She was out of food, and without traveling farther on foot, she wouldn't be able to provide more. That wasn't such a hardship, but she would have to leave the man alone overnight, and she had no way to tell him she would be back.Crouched low beside him, she touched his shoulder. He was already awake, and she'd known that. He still hadn't begun to open his eyes; although the swelling was mostly gone, the bruising still discolored and distorted his face."I know you don't understand, but I must go.” She hesitantly stroked his shoulder. “I will be back, I promise."Before she could worry anymore, she rose and stepped out of the shelter. She had a lot of walking to do. Outside in the clear light of morning, she headed east, toward the river. At first she walked in the path cleared by the crash, but at last she entered the forest proper and began the more difficult hiking.Familiar with this walk since she'd started it many times only to turn back at midday, she was confident in her direction.
