Redhawk Caldera no sunlight, no sunlight anymore.

As usual, Finley seemed startled by Elwood's arrival. More often than not these days, she was lost within her own mind. The worst part about it was that Elwood couldn't pry her out of the darkness, and he was beginning to find it difficult to keep trying. Something had happened to her in the wilderness beyond the physical injuries, and he was worried that he wouldn't ever get her back.

But he kept a smile plastered on his face as he lowered himself onto his belly in front of her. She insisted that she was okay, while simultaneously tucking her chin down and away from him in an attempt to obscure her marred cheek from sight. No matter how many times he saw the angry welts, he was still surprised by their severity.

There was silence, and it was nothing new. Elwood gnawed on his lower lip until Finley spoke again, asking about his hunt, but her voice was hollow. "Oh, yeah, it was good. Nothing exciting to report," he replied. "Eljay sleeping?" he asked after a pause, though the question was rhetorical as he could see the gentle rise and fall of the boy's shoulders behind Finley.