[Leslie is grateful that he keeps to a slow pace. Though he is more injured than she is, with his much longer legs, he could doubtless get back faster than she can.]

[It takes Leslie a moment to answer his question. The worry is one that is beyond her ability to pursue in this moment, but it's one that still weighs on her.]

I can't feel Mr. Hector anymore.

[After their talk as Hubert helped her with the familiar bonding ritual, Leslie told him and the others in the house when she and Hector agreed on a bond back in early June. (This has been formed as a temporary bond, which means that Leslie has not actually done a full bond ceremony at the Coven yet. They've been repeatedly using temporary bond potions for the past nearly three months instead, because Hector has a fear of commitment thinks he would be a bad influence as a permanent bond partner.)]

He's been at the Northern Outpost. With the others hunting the abominations. And I thought...it wasn't long after I returned from the Outer City, and I thought it might be easier to feel the bond outside the Bright Wall, since he's so far away. And if he was hurt, or -- or dying...I didn't think I needed to wait to find someone to come with me.

[There haven't been any problems in her accompanied visits to the Outer City. It seems she relaxed too much from that.]