Wren and Xavier navigate the Blacklands, where darkness and environmental hazards make every step dangerous. Wren repeatedly warns Xavier to slow down and follow her lead, emphasizing that this terrain is unlike Silver Elite operations. They exchange dry banter, including Wren teasing about a horned bear and Xavier admitting Cross likes her. The tension of the setting forces Xavier to defer to Wren’s expertise.

About thirty minutes in, a large cat attacks. Wren kills it with a rifle shot, identifying it as a red cougar and noting its edibility. They continue by following the sound of water, Wren explaining her background and familiarity with the terrain. Xavier asks about her being Modified, and shares a story that Cross once said the girl of his dreams “loves daisies,” implying it was Wren.

Impatience leads Xavier to surge ahead and nearly step into a black-sand pit; Wren drags him back, saving his boot. Moments later he brushes black snakeroot and suffers burning hives, prompting Wren to explain the plant’s dangers and her uncle’s teachings about Blacklands flora and fauna.

After roughly seven arduous hours they reach a sunlit clearing containing the hut Wren lived in with her Uncle Jim. They rest, start a fire, and Wren explores the hut, finding old mementos and a supply chest. Inside, she discovers a plastic-wrapped envelope addressed to her in Jim’s handwriting.

With dusk encroaching, they decide to camp in the clearing, anticipating more travel—possibly eight or more hours—through the Blacklands tomorrow. Xavier claims the larger bed inside the hut while Wren remains by the fire. Once alone, she opens Jim’s letter.

The letter begins with Jim acknowledging he is likely dead and insisting Wren pay attention because there are important things she needs to know. Whatever Wren reads shakes her profoundly; her pulse weakens and she rereads to confirm the contents. Overcome, she crushes the letter in her fist and throws it into the fire, destroying it without sharing its revelations.