Sam rolled to her feet as the bullet pushed from her chest, dropping into the floor. Staggering to get her feet steady underneath her, she found herself surrounded by leather-clad, armed men and women. Looking around, she found the Tenderhook men and their forces engaging with an army of leather-clad warriors. The brethren ... her parent's stories were true. They weren't some fantasy of fiction made up for her to fall asleep to at night. If the rumours were true, then her speaking to the leadership of the brethren ... the Elders, which meant those surrounding her, had to be approached correctly.

"I am Samantha Headrow," she panted, shifting painfully, "and I come in peace."

"We know who you are?" a tall man said, stepping forward, "the question is, why are you here?"

Sam frowned; she knew that voice, "I am here to protect the heritage of my brethren and return the human we call The One to fulfil her destiny ... and ..." she paused, rubbing at her chest, "I'm here to avenge the murders of my mother and father by the hands of the Tenderhook men."

"Welcome to your home," a female voice spoke, "join your brethren in irradicating the world from the cruelty of these men."

"I thank you for acknowledging my existence and my inclusion in the family's heritage," Sam said, "I will fight with my brethren."

Looking up at two familiar faces, Sam's eyes widened, "Rilea? Garan? I ... don't understand ... the rumours were true."

"Yes, child," Rilea smiled, stepping forward and hugging Sam, "everything you heard was true. Do not doubt your instinct or your inner ear."

"Task me for this mission," Sam said, gripping Garan's arm at the elbow, "tell me where you want me."

"Sam, your father tasked you when you were a child," Garan said, "we are here to make sure a Tenderhook does not get inside."

"What happens if they do?" Sam asked, glancing at the fighting not far from them.

"We stand a chance of losing everything," Garan said, "if they do get inside, someone will need to terminate them with lethal force."

"I have orders to do exactly that," Sam said, "and Dad tasked me to look after the heritage and the one who holds it ... which means I need to get in there to protect Cherry."

"There is a side door," Rilea said, "I think you've done enough physical exertion for today. Go, your duty awaits, see that you do fulfil it and remember ... you are designed to survive."

Sam's head snapped to meet Rilea's gaze, "My father said it that way," she whispered, "why did you say it exactly as he did?"

"To remind you of your lineage, you are not alone in this," Garan said, "now ...go."

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Sam turned toward the alcove, preparing to finish what her parents had started but hesitated, turning toward the couple; she frowned, "My parents are dead, aren't they?"

"Unfortunately," Rilea said, "your body is designed to withstand much, but a bullet to the brain is certain death."

Nodding, Sam turned back, "Just checking," she said, edging through the protective circle, "time to do my part."

"Brethren protect," Garan called as Sam ran toward the alcove, and the leather-clad brethren sprung into the fray.

Slipping into the alcove, she moved toward the door looking around until she found the space Steve had disappeared into. Slowly she moved toward the area pushing against the rock until she found something that could be called a door and pushed through to find herself in a stone passage. The chill ran over her heated skin. Following the draft of air Sam entered a small cave. The ceiling rose high, and the walls were not the conventional round you would expect in a cave of the imagination. The rectangle shape lent its use to a makeshift medical unit. Walking through the busy people, some attending to those injured in the fighting while others pulled supplies and food from storage areas. Sam paused. All these people must live here, would she, could she from that point on?

"Welcome," a chubby, smiling woman said, "my name is Leigha, and this is my ward. How can we help you?"

"I'm Samantha," Sam said, shaking the woman's cool hand, "did you help Steve?"

"The young man with the dreadful wound in his side," Leigha said, nodding her head, "he is with Andrietta now."

"Who?" Sam asked, confused at the name's significance, "can that person help him?"

Leigha laughed, "Oh, Andrietta is more than qualified to save his life," her eyes narrowed as she looked over Sam, "as she did yours and your mother's, Samantha Headrow. You have been injured fatally, but your body is functioning at its ultimate. If you need anything, all you need do is ask."

"Thank you, I'm sure you know this, but I am designed..." Sam faltered as Leigha finished the sentence.

"... to survive," Leigha smiled, "yes, as many of you are. You'll need to go through that archway to get to where you'll meet up with Cherry. She is on her way to the lake to fulfil her destiny, but she will need you before much longer."

Sam nodded, "Thank you," she murmured as she wandered through the busyness and entered the passageway attached to the third archway, "what is this place?"

Following the passageway, Sam thought herself lost but kept moving forward. Suddenly, she stepped through branches hanging over the entrance and found herself in a meadow filled with blooming flowers; a river ran through the field, heading toward the opposite side of the fantastic cavern.

"The place featured in Cherry's dreams," Sam whispered, taking in everything around her, "where to find Cherry. Leigha said she would be heading toward the lake."

Moving toward the river, Sam scanned the area for any sign of Cherry. The last time she had seen Cherry, a bullet had hit her calf, and that was before her brethren had come to their aid. Sam had sensed them nearby but didn't realise how close they were. Protecting was in her blood and lived in her soul. After this was finished, would she have a place here, or would they expect her to return to the outside world?

Movement caught her eye, and narrowing her vision, she spotted Cherry running toward her, waiting for her Sam took in the direction Cherry was running, was that the direction of the lake? Uncertainty sliced through Sam; she had to make sure. Quickly climbing a nearby tree, Sam found a good vantage point and looked around. Cherry's general direction was good enough, but she would need to figure out where to go at the split in the river just up ahead. Climbing higher, Sam carefully turned in a circle on the branch. In the distance, a large expanse of water could be seen. She knew which way Cherry was to go to get there quickly. Now ... to catch up with Cherry before she lost precious time running in the wrong direction.