Ben's killing was not only necessary, but unavoidable; and Beth's need to understand her brother, led her to a dark place where she began to doubt her own abilities. Their journey had been long and arduous, a search for the closure, and happiness, of a new beginning. It had started as a journey of revenge, which slowly became a transition to a journey of survival, for Beth, Hannah, and all of those who appeared compelled to follow them. Ben had almost destroyed their chances for that new life, and Beth had let him; Now that he was gone, Beth struggled to get back to the joyous feeling she had before his arrival; that of happiness and the certainty that their difficult journey was worth it all. With the council of her blood brother, Blue Horse, Beth finally shook the awful feeling of inadequacy and betrayal of her Indian family, and started to get back on track, and going in the right direction, while they moved through each new experience, sometimes killing, sometimes unscathed. Their beliefs stayed strong and positive, their family increased, became closer, more productive, with deeper loyalty and understanding, as Beth once again took her place as leader of the hapless band. Sometimes their lives seemed almost too good, and it worried Beth, but she, nor any of the others, were prepared for what lay ahead of them. Though they thought they could now deal with anything that came along; they felt there was a special connection between all of them and the spirits, that they had been brought together for a special reason, and believed with a certainty, they would be content and happy to the end of the journey.