Walls leaned at angles and roofs sagged where they hadn’t already collapsed. Doors were missing and the holes they left were like gaping maws with only darkness inside. Momo’s eyes didn’t mind this lack of light so Sanae prodded him to go wander through the nearest homes. They were in a state of relative cleanliness because they were almost completely empty and because there were no small animals or bugs left to make nests. The rot and damage to floors and walls was due to the snow melting rather that the activities of wild critters. The third house was in better shape, partly because the door had remained closed against the elements. Momo had been able to squeeze in. Sanae nudged Momo aside long enough to claim the building by scratching the word FOX in the snow outside the door. They’d climbed up all day and the temperature was colder here, as if this part of the world denied the imminent arrival of spring. Hm, then again, spring wouldn’t truly come here.
