It's kind of unnerving, being by himself in an unfamiliar area when he knows there's a threat somewhere behind him. Brings up memories he'd rather not think about, and he focuses on the slowly-growing ache in his back and legs to keep him distracted from them. He certainly doesn't plan to let his guard down once he reaches the surf shop - he knows damn well what can happen when you assume you're safe just because you achieved something - but even a stubborn guy like Jim can admit that he should call it a day before he pushes too far, even if the only person he admits that to is himself.

A couple centuries ago, I probably wouldn't even be walking now, or maybe ever, he reminds himself. There's no call for impatience here, not with the right perspective. And much as he does still want to give Verity a hand, he knows that he has to focus on getting into the right condition to do that first.

He does slow his pace a touch, slightly easing the strain and pacing himself for the final stretch to the finish line. He may take a little longer to get there, but what he's losing in time, he'll make up for with situational alertness, and hopefully not needing to get off his feet as soon as he gets to the end goal.