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You want to be leader?" Jaime asks, but it's more a statement than a question. "I think we should vote on a leader."

"That's the fairest way," Woody adds.

"We each need a voice in who runs the group." Kelly points back at the main group. "This isn't about any one person's survival, but all of ours."

As they call for a leadership vote, you give in, knowing there's no point in arguing.

"Okay, it's settled." Jaime says, nodding. "We should gather everyone and put this to a vote."

You walk to the side of the road to a small clearing. The country is still, and only a momentary breeze gives relief. Off in a not-so-distant grove of spruce, the tops of trees sway apart from one another with a violent snap of branches and stirring of leaves. In the heat of the rising sun, the group finds shade in the narrow saplings or wipes sweat from their faces. Some sit in the grass or on beach chairs, while others rest in the shade of a spruce. Jaime, Kelly, Rachel, and you stand in front of the onlookers, though Jaime steps up to address the crowd.

"First, I want everyone to know that the minibus is currently not operational, which is why we're not traveling right now. Luth diagnosed an issue with the radiator. We'll try to fix it, but it's gonna take time."

Jaime takes a deep breath and, for a few seconds, appears to be in deep thought. "A few of us—Luth, Kelly, Rachel, Parker—were talking and figured this group needs a leader: someone to make decisions, settle problems, represent us to strangers, and other things. Since we're all in this together, we decided on holding a quick election for a leader."

Jaime stops and glances around, and you can tell he's not sure of the next step.