[And again, she wouldn't be wrong about that. He's okay enough to get by, but it's not always good enough. Maybe someday he'll be brave enough to tell her that and admit that he has a few hang-ups about things, but not today. He's already scared her enough today. The last thing he needs is to crack open and tell her everything else going on in his head.

So he rewards her with a half-smile instead.] I think you might be right. [She moves to sit next to him and he sits up, staring ahead of him for a moment without speaking before he nods more to himself than to her.] He can't be too far...he wouldn't go outside of the walls without me if he could help it. And if we're both looking maybe it'll help to find him faster. [It's a silent "yes."] Stupid channel's blocked. I can't get in touch with him at all.