The fierce storm lasted three full days before it finally stopped.
During that time, Richie stayed with Si Ang and Grandmother. Grandmother treated the two children with a detached air, making it hard to tell whether she liked children or disliked them.
Still, Grandmother took good care of both boys.
As soon as the storm stopped, the two children discussed heading down the mountain.
Grandmother suggested they wait, stay on the mountain for another two days, and see how things looked.
A fierce storm had just ended. The rocks on the mountain were loose, the paths were slippery, and stones could easily come tumbling down. It was dangerous, so they would be better off waiting a day or two before descending.
Grandmother said they had finished all the food in the cave and that she would take them to stay in her little house for a day or two.
The little house was nearby. They would see it after walking only a short distance, and getting there was not dangerous.
Richie and Si Ang hesitated. They did not want to stay here, and they even suspected that Grandmother wanted to keep them there.
But they had no evidence to support that suspicion.
Richie's approach was more direct. Even if Grandmother would not let them leave, the two of them could run and jump so quickly that she surely could not stop them.
Richie gave Si Ang a meaningful look, then headed out of the cave.
Before Si Ang had left the cave, Richie was already outside.
Through the swaying leaves, he saw that the sky was still overcast.
"Rumble!"
Richie heard rocks tumbling down. Before he could even register what was happening, Si Ang grabbed him with one hand and hauled him back into the cave.
Fear washed over Richie