It was hot. She was not sure when they would discover that she was missing. It would probably be around 5:00 when the dinner bell alarm rang to summon the women of Septemberclaver to the food preparation area. All women and girls in Septemberclaver were required to participate in communal preparation of the evening meal.

But there was no guarantee that it would not be sooner. She took the right fork. Her way was no longer a paved road but an ancient path.