Julia and Cain walked next to each other in awkward silence. Cain was trying to figure out what to say. "Uh…um…look, Julia… I'm really sorry…" Cain finally said. Julia continued to look at the ground. Cain was trying to figure out what to say next, then Julia spoke up. "I've heard about you. Wyatt Cain, Tin Man. I knew who you were as soon as I saw you. I know you've suffered too. Trapped in a suit for eight years, watched your wife and son get beat. I'm sorry too…" Julia said.
Cain looked over at her. "Why won't you look at me?" he asked. Julia looked over at him. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "Never mind. So, how did you survive on your own for eight years?" he asked. "I could ask you the same thing. Rodney and I had access to anything, but you…" she paused and her amber brown eyes looked into his icy blue ones.
"We have more in common than you think, Julia…" Wyatt said with a smile. Julia looked ahead and smiled too. "I know…" she replied.
Night fell quickly and the group settled in another cave which Rodney and Julia searched thoroughly. Julia, Rodney, Glitch and Cain all sat around a small campfire while the rest slept inside the cave. There was an awkward silence in the air. "So… where did you guys learn your fighting and weaponry skills?" Glitch asked. Rodney looked over at him. "We have been trained to fight since we were seven," she said.
Cain laid down on his side, and looked over at Julia. "You alright? You haven't said much this whole little trip…" he said, concern filling his eyes. He couldn't help it. He hated to see anyone upset, especially if it was a female. She looked up at him. "I'll be fine," she said with a small reassuring smile. "Doesn't sound like it," Cain spoke up again.
Julia rolled her eyes. "You Tin Men never stop asking questions until you get your answers do you?" she asked with a small smile. Cain shook his head. "Nope, I keep asking until I get answered," he said, sitting up to adjust the fire. He looked over at her again, but she wasn't looking at him. Instead, she was looking into the flames in thought.
Rodney looked over at Glitch. "So, why do they call you Glitch?" she asked. Glitch looked at Cain for a second, and then back at Rodney. "Well, ever since my marbles have been missing… I sometimes repeat myself and such things," he said. "Why don't you get your brain back?" Rodney asked. Glitch sighed. "Because the other half of my brain was under the witch's guard for so long. Connecting it back to my real brain could change me…not in the good way. So until the alchemists fix it to perfection…I am stuck with just half a brain…" he said, sounding defeated.
"It takes a year for that?" Julia asked. "It's a person's brain, not a toy…" Rodney spoke up. Julia looked over at Rodney, slightly annoyed. There was a yawn heard and she looked up to see Aiden coming out of the cave. "Aiden, what are you still doing up?" she asked with a small smile. "I had a nightmare…" he said, sitting in between Julia and Rodney.
"A nightmare?" Rodney asked, running her hand over the small boy's head. "Yea, a big scarwy monster was chasin' me. Then Mr. Cowboy and Mr. Zipper saved me," Aiden said, looking first at Glitch then at Cain. "Thank you Mr. Cowboy and Mr. Zipper," Aiden said with a sleepy smile. Julia looked over at Cain. "Your welcome, Aiden…" Cain said, but looking at Julia.
"Anytime Aiden…" Glitch said with a happy smile. Aiden laid his head down on Rodney's lap and tried to get some sleep. Rodney looked over at Cain and Glitch. "You don't care if he calls you 'Mr. Cowboy and Mr. Zipper'?" she asked. They both shook their heads. "Not at all," Glitch said. "Why don't you two get some rest? We have a full day ahead of us tomorrow," Julia said, looking at the ground.
"We're in no rush. In fact, I think the princess's would like to get out of the castle for a few more days," Cain stated. Rodney and Julia looked at each other and then back at them. "Wouldn't your Queen be worried?" Julia asked. They both shook their heads again. Rodney smiled and then looked at Glitch. "In that case, why don't you show me some of this…rhythm…you were telling me about tomorrow," she said.
Glitch nodded. "Sure, but will you be able to keep up?" he asked with a small smile. Rodney tilted her head. "Will I?" she teased. They both chuckled slightly. Julia looked at Cain. "What would you do if you were faced with a Long Coat, and you were in the wild?" she asked. Cain looked down at his gun. "You don't have one," she spoke up.
"I guess….either take cover or fight…" Cain said. "We're gonna stay with fight," Julia replied. "I'm sorry, but Cain…Cain just can't fight…" Glitch said, earning a look from Cain. "What? You can't," Glitch said in response to Cain's look. Cain closed his eyes in embarrassment. He loved Glitch like a brother, but sometimes he would bring things out about Cain that Cain didn't need brought up.
He opened his eyes to see Julia and Rodney looking at him, confused. "Well, I'm going to teach you something new…." Julia said, standing up. "Which would be?" he asked, looking up at her. "You'll see…" she said. Rodney stood up with her, a sleeping Aiden in her arms. "Good night….Mr. Cowboy and Mr. Zipper," Julia said with an amused smirk.
Rodney couldn't help but smile too, and they carried Aiden towards the back of the cave. When they disappeared, Cain turned to look at Glitch, shoving his shoulder slightly. "What?" Glitch piped up in protest. "Why did you tell them that?" he asked. "I don't know, it'll give you and Julia a chance to…talk," Glitch said with a smile.
"Okay, no. I just met her, and she isn't that friendly…" Cain trailed. "Didn't you say the two of you had more in common than you thought?" Glitch questioned. Cain was silent for a minute. "So you're going to show you her…rhythm? Getting some time to 'talk' to her?" Cain asked. Glitch shrugged. "I think the more we talk to them, gain their trust, the friendlier they will be…" Glitch said.
"That's true, goodnight… Mr. Zipper," Cain said, covering his face with his hat so Glitch couldn't see his smile. Glitch rolled his eyes. "Goodnight to you Mr. Cowboy," Glitch said. Cain chuckled slightly.