Ronnie made her way up to her quarters which was more like a glorified broom closet. She didn't mind it too much it was four walls and a ceiling and during these times that was considered a luxury. As she gathered her gear the words about Marcus being sick hit somewhat of chord with Ronnie. It would explain a lot about what really happened to him, because Ronnie refused to believe that anyone could ever get the better of Marcus. Although Ronnie did admit to herself that her opinion and point of view concerning Marcus was somewhat biased. The man not only taught her how to use her leg to her advantage, how to survive as Peace Keeper, but they were lovers at one point in time. 

Ronnie gathered her gear and then saw an ant crawling across the floor and remembered an important lesson that Marcus taught her; things aren't always as they appear. She looked at the ant for a moment as her mind drifted back to a barren wasteland that at one point in time had cornfields as far as the eye could see. It was a scorching day in Iowa Ronnie was just getting used to her leg as Marcus and her were out for run. Marcus told her unless she could keep up with him there was no way he would allow her back into action. For the 7th time Marcus smoked her on open terrain and Ronnie was sitting on the ground near some rocks another 2 miles away from the finish line.

Marcus approached her and said, "So is that it kid? You're just gonna give up and call it? What a waste of my time and your talent!" 

Ronnie snapped back, "HEY! In case you haven't noticed I'm not half the woman I used to be!"

Marcus shook his head and said, "You think what you see is all that there is to life? Wow! I'm amazed you've as long as you have Veronica."

Marcus knew that Ronnie hated being called that and just glared at him for a moment. Marcus walked over to the rock pile and said, "Come over for a moment." Ronnie walked over and Marcus said, "What do you see here?" 

Ronnie replied, "Rocks. Wow are you saying I'm being stubborn?"

Marcus shook his head and said, "Look closer. Do you see the ant here?"

Ronnie nodded and said, "Yeah. Is there a point here?"

Marcus nodded and said, "Yes there is. Outward appearances say that this ant is small, frail, and weak, Yet it still lives on. It doesn't see itself as small and frail and weak. It sees itself as a living being that is more than just it's outward appearances. For the next two hours I want you to sit there and stare at that ant."

As Marcus walked away Ronnie shook her head, but still kept her focus on the ant moving about. How it went about it's life with a sense of purpose and focus. Ronnie finally began to understand what Marcus was trying to get her to do. 

The next day when they ran...Ronnie got smoked again, but she finished the run. For two weeks her and Marcus ran their 5 mile race everyday until finally Ronnie tied him, and then two days later she finally broke through. 

Ronnie nodded at the ant in her closet and said, "Keep an eye on the place while I'm gone, and no wild parties." She grabbed her gear and headed for the well.