[ Spam ]

[It's disconcerting at first, but it's also a very effective technique. There's no way to get out of leading now, not given that they're in immediate danger, that Ben, it seems, is depending on him and not the other way around.]

[It's sneaky. But he has to hand it to Ben. It's working.]

[He gets more confident the farther they go, getting used to this - guerrilla movements, rather than confrontation. He stops when Ben signals, noting what he's noted: that they can't run anymore. That they have to fight.]

[The only answer is a nod. Yes, he's ready. And strangely, he's not afraid. They can handle what's coming.]