My teeth won’t stop chattering. I need to get indoors, and quickly. The cabin looks small and lonely on the other side of the garden; covered in snow, the plants on the roof take on strange shapes like weird topiary animals. I trudge towards it, straining for the slightest sound. I tell myself the creature won’t come back, not when the sun is shining. It only appeared before when the light was low: twilight, fog, a blizzard. But that doesn’t stop my body from tensing with dread.

As I walk, I scan the ground for Stig. I desperately want to see his face, but I couldn’t bear it if … I push the thought of Yrsa and Olav away and force myself to move faster.

The cabin door is open. I pause, my heart pounding. Maybe Stig managed to crawl back. He might be inside, waiting for me.

I hurry up the path, then stop.

The door is wedged open with snow. Stig must have left it unlatched when he chased after me. The crust of ice is untouched: no footprints, no blood.

The axe is propped against the porch, where Stig left it. I grab it and march up the steps. Inside, the room is cold and grey. I kick out the worst of the snow, then close and bolt the door. Everything is just as before: the kitchen chair lying on the floor, the journals scattered on the rug. My gaze falls on Gandalf’s empty bed and something inside me breaks.

He was so brave, he gave his life to save me. I wish he was here so I could hold him; so I could tell him he’s a good boy. I wish he was here to lick my face.

The axe drops from my hand and my body heaves with sobs. All of me is shaking. I can’t … can’t stop. I wipe away my tears and tell myself to breathe. I have to survive to free Mormor and save Stig. I need to think straight. I need to get warm.

I wrap a blanket around myself, then kneel before the stove. My fingers fumble and I drop the matches. At last the spark takes. I glance at the window, dreading the sound of a howl but there’s only the cry of the wind, whistling around the cabin like it’s trying to get in.

It will be twilight soon. I need to be ready.