The Wandering One

Chapter 7

Terrin was grateful for Adam accompanying her to her old campsite. Although she would never admit it, she was somewhat scared that somehow the two men who had attacked and held her hostage three weeks ago would be there. Terrin also knew this wasn't very likely as they had ambushed her on the road before she had turned off towards her campsite. She sighed, frustrated at all these thoughts and shook her head to clear it. She hoped they were getting close. Her shoulder and ribs were screaming at her.

Adam watched Terrin as she lost herself in thought. A troubled look settled on her face for a few minutes and then disappeared when she shook her head. He took her in fully for a moment. She rode as if she were a part of Lash, they moved together and it almost seemed like they knew what the other was thinking. Adam had never seen anything like it. Terrin had fashioned a bridle from the length of rope he had given her, but right now she was barely touching the reins. She seemed content to let Lash lead the way to her campsite.

After two hours Terrin pulled Lash to a halt and swung her leg over to Lash's left side, getting ready to dismount. Adam quickly dismounted and looked at Terrin in concern when she remained seated on Lash's back, staring at the ground in frustration. Adam realized that dismounting for Terrin would mean a good four-foot drop to the ground, which would really jar her ribs and shoulder. He walked over to her and spoke gently.

"Will you let me help you down?" When she hesitated, he added, "You know Pa'll skin me alive if he finds out I let you drop from that height. Especially if you get hurt." Terrin let out a long breath and then nodded.

She took a moment to brace herself mentally and physically for his touch and then felt him gently lift her down by her waist. As soon as he had set her feet on the ground, he let go and took a respectful step back. Terrin surprised him by whispering, "Thanks". He nodded and followed her as she led him a bit further up the mountainous terrain she and Lash had led him to. She had draped Lash's reins over his neck and he was following the two like a pup following its master. Terrin walked between two boulders and into a small clearing.

In the middle of the clearing was a fireplace dug into the ground and surrounded by a neat circle of stones. Under an overhang on one side, was what used to be a bedroll. Adam could see that the blanket was torn and worn out, something that neither he nor his brothers would dream of keeping. Terrin crossed the clearing and picked it up, shaking it out and carefully rolling it up. Then she walked over to a pile of rocks that were piled up against the wall of rock. She began trying to move the rocks and Adam hurried over and moved them for her when he heard her hiss in pain. When he had moved them away from the rock wall, he saw a small hole in the cliff face. Terrin reached in and pulled out a sack, dragging it into the middle of the clearing. She then opened it and began to take items out, one by one, examining each one.

Terrin completely forgot about Adam's presence as she examined her few possessions to make sure they were not damaged. First she pulled out a solid black metal box with a lock. She crossed to the firepit and moved one of the rocks, removing a key from under it. This she used on the lock and when it was open, she quickly checked that her money was all still there. All two hundred dollars was there and she quickly moved on, pulling out a rectangular bundle wrapped in leather. Terrin unwrapped her most prized possession carefully and clutched the copy of The Old Curiosity Shop to her chest for a moment before opening it to read the inscription inside the cover written in a child's scrawl. I'll find you again one day and we'll be best friends forever. - A.

Terrin heard a gasp and turned to see Adam staring at the book in her hands. "Where did you get that book?" he managed to get out in a tense voice. Terrin looked at him puzzled and replied hesitantly, "Gift from friend."

Adam crouched in front of Terrin, studying her.

"Terrin, please answer me honestly, did you ever have another name?"

"Yes", Terrin responded, still terribly confused. The Sioux had given her a name while she lived with them. "Mika, which means Clever Raccoon."

Adam's eyes filled with tears, alarming Terrin. Had she said something wrong? Done something to offend or hurt Adam? Adam spoke with a shaking voice.

"I can't believe it's you. I found you after all these years. Terrin, I gave a book to a young girl living with a band of Sioux when Pa and I were on our way to settle out here. I wrote her a note in the cover, we promised each other we'd find each other again one day. We.. we sealed our promise..."

"By doing a spit-shake." Terrin cut him off. She gazed at the man in front of her, everything falling into place. Why Ben had looked so familiar and why Adam reminded her of "A". But Terrin was still hesitant to believe that this man in front of her wasn't lying, as so many had before. She wanted to so badly, but her mind wouldn't stop racing.

"Your tribe gave me a name. Ohanzee, the shadow, because I would follow after you all around the camp." Adam chuckled. Terrin's eyes went wide with shock. Tears filled them and she dashed them away. Without thinking, she flung herself into Adam's arms. Clinging to him for several moments before pulling away. She smiled at Adam. "Ohanzee, you grew."

Adam smiled and watched as she continued to go through the box in front of her. Once she was sure that everything was there, she closed and locked the box once more. She opened the sack again and pulled out a leather bridle, slinging it over her good shoulder and then replaced the lockbox back into the sack. She tied a knot in the top of the bag, so it was closed and stood. Adam took the sack from her after offering to carry it on Sport. Terrin nodded and grabbed her rolled up blanket with her good arm, carrying it over to Lash, who was waiting patiently at the entrance to the clearing.

Terrin removed the rope bridle and managed to put the leather bridle onto Lash. Adam noted that it was a traditional Sioux bridle and smiled once again. He tied Terrin's sack to his saddle and her blanket as well, before lifting Terrin onto Lash's back. She smiled back at Adam and let him lead the way back to the Ponderosa.

As she rode, she became lost in her thoughts. Adam was Ohanzee. He had found her again. But why was she still so afraid of his touch? When she hugged him, she wanted to stay in his arms, but began reliving the touch of her captors. Would she ever be able to experience a hug without this dark cloud surrounding her? She closed her eyes and let Lash pick his own way back to the Ponderosa as she became lost in her thoughts, flashes of fists and the crack of whips echoing through her mind. Her eyes flew open as Adam drew up beside her, inquiring if she was alright. Terrin absentmindedly nodded and went back to her thoughts.