Ada finds herself on the back of News’s horse with News at the reigns. Agnes Rose rides Prudence with Lark saddled behind her. The Gang was against the rescue mission, but News could not leave Ada alone to the town of Casper’s wrath. As they travel, Agnes Rose confides in Ada that the Kid has been unwell. The night before the Kid terrified Agnes Rose: After a manic speech about taking back the entire country with God’s help, the Kid dipped an arm into the fire. Agnes Rose put the fire out and tended to the burn wound quickly, but she needs Ada back to check for infection.

When they arrive at Hole in the Wall, Cassie predictably wants Lark to leave. The Kid allows him to stay for now. Texas follows Ada’s instructions to stitch up her gunshot wound. The bullet missed Ada’s bone, slicing only through her skin. Texas leaves so Ada can tend to Lark’s wound. Lark undresses and performs oral sex on Ada. It’s the first sexual encounter Ada has had in which she is not trying to conceive, and it’s liberating and pleasurable in ways she couldn’t have imagined.