[50024 Years Ago/ Early Next Morning/ The Hill]
Heba stood shivering and looking to the south. The night was nearly over, but through it all she'd kept watch upon the hill.
Some of the villagers had come in the early evening, attempting to bring her back to the village, but she wouldn't go; she wouldn't even look away from the plain.
She hadn't feared the predators they'd said would come. She knew there would be none. Her gut told her so and she was now in fervent belief of the messages she received from within; the most vehement of which was that Mike was alive and would be coming back to her.
The sun crested the world in the east and cast its soft light on Heba's body, warming her. It cast its soft light on the plain, allowing that part of the world to be seen, but Heba couldn't see Mike.
"He's late," she said.
She found herself studying the rockier parts of the plain in the east. She knew he'd be coming from there. But when?
Heba huffed in frustration and then she screamed out, "Mike!"
A dark line appeared against the sunrise. Someone was coming her way.
"Mike," she said, grinning.
In a while, Heba could see him hobbling along. She could see he had a broken leg, and he was using a walking stick to support himself. It took him an hour to reach the foot of the hill.
Heba wanted so much to go to him, but she felt deep down she couldn't. Not until he saw her.
Mike came to a stop. He was covered in dust and dried blood. He was trembling and he tottered as he fought to remain standing. Heba's heart broke to see him in such a state. Then Mike looked up and saw her. He smiled, then tried to speak but his throat was so dry he could only make a croaking sound, but Heba knew he had said, "I'm back."
"For the Second Turn of the Wheel," Heba said, not knowing why she'd said this, then she rushed down to help the man who had returned.