Trace sat quietly, absorbing Francis's tale but struggled to feel any excitement. He realized that Francis lacked the extraordinary abilities needed to evoke the intensity of a life-or-death experience. This was especially true given their mundane surroundings on a train, traveling through a peaceful, sunlit landscape where life was thriving in the gardens, already showing early signs of harvest.

In that serene setting, it was difficult for Trace to connect with Francis's story. The contrast between the vibrant life outside and the gravity of the tale made it even harder for him to engage emotionally. The moment called for something more thrilling, yet all they had was the ordinary sights of a countryside commute, which left Trace feeling detached from the narrative.