A/N: Thanks to Muentiger, Batmarcus, Nats and JaseCD for reviewing. And this one's for Nightstorm, who is reading my tale but can't review.

Thank you to my friend, Marcus, who has, yet again, helped me.

Chapter 8 – Strong and Silent

She hit the rock on her side, then – as if in slow-motion – she was raised into the air a millimetre before crashing down on the same rock, this time on her back. A series of crunches and cracks reached my ears, and horror gripped me. Her limbs flew around haphazardly, knocking the large stones. With finality her head hit a rock with a very loud thud, and she didn't move again.

"Lily!" I cried out, my hands were still blindly groping the air in hopes of stopping her fall. I stared down at her mangled body. He arm seemed to be twisted… "Lily!"

She let out a barely audible groan. For a few seconds I stared. Frozen.

Zane, move!

I took the hiking bag off, searched inside for anything that could help (in this case a rope) and I tossed the bag across with strength I didn't know I had. I scrambled down, making sure I had the rope. Looking down I saw that she was unconscious; a darker stain was covering the ground from beneath her shoulder. I prayed that it was sweat or a shadow and not blood.

Five metres wasn't far, but it could be a fatal drop. Chazz had lectured me the entire course when he was doing the course at school. I touched her cheek gently, hoping she'd regain consciousness.

"Lily?" I started to panic, shouldn't she be waking up? "Lily, please…" The dark stain wasn't blood, but her arm was bent at an awkward angle. I decided to wait it out, not wanting to wake her and be the cause of even more trauma.

Her hair was plastered to her face, sweat still dripping from her brow. Her body was bent, I worried it would hurt her more than she already was. But I remember Chazz telling me to not touch an unconscious patient. Or I think those were the words… To be safe, I wouldn't move her.

I took the time to look around me. It was so quiet. The rocks that surrounded us were a beautiful, shiny black. The formation fascinated me. I was certain that I'd be able to climb it, with Lily strapped to me. She didn't seem too heavy.

Great, now you're playing doctor, Zane? I nearly laughed as I settled myself against the rock.

But what to do about the future? I wanted to actually study, to follow my own dreams and get away from my mother. But what? What could be so interesting that I wanted to study it? What were my dreams? I knew the medicine department wasn't for me, even though my grades were high, it's not something I wanted to do. Perhaps Astrology? No, that was a hobby.

My eyes travelled over the rocks again. What were they called? I had the urge to feel if they were as shiny as they looked. Not that one could actually feel the glossiness; it would just be nice to touch it.

Why did I always have the urge to lick and touch walls and rocks? I feared for my sanity. And why did the idea of touching the rocks become more inviting as time wore on?

I returned my attention to Lily. It seemed safer. Her I wouldn't want to lick and touch.

Wait… what? I closed my eyes at the mental images I'd just created. It was hard to keep the laughter in.

Zane, this is serious! She could be really hurt and you're making jokes about… that?

Hey, it's not my fault.

It is! You shoved her!

I did not! I accidentally brushed against her… it is my fault, isn't it?

There was no fighting that.

Ya think?

Now I think the wrestler Randy Orton's theme song applied to me. Though the difference was that the voices in my head didn't understand. Voice, singular.

As time wore on, the black rocks lost their gloss. The sun's rays weren't reaching them anymore; the ditch became a little darker. What animals roamed this dark ditch at night?

As the sun set, she groaned.

"Lily?" I jumped up and bent over her. She groaned again, her eyes closed. She opened them half a centimetre and looked at me, her hair in front of her eyes.

"Are you hurt?" I asked softly, immediately revoking myself, it was a stupid question. I reached over and carefully swept her hair from her eyes, my hand coming to a rest on her cheek.

She couldn't answer me, her eyes were too dazed. With my limited knowledge of anything medical, I deducted she had a concussion.

What would you do, Chazz? I asked, knowing that me being here was Lily's only chance, she might be hurt badly. The rope! She was conscious, so I could strap her to me and climb up. It would be difficult, but doable. I lifted her upper-body carefully, making sure that I didn't hurt her neck. She stood limply as I tied her to me. She was tied to my back, and her one arm was around my neck, the other simply hanging, like a ragdoll's arm would hang.

"I'm going to move now, okay, Lily?" I asked across my back.

"Kay…" She breathed, the sound hurting her – I felt her chest move rapidly at every breath she took.

"Okay, here we go."

I chose the wall where neither of us would have to jump, but where the two bags lay. In the semi-darkness it certainly was the safest, seeing as there were several layers, steps, to put my feet on.

Looking back, I'll never know how I did it, but I pulled the two of us out of the ditch, I carried her to a nearby tree and laid her down. Her face was contorted in pain, her breathing heavy and I thought I heard an odd, gurgling sound.

