Previously:

     Shuffling to the edge so Miles could bend down and bolt her down to the center. She brought her knees up to her chin and watched as the light of the second sun was slowly cut off but by the top. Leaving her in darkness, silence, and alone.

Present:

     Sam felt like she was in the dome for at least a couple of days. Long enough, that she had been given seven rice meals. That's what the little door on the side was for, they would open it and slide in a plate close enough to eat off of. Later, they would open the door again and expected her to slide the plate to the door. No one that she recognized visited her during her time in the dome. Even the one who brought her food, she didn't know. She could tell it was an older man's voice and that was about it. He was kind enough to say thanks when she returned the plate.

     It was impossible to keep track of time, and there was nothing to do besides sit alone and try not going crazy in the silence. After much reflection, she resigned to humming and doing simple exercises to keep her busy.

"Hey! Little Hase you doing alright in there?" a thick german accent called out.

Miles?

"Still alive if that's what you're asking." retorted Sam

"Mmm, partially. The council has decided to keep you, around under strict supervision." Called out Miles smugly through the dome.

     Sam plugged her ears as the hatch on the top of the dome opened up. Being blinded by the bright sun she asked "Supervision? By who?"

     A laugh was all she heard as her eyes adjusted to the light. "By me of course, and, well Jamir too," Miles spoke as he leaned down once more to untighten the bolt.

Sam frowned, "Why?"

"I guess you didn't give them much of choice, you didn't do anything bad. Just were unlucky enough to get caught up in all of it. What else were they supposed to do? Just throw you out to die in the desert after you saved a kid's life?"

     Sam didn't respond, well yeah, that's what I thought was going to happen to me. A hand appeared in front of Sam and this time Sam took it. Only to be lifted out of the hole in one single motion and thrown to the ground outside the dome. Sam's legs buckled under her weight and force, "The fuck!"

"Should've landed on your feet." Huffed Jamir.

     Sam paid him no mind and looked at Miles who was sitting on the dome. "What is going to happen to me exactly?"

"You'll be working here in the fields during the day and sleeping in a shack we've emptied for you in the fields too. You won't be allowed in the folds of our homes just yet, but this is a starting point till you prove yourself."

Sam nodded, "I've never done farming work before."

"Don't worry, we'll have someone with you to help you learn. I believe you already know this person."

Sam tilted her head ever so slightly. Marco?

"Anyway first we're going to take you to the springs." Continued Miles. 

"You smell like shit." Interrupted Jamir.

"Thanks captain obvious, pretty sure I have sand places you've never heard of before too. Imagine how I'm feeling." She spat back.

     Jamir quickly glanced away and Miles let out a chuckle. Standing up they both hopped off the dome and Sam tentatively stood on her legs. They were a little wobbly at first but she quickly found her balance. Jamir came up to Sam and pointed at her cuffs. Holding out her wrist Jamir had a key that undid them and she felt the weight fall off in a satisfying sound on the ground. Her wrist were red from the wear and she was thankful they were free.

"Come with us, it on the other side of the cave."

      Following a short distance away, they led her to a cave and stood at opposite sides of the entrance.

"There is a spring of water inside, you'll be alone and this is the only way in and out of there. We'll give you 30 minutes to wash up or we're coming in. " Stated Jamir with an impassive face.

     Miles reached in his pack and pulled out a roll of fabric. "These are some fresh clothes, you can wash your's at a later time."

     "Thank you." Mumbled Sam as she reached for the clothes and headed into the sandstone cave. The tunnel continued around a corner to open up to a smaller open area with holes in the ceiling like the farmer area to let in light. In the center were many pools of water that were offset on top of each other letting a steady stream flow from pool to pool. Sam was mesmerized by the beautiful sight. a dark green algae clung to some of the higher pools and creating hanging moss with the flow of the water.

     The lower pools were clean and you could see the red sandstone was carved to make a shelf that lined the pool. Peeling off her jumpsuit it was almost one with her skin and she tossed it aside. The pool looked deceptively deep and Sam stepped on the carved shelf to be safe.

