Johnny's lip curls at that. Oh, sure, remedied. Given away, weaponized, he's heard it all before. Too many possibilities pulling him too many ways, and still the fucking lizard stalking his soul around a tree. He can feel Nova starting to weaken a bit, quivering, more rabbitlike, as she tries to hide between roots.

"Why would you do that for me," he says. "What do I have to give?"

He wants to get his rabbit. He makes a slight, bracing movement as if to push away from the tree, brush past the man, testing. Maybe if he lets him, if Johnny can get Nova back up away from the lizard, they can make a goddamn break for it. Should have done from the outset. Stupid boy.