Her mouth was open, about to respond, reassure him that she knew the drill, but his sudden shout startled her into taking a few steps back. She turned and ran as directed, knowing better than to ask questions.

He found her in a room down the hall, or rather, she opened a door when she saw that it was just him. It was hidden at the end of the hallway, the seams disguised by the panels on the wall. "Prob- probably home," she said, eyes wide, throat so dry she could barely manage a whisper. She pointed out the back door. "Go straight to the edge, then turn right. Should be on the right. She says it... it's like a miniature house, looks out of place."

---

The wooden stairs creaked as she made her way up. She was going to have to reinforce them soon. Maybe destroy them entirely and build new ones. They led to an empty room, the space on the opposite side of the joint running along the floor a scattered mess of things, most of them not functional just yet. The difference between that side and the other was sudden, her gear and tools neatly placed at the end of her cot. That was probably the most personal touch in the place; she couldn't be bothered to decorate. Gave her too much time to think.

She pulled her pack up into the bed, making sure everything was in order. There was a flash of lightning, a crack of thunder- maybe she shouldn't go.

"Probably going to die in a cave one day anyway," she huffed to the empty room.