The mountain path was muddy and slick in the rain.
Lex led the way, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, while John followed closely behind. The villagers looked out for one another as they called out the young couple's names.
When they passed a steep slope, one of the villagers slipped and cried out as he tumbled downward.
John was the closest to him. Acting on instinct, he reached out and grabbed the man, but the force of the fall dragged him down as well. The two of them slid several yards through the mud before a small tree finally stopped them.
"Are you all right?" John asked, ignoring the burning pain in his own arm and knee.
Still badly shaken, the villager thanked him repeatedly. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Hayes. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." John gritted h
