We went to sleep early that night to prepare for a busy day ahead. The cabin Bai Ye led us to—likely also one of his discoveries from the week before—had a lofted bed, and I shared it with Han Shu while the four men crowded in on the floor. It wasn't uncomfortable, though I still found it hard to fall asleep, knowing that Bai Ye was almost right next to me but I couldn't talk to him.
I lay in bed half-awake all night, trying to guess which rhythm of breathing drifting in the air was from him. After long, torturing hours of waiting, the first hint of milky white finally started to glow on the horizon, and a light rustle came from near the door. Bai Ye got up and left quietly with his bow and arrows.
I heard everyone's breathing change. They were all awake, waiting for the snare to snap closed on them. But they waited and waited, and nothing happened.
