(Time-Stilled World, 53 Kilometers from Forest Entry, Leo's Team, Day 4)
After almost coming to blows when Patricia threatened to cut Bob's balls off, the team recovered slightly over the next hour, as Patricia turned oddly submissive and began trying her best to not antagonize either of them again.
She stayed quiet at first, unusually so, only nodding when spoken to and maintaining a safe distance while they walked.
But over time, she began cracking dry, nervous jokes, most of which landed flat, but in the stifling silence of the forest, even those awkward attempts at humor were a welcome change.
Leo didn't smile. Bob didn't laugh. But neither of them told her to shut up either, which for Patricia felt like a win.
It wasn't peace.
But it was something like it.
As for the first time in hours, the group found a fragile sense of unity amongst them once again.
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