The dusk seemed to be settling in quickly and the dense tree network didn't help their cause as they moved slowly through the forestry. Sam's mind was already thinking ahead, as she'd assumed the going was slow and difficult, even more so now because Cameron was awake and very aware of each knock and bump the terrain caused the stretcher to bear. Already settling her mind on finding somewhere to settle for the night, Sam kept scanning the terrain ahead of her, vaguely aware that her arms were starting to put up a fight against the constant dragging of the makeshift stretcher as she went. It was one of numerous things constantly shifting through her mind but it seemed insignificant to the other things she needed to think about.
Alongside looking for a place to rest for the night, she kept close eye on Daniel also, who intermittently leaned on a thick tree trunk for rest as she caught up to his position. She kept checking to her right to make sure their path had stayed in an arc keeping them from the tree line and out of sight. She honed her ears to listen for any type of radioactivity however subtle, in the vain hope of the SGC or a team having gated in was looking for them. Sam also listened for any word from Cameron and was painfully aware of her task at getting him to safety. And in the midst of multi tasking her thoughts, the knowledge of a Prior somewhere about was also heavily present.
Sam was relieved when she saw the trees starting to dissipate slightly ahead and to the left of them, and directed Daniel to lead the way. Her body was starting to protest at the strain she was putting on herself by forcing herself to continue, and she concluded with herself, that they'd have to stop before nightfall so they could gather their bearings and settle themselves for the evening.
The trees were spread evenly out, providing enough shade with their long branches as well as enough space between hem to allow a little camp to be set up. Sam settled Cameron by a tree and pressed a water bottle to his hand as he painfully twisted slightly on the stretcher to drink.
"How you doing?" she asked him as she crouched by his side
"Been better…" replied Cameron "Been worse too"
He tried for a smile, but it ended as a grimace as pain crumpled his features. Sam took a mere moments rest, her legs protesting loudly against her as she pushed herself back to her feet and looked over to Daniel who had settled against a tree nearby.
"Daniel? You ok"
He merely nodded, appearing too tired to even speak.
"Well, you too keep each other company, I'm going to gather some stuff together"
"I'll help you out," said Daniel, finding his voice as he moved to stand once more. Sam shook her head and moved over to him, pushing him gently back to the ground
"No, you rest"
"Sam…" protested Daniel wearily
"Daniel"
She didn't have to tell him it was an order not a request and he sat back and leaned against the tree too weak to be bothered to argue with her. Sam tapped the weapon which was attached awkwardly to his vest but pushed to the side because of his arm.
"Keep any eye out for our other friend" she muttered before forcing herself to stand.
For the next twenty minutes or so she spent her time busily collecting wood together. She hoped it wasn't too damp to start a fire, she wasn't sure what kind of warmth the evening would provide. After the heavy rainfall they had experienced earlier the air had cleared and there was slight warmth to it, but it could all change when the sun finally settled. Their clothes were still damp also, and it wouldn't provide a comfortable night. She dumped the sticks and wood she'd foraged in a pile in the small clearing they'd found, before searching about for some small rocks to contain the fire. Leaving them in the small space also, she busied herself cutting down some of the dense thick leaves of some of the forests bush life. Having no blankets or shelter, she figured lying on the soft leaves and covering themselves up with them would at least provide some comfort. It wasn't the Hilton, but she guessed it would at least be a perk to talk about once they got home.
She piled the leaves up near Daniel and Cameron and then turned her attention back to creating the fire. Quickly getting the foliage in place, she searched her vest and found the matches, hoping the damp hadn't settled too far into the wood. Thankfully after a few moments of hesitation, the soft gentle crackling of burning leaves and twigs greeted her ears and she sat back in relief. She moved back to where Daniel and Cameron were, both watching her intently.
"So Martha Stewart, what's for supper?" mumbled Cameron, as she crouched by him
Sam gave him a small smile and started laying out some of the leaves on the ground.
"Well I don't know yet, gotta move you first" she replied, glancing to check on Daniel who was watching her closely "Your lying on the provisions"