Natalie paused in thought. Then she waved Cassian toward the training room. The two of them sparred for a stretch, their bodies moving quick across the floor. She tested her steps, her strikes, her breath. Her speed stayed the same. Her agility stayed the same. The truth was clear now. The magic spring gave only one instant gift. It let her hear and understand. Everything else would take long time to show. The pets finished their treats and scrambled forward, eager to press against their humans. Natalie and Cassian had ended their bout. Their skin was damp with sweat, their muscles loose from the fight. They rested on the small couch in the training room, leaning into the cushions as their chests rose and fell. The trio waddled over, chirping and whining all at once. Natalie tilted her head against the back of the couch. Her lips curved as her eyes met Cassian's. "The world feels so peaceful right now." Cassian almost laughed. His voice dropped low. "Say that again and Lucky's feelings will be hurt." As if on cue, Lucky's ears drooped. Her whine broke sharp, her voice trembling. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow?" Natalie, why don't you want to hear me anymore? Natalie closed her eyes, lips curling in amusement. "Silly dog." Far away, Lisa returned to the Jensen home with her boy close beside her. Her skin was pale. Her lips were drained of color. Her arm was bound with cloth soaked dark red, fresh blood still seeping through. She had bled too much. They stepped inside. Whitney and Bruno sat on the couch, speaking in low tones. Whitney turned her head. The sight of Lisa's torn state froze her. She jumped up fast. "My God, what happened to you?"She rushed forward and steadied Lisa's arm. Bruno's eyes lingered on the wound. He said nothing. Lisa forced her lips into a smile. "It's fine. I was digging through rubble. I hit some rebar sticking out and tore my arm." She lifted the small box in her hand. "At least I didn't come back empty-handed." It was the supply she had dug out on her way back. She could not walk in barehanded. Someone would ask too much. Whitney frowned and drew her to the couch. "Sit here. Rest for a moment." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. She held it toward Joe Barnett. "The boy must be scared. Here, eat. You'll feel better." Joe stared for a long moment. Then he remembered his mother's teaching. He reached, took the candy, looked at it once, and tucked it away with care. His voice came soft but solemn. "Thank you, ma'am." Whitney touched his hair with a light hand. "No need to thank me." She looked back at Lisa. "Your arm can't stay like this. It will fester. It needs care." She rose at once. "I don't have real medicine, but I have alcohol. Wait. I'll clean it for you." Lisa caught her hand quickly. "No, Ms. Jensen. You've done enough already. I can't take more from you." She could never let them see what lay under the cloth. The flesh was torn deep. It was no scrape from rebar. They would know. They would ask. That was more work than necessary. Whitney's brow furrowed. "Don't be ridiculous. That was metal. Tetanus can take hold. You'll be in real danger." Lisa shook her head. "It's not needed. I found water and rinsed it already. And alcohol won't stop tetanus." Whitney blinked. "Alcohol can't kill it? But that's its job." Lisa's voice was sure. "No." Whitney turned her eyes toward Bruno. He gave her a slow nod. Lisa added, "If alcohol really worked, we wouldn't even need vaccines." Whitney let out a breath. Her shoulders fell. "That makes sense. I don't really know these things." She said again, "But you should still clean what you can. There are plenty of other germs besides tetanus." Lisa kept her voice firm. "I can't. I lost too much blood already. I tied this tight to keep it in. If I untie it now, it might open again and I'll bleed more." Whitney studied her pale face and sat down again with a sigh. "Fine. Keep it tied. Once the bleeding stops for good, then disinfect it." Relief softened Lisa's breath. "Thank you." She clasped Whitney's hand. "I mean it, Ms. Jensen. Thank you." Whitney brushed it aside. "Think nothing of it." Lisa turned her eyes to Bruno and asked gently, "Do either of you know who lives in Villa5?" Whitney thought a moment and shook her head. "No idea." Bruno stayed quiet. Whitney asked, "Why do you ask?" Lisa lowered her gaze, her voice light. "I saw someone go in while I was out. The shape looked familiar. I thought it might be someone I once knew."Whitney considered. "I don't know who lives there. After the quake and the fog, many people moved. Families shifted. Houses changed hands. We don't know who ended up where." Lisa gave a small nod. "That's fine. It must not have been who I thought it was."