The next week was miserably hot and I was beyond restless. I made it through more than half of the books I'd been able to bring with me already. I spent most of my time avoiding Mr. Newton and his unwanted advances. I did a lot of walking around the settlement, but when you only have a small area to explore it becomes tiresome. Every time I looked at the fence, it just reminded me of what I was missing. Or what I thought was missing. Maybe Father had lied to me this whole time. Maybe this was what Africa was, what everything looked like. Despite my doubts, I had to believe there was something more beyond the gates. I was practically jumping out of my skin to find out what it was.

I came up with a plan, a plan that would infuriate my father to no end. But I was at my wits end. He was gone all day. Lauren and Katherine did not offer me the companionship I was looking for. If I could just get out, only for a little while. Maybe I would be satisfied enough to keep going. Of course I'd seen a little of the landscape during my trip here, but I could not say that I experienced it. I didn't get to touch it or truly see it.

Just around daybreak, I scrambled out of bed and started towards the front gates. I figured I could look around a little, take in the landscape, and be back before my father even knows I'm gone.

I was just about to leave the house when I saw Michael Newton and a small group of men gathering with their horses.

I ambled outside, making sure he saw me.

"Good Morning, Miss Isabella," he said.

"Good morning, Mr. Newton." I nodded. "What are you all doing? Are you going outside the settlement?" I tried to hide my excitement.

"Just some scouting. Nothing too important. We like to know the land as best we can."

"May I accompany you?" I asked.

"Most certainly not." He shook his head. "The wilderness is no place for a lady."

"Sir, I desire to see the land. What better way to see it than accompanied by men that can properly protect me?" I played well into his affections, knowing that he would love nothing more than to impress me.

He cleared his throat and glanced around at the other men. "Very well. I shall need to clear it with your father."

"He's the one who suggested I accompany you, Mr. Newton. I can assure you, you have his blessing.' I smiled. My father would most likely not be too happy with my deception, however I couldn't see the harm in exploring a little.

"Very well," he said again. "May I offer my horse?"

"You may."

Mr. Newton helped me up onto his horse and started to lead me out. The rest of the men followed close behind. My heart was beating so fast against my chest, I was fairly sure I would faint. I was terrified my father would catch us and force me back inside. I couldn't breathe inside that fence. I wanted to breathe.

We traveled for a long while. Mr. Newton rambled on the entire way, but I couldn't be less interested. I was simply too taken by my surroundings to even notice him.

Everything around me was breathtaking. Even though it was evident that rain was desperately needed, it did not make anything less beautiful.

We came to a stop and Mr. Newton helped me off the horse.

"Stay close, Miss Isabella. It is not always safe out here," he said. I nodded as he pulled out a map and began consulting with the rest of the men.

I ambled around the horse, tracing my finger along its soft mane as I took in the scenery.

I was staring straight out into the wilderness. We really were in the middle of nowhere.

I noticed a patch of stray grass. Not green like I'd seen at home. It was a dead, lifeless brown. Completely dehydrated.

I took a few steps towards it, then a few more. I kept my eye on Mr. Newton so not to wander too far. Off in the distance, I saw more of the grass. Bits and clumps still had hints of green, but most of it was dull like the others. Trees off in the distance stretched up towards the sky, mostly void of any greenery or leaves. But that wasn't what caught my attention. No. Past the dried grass, past the trees…there were mountains. Mountains like I'd never seen. Large shadows against the orangey-pink sky.

I wanted to get closer. I smiled back at Mr. Newton and he waved at me. I wandered around, casually making my way towards the patches of grass. I looked over my shoulder many times, making sure to keep him close. And he was always there. Until he wasn't. No one was.

I spun around, my eyes searching the horizon for the top of the men. They had to be here. Somewhere. I hadn't wandered too far off, had I?

My breath quickened as I ran back towards where I thought I had come. The wind had picked up, covering any evidence in the dirt that I'd even been there.

I came up on a hill that didn't look familiar, knowing in my heart that they would be on the other side. They weren't.

"No," I murmured. "It can't be." A bead of sweat rolled down my face, scared out by the hot, tepid sun above me. Mr. Newton was probably wondering where I was. I wish I knew.

