Chapter 6: The Gears of Fate Began to Turn
Leon searched around the backyard for a while and found a covered water cistern and several wooden barrels.
There was still quite a bit of water left in the cistern.
There was no wind in the woods tonight.
He rummaged up some firewood from another corner of the backyard and placed it a short distance away from the cellar entrance.
Taking out the tinderbox he used for lighting lamps, he began trying to start a fire.
Before long, firelight lit up the courtyard.
Leon observed the positioning and confirmed that the bedroom where the girl had gone to sleep earlier should be able to see the light through the oil-paper window.
He then turned and rushed outside the small gate in the fence, crouched down, and grabbed a stone, hurling it at the cellar door panel.
The stone struck the lock squarely, producing a crisp clang that echoed through the backyard.