SINCE THE WOKEN HAD discovered the absence of significant numbers of Gens at the settlement, tension had grown at the caves. What had been a happy mood of optimism as they fitted out their new homes had turned to a quiet, constant sense of anxiety for some, and for some, plain fear. There was talk of setting up armed defensive positions and a watch to constantly check for signs of an impending attack.
If such an attack were to come, Ethan speculated, they could easily be trapped. The only exit he, Garwin, and Cherry had discovered that time they had explored the caves was narrow and difficult to navigate. The Gens would only be able to pass through slowly, one at a time. They’d hoped that more escape routes would be discovered later when people arrived and began to investigate the site, b
