TOM FLEW LOW OVER THE city, searching for any signs of life or death. Pony darted in and out of each building, searching for the scent of whatever creature or creatures caused the entire city population to vanish so quickly. Neither could find any indication of battle, only an occasional overturned chair or latched windows and doors that would otherwise have been open due to the hot summer temperatures.
Nothing at all appeared out of place until they reached the back of the city. There sat a large storage shed made of solid stone, with no windows and only one visible door. Pony stopped before it and turned to gaze up at Tom as he flew past. There was no mistaking the smell of death. It permeated the air surrounding the shed.
Tom landed on the cobblestone street next to Pony. His mouth be
