Squinting doesn't actually make any better sense of the words coming out of the guy's mouth, but squinting is what Jude's got, right now. In a way, the attitude--too big, detached but not enough--reminds him of Sam, and he hopes this isn't one more person to find having some kind of breakdown in the wreckage of the next disaster. But if he is, so what? He handled it then, he'll handle it next time it comes up.

He's made a surprisingly capable go of it all, so far. Even if it's most surprising to the ugly voice that sits at the back of his head, piping up in his best friend's nastiest tones.

He slept too well to have to deal with it today. Today is just--houses. "I don't recommend exploring the caves alone, for a few reasons, but the rest of it seems fine. There's a big body of water on the other side, and more houses in better shape, but you'll have to hike a ways to come back for supplies if you can't hunt them down on your own."