Andrew slipped on the snow, but even when he fell, he crawled and clung to anything he could find to pull himself back up. No matter how his chest ached, no matter how his heart pounded with electric jolts of pain, no matter how numb his face and legs had become, Andrew didn’t slow down.


One misstep sent him tumbling into a void, unable to halt his fall. He surrendered to it, feeling every scrape from stray rocks and branches until he finally landed on level ground, his body bruised and bleeding.


A bark shattered the silence. Andrew lifted his gaze and spotted the silhouette of the hunting dog circling on a vast, frozen lake stretched out before him. Lying face down, buried in the snow, he realized he had stumbled upon the lake’s shore- the very place where everything had begun. Dexter had turned to face him, barking in a beckoning tome. Andrew didn’t think twice. Slowly, he crawled on all fours, pressing his palm to the ice surface.


He glanced back. Reaching the center of the lake, far from the chaotic forest and the lurking dangers, was his only way out. That place with the dog nearby was offering him a brief feeling of the freedom he needed.


Andrew kept crawling, placing his trust in the frozen surface. He inched closer to Dexter who was sniffing at a hole in the ice. The dog continued to watch him, barking insistently.


<< I’m coming, buddy. I’m coming>> he murmured softly.     

                                                              

When Andrew reached the hole, he gently nudged Dexter’s muzzle away from the water, petting him at the same time. A sudden crack froze him in place. He took this moment to steady his breathing. The pain ebbed and the frigid air refreshed his mind.


<< Everything’s going to be fine >> he whispered to Dexter, stroking him as a genuine smile broke across his lips. It was a risk, standing there but he didn’t care! He had managed to grasp a silver of freedom and peace.


Suddenly small ripples started to disturb the water in the hole, capturing Andrew’s full attention. And that’s when he felt it- the chilling sensation of a cold barrel pressing against his skull.