff of breath and bring them in.

I would give anything to not be out here alone. I've never missed having others around me more. I feel so vulnerable now that Ryuth is gone. To make matters worse, as the suns set, the place is getting creepier by the second. The interior of the abandoned buildings slowly darkens. The doors and windows are starting to look like shadowy holes.

I don't want to be alone in the ruins at night, but I don't have anywhere else to go that won't be more dangerous.

Time to be a big girl.

Damn it.

Shivering a little, I walk over to the fire and remove the rest of the pieces of meat. They're a little overcooked now, but that doesn't really matter. Food is food. And Ryuth worked hard, risked his life to get this meat for us.

The thought cools my anger.

He really has worked his ass off to take care of us here. I eat some of the meat, keeping an eye out while I chew. It doesn't take me long. I pack the rest of it away in the bag to save for later.

And then I have exactly nothing else left to tidy. Nothing else to do with my hands. Nothing more to distract me from my predicament. Sighing, I sit down on the fountain ledge again.

Then it dawns on me—I'm alone. Completely alone. I glance around.

I may not get a better opportunity than this to escape, to try to make my way back to the Tribe, or even the City. Back to others, back to safety. Only problem is, I have no idea where either of those places are or how to get there. And I'd have to travel alone across the desert with no real survival skills.

In the dark.

I'd be pretty screwed.

I bite my lip and keep looking into the corners of the courtyard. I inch a little closer to the fire as the shadows lengthen and deepen. I add another few sticks to the fire and blow until yellow flames spring up. The brightness of the fire only makes the shadowy corners darken into blackness. I shiver, even in the warmth of the fire.

If I'm spooked here, with a fire, I can't imagine I'm going to be exactly calm out there alone. I sigh. I know my own limits. There really isn't much of a choice at this point.

Ryuth is my best chance of survival. Ironic, since he's the reason I'm in this mess to begin with. But that doesn't change the situation.

Life is really shitty like that sometimes. I sit and think about the general shittiness of life for a while.

But then a cracking sounds from somewhere behind me.

I jerk in reaction, but then go still, my heart pounding.

Okay.

Okay.

I need to see what that is.

Swallowing, I slowly turn to look, feeling like one those idiotic women in an old-school horror movie. I am so not going over to investigate the sound. Nuh-uh. If there's one thing I took away from those movies, it's that lesson.

So I stay sitting as I scan the shadows, trying to make out details in the darkness. I don't see anything. But I don't know if that's because there's nothing to see or because there's not enough light.

Maybe it's best not to think about that.

I scoot a little closer still to the comforting light of the fire.

Where is Ryuth? For all my irritation, I really don't think he abandoned me. Hopefully not.

As if I've conjured him up with my thoughts, his figure finally reappears. Or the dim outline of a Zmaj appears anyway. That thought stops me from leaping up and running over. As he draws closer, I can make out more details.

My shoulders drop as I realize it is him. Cool relief flows through me at the sight. Though I don't know why he's coming in from a different direction than he left. Is he trying to give me a heart attack?

He's carrying something in his arms, something bulky. I squint as he gets close enough for the fire to really illuminate what he's holding. They're . . . furs? Yup. Fluffy furs. A bunch of them.

"Where did you go?" I demand as he reaches me.

He doesn't say anything, spreading the furs out on the ground near the fire.

I didn't expect him to say anything, but it's still frustrating.

He tends the fire for a moment while I wait for some kind of answer. Then he gets on the furs he's laid out and looks up at me expectantly, reaching out a hand.

All right. I'm so tired. I don't have any fight left in me. I take his hand.

He tugs me down onto the furs to lie next to him. They're more than a little dusty, but they're surprisingly comfortable. I sigh as I sink into their softness. Much better than rock or sand.

Ryuth lies down behind me, between me and the entrances to the courtyard, his body protecting my back. He’s also blocking the way out, though I don't think he's worried I'll leave. He already left me alone after all. Still. It's the principle of the matter. There goes my chance to escape at dawn. Not that it was much of a chance anyway.

I close my eyes, yawning.

Ryuth's arm tightens around my waist.

There's no help for it now.

I have to stay.