The next afternoon, Mr. Grady stopped Clara beside the greenhouse fence. He warned her that storm damage had made the reserve dangerously unstable and asked her not to enter. While he spoke, Clara noticed fresh mud beneath the fence and a strip of white fur caught on one sharp wire.
That evening, Clara watched several flashlights moving behind the broken greenhouse. Five hooded figures passed between the trees, carrying rope, blankets, and a folding ladder. She considered calling Mr. Grady, but then one light swept across her window. Clara stepped back quickly, suddenly afraid they had noticed her standing there.