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Wanderer is able to find her way through the rocky exit, much to the humans’ surprise. While they stand frozen, she situates herself in between Jared and Kyle. Kyle attempts to push her out of the way, but Jared finds himself grabbing onto her wrist. When he realizes what he’s done, he lets go and then demands that she get back into the hole. Wanderer refuses and there is a brief stand-off between she, Jared, and Kyle. Ian finally grabs Wanderer out of the way, while Jared and Kyle fight. Kyle tells his brother to kill Wanderer. Ian attempts to strangle her, but then the sound of a gun cocking freezes everyone. Jeb has arrived at the scene and scolds the boys; Your guests here, boys, and don’t forget it. I told you not to go looking for the girl. She’s my guest, too, for the moment, and I don’t take too kindly to any of my guests killing any of the others.”
Kyle demands to know what Jeb’s plans are for the soul and Jeb replies that it’s not up to him, it’s up to Jared. Jared is stunned and Kyle continues to protest against the soul. Jeb shuts him up with “My house, my rules“, and then instructs the boys to get out. Wanderer notes that Jeb has only showed her kindness since she had first met him in the desert. After the brothers leave, Jeb and Jared discuss the decision that Jared is responsible for. Jeb tells him that he doesn’t have to make a choice right away and that he can take him time. Jared isn’t comforted by this fact and leaves in the same direction as Kyle and Ian. Jeb tells Wanderer that she should get some sleep. She obeys him and in the next few seconds, she’s out like a light.
The smell of food wakes Wanderer and when she regains her consciousness, she sees that the tray is filled up with food again. This time it is Jeb, and not Jared, who sits outside her prison. She eats her food and then Jeb politely asks her if she needs to go to the ladies’ room. She nods, and Jeb lets her out of the hole to talk her on a walk. In order for them to reach the washroom-area, they are forced to pass through what Jeb calls “the main plaza” which is no doubt full of humans. They gawk and stare at Wanderer, but Jeb’s rifle keeps them silent.
Before Jeb shows Wanderer the “washrooms”, he explains how he came to find the caves and how he made them live-able:
Found his place back in the seventies. Well, it found me. I fell through the roof of the big room — probably shoulda died from the fall, but I’m too tough for my own good. Took me a while to find a way out. I was hungry enough to eat rock by the time I managed it.
I was the only one left on the ranch by then, so I didn’t have anyone to show it to. I explored every nook and cranny, and I could see the possibilities. I decided this might be a good card to keep up my sleeve, just in case. That’s how we Stryders are — we like to be prepared.
…These are lava tubes — can you beat that? This used to be a volcano. Well, still is a volcano, I expect. Not quite dead, as you’ll see in a bit. All these caves and holes are bubbles of air that got caught in the cooling lava. I’ve put quite a bit of work into it over the last few decades. Some of it was easy — connecting the tubes just took a little elbow grease. Other parts took more imagination. Did you the ceiling in the big room? That took me years to get right.”
