A new hotbed
Several weeks pass without any sign of Hyun or the flamboyant traders' lorry in the town centre. Our attempts to reach out through the usual channels yield nothing but silence, an unsettling void where there was once a steady flow of information and resources. The absence of the traders, particularly Hyun, becomes a growing concern, disrupting not only our access to external supplies but also our ability to gather intelligence.
One chilly morning, as frost begins to etch intricate patterns on the shelter's windows, Sue bursts into the planning room, an unusual urgency in her step. "They're back," she announces, her breath fogging in the frigid air. "The traders' lorry is in the square, but something's different, something's off."
I stand immediately, grabbing my coat and scarf. "Different how?" I ask, already heading towards the door with Sue close on my heels, her boots crunching on the frosty ground.