It's not that Karkat fails to notice everything, but it's easy to write off. She's injured; of course she'd slow, and it's not some great imposition to slow down for her. Her paling face could be from a number of things. The grit of her teeth is easiest to miss, though, as his attention keeps outward more than on her. He can't let them get ambushed again.

It's fine. They can rest when they need and keep going. It's worked so far.

But it doesn't stop a sudden clatter behind him. Karkat turns when the sound hits him, seeing just in time as she bends, clutching at herself.

"Nill?" His focus snaps up around them, darting for sign of something or someone that could have attacked from a distance, but he sees nothing, hears nothing. "Nill, what's wrong?"

He dips before her now, gaze flicking between her face and her middle for any sign of explanation.