On day1693, the empty lower shelter lost its first wall.
Jalem watched from the upper path.
The crack had widened slowly since the changed seep reached the footing. They had moved the bedding, food chest, water vessels, and keeper’s work before the wall began to lean. The closure mark had stood for weeks. Nobody was inside when the lower corner settled and the roof slid into the wet ground.
The sound was small against the body beyond it.
Near-the-Cold-Ridge continued feeding.
A broad outer fold lay across the newly watered hollow. Beneath it, pale combs moved through a dark mineral wash. Jalem had lived beside the body long enough to recognize some of its changes and not long enough to mistake recognition for possession.
He did not call it to look at the fallen wall.
It had warned them when the water changed.
