I blinked myself awake, groaning and shifting atop my bedroll.

Ezzie said.

I said, though I didn’t feel fine. I didn’t feel fine at all. I rubbed at my eyes with the heels of both hands.

I nodded, staring up at the sloped ceiling of my lean-to. I put a hand to my throat, the throat a Warhound had just ripped out. There had been so much blood.

And I had not died quickly.

Ezzie said, as if she couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of my mouth. And you’re already halfway to Grade E. And you didn’t even drop anything this time! Unequipping all that stuff really paid off.>

I said.

Ezzie said.

I shrugged.

I said.

is what I do. It’s what I’ve always done. It’s how you stay alive out in the wild.>

Ezzie said.

Ezzie said.

I barked a laugh.

Ezzie said.

Ezzie said.

Ezzie said.

Ezzie said.

I cocked my head up at the Constructor, which was hovering in front of my face, its red eye staring down at me.

Ezzie said, that was what rippled out and screwed us over.>

I said, brightening a little.

I said.

I said.

Ezzie said.

I forced myself to stand and ducked out through the low entrance of the lean-to, heading in the direction of the Dummy.

Ezzie said.

I stopped in front of the dummy.

Ezzie said.