On a cold morning that felt like late autumn, Losi crawled out of the abandoned doghouse. He circled it, squatting and jumping to warm his frozen body.
His sleepy younger brother Xiluo crawled out after him, reluctant to leave the warmth of the night behind. "Brother, can we take our house with us?"
"No... not yet." Luoxi sounded less certain than before. "Let's go to the Square first. If they don't want us, we'll come back."
Luoxi propped a stone against the doghouse door, then took his Younger Brother's slightly cold hand and led him to the Square.
He thought they had arrived early, but many Displaced People had already gathered in the Square, lining up before two Felt Tents.
The refugees went to one Felt Tent to be checked for Lice and ringworm. Those without disease or other problems were selected as citizens, then received a padded coat from the other Felt Tent.
The autumn wind swept yellowed leaves and dust across the square, making the brothers shiver. They slipped into the crowd to seek Cold Protection from the wind and, taking advantage of their size, squeezed their way from the back to the front.
"Damn it, more people ran off."
The registration officer flipped through the lists from earlier groups and called out several names. When no one answered, he crossed them off. "Forget those fools... Next... Next?"
"We're here!"
An arm reached up from behind the table.
The registration officer had to stand and lean forward before he could see two malnourished boys. One looked twelve or thirteen; the other, six or seven.
"You two... No, you're too young." The boys reminded the officer of his son, who was around their age, and he couldn't bear to turn them away harshly.
"Please, sir. We'll die here..."
"The