Chapter 4 - Feathered Conundrum

The three patiently watch the house for about 40 minutes. During that time, they think they hear a dog bark from inside, followed by a shadow passing by one of the windows. However, apart from these two occurrences, there are no signs of anyone being in the house. No lights flicker to life, no curtains open or close – it remains seemingly still and quiet.

The rear of Gunnar's house has a high fence that encircles the entire area. It's not immediately apparent how one would easily access the house from the back, as Freddie had suggested.

The fence itself is constructed from a sturdy, dark-colored wood, standing as a formidable barrier to the uninvited. Robbie is confident that with some effort, she might be able to scale it, although it would certainly require some physical exertion and ingenuity. There are no signs of Freddie.

-Emilia and Robbie, Backyard-
Robbie hoists herself up and over the fence, landing gracefully on the other side. Emilia follows suit shortly after.

Once inside the backyard, they are met with a scene of neglect. The yard appears overgrown, the grass not having seen a mower in quite some time. A once-promising garden in the back is now withering, its plants parched and thirsty from lack of water. To add to the ambiance, there are a couple of unsightly piles of dog droppings scattered on the ground.

The outer door leading to the kitchen stands ajar, offering a glimpse of a screen door and the dimly lit interior. Despite their proximity to the house, there is still no audible sign of activity from within, and no lights can be seen emanating from the darkened interior.

-Tanya, Outside the Fence-