Tonya helps the last wounded off the cart and sits down on the muddy ground, exhausted. A dozen hours have passed since they evacuated from Zelgrad. The sound of artillery fire has grown too distant to hear. Crownslayer appears behind her and takes a look at the metal bucket Tonya made herself, and the empty detergent cans inside. 'You told Red there was no room on the cart. He was carrying five children on his back.' 'I had to bring this bucket,' Tonya says. 'Did you talk to Red?' 'Yeah, he told me you asked about Reunion. Have you made up your mind? He would be happy to take you in.' 'Still thinking about it.' Tonya pauses for a moment. 'I was thinking about my sister.' 'Masha, or the little one? I just saw them sleeping with Grisha.' Then Crownslayer realizes with a start. 'Oh, you were talking about...' 'Nina.' Crownslayer sits down. 'These cans were all mine,' says Tonya. 'Papa and Mama were using this brand since I was little. We had a lot of cans like these. They were all the toys I had, and Nina's favorite too.' 'I see many gashes on them. Were you using them for target practice?' 'Yes. But they should have been toys.' 'What about the bucket?' 'It used to be for water and cystymilk, things that bring life. Then I started washing blood-stained fabric in it after I began to train. And then...' Tonya takes out a white packet from the bottom of the bucket, opening it to reveal white ashes. 'I wanted to keep Nina's swaddle, but I ended up burning it.' Tonya takes a long look at the harmless ash, the flames like water having washed away all corruption and sin. 'All I ever wanted was for children to be children, and toys to be toys. For a bucket to be a bucket, and nothing else.' Crownslayer shakes her head. 'It would be easier to flip Terra on its head.' 'I wanted to protect my way of life, at least.' Tonya gazes into Crownslayer's eyes. 'But Zelgrad is gone. Is it shameful for someone to be obsessed with her own way of life at a time like this?' 'Everyone has their own perspective,' says Crownslayer. 'If you ask me, I think it takes a lot of courage to look one's way of life in the eye.' 'So it's not shameful, then.' Tonya nods. 'Get some rest, Tonya. There's a long journey waiting for us tomorrow.' 'Just a moment. Is it true that Rhodes Island offers subsidies for Infected children?' 'Not just children. People like you can apply to become operators there, which can take a lot of the pressure off.' Crownslayer glances at Tonya's bandages. She realizes that they have gotten loose, revealing the black stone she had been hiding for a long time. 'It's time to wash the bandages,' mutters Tonya. Then, a thought occurs to her: Maybe she won't have to hide it much longer.