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Rootbound
The Winter Guests · Ch.9
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A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing in a long, arched glass conservatory at night, looking up at a single floating leaf. The bottom panel shows a view from inside a dark brick potting shed looking out through an open door into the same glowing conservatory, with several leaves floating toward a wooden tray filled with dried foliage.
Two panels set in a dark, brick-walled storage room at night. In the top panel, a woman holds a ring of keys while a man holds a lit lantern, illuminating wooden shelves and a tray of leaves. In the bottom panel, a close-up shows the woman looking at a leaf that appears to be floating or lifting from the wooden tray as the man watches from behind.
A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing over a wooden tray filled with dried leaves and pale cocoons in a dimly lit brick room. The bottom panel is a close-up of the tray, showing a thin, luminous golden ribbon of light weaving through the leaves and over the cocoons.
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A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing in a long, arched glass conservatory at night, looking up at a single floating leaf. The bottom panel shows a view from inside a dark brick potting shed looking out through an open door into the same glowing conservatory, with several leaves floating toward a wooden tray filled with dried foliage.
Two panels set in a dark, brick-walled storage room at night. In the top panel, a woman holds a ring of keys while a man holds a lit lantern, illuminating wooden shelves and a tray of leaves. In the bottom panel, a close-up shows the woman looking at a leaf that appears to be floating or lifting from the wooden tray as the man watches from behind.
A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing over a wooden tray filled with dried leaves and pale cocoons in a dimly lit brick room. The bottom panel is a close-up of the tray, showing a thin, luminous golden ribbon of light weaving through the leaves and over the cocoons.

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← Room to Grow · Ch.8
Text Version A written companion to this chapter — for accessibility, screen readers, and search.

A leaf rising at Room Eight leads Fern and Wren to a tray that refuses to be cleared away. Hidden silk cocoons reveal that the dead night watchman was keeping a promise to his winter guests. With Ida's memory to guide them, they move the undisturbed tray to a cool, sheltered corner rather than a shredder or a heated glasshouse. The watchman lets go when care means leaving something alone. Back in the corridor, rippling water carries a bell from Room Nine.

Page 1

A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing in a long, arched glass conservatory at night, looking up at a single floating leaf. The bottom panel shows a view from inside a dark brick potting shed looking out through an open door into the same glowing conservatory, with several leaves floating toward a wooden tray filled with dried foliage. Visible text, in reading order: Fern: Yesterday, roots. Tonight, flying leaves. Wren: At least these are lighter.

Page 2

Two panels set in a dark, brick-walled storage room at night. In the top panel, a woman holds a ring of keys while a man holds a lit lantern, illuminating wooden shelves and a tray of leaves. In the bottom panel, a close-up shows the woman looking at a leaf that appears to be floating or lifting from the wooden tray as the man watches from behind. Visible text, in reading order: Wren: This room was cleared last winter. Fern: Someone disagrees.

Page 3

A two-panel comic page. The top panel shows Fern and Wren standing over a wooden tray filled with dried leaves and pale cocoons in a dimly lit brick room. The bottom panel is a close-up of the tray, showing a thin, luminous golden ribbon of light weaving through the leaves and over the cocoons. Visible text, in reading order: Wren: Shall I take them to the shredder? Fern: Not yet. Look what they are covering.

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