Steffie was on her ass, and she knew from experience thathe was both stronger and faster than her. She had nothing in her cellwith which to defend he...self. She didn't even have clothes on herback. All she had was this small, strange jewel that she had pulledout of her torturer's throat.Steffie shoved it in her mouth and swallowed it. "No!!" Grothos cried,then stumbled backward again and let out a mighty bellow: "Guh-uuuuaaaarrrggghhh!!"Steffie felt nothing for a couple seconds after. "Don't get settled," Hope said and leant forward, snatching a book away from him as he arranged the pile. "Go get your bike ready." Where are we going?" Nowhere," she said with a smile and shrug. "Just out. Take a ride out of the city, see some countryside." Oh, alright."The smile she gave him was reward enough, and a few minutes later they were both astride the bike and making their way slowly down the hill towards the main road. Riding gave him time to think, and, with the comfortable. In fact I made it clear that I delegated authority to the women often, and they spoke for me when they approached anyone in the cave with a task that needed doing. I reiterated loudly that everyone in our community worked! It caused some grumblings, but I silenced them then and there. I made it clear I would listen to each person after I had spoken, and after they had given my words careful consideration.I also made it clear that so long as I was leader of the cave no woman who became widowed,. . follow me."I followed Rick down a maze of hallways until we came to a door with thewords 'Guest Room' stenciled on the door. Rick took some keys out of hispocket and opened the door. Once inside Rick pointed me towards thebathroom. "I'll go and round up a change of clothes for you," he said."There's a TV in the back room if you want to watch something in themeantime. I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to lock the door sono one will bother you." I couldn't help but think that Rick was a.