Night had fallen, but Penny couldn't sleep. Having slept too much during the day, she was now restless. They would reach Vessaria by tomorrow evening, and it looked as though they would have to spend the night there.
Jim, carefree as ever, was eating tea-leaf eggs and meat buns. When he saw Penny was awake, he handed her a meat bun and asked with a grin, "Hungry?"
Penny shook her head. She had no appetite after sleeping all day, and besides, she was worried sick.
"Jim, do you think Dad will beat you when we get home?"
In the middle of a large bite, Jim paused. He felt a pang of guilt but quickly affected an air of indifference. "So what if he does?"
'It's not like I haven't been beaten before,' he thought. 'I'm tough; I'm not scared. Besides, my old man can't actually beat me to death.'
"I'll protect you, Jim," Penny offered comfortingly.
"There's no need. You just stay out of the way, Penny."
