The Parting Path:

It's been a week since Aiyana and I shot Tommy & the only good thing about this was that we reached the Parting Path. We made camp that night & the next morning we heard dozens of horse hooves. Grandfather Adahy, Akecheta, & Scout came into view around noon with the pony herd. People gasped at all the horses. Scout & Akecheta were off their horses & within a couple minutes, we were in their arms. Grandfather looked from me to Aiyana, to the wagon then back to Aiyana & me.

"Where's Tommy? You wrote that he would be with the two of you," he said.

I looked down & answered, "Tommy was bit by I rabid animal & Aiyana and I had to shoot him in the head last week. He's dead. I'm sorry grandfather."

"It's alright, Star, Aiyana. I would have done the same thing, if a family member was bit by a rabid animal. Show me your friends. I know by the look on some of the kids' faces. Show me Star, Aiyana & then you two can tell us where were going to live so we can get a move on it. We don't want to be stuck when the snow comes, do we?" Grandfather implied.

"'Sides, Akecheta & Aiyana, Scout & you gotta get married out here. Brought you both a present. They were your mother's and grand-mothers wedding dresses."

We put the dresses in the trunk then showed Grandfather, Scout & Akecheta the friends we had made. The men & women shook their hands & greeted them to the train. Grandfather, Scout & Akecheta were told that we had decided to go to Oregon & 'be civilized Indians.'

[AN-To anyone that has read the story, Aiyana is Ruthie. Sorry if the naming changing was confusing. I promise to update soon.]