In the Appalachian mountains, deep in the forest of the craggy rocky tops, a dark-haired woman stepped out of the cave she'd taken refuge in during the snowstorm that had struck last night. It was the coldest time of year.
The woman's ebony hair was in a tight braid and she was bundled in thick clothes made for snow and a ranger hat. Beside her, a black long-haired German Shepard with sky-blue eyes made his way out, standing near her.
"That is a foot of fresh snow. Kanati, I am going to be relying on you." She said, kneeling and putting her forehead on the dogs. There they stayed a moment, and when she stood the woman whispered: "Creator, guide us."
For hours the two walked. Noon came and went. Twilight approached. Kanati could not pick up the scent, and the temperature was dropping. Snow began to fall and their lungs burned.
A bark from Kanati had her standing though. He was sniffing the ground and wagged his tail as she approached to see a single handprint in the snow.
Looking up she saw another in the distance. Her heart beat as she raced to follow them. A mile she followed the hand prints, to a woman curled up under a tree. Kanati barked as he ran to her, and weakly the woman's eyes fluttered open.
The ranger pulled out a radio, and with a smile, she spoke into it: "Nûñnë'hï has blessed us. I found the missing hiker."
About the Creator
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Comments (1)
Oh, I loved that!! The twist was great as I was thinking she and the dog were lost. And I can always appreciate a happy ending :) Wonderful storytelling, Hope.