"Lily?" I said again, bending down over her flaccid form. She was exhausted, I was too, but I'd never admit it.

"What?" She growled. Her one hand was lying limply at her side, while the other cradled her arm.

"Your arm? How bad is it?" I asked. It was lighter up her. The sun was still setting, but I could see her.

"Have you got a saw? I want to cut it off." She said darkly. I reached forward, removing her hand from her arm gently. Even through the fabric I could see it was swollen. I reached into my pocket and took out my pocketknife.

"What're you doing?" She demanded weakly, her half-closed eyes focused on the knife.

"I'm just going to cut your arm open, okay?" I tried to reassure her. She nodded, though her actions were slow. I slid the knife through the thin material of her shirt, being extra careful not to pierce her skin.

"Lucky I'm wearing a sports bra." She joked. I smiled at her attempt at humour, even when she was hurt. I managed to cut the material from her elbow, but I ruined the shirt. "Just cut the whole thing off."

I didn't question her, and did as she asked. Soon she was left in her jeans and a grey and black coloured sports bra. It was lucky she'd chosen to wear it. Her skin was tanned; a delicious light brown covered her body.

"Are you just going to ogle me or help me?" She joked again. Scarlet flushed on my face and I went to the hiking bag. "In my bag – there's a medical aid kit." The words forming took every ounce of her energy, it seemed. I moved to her bag, stuck my hand in it and was pleasantly surprised to find the medical kit. Zipping the dark blue bag open, I saw a few bandages first – that would definitely come in handy, and a green, plastic plank-like thing. Some cotton balls and a bottle of wound-cleaning product jumped out too. I never remembered the proper word for 'wound-cleaning products'.

I settled down next to her and drew her arm to its full length. She hissed in pain.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. "So, so sorry." Her eyes were comparable to stormy clouds, but I suspected pain did that. I placed the green thing under her elbow, and warily wrapped the bandage around it. It wasn't an open wound, I know, but still. I think she shattered her elbow.

"Where else?" I asked softly, as if not to frighten her. She pointed to the bag again.

"There's a flashlight." She said. I vaguely wondered why she packed a flashlight, but decided to ask her later, if at all.

Armed with flashlight, I returned. There was a cut on her shoulder that I quickly made work of.

"I'm patched up." She declared, the gurgling not completely gone. "Thank you."

I waved a nonchalant hand, dismissing her thanks. It was my fault, after all.

It was then that I realised how cold it was. My arms were freezing – they were the only open flesh besides my head. I looked at Lily again and flashed the light on her form. She was trembling, her form crumpled in an attempt to keep warm.

"Cold?" I asked. She smiled ruefully and nodded.

"There's a jacket in there too." She begged. 'There' was most likely her bag. I made another trip and extracted it. I'd been expecting some small, tight-fitting jacket. What I found was a jacket several sizes too large for her, and probably me too.

I zipped it open and threw it over her small form. That would have to be a blanket for the night – we didn't have anything else. I carried the bags to a spot next to her and sat down on the other side.

"You okay?" I asked guiltily. "I'm sorry I…"

"I'm fine. And it was an accident." She said adamantly. I was about to apologize for bumping her, but she was ignoring my apology. Her good hand appeared from under the jacket and linked itself around my arm. "You're as cold as ice." She observed, her hand caressing my arm. She scooted closer to me, or attempted to until I moved the short distance, and leaned against me, attempting to throw the jacket over the pair of us. I put my arm around her thin frame and helped her with it.

I didn't remove my arm again. She was colder than I was, and she wore less clothing than I did.

"Do you think they've noticed that we're missing?"She asked sleepily. I laced my fingers through hers, just to comfort her.

''Worry about that in the morning. Sleep for now, Lily.'' I hushed her. Sure enough, seconds later I heard her breathing slow and her entire body relaxed. Her head rolled onto my chest and I drew her closer.

Her hair smelled like sweat and earth, and the feint smell of iron, blood, was there.

''I'm so, so sorry...''

. . .

Back at camp

Terry had been pacing for the best part of ninety minutes now. She was worried. No, scratch that, she bloody terrified. What if something had happened to her little sister? What if she was hurt, what if she was dead?

The conversation they'd had this morning came back to her. She hated herself for still being married to him, but... she loved him. She didn't know why, after all he'd done, and to her sister! And it wasn't the first time he'd done it either.

A year ago Lily was supposed to go to Mozambique with them, during the South African summer. She'd been in the study, which was also the spare bedroom, doing work when Lily entered, her face ashen.

"Lily?" Terry had asked, seeing her sister's lack of colour.

