[lumberjim]

After Nelson passed out of sight in pursuit of Aaron, Skye and I were alone. She came and sat down next to me on my bench. Resting her head on my shoulder, she sighed. "what's the matter, Skye?" I said.

"It's just so lonely. This whole big empty world. I miss mum, too." I put my arm around her shoulder. She seemed to go limp against me. And she was 3 years older than me. She's scared like a girl, I thought. But then she straightened and I could see her resolving herself. She was pretty strong after all, I guess.. I gave her a hug anyway. People need comfort.

As I hugged her, I looked out through the window of the bus, and could see a solitary figure outlined against the horizon, walking the road out of the town toward us. It wasn't Fred or Pat either.

"get down!" I whispered in her ear. She looked at me like I was crazy, but once I twisted her head around and pointed, she got the picture, and we both ducked down. I wondered if it was too late to hide. I could see him plainly now, and wondered if he'd seen our shapes in the bus. He was huge. At least he looked it from this distance. AS he approached the bus, I could see that I was right. He was probably 6'8" or so. He was smiling. A friendly smile. "Hello in there?" he called.

I raised my head enough to get a better look. He was older. maybe 45 or 50 with a greying beard and hair. An Old black gentleman, I thought. He wore a tattered 3 piece suit. the vest barely contained a bulging muscular chest, and his biceps strained at his sleeves. He had the look of an athelete, save his age.

Skye was the first to speak to him.