"So they've already gotten there before us?" Beam mused. "I'll do what I can. We need evidence, after all. But I find it hard to believe that a single old man could abduct so many children within a single night. Clearly, there's something bigger going on."
The old woman nodded. "I think so too. I think everyone does – but they're loath to admit it. The idea scares them. They're looking for people to pin the blame on, to quell their fear. They've never had to go through anything quite like this. We've always heard stories of the other villages, and all they've been through with raids and the like – but we've never truly suffered in the same way."
Beam nodded. "I had better move quickly then."
The old woman spared him a sad look as he left.