"I'm gonna go to sleep." Lily had retorted shortly, sliding into the bed and pulling the covers over her head.

The next morning, early, her mother had called her. Her sister would be going home; she was collecting her in an hour or so. Lily was sick, her mother said, and she should go see a doctor. Then her parents had been in South Africa.

She called her sister, whose eyes were red, not only from an obvious lack of sleep, but also of tears. At first Terry was angry. They could've handled it!

"I'm sorry." Lily had squeaked.

"You could've told us." Terry had snapped. Lily's eyes leaked more tears, and she clicked. There was more to it. Lily sat next to her, and told her what had happened.

Her husband, Jonathan, had molested Lily.

She'd been furious, because just a month ago he'd spent a night in jail for unwanted advances in the workplace.

What if Lily had purposefully not come back because of that?

Terry hated herself, and she vowed she'd do everything in her powers to make it up to her. Even if it meant divorce.

She was seized from behind by a hand on her shoulder.

''Where are they? They should've been back by now!'' Mrs. Humane demanded from her.

'Why are you asking me?'' Terry snapped. ''In which world would I, who was in front with you, know that?''

''You could do something else than pace!'' Mrs Humane growled, her eyes frantic.

''I blame you for this! You know student-teacher relationships are supposed to be platonic!'' She yelled in a whisper, fearing the other students would hear.

''This is not my fault!'' She answered in a low tone.

''This morning? You were positively gleeful!'' She was referring to the scene they'd witnessed, where Lily and Zane had been very close and soon disappeared into the bush.

''Why shouldn't I be? They look wonderful together.'' Mrs Humane argued. Terry looked at her in horror.

''Are you barking mad? He could lose his job! She could be expelled!''

''You and I both know they're smarter than that, especially Lily.'' Humane said, minding to keep her voice low. She was glad that the pair had taken to each other, she'd hoped they would.

''I don't like this! Not one bit! When they get back, I'm reporting him.'' Terry threatened. Humane rolled her eyes.

''And get her expelled from school? You might not like him, but you wouldn't do it to her.'' She stated.

''I'm married to a lawyer - he'd do anything for her.'' Terry said immediately, leaving out that her husband would be doing it because his conscience was gnawing at him.

''It doesn't matter! She'll get expelled! Do you want that? Do you want your sister to be completely alienated from you?'' Humane demanded.

''I want what's best for her! And it's likely he'll break her heart the first chance some woman comes along! There are other schools, and alienating her any further is impossible.'' She added the last part bitterly. It was true. She didn't have the relationship she wanted with her sister.

''The problem is that only she can decide what's best for her! And Zane would never treat any woman like that!'' She defended her son.

''She. Is. Eighteen!'' Terry shouted; then lowered her voice again. ''She can't even decide on a colour for her matric farewell dress! And I know it's not my life, I just don't want her making the mistakes I did.'' She said firmly, pressing her thin lips together and walking to the fire.

They'd just had dinner, and Terry hadn't eaten anything. Sighing, Humane grabbed a paper plate. Honestly, kids of today.

''Ma'am?'' A familiar voice drew her attention.

''Yes, Mr. Cross?'' She asked, turning to the boy.

''Ma'am, do you know where Lee and Mr. Davitz are? Lily would've been here only minutes after we arrived.''

''Maybe they went exploring?'' The excuse sounded feeble, even in her own ears.

''Lily hates the dark, she'd be screaming.'' Keith added, popping out from behind Leek.

''Then we need to find them, that is our priority.'' She announced. The two boys shared a looked before stopping her.

''Maybe they just decided to camp out somewhere near here.'' Leek said.

''I suggest we wait until morning.'' Keith contributed.

''Fine.'' Humane agreed. ''Everyone to bed, then!''

Two boys put the fire out with sand and the teenagers made their way to their separate cabins, exhausted and happy.

Chazz was sitting alone. He didn't know what to do. He just knew something had happened. He followed the teens to his and Zane's cabin.

He slipped into the sleeping bag, not even bothering to change his clothes, and stared at the ceiling. He was sorry he'd been so irate with Zane the previous night for not lying still.

He preferred the noise to the vacuum he now heard.

. . .

Zane

I'd completely forgotten about getting back to camp last night. My mother and Terry must be hysterical. I realised that when I woke up the next morning. There was weight on my chest and a mass of hair. At first I was worried my chest had randomly grown a ponytail... then I remember who it was.

''Lily?'' I said gently. She groaned, her voice reverberated against my chest.

''No... Finkle...''

''Come on, Lily, get up.'' I said louder. She opened her eyes and stared up at me.

''Morning.'' She yawned. She attempted to stretch, but her hand was being weighed down by mine. She shook her head, confused, and her eyes brightened.

