They walked through the snowy ground that crunched underfoot. The steps were branded into the pure cold whiteness, leaving the evidence of the human life in the silent night. Cassiel opened the barn with one hand and the busy mooing welcomed them even before they could see the original occupants of the shelter.
"We are trying to isolate the one showing the symptoms of the sickness from the rest…" the farmer quickly explained, why the barn was full of cattle. Most of the animals were also on the ground, indicating a lack of energy and enthusiasm. The smell of the cowshed was unpleasant as no one took proper care of the weakened animals and ventilation was poor.
Violet glimpsed at Cassiel by her side and judged his expression. He was always a bit of the clean freak, and she wondered, whether he could endure to be put in the messy surrounding as this. But his face remained stone-like as if he put all his will into not revealing any emotions.