squeeze his jaw closed to prevent them chattering away. The noise, magnified in his head, a possible draw to passing swarms. His mind races: I can’t just sit here. But if I’m blind in this light then they are blind too right? How did I not bring a torch? I can’t stay here, I’m too exposed.

He stands slowly using the wall to establish his bearings: If I can get inside one of these buildings, I can hold out for the night. As soon as the light breaks I can get moving again.

Walking along the wall until he gets to the first doorway he rattles the door handle as he tries to force it but it’s locked. He stops as the echo from the noise bounces around the unseen walls around him and he hears a shuffle of feet on some