I didn't understand how this could have happened. How long had I been walking, exploring? Was it longer than I thought? Was I farther away than I ever meant to go? The settlement and Mr. Newton were nowhere to be found and I was out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the clothes on my back.

I started to panic, tears springing to my eyes. What was I going to do?

"Mr. Newton!" I yelled. I listened. No response.

The hours passed and I wandered aimlessly, unaware if I was drifting closer or farther away from where I wanted to be. My mouth was dry. My skin was glistening with a wet layer of sweat.

The sun was too hot. I was too hot. I needed water, shade. Something.

I found comfort beneath some trees. At least it was a little cooler in the shade. I sat down and hiked my dress up to my knees to let my legs breathe a little.

I was lost. So completely and dangerously lost. I had no idea where to go from here. I'd wanted to experience Africa and now all I wanted to do was get back inside the fence.

More time passed and I saw the sun started to head behind the mountains. My head was dizzy, begging for water just about as much as my parched tongue.

I started to doze off, giving into the intense pain in my head. I thought I saw a shadow creeping out from the trees in front of me, but I didn't get a chance to see for sure. I surrendered to the darkness.

I woke some hours later. Directly above me was a straw like roof, unlike any that I'd seen back at the settlement. There was something underneath me. Other than dirt. Other than the grass I'd fallen asleep on. It was some type of fabric.

I took a deep breath and tried to sit up to see where I was. Before I could make a move, a cool cloth was placed over my forehead. I turned my head and gasped. It was one of them. The natives. And she was rinsing more cloths in a small bucket of water, humming lightly to herself. She returned to me, placing another on my chest. It felt amazing.

"Hello?" I greeted her. She smiled at me and continued humming. "Where am I?" I tried to sit up but my head was aching. I groaned and fell back down.

I managed to look down and found that I was dressed in my undergarments. I blushed, a little embarrassed that I was in front of a complete stranger in this state. And a native, nonetheless. It was improper.

I covered my bosoms and sighed.

"Jakoby brought you to us," the woman finally said. "Found you out there." She nodded outside. "Edward will know what to do," she mumbled, repeating it several times.

"Edward?" I managed to sit up. "You mean Mr. Cullen?"

"Edward will know." She brushed her hands off and stood up, taking her cool cloths with her.

Over the next several minutes, I managed to stand up and find my clothes lying in the corner of the structure. I slipped them back on, even though I instantly regretted the heavy fabric. The heat of the day had come and gone, but the nights were still uncomfortable.

I lingered by the doorway, seeing just outside. There were a few other buildings like the one I was in. The glow of a fire reflected off one and I guessed there was some type of gathering going on in the center of the village.

There was a bit of commotion behind one of the huts and I heard someone calling Edward's name.

"Jakoby," Edward said. I could barely see him in the dark, but he was there. I could tell by the color of his hair, how it reflected in the moonlight. "What's wrong?"

The voice that answered him was small, child-like.

"I found a woman. When I was out for water," the boy said. "She's…she's like you, Edward."

"Where is she now?" Edward asked.

"Mama was taking care of her."

"Very good, Jakoby." Edward patted him on the shoulder. "You did a very brave and kind thing."

Edward sighed and started towards me. I hurried inside and sat back down on the bed. I was nervous. And I did not know why.

I held my breath as I heard his footsteps approach. He paused in the doorway and I heard his sharp breath.

"Miss Isabella?" He asked.

"Mr. Cullen," I started. "I am so sorry to have troubled you, I was out with Mr. Newton and somehow got separated from the group. I was just looking, you see, I wanted to see the land. And I got lost. Everything was so beautiful and I…"

"It's quite alright," Edward said. "I'm glad you are okay. The heat can be quite dangerous out there. Especially with the water shortages."

"Water shortages?'

"We're severely low on our supplies. The crops are in danger, our whole village is in jeopardy." He wiped his hands on his pants. "The rains should come soon. I just hope they don't keep us waiting too long." He forced a smile. "You must be hungry. Come."


A/N: Thank you so so much for reading and reviewing! I'm trying to finish up the last little bit and post the remaining chapters in the next few days, but depending on my schedule it may carry over until early next week. : )