A sudden downturn tightens his brow. It never occurred to him that people disappearing would leave pets behind. He doesn't like it, not at all. And the thought isn't helping what was already a healthy heap of morning anxiety.

"I'm not new," he replies, meaning he's not new to Aldrip. He's certainly never worked on this farm before, and he didn't ask anyone's permission to do so. Should he have? He sighs, can't keep his shoulders from sagging slightly. "But I feel like I still am. I don't know what I should be doing here."