Sol walked towards the spot.
He crouched and touched the soil.
Then he pulled something from beneath the earth.
A small wooden key.
Its handle was carved with a tree.
Jude approached.
"Is that the key to the first house?"
Sol nodded.
"Now we can find it."
Jude looked towards the northern forest.
"Then we go tomorrow."
Sol shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's waiting tonight."
Jude looked at the sky.
The sun was beginning to set.
A strange grey cloud had appeared above the mountains.
It was moving against the wind.
Jude turned towards the others.
"We need to prepare. Nobody goes anywhere alone. We stay together tonight."
Susan nodded.
"We'll gather everyone."
Serena began assigning the women to check the remaining houses and secure the walkways.
Sophie and Scarlet went to retrieve supplies from the storehouse. Rose and Natalie gathered blankets. Zoey and Lucy checked the animal pens, while Emma and Grace made sure the firepit was still usable.