''Well, this is exceedingly awkward.'' She noted. I laughed and pulled my hand from hers.

''Come on, we need to go.'' I shoved her slightly.

She twisted in her position and hissed.

''Lily?'' I asked, fearing the worst.

''I can't move.'' She breathed, her eyes wide. ''It hurts too much.''

I started. Something was horribly wrong. She wouldn't be able to walk.

Without stopping to think, I readjusted my position and heaved, picking her up as I stood. I was cradling her, and her stomach seemed the tiniest bit blown up.

"The bags." She reminded me. "You can't carry me and them, I'll walk."

"You can barely move, now you want to walk?" I scoffed, unbelieving.

"I'll try." She said softly, pleadingly. With an exaggerated sigh, I set her down carefully before fetching the bags. Once they were secured, I put a hand around her bare waist. Her good arm went around my neck, and I straightened.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked.

"Move!" She hissed; her eyes stormy again.

"All right – but we go slowly."

She nodded, and at the first step she inhaled in surprise, but continued to move.

We struggled along in silence for a few hours, I suggested we rest around ten, but she refused, and again at twelve, but only at one did she ask for a rest – it was lunchtime. I nodded – we'd been speeding up near the end. I'd kept his arm around her waist, feeling the goosebumps she had.

I lowered her to the ground gently, almost toppling over myself as the weight of the two bags became too much. I shrugged them off and sat down next to her.

"There's food in my bag." She said, rubbing her forehead. I rummaged in the bag, finding an apple, a packet of dried fruit, nuts and some crisps. We didn't have much, and only the apple could give energy.

"Here." I pushed the items to her. She frowned.

"I could've sworn I'd packed more…" She rubbed her temples.

"It's fine, just eat."

"You too."

"No, I'm fine, you need your strength."

She stopped rubbing her temples and attempted to glare at me. "Eat, or I won't." She nudged the apple towards me.

"Lily…" I started, but she cut across me.

"I realize the apple has the most nutrients, but you've got to carry both the bags and help me – I think you need it."

I opened my mouth to argue.

"Don't!" She snapped, reaching for the fruit with her one hand. I picked the packet up and opened it for her.

"Thank you." She blushed.

"Not a problem, you just need a doctor, is all." I said lightly, knowing that if we didn't get to camp soon, Lily could become worse. And possibly… die.

I didn't want to think about it.

"I don't even know where we are, Zane, and I know these mountains like the back of my hand."

"We'll figure it out!" I yelled, immediately sorry for my tone, because she shrank away.

"I'm sorry." I said softly. She shook her head.

"It's fine."

"Lily," I moved closer to her, "I promise you, we'll make it out." I put a careful arm around her shoulders, afraid of her reaction or that I'd hurt her.

She didn't answer.

I took a bite from the apple, finishing it quickly, as she ate a few fruit pieces.

"Back away." She said suddenly.

"Sorry, invasion of personal space." I retracted my arm.

"No, it's…" She turned away from me and coughed her measly lunch up. When she was done, I put my arm back.

"I'm sorry." She sniffled.

"You're hurt, and sick, it's understandable." I tried to calm her. She started to shake with sobs. And I understood that Lily Maze was absolutely terrified.

"Aren't you disgusted?" She asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, her voice was shaky.

"No."

She looked at in aghast.

"Am I wearing your underwear or something?" I asked casually.

"You are a very odd person." She mused.

"This, coming from you?" I asked, sarcasm heavy in my voice. She laughed – it was better than her being afraid. I'd rather try to make her laugh than have her crying.

"You fail at sarcasm."

"Be that as it may – but that does make my point void."

"True, thank you for the gesture, though." She smiled at me, a real smile, not some forced smile.

"You're most welcome. We will come out of this, you know?"

"But I don't know where we are!" She put her good hand through her hair in frustration.

"If only we had a map." I commented dryly. Lily's eyes grew bright.

"I wonder…"

"Lily?"

"You know how some places have maps on the back of their brochures?" She asked. I nodded, in a place like South Africa they were common. "Well, I wonder if this place has one."

"Only one way to find out." I prodded her.

"Hand me my bag!" She said excitedly. My brow furrowed, but I reached for the bag, zipped it open and gave it to her. Her good hand plunged into the bag and she withdrew the brochure for this place. She turned it over, and smiled.

"You've found a map?" I asked, excited.

"No, I'm this excited because the grass is green." She rolled her eyes and handed the brochure to me.

"And I fail at sarcasm?" I smirked. She stuck her tongue out at me.

"See, Lily, I told you we'd find a way out! And I take no shame in boasting about it!"

. . .

A/N: Please review!