Cries filled the room. Everyone crowded into the small space, gazing in utter grief at the peacefully departed Zion Lowell. Taylor Vance stood just outside the door, his limbs cold and his eyes vacant. His ears rang, and he couldn't stop his fingers from trembling.
'He was alive just a moment ago. He was breathing, his body still warm. How could he be gone the second I stepped out?'
Taylor Vance staggered back a few steps. He couldn't believe Zion Lowell was gone just like that. Just this morning, they had talked about going out to shovel snow and coming back to build a snowman for the children. The bamboo by the river was flourishing, and only yesterday Zion had been musing about weaving more baskets to store things. Last night, he had even borrowed a needle and thread from him, saying his clothes were ripped and needed patching.
