Twenty-ThreeThe sun rose over Amatoll forest, hidden behind thick cloud. The dying embers of the fire had burned through the blackened porch, falling to the hard earth below. Kerry added a few more planks and branches, dropping them through the gaping hole in the wooden boards. She turned to Rick and Marlies, who were curled up on the uneven planks. Exhaustion had finally won out, plunging them both into a fitful sleep. Kerry had also slept but woke when a bird had landed on the blackened rail next to her. After dropping the wood onto the remnants of the fire, she headed around the back of the cabin, relieving herself quickly. The young woman with dark unruly hair, walked around the clearing, the forest around her still and imposing. Her mind tried to take in the events of the night before
