It took almost two hours before they finally managed to generate an adequate spark to light the firewood in the furnace.
Exhaustion gnawed at their bones, but Midori and Mai persevered. They dragged the futons from the bedroom to the kitchen, seeking warmth for a night of much-needed rest.
Dawn seeped in, finding the furnace a tomb of smoldering embers, its warmth long surrendered. Cradled in sleep against each other, Midori and Mai basked in the last of its fading embrace until a clumsy foot, guided by an equally clumsy soul, rudely interrupted their slumber.
"Ahhhhhhhhh...!!!" The intruder cried out, apparently not at all expecting two people to be sleeping in the kitchen.
"Waaaaaaaahhhhh...!!!"
Mai's scream tore through the stillness, a raw edge of terror lacing its high notes.
