Exhaustion caught up with Duncan two hours later.

He tripped over another branch hidden under a thick carpet of brown fall leaves for what felt like the hundredth time. Leaning against a blackleaf oak tree for support, he planted his feet and just concentrated on catching his breath. Sunlight peeking through the branches and translucent black leaves overhead chased away the complaints in Duncan’s joints. He tried to clear his throat but it still felt rough.

“Sofia.”

She stopped walking and looked back at him. They swapped a silent look for a few seconds. Duncan could see the lines of fatigue on her face, drawing dark smudges through her otherwise white fur. Sofia still maintained her ramrod stiff posture but her breathing was almost as hard as his from their forced march. Duncan took a de...

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