And here we finally are! Not too long - really just an attention getter, but I hope you enjoy it all the same. (:
Prologue
"The weak die out and the strong will survive, and will live on forever" – Ann Frank
.~.~.~.
Shimmering heat waves sauntered across the dry grassland, the faint breeze carrying stifling air in its clutches. The crusted earth was an oven, baking its prey gradually; the rattlesnake lay curled in the shadow of the canyon rock, beady eyes staring; the desert birds of prey settled in the darkness of the small caves or the rough branch of a lone tree; the wild Mustangs stood near the lake's edge, tails flicking lazily at the biting flies, heads lowered in a doze, as the vibrant sun shone upon their colorful hides.
A stumbling creature, awkward on weak, trembling legs, walked through the desert. Dry, wilting grasses pulled at feeble legs; the sun reflected off of a mane of red hair. Even the threatening creatures of the desert remained hidden, concluding it was too hot to attack. A parched, swollen tongue moved over cracked, bleeding lips, sunken eyes scanned the abandoned, desolate prairie, searching, praying for any movement of life that might promise savior.
Her torn shirt revealed welts and bruises that traveled up tan arms; an inflamed cheekbone bled red, and an ocean blue eye was bordered by blackness. Steps were weighed by exhaustion, weariness, and the loss of physical, and mental, strength. Samantha Forster finally fell to her sore, aching knees, her body drained and damaged. Regarding the blistering land before her, the young woman prayed. "Please, please, someone help me."