Chapter 163

Nu-reeh came at the end of the fifth day to our quarters. Hannah had packed a bag to take with her. Inside were several blankets I had knitted. I had also stitched her name in English into a piece of my ornamentation. I had nothing else to offer her.

There was no preamble and Nu-reeh just told her simply to leave. If she came back the women would attack her for being near their men. Nu-reeh warned her to get far away before the morning sun broke the sky.

I dropped to my knees and hugged Hannah tight.

"No tears, Mama," she whispered fiercely in my ear. "I love you and I will be back for you. This is not good bye for forever, just for now."

"I love you, too, Hannah," I whispered fighting the desire to scream and cry. "Be strong and succeed, Baby Girl."

Nu-reeh led Hannah out and my family and I followed them. At the first exit to the cave system my girl took flight. She looked back once and waved before she disappeared into the clouds.

I felt numb an