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The dogs had an unerring sense of direction. They didn’t need any light to guide them, and Brian proved to be their first target. He’d been lagging behind, finding the going difficult. Richard knew that, just like him, the cold sank deep into his bones, seizing up muscles, pain lancing through every fibre of his body. He wanted to force his way back, help his friend, but in that darkness, his thoughts confused and anxious due to the sound of the fast-approaching dogs, he couldn’t accurately gauge distance or direction. He was going to be too late.
And then, as if nature itself conspired to heighten the sense of horror, the clouds parted as if on command and a diffuse smudge of light opened up the scene.
It happened quickly. And Richard saw it all, gaping in horror, frozen in fear. Th
