It was dark already. She grumbled to herself as she made her way carefully into the caves. She could see the camp in the distance as she ducked into the caves. Though they were breaking camp tonight there was one thing left for her to do. She was clothed in a mixture of skins and rough textiles, but her feet were bare and calloused as she made her way along the rock face in the dark. Her hands and feet expertly finding the ledges and holds to help her make her way, her brow furrowed with concentration and her hazel-green eyes bright. Her hair had begun to come out of its braid, tied with a scrap of skin. Her abdomen rounded and stretching out her garments, the only sign of her pregnancy. In another month she wouldn't have been able to make it to the back of the caves. She clutched a stone knife in her hand, just in case she met something or someone unexpected in the caves. There was a bag slung on her back, constructed originally of a dark green textile, but now heavily patched with various skins. Gritting her teeth, she continued the challenging path to the back of the caves.
BSGBSGBSGBSGBSGBSG
Lee studied the map intently in the main tent. It was getting harder and harder to concentrate. It was nearly noon, but it wasn't the sun that had him so distracted. It was the Kara, pacing back and forth in the sunlight as she got dressed. She'd only just gotten up half an hour ago, and the work he had been completing up until then was already almost forgotten.
"Can't we just pick a direction and go?" Kara shoved her bra over her head and shouted through the fabric.
"No." Lee answered and resumed plotting their course.
"Are you going to bring that map with us?" Kara added as she finally pulled on her second tank.
"Yes." Lee attempted to keep his eyes on the paper, "We are leaving tonight. Its too hot to travel during the afternoon, we'll have to work around those times."
"I'll start packing." Kara responded sarcastically and left the tent.
Lee quickly jotted down more information on their route, before folding the map, and placing it back in his pack. It had been decided that a master list of people leaving main settlements was going to be maintained at the landing site, as they began agricultural pursuits and several villages. It was really the best they could do to keep track of people.
Some of the knuckledraggers had already constructed the first wooden spear, unfortunately it wasn't a very good one. It would take a lot of practise before any of them managed to become proficient at wielding them. Even so, they would bring two of the spears with them. As well as a tent, sleeping bags, and as much of the colonial camp equipment as they could carry. They might not be building a city, but they certainly aren't stupid either.
Even from his tent he could see in the distance where the farms were being set up. This morning he'd gotten a request to aid in farming, which he'd had to turn down. This morning he'd signed both his and Kara's names on to the list of people going off on their own. The list was short. Most had enough sense to stay in settlements where they'd be safer and more protected. When they left tonight, they would be leaving the safety of the landing settlement and accepting whatever consequences that would bring.
Day 4 – roughly 40 clicks from the main settlement- modern day- northern Tanzania
"Well that was interesting."
"You're just jealous cause I caught us dinner." Kara got closer to get a better look at the mammal she'd killed. "It beats the heck out of rations."
"You cheated." Lee smiled, even as he eyed the remaining meat. They'd gone ahead and cooked it all, even taking some bones that could be used. If either of them could manage to shape them properly.
"Using my gun isn't cheating Lee."
The past four days had really been more like camping, not that either of them had really camped much in their childhoods. They had started at the lake, proceeding north east following the water.
It was complicated by the limited knowledge of edible plants, but they were managing. Lee had observed the natives briefly. And could identify seven plants that should be edible. Neither of them were dead yet.
BSGBSGBSGBSG
Creeping through the caves in the dark wasn't an easy task, but calloused hands and feet worked quickly to get to the back of the cave.
Finally she saw the lights of the fire flickering on the walls. The darkish figure was lying on her back painting, she smiled to herself at the scene. She crept closer silently; she waited until she saw the greyed blonde hair in the firelight before calling out to her, "Mom."
