Cuiying looks at Fuli.
"I don't know," she says, uncertainly. "I don't think anyone's down there, but..." she trails off. The five all look at each other.
Cuiying turns to Xi. "Well, you'd better be off now. You're supposed to be collecting wood, and we wouldn't want to get you in trouble!" The boy looks a little disappointed, but he scampers off.
Fuli is lighting a little lamp, which she hands to her brother, but he shakes his head. "I'll go without, then Zaitian can follow me with it. No sense waiting any longer."
He starts down the ladder.