Her rescuer

Samantha shifted uncomfortably against the pile of sticks, cracking her eyes open slowly as she stared at the large nest in which she lay. Sitting up slowly, she looked around in confusion at the smallish cave, the back wall lined with various scavenged items, a badly damaged laptop lying closed on top of what looked like a small camping table. Blinking slowly, she smacked her lips, suddenly aware of just how thirsty she was, wondering how long it had been since she'd had a drink. But all her water was back in the jeep, the jeep that the poachers most probably had now. The memories came back to her in a flash, causing her dehydrated mind to ache slightly. Shifting backwards, she jumped as she bumped against something, staring in confusion at the plastic bottle of water, a small pile of what looked like dried meat lying on a cloth next to it.

"Wha...?" she trailed off, her voice cracking from lack of moisture. Resigning herself, Samantha picked the bottle of water up and cracked it open, taking short slow sips from the neck, shivering slightly as the soothing liquid ran over her parched throat.

"Oh good, you're awake," the voice made her jump, spinning around to look at its source, her head spinning slightly at sudden movement.

"Watch it, you've been out for a good few hours, happens on your first flight," the male spoke calmly, walking casually past her to the small table, pulling a short stool out from under it and sitting down, "But then again, yours was rather....impromptu."

"Who...?" Samantha croaked, her voice giving out again.

"Christopher. Chris," the young man replied, making Samantha start at the name, "You don't need to tell me your name yet, just wait till your throat feels better."

Samantha could only nod, carefully nursing the bottle of water as she inspected the youth in front of her. If this was really the Chris she was looking for, he looked nothing like the photos the University had provided. The well-kept sandy blonde hair of the photos was now hanging loosely against his head, tinged red with the dust that covered everything in this gods forsaken canyon, and the deep gash across his left temple, just barely starting to heal by the looks of it, was new. Other than that Samantha found herself staring at his broad chest, well-muscled from years of rock-climbing, littered with a number of small cuts and bruises. Some look like they're from talons, Samantha mused, wondering why they would be on his sides instead of just around the shoulders.

"If you're hungry you can eat the dried meat next to you," the young man's voice suddenly cut into her thoughts as he gave a shallow chuckle, "Coyote, tastes like shit, but it's better than nothing."