We sit in a circle around an imaginary fire and though everyone is silent, a single word dances suggestively in our heads. Surrender. The thought had not crossed our minds until today.

Last night, the temperature dropped below freezing for the first time and though we lack the luxury of a warm fire, we consider ourselves fortunate that the wind was calm. The soothing sound of water that had been trickling down the side of the cliff near the entrance to our cave stopped sometime in the middle of the night. The small pool at the bottom of the vertical stream was covered with a thin layer of ice. What little comfort we had in the familiar sound which greeted us on our arrival four days ago, was replaced by a cold and lifeless frozen body.

We've tried our best to keep warm. We knew the smoke from a fire would alert the soldiers to our presence, so we huddled in the back of the cave, body against body. The little girl we found hiding behind a tree two days ago, doesn't seem to be doing well. Her face is pale and her eyes have a distant glaze. She stares at the wall of the cave which is covered with drawings from the Ancient Ones. We look at her and wonder what she sees. My mother holds her tight against her chest, trying to keep her warm. We can't do anything more for her, but wait.

The occasional sound of gun shots ringing through the canyon pierces the stilled air. We take comfort that they aren't getting closer. I'm not sure how much longer I can stand this.

The girl sighs and points at one of the drawings on the wall. Two figures on horses are hunting an elk and there appears to be a dog in tow. For a few moments, I allow myself to dream. I pretend that I am riding with the little girl along the rim of the canyon on a warm summer morning. We ride, not out of fear and not for any particular reason. We ride for nothing more than enjoyment and pleasure.

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