Night fell, and the woods bustled with lively activity.
Iris Dalton's group originally consisted of eight people, for which two large tents would have sufficed. But now they had two injured people, plus Tristan Sherwood, the director, and Jude Shaw's group of four. So, they set up two more tents. Exactly four large tents enclosed the entire campsite.
By the time the tents were pitched, it was completely dark. Everyone fired up the generator and ran power lines through the camp. Small lightbulbs were strung up inside and outside each tent, illuminating the campsite brightly.
A bonfire crackled in the central clearing. A kettle was suspended over the flames, dedicated solely to boiling water. On a large table nearby sat two portable stoves, a cutting board, and an array of seasonings. Justin Nash was stationed there, cooking dinner. Another table held herbal tea, offering a refreshing drink and a place to rest for those returning from gathering firewood.