Shit! That's cold! Should I just jump in and get it over with like a band-aid?

"No dumbass, you don't know how to swim." Sam countered her inner thought. Maybe just off the edge and lean on the shelf for support?

     Sam got both feet on the rough shelf and crouched down over the dropoff. Biting her lip she sat on her butt and water was now up to her hip, Just do it, come on! Making sure one hand was gripping the sandstone with her life, she slid her butt off the lip and felt herself plunge under the water. Surprised at the sensation of being submerged she quickly pulled herself up on her elbows on the shelf letting out a shout because of the cold.

"You Ok in there?" Mile's voice echoed in the room.

"Yeah! Just fine!" She called back.

     She looked around and saw that the shelf spiraled downwards and got deeper on the other side of the pool. She found it surprisingly easy to pull herself around the pool, her body felt weightless in the water and as her body got used to the cold, it was so relaxing. Reaching the area where the shelf was deep enough that she could stand on it and have the water get up to her shoulders. She quickly got to washing away the grime and watched as it flowed off her body in a brown fog. Flowing with the direction of the water.

     Not knowing how much time she had, she finished up and walked up the shelf out of the water. No towel, no bra, and no underwear. glad to see they thought of the essentials.  Sighing she looked through the clothes to see what she had to work with. There were baggy pants and a vest with the sash or a scarf type thing. "I can work with this."

     Using the sash to bind herself she got dressed and bundled her old clothes in on themselves creating a ball of dirty clothes. The baggy pants could almost be mistaken as a skirt that reached her ankles and the sleeveless vest was a perfect fit. Putting on her shoes she walked out of the cave and was immediately greeted by a running hug from a small child. Looking down she was quickly hugged back, dropping her dirty clothes on the ground. "Marco! Good to see you!."

"Sam! You're ok!"

"As well as one can expect," Sam said smiling down at the boy.

     Miles and Jamir were still off to the side expressionless. Bending down to the boy's level she looked at the smiling Marco. "How have you been? Making amends?" Marco eyed the ground and bowed his head, "Kind of, I guess they didn't kill her, but they did take her away to be a guard dog on the perimeter and I'm not allowed to see her."

     Sam could see this wasn't the outcome that he wanted but she put her hand on his head and gave a soft pat. "Hey, at least she's alive and still protecting you. Just in a different way than you'd expect." Leaning in close to Marco so no one else would hear, "And I'm sure we can find a way to see her again." Marco's face beamed and nodded.

     Smiling she faced Miles and Jamir, Miles had a sideways smile on and Jamir just rolled his eyes. Looking up at the sky, Sam could see that the first sun was starting to set and frowned. Looking down at Marco she knew this was going to have to end quickly. "Hey, I'm going to be staying around here in the fields for a while ok? You have to come visit me every once in a while?" Sam said looking at the kid.

     Marco nodded " I promise." he started to turn around and glared at Miles and Jamir first before running off. Turning to face the men, she picked her clothes, "Ready."

"Let's go," said Miles.

      In the middle of one of the fields, Sam could see the shack that would probably become her home. Looking to be about the size of her room she was only uncomfortable with how run down it looked. The old wood had shrunk in size and it left plenty of space in-between the boards to allow the elements to get in.

"Here we are. We'll be by tomorrow to show you who you'll be working with," said Miles.

"There's some supplies inside if you need to eat and such," Mumbled Jamir."

"Ok," was all Sam said.

     Walking in the shack she closed the door behind her and looked around. Wow. it is like my room... just crappier. The room had a roll on the ground bed and a bookshelf full of canned food. In the corner, there was a cast iron wood stove with a pot on top. Better than the dome. The floor was made out of the same boards as the walls and she didn't dare take her shoes off in case of splinters. Unraveling her dirty clothes she hung them over a chair that in the corner. I'll wash them tomorrow.

      A while after the men left and Sam knew she was alone, she went outside the shack and sat in the dirt, watching the stars through the skylights in the cave.