The next morning, Jude woke to find the spare bed empty. The blanket was neatly folded. The wooden bird was gone. He sat up and looked around the cabin.
"Sol?"
No answer.
He stepped outside. The village was already awake. Susan was preparing breakfast, Rose was carrying vegetables from the storehouse, and Scarlet was arguing with Stella about the garden gate. Jude approached them.
"Has anyone seen Sol?"
Rose looked up.
"Wasn't he with you?"
"He was sleeping in my cabin."
"Perhaps he's at the garden."
Jude checked. The garden was empty. He walked toward the eastern farms.
Sol was nowhere to be found.
He asked Lucy and Zoey, who had just returned from the western path. They hadn't seen him. Sophie joined him near the central firepit.
"What's wrong?"
"Sol is missing."
Her expression changed.
"When did you last see him?"
"Last night."
