CAROLINE
S
weat caked my body,
and I nearly managed to nod off before Kiki’s familiar bark tickled my eardrums. The sound sent a jerk ripping through my muscles, and I clamped my hands over my mouth to stop myself from crying out. Pain gripped my legs with a viciousness, and my whimpers surrounded me mockingly. Twisting at the rustling that sounded to me right, I fumbled for a heavy rock as my heart hammered in my chest. Blood rushed in my ears, drowning out the sound of my own harsh panting.
Kiki’s light steps were followed by something much bigger and heavier tromping behind her, and I swiped my tears from my eyes to get a clear look. The sun was turning the atmosphere gray; in a mere hour or two the star would crest the horizon. It’d taken my dog all night to find help, and I trembl
