The quick flurry of excitement and danger at the road, soon turned to hours of unending toil. The team traveled north for several nights with no sign of pursuit, and very little of relief. In spite of a lack of overt danger, they pressed hard and fast across terrain that was at one moment dry sand, and at others, uneven and treacherous rock. They were weary and sore, and their supplies, along with their patience, were beginning to run short.

"Our water bag is nearly empty," Ayala said. She held up a leather container she shared with Koko.

"We'll make a still later when we stop," Sani said. "It'll take most of the day to get all we need, but it can work while we rest."

"Can't we just drink from one of the streams we've passed?" Ayala asked.

"Not out here, Sweetheart," Sani replied. "There are too many bacteria and parasites in warm water. We could boil it if I wasn't afraid of drawing attention with smoke. Better to distill any liquids we find until we get to cleaner streams farther north."

"How will we make the still?" Koko asked. Professional curiosity lined her dirt streaked face.

"Archie brought some supplies with him we'll use," Sani said.

"I packed the plastic shower curtain from the hall bathroom in Hokee," Archie explained, "and two bowls I slipped out of the cafeteria. To make the still, we'll dig a hole in the sand and put one bowl of liquid in it, tent the shower curtain around it, then lower one section of the plastic to let the evaporated water run into the second bowl. Beyond that, the hot sun does all the work."

"Well, I hope you know what you're doing with it, Archie, because you told me we might have to distill our urine to drink," Koko said.

"I doubt it comes to that," Sani laughed. "There are the creeks Ayala talked about and plenty of barrel cacti, which make wonderful living canteens."

"So, we won't be drinking our urine, then?" Koko asked.

"Probably not," Sani replied.

Koko cut her eyes over at Archie, who winked. She shook her head indulgently and continued following Sani. "I guess men never grow up in your world, either?"

"Not if we can help it," Archie admitted.

For a while, the team fell quiet. A soft glow from Sani's torch illuminated the landscape and gave the illusion of cacti dancing in the moonlight. Adding to the ambiance was a cool breeze wafting across sweat dampened skin, and tossing tangled amber curls. Finally, Ayala spoke up, her strong voice cutting through the night air and causing her companions to startle.

"Did your father teach you to make stills?" she asked. "You said he taught you a lot about survival."

"Yes, though I didn't fully appreciate the lessons at the time."

"Looks like he taught you how to fight, too," Sani said.

"Not personally, but he did send me to Taekwondo and kickboxing classes for years."

"Admirable, but real life fighting didn't end up quite like competition in the ring, did it?"

"No, Sir. First of all, there were no referees to call the match off when those crazy cougar guys violated rules of engagement."

"They didn't violate any rules, the fight just changed venues. You adjusted with agility and courage. Your father would be proud."

"I look forward to discussing it with him. I'm afraid it's just one item on a long list we have to address."

"At least you have a father to talk things over with," Ayala said, "I had house parents who were only interested in our daily care and education. There was no warmth . . . no love. Of course, in retrospect, I guess they knew we were just subjects in a genetic project."

"Yeah, that's rough," Archie said, "and I wish I could change your past, but I can't, and neither can you. Try to focus on your future. You're free from Hokee, and might just find a degree of normalcy out here."

"Normalcy? I'm not sure that's possible. Maybe Junior was right. People will probably lock us up and do even more experiments."

"That's not going to happen," Archie said. "I won't let it, and neither will my father."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right." Archie smiled.

"Whatever," Ayala said. She punched his arm playfully. "I'm sort of glad we found you in the desert after your wreck."

"I've been meaning to ask you about that. Why did you take your students out that day? As nervous as you are about animals, I can't imagine you willingly going on field trips."

"We didn't go often, but I liked to take my classes to look at the ruins once in a while. You know, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I sort of enjoyed those short desert journeys."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Archie said. "It's the human in you. We're a curious lot."

"But, I was scared too, even with the required Cougar Guards all around."

"I felt the same way," Koko said. "I got nervous going out with the Ant Kin to do research for my book. It was worth every minute of it, though. Just to feel free of those walls . . . even if just for a few hours."

"That's because of another human characteristic," Archie said. "We're notoriously averse to being confined."

"The human spirit struggles to be free," Sani added. "You can effectively fence in an animal, but not a human, and it's that fact that's driving your flee for freedom."

"That, and we're trying to rescue my husband and save my baby," Koko said.

"Yes, those things too," Sani said.

"People helping people," Archie added.

"As long as there is life, my child," Sani said, "there is responsibility to others."

Ayala looked around at the desert, then at each of her companions in turn. "I think I understand. Holding Archie in Hokee against his will was wrong. I knew it, but couldn't figure out how to act on it. I guess that's why I didn't put up a bigger fight when Archie carried me off."

"Really?" Archie said. "I have a few bruises to prove otherwise."

"You're tough," Ayala said. "You just told us you have a black belt in the martial arts."

"I never said anything about what color my belt was, and what do you know about martial arts, anyway?"

"They teach several forms in Hokee, including the Taekwondo you mentioned. Our people are big on personal fitness and competition, especially the Cougar and Deer Kin."

"Cool," Archie said. "That's something you have in common with the rest of us in the outside world."

"Yes, that's one thing. So, are you a Black Belt?" Ayala asked.

"What difference does it make? Those Cougar Kin guys kicked my butt all over the desert. Belt colors make no difference in real fights."

"You were terribly outnumbered," Koko said. In spite of her consolatory words, a playful smile danced about her lips, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Archie grinned back, and kicked a small tumbleweed in her direction. "Looks like I'm not the only one who hasn't grown up."

Koko poised her foot to kick the weed back, when Sani interrupted. "While I appreciate that you kids are feeling better, I think it's time to dig shelter and set up our water still. Dawn will be here soon."

"Yes, Sir," they both answered.

They all stopped and examined their surroundings by the light of Sani's torch. The terrain had changed during their nighttime journey. Soft sandy soil had given way to darker, firmer earth. Sagebrush was still present, but was now interspersed with stumpy mesquite trees and lusher grasses.

Archie placed his knapsack on the ground and pulled out items needed to build the still. He handed them to Sani, who gave him a shovel in return.

"Try digging over there, Son, just past the clump of sagebrush. I'll put the torch in the middle so there's enough light for all our projects. Ayala and Koko, you two weave us another cave covering, and I'll assemble the still."

Archie nodded and turned toward his digging spot. Before walking off, he glanced over his shoulder at Ayala.

"Third degree," he said.

"Black belt?"

"Yes."

Ayala smiled as she joined Koko.

"He's not so bad now, is he?" Koko asked.

"I never said he was. I just didn't like the way he tied me up like an . . ."

"Animal?"

"Yeah."

Ayala's eyes flicked up at Archie as though looking to see if he had heard the remark. He didn't look their way, but Ayala was sure he had hesitated a fraction of a second from digging. She couldn't help but wonder what he really thought about her and her people, and, when it came down to it, if she really cared?