Era cries out, tired of Jem’s silent treatment. “I’m ready. I can handle it!” Jem tucks her canteen back away and withdraws her compass. Despite already moving at an accelerated pace, she picks up her speed in an effort to keep Era at a distance. Era sighs in frustration, wondering whether Jem will forgive him for this anytime soon. Still, he wonders what else he should have done. Even if he hadn’t tried to hire Fire’s services, she would have started tracking them again. Bad arm or not, he has no desire to reengage her in combat. They come to the clearing where the local train tracks make their run. Jem storms into the open, recklessly revealing herself to anyone who may be watching. Era creeps to the edge of the clearing and glances around before again darting after Jem. The tracks remind him of their epic raid, though that success is becoming a distant memory in light of their current woes.
