"Solar panels," Marjorie says, her tone full of disbelief.
"Does that mean ?" Emily looks at me.
"Electricity." I grin.
Tom resumes leading the way, and I'm more eager than ever to get inside. The closer we get, the more I realize how similar the buildings are. They're each two stories with no porch, just three cement steps leading to the front door. There are two windows on either side of the door, and a small, brick chimney juts out from the roof.
Tom climbs the steps while the rest of us wait at the bottom. He knocks loudly three times and then stares at his watch, counting one minute. I hold my breath. The seconds tick by so slow, it seems like the minute will never end. Finally, Tom knocks again, and I blow out the breath I've been holding. Another minute passes, and no one answers the door. After the third round of knocking, Tom opens the door and steps inside, gun raised.