Mark laughed and yawned again. "They're talking about us," he said. Molly smiled in the dark. "I can almost hear the words," he said.

"We're the first human beings they've seen in a long time," she said. "They're probably surprised that there are any more of us around."

"I won't go back either!" Mark shouted at her. They had eaten the last of the cornbread and dried apples, and the fire was out, the ground smoothed around it.

"Mark, listen to me. They will put me back in the breeders' compound. Do you understand? I won't be allowed out again. They will give me medicines that will keep me very quiet and I won't know anything or anyone. That will be my life back there. But you? You have so much to learn. Read all the books in the old house, learn everything you can from them. And one day you might decide to leave, but not until you're a man, Mark."

"I'm staying with you."

She shook her head. "Remember the voices of the trees? When you're lonely, go into the woods and let the trees talk to you. Maybe you'll hear my voice there too. I'll never be far away, if you listen."

"Where are you going?"

"Down the river, to the Shenandoah, to look for your father. They won't bother me there."

Tears stood in his eyes, but he didn't shed them. He lifted his pack and put his arms through the harness. They started down the mountain again. Midway down they stopped. "You can see the valley from here," Molly said. "I won't go any farther with you."

He didn't look at her.

"Good-bye, Mark."

"Will the trees talk to me if you're not there?"

"Always. If you listen. The others are looking to the cities to save them, and the cities are dead and ruined. But the trees are alive, and when you need them, they'll talk to you. I promise you that, Mark."

Now he came to her and hugged her hard. "I love you," he said. Then he turned and started down the hill, and she stood watching him until her tears blinded her and she could no longer see him.